John DeMato, The Power of Persuasive Visual Storytelling – InnovaBuzz 369
John DeMato, DeMato Productions
In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, John DeMato who is a branded lifestyle portrait and virtual photographer who collaborates with speakers, trainers, and other expert-based business owners to create an emotional connection with their audiences through persuasive visual storytelling.
More than a photographer, John sets his clients up for success beyond the photo sessions by coaching them on how to best leverage their image content for every touchpoint across their online presence. A former television producer, John has over 20 years of production experience and has been featured as a portrait photographer expert on several NBC Universal daytime shows.
In our discussion, John talked to me about:
- What makes a good visual story
- The strategy behind a successful photographs that build an emotional connection with your dream clients
- Lighting tips for online meetings
Michael Roderick in episode 328 introduced us to John.
Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Listen to the Podcast
You need to capture all the different things about the way you do business because that is what creates that authentic way of presenting who you are, who you serve, and why you do what you do. @DeMatoPhoto on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet
Show Notes from this episode with John DeMato of DeMato Productions
Key points and takeaways from this episode include:
- Visual photography gives speakers and experts the opportunity to share their offers through a virtual landscape and show their potential audience or clients what the experience of working with them is like.
- Archiving an event is different from capturing a moment. When you take a screenshot, your best bet is getting an archive, whilst if you have professional eye shooting these moments, it helps create an opportunity to position the screen in the same way and manner that a speaker on stage looks. It captures your energy, vibrance, and confidence, that you wouldn’t get with just a screenshot.
- Knowing your WHY behind the thing that you do reveals a lot. It manifests the types of expressions that need to be captured during your session.
- Time is valuable. Make sure that your clients get the most value out of the time and money they have invested in you. Make sure that they are taken care of and there is clear communication. Make sure that they get what they need and over-deliver it.
- Everyone is different. We all have a unique variable that sets us apart and will unlock the door for us to be ourselves.
- You need to capture all the different things about the way you do business because that is what creates that authentic way of presenting who you are, who you serve, and why you do what you do.
- Your personal life gives you the opportunity to connect with your audience beyond the work that you do. Sharing photos of your lifestyle and hobbies opens up your ability to share not just your expertise but also a glimpse of how you live your life and how it relates to your audience.
- Persuasive Visual Storytelling gives an expert the opportunity to capture the attention of people who need their help the most by simply being themselves.
- A good visual story is one that creates an emotional connection. It ignites a conversation.
- Persuasive storytelling is all about simply tapping into yourself and sharing that with everybody else, specifically, who you serve.
- Qualification is a two-way street. It’s not just about the portfolio and the price tag. It’s about the person.
- Be honest with yourself. People like to work with people they like. Being true to yourself gives people the opportunity to truly qualify you. At the same time, it also gives you the opportunity to qualify people out that are not a good fit for you.
- Lighting and Visual Tips for Online Meetings:
- Make sure that you have your camera at eye level.
- Do not sit in front of a window, instead have the window in front of you. Use the light coming from the window as a benefit and not a distraction.
- Be cognizant of your background.
Being true to yourself gives people the opportunity to truly qualify you. At the same time, it also gives you the opportunity to qualify people out that are not a good fit for you. @DeMatoPhoto on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet
The Buzz – Our Innovation Round
Here are John’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.
- #1 thing to be more innovative – Writing. It allows you to challenge your insights and processes.
- Best thing for new ideas – Having a brainstorm routine. Build a process for you to be able to have time to be creative within your schedule.
- Favourite tool for innovation – Google Drive
- Keep project/client on track – Understand what approach will most resonate with them.
- Differentiate – Lean in to who you are, own every step of it, and present that in a way that cannot be confused with anyone else.
To Be a Leader
When it comes to your image content, don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t pretend to be something you are not. You are magical just the way you are.
Reach Out
You can reach out and thank John through his website.
Suggested Guest
John suggested we have a conversation with Ramon Ray of Smart Hustle. So Ramon, keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation from us to the InnovaBuzz podcast, courtesy of John DeMato.
Links
Cool Things About John
- He’s a sponsor of the National Speakers Association.
- He’s the co-founder of Screw the Metadata, an online community for photographers to learn how to present themselves consistently and memorably through their online presence.
- He was a Production Assistant at HBO and a Field Producer at NBC.
When it comes to your image content, don't be afraid to be yourself. Don't pretend to be something you are not. You are magical just the way you are. @DeMatoPhoto on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet