Social Media Marketing for Photographers // Photography + Community

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One of the first articles on Social Photo Talk was a look at What Should a Photographer Blog About. In that article, I mentioned that it’s important to identify the audience for your blog. Another important aspect of blogging as a photographer is to decide how your blog fits into your business. Is it just another page on your website, or is your blog a core marketing medium? Are you merely providing more information on your existing services, or are you using the blog to reach others in the industry or as a revenue-generating service?

If you’re serious about your blog for your photography services, it should be treated as any other marketing/advertising activity, meaning that you’ll want to spend some time and money to become as proficient as possible. Reading Social Photo Talk falls into this category. It also might mean purchasing some books (either paper or E-books), listening to some photography podcasts, or attending blogging or social media related events.

Last weekend, I was in Seattle to present at WordCamp Seattle, a conference about blogging and the WordPress blogging platform. While some of the attendees definitely fit into the geek/techie crowd, a large portion of the audience were people with businesses unrelated to tech that are using blogging as part of their business strategy. While I was there, I recorded a few brief videos with these people; I’ll be posting the videos in the coming weeks as testimonials of the benefit of attending social media events even when social media isn’t your core business.

How do you learn about blogging and social media?

Photo by Randy Stewart, used under Creative Commons licensing

These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Social Media Events for Non-Techies: Meet Laurie
2. Social Media Events for Non-Techies: Meet Andy
3. Social Photo Podcast #21: Google’s Photo Business, Social Media Lost and Found, Outsourcing Your Blogging

Tagged as:
blogging,
conferences,
events,
photographers,
social media,
wcsea,
wordcamp,
wordcamp seattle

If you’re new here, you can keep up with my latest photography information at Picture Pundit – subscribe to my newsletter for a FREE Report: A Guide to Twitter for Photographers.

While listening to a recent podcast, Jack Hollingsworth (@photojack) made the comment that “finished is better than perfect.” I’m not sure if he invented that line, but I like it. It’s a theory that definitely applies in many situations… such as a photographer dipping their toe into the waters of a new social service or venture.

For Jack, it was about blogging. For me, I’m currently in the midst of a new web presence for my photography business (including my general website/information, my blog, and my galleries for image sales and client proof review). Is it better to wait until the whole thing is perfect and then reveal it to the public, or does it make sense to bring each upgraded component online as they’re available?

I’m going with the latter. Yes, I’ll make sure that there aren’t broken links or anything that seems overly disjointed, but it’s better to get something out there faster than to be absent from a space entirely (or be represented by a site/service that doesn’t do justice to your services).

Are you avoiding something because you’re waiting for perfect? Holding off on a Facebook fan page since you aren’t sure how to get it quite right? Absent from Twitter since you don’t know who you’ll tweet with? Ignoring your blog for lack of the perfect post topic?

Do you need some specific suggestions on how to get going? Want someone to look at your current situation and give you some concrete things to build or steps to take?

I can help.

Photo by SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, used under Creative Commons licensing

These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Schedule Your Tweets? Should You? How To?
2. How Many Times do you Tweet Links to Blog Posts?

Tagged as:
photographers,
social media

If you’re new here, you can keep up with my latest photography information at Picture Pundit – subscribe to my newsletter for a FREE Report: A Guide to Twitter for Photographers.

When someone needs to hire a photographer, how do they find one? Regardless of whether it’s for a wedding, corporate material, senior pictures, sporting event, or editorial need, they probably follow this path:

1. A photographer they have previously hired.
2. A referral from a trusted source.
3. Someone they personally know who is a photographer.
4. Someone they don’t know personally, but is known as being proficient as a photographer.
5. A cold call based on the photography results of a search (search engine, etc).
6. A cold call to a random search result.

Five years ago, your position on that list was dictated by your past clientele and your physical activities – what events and groups you’d travel to, and where you’d devote dedicated time to build your network a few people at a time.

Fast-forward to our current environment. Social media such as Twitter and Facebook can help you end up in the number two spot on that list. A few days ago at Beer and Blog, I had a conversation with a real estate professional, talking with her about using Twitter to build relationships. By following local folks on Twitter, learning a bit about them (and sharing a bit about yourself), you’ll develop some personal connections. If you’re also sharing some of your photography experiences, those people will get to know you as someone that produces great pictures.

This is the value in the casual conversations on Twitter and Facebook. While sharing about your family, your hobbies, or your feelings won’t directly sell any photography services, you’ll be laying the foundation to build relationships. When your contacts start thinking about photography, instead of picking a name based on a Google search, they’ll come to you. When others mention needing a photographer, your contacts will refer those people to you.

