4 ESSENTIAL BRANDING MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Building your business is really exciting. Your service, craft or product gets to be shared with your community and make an impact in other’s lives. As a brand, not only are business logistics important, but branding helps you stand out from the crowd and really personalize the essence of your business.
While there are many creative services you can invest in, from a visual standpoint, Studio Luniste would love to help your vision come to life. The top 4 services we recommend if you’re just starting out are:
Headshots + working photos
Product photography
Short form video or reels
About us video for website
4 ESSENTIAL BRANDING MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
If you’re just starting your small business there are key services that are essential to get your business brand up and running. While running a business can get expensive, prioritizing these will ensure your online presence and help you communicate with your potential clients.
1. HEADSHOTS AND WORKING PHOTOS
What is a headshot?
Headshots are images of yourself, taken by a photographer, that are used to introduce yourself or your brand to your present and potential clients. They’re a great way to cultivate familiarity with those looking to book your services even before you meet those people face-to-face.
Today’s headshots are far from the traditional suit-style vibe. They are a reflection and extension of your business’ values and your personal aesthetic, but also a way to show visual examples of your services. This will help clients with expectations and give you a chance to share your space, products, and methods.
Headshots vs. working shots
Headshots are mainly posed photos in front of a camera. Minimal props are used and can be done in front of a backdrop.
Working headshots are usually more casual and involve the person practicing their craft or services. Some examples are:
Working at a desk with a laptop or writing in a notebook
Using a microphone for podcasters
Making jewelry if that is your product
Styling food as a chef
Both of these are ideal for use on your website, across social channels, PR marketing, magazine or online features and newsletters.
What to wear for a business headshot
Wardrobe for headshots + working photos can be anything you feel comfortable in. For a more professional look, a blazer is classic and can be layered over a blouse, sweater, dress, or even a graphic tee. If there’s a uniform or piece of clothing you always wear when working that can be integrated into the photos as well.
The most important aspect of wardrobe is helping you to feel like yourself, empowered and confident in front of the camera. And don’t worry, we’ll be here to hype you up!
2. PRODUCT PHOTOS
What are product photos?
Product photos are necessary for potential buyers to see what you have to offer. They show the quality, size, structure, color and texture of your product.
Different types of product photography
There are two types of product photography: styled or e-commerce.
Styled product photos are great for website banners and social media. They can be done in-studio or outdoors. They include props like flowers, vases, ingredients or colored blocks. They can also have a variety of backdrops such as wood, fabric, concrete and mirrors. This is also a great opportunity to showcase models using your product as well.
An e-commerce product photo is much more simple. It involves a single backdrop color, usually white and without any props. These are mainly done in a studio. You usually see these types of shots when you click on a product on a website.
3. SHORT FORM VIDEO
What is a short form video?
A short form video is a way for brands and creators to showcase their content in a new way. It can be used strategically in marketing such as in a Facebook ads, to capture the emotions of viewers in an Instagram reel, to personalize a brand, and build its identity, leading to higher conversions.
On average, videos range anywhere between 30 seconds and two minutes. But, depending on each platform, the optimal video length may be shorter or longer, it all depends on what your brand needs. It’s always best to engage your potential client in the hook – first 3-5 seconds of your video – and get their attention.
Benefits of short-form videos
Short form videos are in high demand here at Studio Luniste and to be honest, we have a ton of fun creating these. They allow us to showcase the client in a distinct way other than just photography. Here are some additional benefits of short form videos:
Relatable and memorable content
Easy to repurpose
Creates community
Informs your audience about a particular service or product
Promotes higher engagement
Ranks higher in Google Search results (benefiting SEO)
Increase email open rates and email marketing
In general, short form videos can be used to promote your business in different ways. It’s an easy and creative way to engage your audience and make it shareable so it reaches as many eyes as possible.
The 3 best platforms for short videos
There are several platforms you can use your short videos in. The most popular are the following but they can also be used in Facebook ads, Instagram stories and Facebook stories.
TikTok
Instagram Reels
YouTube shorts
What type of video does my business need?
Here at Studio Luniste, we offer two types of short videos that work great:
Standard and Premium.
The only difference between the two is how they're filmed. Standard short-form video is filmed with a smartphone, and Premium short-form video is filmed by a DSLR Camera. Both can be filmed horizontally and vertically.
We specialize in event coverage, (BTS) behind-the-scenes, product teasers, how-to’s, user-generated-content (UGC) and educational types of content.
4. AN “ABOUT US” VIDEO
What is an About Us video?
An 'About Us' video is a brief and engaging introduction video that showcases your background, values, and unique achievements. These videos can be found on your website, social media platforms, or video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. They are usually about 1-2 minutes long but can vary depending on your needs.
The goal with an about us video is to establish trust, credibility, and a personal connection with viewers, ultimately encouraging them to explore further or engage with your brand.
Why do you need an About Us video?
People value connection and community, maybe even more so these days. An “About Us” video serves as an opportunity to connect with your audience by sharing your story and unique qualities. It also allows you to set yourself apart from your competitors by giving people a glimpse into your business and you as an individual. In your video, you’ll want to provide solutions to people’s problems whether through your service, craft or product.
How to create an About Us video
There are a few different ways you can create an “About Us” video.
It can be documentary-style video with an interview portion, layered with b-roll (supplemental video to your primary video) shots that show what you do, what your work is, and your “why” for everything.
Another option is more narrative-focused with an intentionally thought-out script that can share your origin story and journey as a business. This can include a voice-over or musical audio.
You could also do a more culture and brand focused type of video that shows how it feels to interact with you and your business. There are a lot of options and we can help you narrow down what works best for you, your brand, and your audience.
Work With Studio Luniste
Hey, we get it. Sometimes you may not even know what your vision is and it can seem daunting. But working with a creative agency can really help you narrow down aesthetics, brand colors and really tell your story in the way you want the world to view you. Now that you’ve learned the different types of creative services you need for your business, which are you most excited to do?
Don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact form, Instagram DM or email us at hello@studioluniste.com
