What is an image consultant and what are their duties?

It is a professional who works with celebrities and politicians, businesspeople and artists. Social media and the growing awareness of the importance of visual communication have driven the rise of a promising profile: the image consultant. Do you want to know more about what this job involves and how to develop your professional career in this field? Take note, here are the details!

People have only about 10 seconds to make a good first impression, and 55% of that time depends solely and exclusively on appearances. That is, on the physical image we project. Being aware of this, together with a society in which there is increasing visibility and opportunities to connect with other profiles, as well as the use of social media and apps, is driving a professional profile that has always existed but is now gaining greater recognition and prestige: the image consultant.

We note that it ‘has always existed’ because it is not new to have someone advising you on what type of clothing, accessories, and even hair color and hairstyle suit you best. What happens is that these ‘advisors’ have gained value over time and are now considered a profession with great employability potential. In other words, these are professionals who are among the most in-demand and well-paid, as we discuss in the section on how much an image consultant earns.

What does an image consultant do?

First of all, it is important to understand exactly what this profession involves. What does an image consultant do? What is their real function?

• The main objective is to bring out the best in a person.
• The focus is on physical appearance: clothing, hairstyle, makeup, and even attitudes and behaviors regarding certain topics and willingness toward daily activities.
• Psychology and communication go hand in hand when discussing what an image consultant is.
• The professional must understand the client’s goals and even advise them on what they want to project, depending on their audience and/or the context in which they operate.
• They must establish a plan: a clear strategy outlining what needs to be done and which aspects are especially relevant for the client.

These professionals usually work as freelancers or join agencies specialized in image consulting. Politicians, businesspeople, artists, actors and actresses, singers, and many others rely on expert image consultants both for their daily activities and for special events where they must project a strong presence and convey a specific message.

When a person contacts an image consultant, the professional carries out a series of actions to meet the client’s needs:

• Assessment of the client’s current image.
• Definition of the goals the person wants to achieve: changing their projected image, refreshing/updating it, preparing for an important event, optimizing their own resources, etc.
• Creation of a personalized image plan, taking into account defined goals and available resources.
• Action phase: shopping, clothing selection, hair/beauty appointments (depending on needs), photoshoots (if included in the budget, for social media or media use when needed)…
• Sessions to improve the client’s soft skills: public speaking training, how to behave in public events, how to perform in front of cameras, and other areas depending on the client’s profile.

As mentioned, these points depend on the client’s goals. It is not the same to work with an executive as with an ordinary person who simply wants to improve their image to find a better job, for example.

Those who want to pursue this profession should have certain characteristics:

1. Knowledge of the latest fashion trends.
2. Empathetic, sociable, and communicative individuals.
3. Mastery of the principles of public image, what is conveyed and how to achieve it.
4. A degree of psychology to understand client needs.
5. Creative professionals who adapt easily.

How much does an image consultant earn?

Once the details about what an image consultant does have been explained, readers may wonder: how much does an image consultant earn? What is the salary of these highly in-demand professionals? Generally, as mentioned earlier, they work as freelancers and their services are charged on an hourly basis. These are the typical income ranges:

• The average is between 60 and 100 euros per hour.
• The rate depends on the consultant’s experience and reputation.
• On a daily basis, they may work according to their schedule and provide around four services per day, with working days ranging from 6 to 10 hours depending on demand and availability.

All of this results in a very attractive monthly income for those considering a career as an image consultant.

How to become an image consultant?

Now it is time to explain what studies are required for this type of job. Do you want to know how to become an image consultant? The key lies in education choosing specialized programs that cover the importance of these professionals and the skills needed to perform the job effectively.

At EAE Barcelona we offer a highly interesting master’s program that includes this field of work. We are referring to the Master in Event Management, Protocol and Business Tourism, aimed at professionals who want to build a career in the field of image consulting. These profiles are key, as mentioned above, in many areas: society and culture, politics, and business, as well as the general public. It is all about specialization in order to build a successful long-term career in this high-potential profession.