And then, after you’ve won the business due to the social media referral, you’ll end up at the top spot on that list. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Photo by Horia Varlan, used under Creative Commons licensing

These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Build Relationships Before the Sale
2. How Much Time Should a Photographer Spend on Social Media?
3. Social Media Tips Roundup for Photographers

Tagged as:
facebook,
influence,
relationships,
social media,
trust,
Twitter

In the last couple of weeks there have been some great developments for photographers looking at interesting things to read. First, The Linked Photographers’ Guide to Online Marketing and Social Media was released. I’m currently reading through my copy and will post a full review once I get through the book. It’s all about marketing using blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and the other topics that we often talk about here on Social Photo Talk, so I bet that I’ll have plenty to say.

I also am reviewing a copy of iPad: The Missing Manual, due to be released on June 1st. The iPad has quickly become an important tool for the modern photographer. I’m a fan of the “Missing Manual” series and I’ll be sure to post a review once I wrap up reading it. So far it’s really good, providing a thorough look at the iPad. Stay tuned for more information.

On top of those, HDR guru Trey Ratcliff (aka Stuck in Customs) just released an eBook on digital photography workflow. As someone who has mastered a workflow to produce a large quantity of high-quality (and well-processed) images, I look forward to reading all about his process. There are two versions of the eBook, a standard edition and a bonus version for just a few dollars more that includes additional material and some information specific to HDR. I’ve just ordered my copy and can’t wait to dive in.

Whew! That’s a lot of reading to do. I’ll be sure to share reviews when I get through, but I wanted to make you aware that if you’re looking to learn and want to read, there are some great options right now!

Tagged as:
books,
ebooks,
facebook,
flickr,
hdr,
ipad,
lindsay adler,
linkedin,
marketing,
rosh sillars,
social media,
trey ratcliff,
Twitter,
Workflow

What’s the social media thing that you know you should do, but aren’t? Why?

These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Four Quick and Easy Blog Post Ideas
2. A Blog vs. a Post
3. Tease Me, Stuff Me, or Fill Me with Facts: Effective Blog Post Titles

Tagged as:
roadblocks,
social media

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Episode 8 of the Social Photo Podcast is ready for your listening enjoyment. Hosts Aaron Hockley and Lyza Danger Gardner talk about the 12 Days of Tips-Mas, prognostications about 2010, a fun photo website, and more. This episode is about twelve minutes long.

Links to Things We Talk About

• The second half of the Twelve Days of Tips-Mas: Include your URL on Forum Signatures, Don’t Try to Read Every Tweet, Do Try to Read Every @reply and Direct Message, Be Consistent with Blog Post Timing, Give Something Away, and Check in With Forgotten Connections.
• Predictions for Photography and Social Media in 2010.
• Virtual Real Estate BarCamp
• Running from Camera
• Joby GM2 Gorillamobile Flexible Tripod (for an iPhone)
• Google’s Nexus One (mostly a teaser for discussion next week)

Distribution and Feed

We’re now on iTunes – if you use iTunes, you can subscribe using this link: Subscribe on iTunes

You can also find the podcast as an attachment to the main Social Photo Talk RSS Feed. You should see a player at the bottom of this post if you want to listen directly, or you can grab the Episode 8 mp3 file directly.

Feedback

We’d love to have your feedback – technical, content, or otherwise. Leave a comment here or send mail to [email protected] – thanks!

Photo by doug88888, used under Creative Commons licensing

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These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Social Photo Podcast #7: Tips-Mas, Resolutions, and a Discovery
2. Social Photo Podcast #15: Flickr Contacts, Shane Rich Interview
3. Social Photo Podcast #21: Google’s Photo Business, Social Media Lost and Found, Outsourcing Your Blogging

Tagged as:
2010,
nexus one,
podcasts,
social media,
social photo podcast

Subscribe via iTunes: – this link will launch iTunes for easy subscription

Here we go with Episode 23 of the Social Photo Podcast. Hosts Aaron Hockley and Lyza Danger Gardner talk about better blogging, Facebook, a Social Media iPhone App, Lightroom 3, and more. This episode is about sixteen minutes long.

Links to Things We Mention

• Photo Blog Boost – Better Blogging for Photographers
• Reaction to Facebook Privacy Changes
• Diaspora – an open source social network platform that some hope might replace Facebook. I make comparisons with Identica.
• Rick Sammon’s Social Media Marketing for Photographers iPhone app review
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta 2

Distribution and Feed

We’re now on iTunes – if you use iTunes, you can subscribe using this link: Subscribe on iTunes

You can also find the podcast as an attachment to the main Social Photo Talk RSS Feed. You should see a player at the bottom of this post if you want to listen directly, or you can grab the Episode 23 mp3 file directly.

Feedback

We’d love to have your feedback – technical, content, or otherwise. Leave a comment here or send mail to [email protected] – thanks!

