Hi there,

The other day we were talking about adding a photo of yourself to your sales letter and the importance of ensuring you added a good looking photo. This is all well and fine but I forgot to add a quick note about what clothes you should be wearing…

And by the way do make sure to wear some clothes unless you are advertising a nudist colony or trying to make a point about working from home and not having to worry about getting dressed.

Your wife or husband may enjoy the sight of you naked but I certainly don’t want to look…

A couple of years ago when I was still working as the academic manager for a private English school in China I had a job advert running as I was looking for teachers. One of the many replies was from a gentleman in Australia who had sent his documents to me and as asked had included a photo of himself.

However the photo he sent me was of him in his birthday suit… Well I assume he was totally naked, he only sent the top part of his torso and I didn’t look much further…

I ask you what would you have done if you were in my shoes? There I was looking for a teacher for the children at my school, I innocently clicked on this photo and out popped a great big…

Beer Belly!

I tell you I was a little taken aback… I couldn’t believe that someone would give such little thought to something like that.

He was a serious applicant by the way, but his application didn’t go very far – all because of a silly little oversight.

So before you add your photo to your sales letter have a think about who you are writing this letter to and take into consideration how they would expect you to dress.

If you are addressing a business professional, baggy trousers with the top of your underpants showing would not make a good impression, by the same token if you are addressing some Break Dancers a suit and tie is also out of place.

I’m sure you get my drift – Match your appearance and writing style to suit your target.

That’s all for now, feel free to post a comment I do like to hear back from you.

To your success always.

Stuart