CAREER IN IMAGE CONSULTANT ?
What is Image Consulting?
Many would assume that image consulting is a brand-new field. In fact, image consulting has been in vogue since the ’70s and ’80s. Image consulting is a form of consultancy that focuses on a client’s appearance, behavior, and communication. In past decades, this constituted a person’s “image.” Today, it’s more likely to be called someone’s “personal brand” but Image consultants may work with clients on both their professional and personal image.
Image consultants are experts at assessing how someone is perceived. They understand how the messages projected by visual, verbal and nonverbal communication skills impact others.
In the early days, actors, politicians, models and celebrities were the most likely candidates to hire an image consultant for a color analysis or “a makeover” to improve their professional image. These days, many business people, job seekers and entrepreneurs are interested in boosting their brand image, enhancing their confidence and improving their communication skills.
Generally, image consultants work with their clients to present the best version of themselves — rather than trying to change the individual. The goal is to make clients feel confident, credible and comfortable in their own skin. After the services, they will be armed with new skills, ready to take on challenges and accomplish new goals.
Image consulting is becoming rapidly more relevant to people today as so many people are in the public eye. From Instagram stars to YouTubers to small business owners, social media makes everything much more inti and more connected. In a world where someone can experience tremendous backlash from the wrong social media post, image consultancy is even more important.
Consultant Job Description
An image consultant will need to be fashionable, interesting and engaging. Like a coach, they must have a love of people and enjoy giving them skills to grow and develop themselves. It helps to like styling clothes, color, and body analysis but also skills such as coaching, etiquette, makeup and hairstyling are very useful. Many women leave the corporate world to do something they love and bring high level skills to image consulting.
In addition, as in any entrepreneurial business, a consultant must know how to market herself both online and in person as she builds up her client base. He or she needs an effective online presence as potential clients scrutinize her professional and personal brand to assess if it’s a fit for them.
Clients like to dip a toe in the water and try out free online mini-classes and Q&A sessions. They like to view videos, listen to the consultant’s seminars and meet her in networking sessions. They will need to be knowledgeable about current media, current fashion, and current events. Part of being an image consultant is being sensitive to context, which requires that consultants be very news-savvy.
Today’s image consultant will also be extremely knowledgeable about the internet, as this is where a significant amount of branding occurs. But an image consultant may also need to be aware of mass media reporting, the news cycle, and other traditional venues of image reporting.
What Can I Expect to Learn as An Image Consultant?
At London Image Institute we pride ourselves on producing some of the best Image Consultants in the industry. We want you to succeed, as much as you want to succeed and we get you career ready by offering valuable trainings on nonverbal communication skills, networking skills, dining etiquette, technology etiquette and more.
Nonverbal Communication Skills
Image consulting isn’t just about the physical image of a person. It’s also about how the person carries himself, his demeanor and the type of personality he exudes.
Many politicians and executives have worked with an image consultant to feel more confident and in charge. It’s known that the more confident people are, the more likely they are to succeed within their industry.
Nonverbal communication skills include things such as how you stand, what facial expressions you use, how you gesture, and your tone of voice. It’s known, for instance, that people tend to enjoy listening to others with lower tones of voice. A lower pitch, a clear delivery, a balanced, upright posture and good eye contact all contribute to a commanding presence. Those individuals familiar with neuro-linguistic practices can use a technique called “mirroring”; which is characterized by subtly matching the other person’s body language to establish relatedness and familiarity early in the conversation to increase rapport.
Image consultants will underscore the importance of better nonverbal communication skills and will be able to teach these skills to their clients. Clients will be able to command the room more effectively and are able to project an aura of being the authority — an essential skill in just about every field or industry.
There are countless career opportunities in Image Consulting to choose from. Depending on your area of interest and favorable niche, you could go on to practice in aspects of Appearance, Behavior, and Communication.
You could choose to curate wardrobes or polish the communication skills of your clients. With plenty of opportunities, you get to establish your own brand and set yourself apart from the ordinary.
To give you more ideas about the same, here is a list of best Image Consulting Career Opportunities to keep in the mind:
1. Start Your Own Image Consulting Business
A challenging yet the most lucrative career route to take is the entrepreneurial route. After completing your Image Consulting course, you could set up your own Image Consulting Business and practice as a Certified Image Consultant.
Calculated risks, thorough planning, effective execution of strategy, and a considerable amount of time are essential to succeed. AICI accredited Image Consulting programs like the one at ISIM offer Business Development classes, tools, blueprints, and all the resources that help everyone to kickstart their Image Consulting Business.
2. Corporate Trainer
For anyone who wishes to help train professionals, corporate training is the optimum image consulting career option to go for.
These skills include communication skills, business writing etiquette, public speaking, presentation skills, job-specific functional and technical skills.
Given that the demand for corporate trainers is on the rise since all companies are looking to have an edge over the competition, you will receive rewarding work opportunities.
3. Etiquette Consultant/ Behavior Coach
Not everyone is well-versed in etiquettes or has the right knowledge about appropriate behavior. This is where an Etiquette Consultant comes into the picture.
As a certified Image Consultant, you will be well-versed with all the etiquettes during your training and hence it opens up opportunities for you to operate as an etiquette coach.
You will find incredible work opportunities in sectors such as Customer Service, Hospitality, Events, Public Relations, International Relations, and Protocol, etc.
4. Personal Shopper
If you have an interest in curating fashion and outfits, then becoming a Personal Shopper is the right choice after completing your Image Consulting program.
Various boutiques, department stores, clothing brand outlets also hire personal shoppers to assist customers with their personal styling requirements. You may also work as a freelance personal shopper and help clients shop online for the right clothes and accessories.
5. Body Language & Communication Trainer
Communication is one of the essentials cores of Image Consulting education and hence becoming a Body Language & Communication trainer is an excellent way to kickstart a career.
Sectors such as corporate firms, hospitality, aviation, education institutions look to hire Communication trainers to groom their teams in the best way possible. Hence, opting to become a Body Language Trainer is another lucrative Image Consulting career opportunity.
6. Fashion Stylist/ Wardrobe Stylist
Another one of the sought-after careers in the Image Consulting domain is Fashion Styling. Individuals with a great sense of style and a deep interest in fashion may opt for this career opportunity after completing their Image Management course.
Fashion Stylists who especially assist, curate, and accessorize styles of celebrities are known as Celebrity Stylists. Apart from finding freelance work, Fashion Stylists are hired by fashion labels, advertising agencies, and media houses for assisting in terms of wardrobe requirements as per the relevant themes.
7. Personal Brand Strategist and Public Relations
Branding has become a crucial element of marketing for all businesses. But personal branding is yet another area where the demand for a personal brand strategist or consultant is very high. This poses exceptional opportunities for Image Consultants and trainers to venture into personal branding.
By curating their overall image, you help clients to reach their target audience and build the trust to generate business opportunities by establishing them as subject matter experts.
