There is no question that how people look has an impact on how they feel. And how a person feels has an impact on how he or she acts. The combination of appearance and behavior, as well as communication skills, comprise an individual’s ‘presence’. Image or “personal branding” as it is often described today is fundamentally critical for success in many areas: building a good reputation, progress in employment, happy and long-term relationships, getting the date or securing the next interview.
Image consultants are people who help individuals of all ages and walks of life, students and employees to improve and enhance their appearance, behavior, and communication to present themselves to their best advantage and highest potential.
Consultants can help:
- Any individual who wants to improve his/her image for many reasons.
- Corporate professionals.
- Politicians.
- Community, healthcare, and education leaders.
- Public speakers.
- Media personalities.
- Celebrities and sports figures.
Why Someone Hires an Image Consultant
Corporations and organizations of all kinds may hire a consultant so that staff members project the best impression to the community, to their internal team, and to current and potential clients. For an organization, the benefits go way beyond “dress for success.” Indeed, it involves:
- Increasing executive and team member presence and credibility.
- Building confidence and self-esteem.
- Repairing or improving the organization’s reputation.
- Raising the morale of the organization.
- Strengthening professional standards and improving the organization’s operating performance.
- Creating a stronger and more cohesive brand appearance.
For individuals, a consultant can help with:
- Selecting the right clothing and cosmetic solutions to enhance one’s appearance and boost credibility.
- Becoming more attuned to body language, thus strengthening relationships, online and personal presence and public speaking skills.
- Developing ways to improve verbal communication skills to articulate ideas more clearly and influence others more effectively.
- Improve one’s overall appearance, social behavior, and presentation to achieve professional and personal goals. Aspects that may involve new and higher caliber relationships, new employment possibilities, or more advantageous social opportunities.
Specifically, the top reasons for hiring a personal consultant are:
- Create the appearence that you want to convey to others.
- Never having to look in the closet thinking “I have nothing to wear,” or “I have nothing that suits me.”
- Never having to stress about having the skills necessary for a key occasion.
- Knowing how to look, act, and speak with comfort and confidence. In other words, being able to demonstrate your personal power.
What Are the Different Specialties of Image Consulting?
The field of consulting has grown to include many specialties. Depending on the needs and desires of both men and women or an organization, some or all these areas may be required:
- Wardrobe and color
- Personal shopping
- Dress code or uniform consulting
- Hair and makeup styling
- Etiquette
- Your online presence
- Personal and executive presence
- Fashion feng shui
- Speaker or presenter coaching
- Personal branding
- Social media and communications consulting
Places to Turn to When Hiring an Image Consultant
First, it is important to make a planned, deliberate search for the right consultant. Here are some excellent steps to follow:
- Determine what services are needed.
- Identify the value of the services required or the worth of the changes envisioned.
- Determine the budget available for these services.
- Locate potential candidates through the registry provided by The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI,) the most notable organization for professional consultants.
- Identify the AICI certification level most appropriate to the level of your needs and budget.
- Review candidates’ capabilities and credentials.
- Contact candidates to set up phone or in-person interviews.
- Meet with candidates and more deeply explore your expectations, their capabilities, availability, service approaches, and costs. Have they worked in similar situations to yours?
- Check references.
Effective research is an important factor in finding the right consultant. That includes seeking references from people and companies who have used consultants. Personal referrals can go a long way. Also, find consultants online who are nearby and review their capabilities, services, and pricing. Next is checking their references. In a face-to-face or Zoom meeting assess how they present themselves and determine if they have the right personality and are a fit for you. Make sure you can work with them. Choose a pricing model that meets your needs.
Begin Your Training as an Image Consultant Today
Personal improvement can have a significant benefit for individuals and organizations.
For professional training to achieve the success you desire, contact the London Image Institute. Founded in 1989, London Image Institute has been committed to training professional consultants for over 30 years. Their faculty is experienced, credentialed consultants or specialists in their field, who own their own successful image practices. Three are AICI Certified Image Masters. London Image Institute’s banner and objective is to contribute to a world in which all people have the courage and freedom to flourish.