Photo by Robert Scoble, used under Creative Commons licensing

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Tagged as:
blogging,
diaspora,
facebook,
identica,
iphone apps,
lightroom,
lightroom 3,
lightroom 3 beta,
photo blog boost,
rick sammon,
social media,
social media marketing

If you’re new here, you can keep up with my latest photography information at Picture Pundit – subscribe to my newsletter for a FREE Report: A Guide to Twitter for Photographers.

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Episode 22 of the Social Photo Podcast is ready. Hosts Aaron Hockley and Lyza Danger Gardner talk about blogging for photographers, an iPad update, Easy Release, browsing photos on the iPad, wallpapers, Adobe’s lens correction features coming soon, and more. This episode is about fifteen minutes long.

Links to Things We Mention

• Announcing Photo Blog Boost
• Apple iPad
• Does reading on the iPad before bed affect sleep patterns?
• Easy Release iPad/iPhone app (iTunes link) – model releases on the iPad
• Adobe Camera Raw 6 and Lightroom 3 Lens Correction

Distribution and Feed

We’re now on iTunes – if you use iTunes, you can subscribe using this link: Subscribe on iTunes

You can also find the podcast as an attachment to the main Social Photo Talk RSS Feed. You should see a player at the bottom of this post if you want to listen directly, or you can grab the Episode 22 mp3 file directly.

Feedback

We’d love to have your feedback – technical, content, or otherwise. Leave a comment here or send mail to [email protected] – thanks!

Photo by Andrew Stawarz, used under Creative Commons licensing

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These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Social Photo Podcast #19: iPad, iPad, iPad, and Adobe
2. Social Photo Podcast #16: iPad Poll Results, URL Shorteners, Andy Adams Interview, Call for Questions
3. Social Photo Podcast #14: More iPad talk, eBooks, HDR

Tagged as:
adobe,
blogging,
cs5,
easy release,
ipad,
lens correction,
photo blog boost,
photography,
podcasts,
social media,
social photo podcast

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Here’s episode 21 of the Social Photo Podcast. Hosts Aaron Hockley and Lyza Danger Gardner talk about how Lyza’s lost camera was returned due to social media, the outsourcing of blog content, whether Google is going to put you out of business, and more. This episode is about fourteen minutes long.

Links to Things We Mention

• Google’s Business Photos
• Lyza losing her camera (her blog post after it happened) but getting it returned with help from @horizonair
• Outsourcing Your Blog and the company that does it.

Distribution and Feed

We’re now on iTunes – if you use iTunes, you can subscribe using this link: Subscribe on iTunes

You can also find the podcast as an attachment to the main Social Photo Talk RSS Feed. You should see a player at the bottom of this post if you want to listen directly, or you can grab the Episode 21 mp3 file directly.

Feedback

We’d love to have your feedback – technical, content, or otherwise. Leave a comment here or send mail to [email protected] – thanks!

Photo by Matt Callow, used under Creative Commons licensing

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These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Social Photo Podcast #22: Blogging, iPad Updates, Easy Release, Adobe’s Lens Correction
2. Social Photo Podcast #23: Facebook, Better Blogging, iPhone Marketing App, Lightroom 3 Publishing
3. Social Photo Podcast #12: How Do You Learn? Twitter Contests, Barriers to Blog Comments

Tagged as:
blogging,
Business,
ghostrighters,
google,
horizon air,
outsourcing,
photography,
podcasts,
social media,
Twitter

If you’re new here, you can keep up with my latest photography information at Picture Pundit – subscribe to my newsletter for a FREE Report: A Guide to Twitter for Photographers.

Subscribe via iTunes: – this link will launch iTunes for easy subscription

We’re all set with episode 17 of the Social Photo Podcast. Hosts Aaron Hockley and Lyza Danger Gardner recap SXSW Interactive, talk about copyright infringement by a major newspaper, and more. This episode is about sixteen minutes long.

Links to Things We Mention

• Aaron’s SXSW recap talking about personal connections
• Lyza’s post about a photo used by the Oregonian without permission

Distribution and Feed

We’re now on iTunes – if you use iTunes, you can subscribe using this link: Subscribe on iTunes

You can also find the podcast as an attachment to the main Social Photo Talk RSS Feed. You should see a player at the bottom of this post if you want to listen directly, or you can grab the Episode 17 mp3 file directly.

Feedback

We’d love to have your feedback – technical, content, or otherwise. Leave a comment here or send mail to [email protected] – thanks!

Photo by kirrus, used under Creative Commons licensing

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These other posts might be of interest to you:

1. Social Photo Podcast #5: Copyright and Property Releases, Stock Photography and Journalism, Photo Sharing Poll Results
2. Social Photo Podcast #21: Google’s Photo Business, Social Media Lost and Found, Outsourcing Your Blogging
3. Social Photo Podcast #12: How Do You Learn? Twitter Contests, Barriers to Blog Comments

Tagged as:
conferences,
copyright,
copyrightinfringement,
oregonian,
photography,
social media,
sxsw,
sxswi