As a female solopreneur, I’d like to share a tip today to my fellow #fempreneurs and #femalebusinessowners on how to break the bias & keep your business images authentic and professional, without the use of over-glorified image filters (I’m looking at you snapchat!).
Today is March 8th, International Women’s Day – a global day that both celebrates the achievements of women and aims to rally people for women’s equality.
The theme for #iwd2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, the bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists is a starting point, but it isn’t enough. Actions through awareness campaigns and conversations on how and what is needed to level the playing field are strong next steps.
Achieving equality and diversity is a constant work in progress – for organizations and communities alike. So as women in business we often fall under the societal pressures to be “dolled up”& to wear makeup at all times when we are not in our homes. This type of pressure hasn’t been applied to men to the severe level that women have received it.
With advancements in technology, it’s very easy to take your photo with an app on your cell phone and apply a filter that will apply makeup for you! It works so effectively that it even softens your skin, often too much and leaves you looking 10 years younger than you actually are.
While our self esteems might enjoy looking younger, this type of filter can actually hurt our business. Why? Because it’s not honest. If a potential customer first sees a photo of you on your website (a photo that has a filter applied to it) then they remember that image as how you look, only to feel surprised when they meet you in person or on a virtual call (where you can’t use the filter) and you don’t look as young as you did in the picture. That split second feeling of “wait, is this the same person?” can instantly remove credibility and replace it with doubt. You don’t want a potential customer to associate your business with doubt, do you?
International Women’s Day Tip: Show up authentically! Ditch the image filters, wear less makeup, show up in your photographs, be prepared, professional and put together, with the amount of makeup you’d wear on a regular basis. You are beautiful everyday, show that beauty to your potential customers and build your customer relationship on the foundation of trust. You’ve got this!
