How does a polished profile win jobs? Wedding officiant Kathleen Kraft worked with a team of Thumbtack experts to make her (already strong) profile into exactly what customers want to see. Here’s how a professional headshot and thoughtful writing transformed Kathleen’s Thumbtack business.
“I’m learning so much in this process. I knew nothing about Thumbtack when I joined and I sped through my profile. These days my officiating is really taking on a life of its own — I’m glad that I took the time to update how customers view me.”
About this pro: Craft something skimmable, friendly — and spell checked.
A strong Thumbtack bio does more than just run through your business’s services — it gives your customer an idea of who will be standing behind them at the altar on their big day. Balancing the two requires some calibration, and the advice of friends and pros with a fresh perspective.
“The emotion is going to happen at the ceremony — it’s a wedding! — I don’t have to overdo it in my bio. Now my ‘About this pro’ section really focuses on my qualifications and what the experience will be of working with be. I want to couples to know working with me goes beyond being easy — it’s also fun and emotionally fulfilling.”
Pros with bios under 600 words are hired 40 percent more on average than pros with longer bios. Kathleen’s bio is perfectly skimmable at just around 115 words.
See what customers are saying about your profile to write a bio that wins them over.
Headshot: From far away to polished.
Pros with a headshot are at a big advantage when competing for jobs on Thumbtack. Your headshot is the first thing a customer sees after submitting a request — their first clue about who you are and what you can offer.
“I want my photo to reflect my personality — both my sincerity and my fun side, but also my professionalism. I have the privilege of uniting two people as a job, my headshot should show that I take it seriously.”
Need a headshot? Take one that looks professional using your camera phone in 10 easy steps.
Q&A: Answering all the right questions.
Most wedding officiants hear the same handful of questions from couples looking to hire them. What’s included in your price? Do you perform rehearsal dinners too? What kinds of weddings can you perform (religion, gender, culture)? Kathleen’s updated Q&A focuses on 5 of her most frequently asked questions. By the time a couple reaches out they know what to expect from her ceremony — and are that much closer to giving her the job.
“It’s important that my answers reflect who I am and how I work so they can relate to me. That I want to make their marriage more than just official in the eyes of the law but a memorable experience to last a lifetime. It’s also a good time to explain the details of my experience marrying couples, and to make it clear that I work with everyone — regardless of what you believe in or who you’re marrying.
Here are a few things Top Pros wish they knew about filling out the Q&A section of their profile.
Photos and videos: Examples that speak for themselves.
The photos and videos on your Thumbtack profile tell a story about your work — the range, quality and types of jobs that you take on. Customers like to see your who you are and examples of what working with you will be like — consider including scenes of you at the altar from weddings like the one their throwing.
“I include photos of me officiating weddings and a couple pictures of just me with captions about who I am and what I like to do. I think it helps folks understand who I am as a person. I went back and made sure that all of my photos are captioned. Your photos are actually another good opportunity to tell your customer more about who you are and how you work.”
Over 80 percent of pros who are hired on Thumbtack include at least one example of their past work.
Check out this professional photographer’s secrets for showing your best work on Thumbtack.
More? Check out these 3 profile updates that every wedding officiant should make.
