Social media and your photography business – Tilly Clifford
Social media played a huge role in kick starting my wedding photography business. Having an online presence is essential in the creative industry, it's the perfect platform to generate exposure and build your own base for free advertising.
Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest have given me the opportunity to showcase my work to a global audience. Instagram is the perfect place to start your social media hub, It’s specifically a photo based app which makes it ideal for photographers wanting to showcase their work and gain a rapid following fast. Forget about “paying” for followers and likes, the easiest way to gain genuine interest and exposure online is relatively simple; I stick by these 'rules':
Pick your platform
It would be chaos trying to constantly maintain and update every social media platform out there, and in all honesty not every business needs a presence on every available platform. In my experience running a photography business, the most successful for me have been Instagram and Facebook, mostly because these are visual platforms and photography is without a doubt the world’s most popular visual medium. Find what works best for you and your business and focus on building from this.
Post at peak times of day
The time of day you post can have a huge impact on your views. Generally peak times to post are early morning and later evening when people are actively online. I would estimate I receive less than half of my typical views if I post during the day as opposed to images posted in the evening. It may seem simple but take note of when you post and the engagement you receive, being aware of the best times to post content has had a lasting effect on the exposure I receive online.
Take note of what you post
What you post also plays a large role in online engagement, particularly when it involves photographs. It might seem like an obvious one that people will almost always 'like' an image they can relate to themselves, it's totally true. Driving the right audience to your page is crucial, and if people can individually relate to what your posting, weather it be visually or emotionally, you’re almost guaranteed a hit.
Network and connect
One of the most important aspects of social media and the impact it’s had on my business is the network of like-minded creatives I’ve established online. I have had the opportunity to connect with photographers and industry professionals on a global level through the success of online platforms. Many websites, blogs and magazines have showcased my work, which they discovered purely through social media. This has created a domino effect of spotlight and exposure for my business that is always directly linked back to my social media platforms, continuing to help my business grow and evolve everyday.
So there you have it! A few ways I go about marketing my business online. Social Media is an incredibly powerful tool for any photographer starting out a business or those looking to push their business to the next level. Amongst the many ways of creating an online presence, I’ve found keeping it simple is best. Most importantly, be aware of how you’re marketing yourself online, from here you can assess and make changes where need be. Hopefully you see some great results!
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