I am a social butterfly.  Seriously.  I have over 650 Facebook “friends” and when I outgrew my BlackBerry and upgraded to a Droid, the Verizon Wireless employee was shocked at the time it took to transfer all my contacts.  Let me make this very clear: I am not bragging –  I am illustrating the importance of networking and friendships.

When I first decided photography was my “thing” I had maybe 15 visitors a day to my blog, sadly none of which included my mom.  She doesn’t read my blog (she regularly visits eBay instead and that is totally OK since most of what I write on here she’d hardly understand).  Now, I am proud to say my stats have ridiculously multiplied.  Bianca Juarez said to me, “Blog stats are like bra sizes, no body needs to know!” so I will keep mum, but it sure is nice to see more readers. *wave*

What’s my secret?  I think I know the answer.

Social networking.

I’m going to highlight the three most important things you should have for your photography business, or any business for that matter.  I’ll also explain the differences and who your audience is for each media outlet so you put appropriate time and effort into each to maximize the benefits.

Blog

Purpose:  Your blog exists to show your creativeness – your projects, and your opinions –  it’s your world.  Jasmine Star has said, “If your blog is your voice, then your website is your handshake.”  A website is incredibly important but your blog is constantly changing and expanding with your latest and greatest projects, your great finds, it’s like your bulletin board that you pin your favorite things to.

Your readers: Potential clients.  Possibly your competition or what I like to refer to as peers in the industry, especially if you are a photographer.  I have never met a more incredible industry with so much support for one another.  Photogs, we are such an awesome family, I love it.

Be aware: Your blog is your world so do not showcase things that are not YOU.  If you took a photo of something and you aren’t crazy about it, do not put it up.  You want to attract a specific client and reader and show what you love to do, so remember you are in control and you do not to have to blog about everything.  (I’m sure you’re wondering if everyone I photograph gets a blog write up, yes, they do.)

My blog: duh, you’re on it.

Twitter

Purpose: To “follow” and connect with others in the industry.  I’ve meet a few of my Twitter fans in person and I love it!  I am so grateful to Twitter for the easy accessibility to send a quick question or  tweet just to say hi.  If you want to get to know a photographer, follow them.  You may mention them in a tweet and they may not respond back, but it’s better than sending an email and waiting for a response.  I heart Twitter.

Your readers: Your potential clients are not following you.  If they are, it’s very very small amount, especially if you’re a photographer.  Your followers are  most likely your peers in the industry who want to connect, get tips and advice and collaborate.

Be aware: To not heavily market to your Twitter fans because of your demographic.  When a peer posts about a shoot, go visit and leave a comment. Show some blog love, we all love that.  Do not post anything negative about clients or their families.  Twitter is NOT the platform to do such a thing.  Your significant other can hear about it instead.  Your Twitter account is public and so realize anything you post can be accessed.  Also think about what others think of you when you slam a client?  Your potential clients might wonder what you say about them, not cool.  Just don’t do it.

My Twitter: @dianaelizabeth_

Facebook

Purpose: To get people to “like” you and therefore their friends will see it and then you’ll gain more popularity. Make sure you have a fan page set up for your business then invite all your friends and have them invite other friends.

Your readers:  Your potential customers.  They are checking you out, seeing your status updates on their feed and you have this platform to sell.  Sell your latest project, your specials, and big news.  This is the best way to stay in front of your potential customers.

My Facebook Fan Page: Diana Elizabeth Photography on Facebook

Be aware:  When you upload images, say yes, publish to news feed!  Let everyone see your work!  Tag your clients and tell them to tag all their friends in the photos too!  The more people know that you exist, the better.  Update your status at LEAST once a week.  That’s the minimum.  Show your personality, it’s not just a news feed about whether or not business is good or what’s happening, share your voice and personality too!  Remember, people buy from people.

Diana Elizabeth discovered HootSuite.  She’s heard about it forever, but ever since she got the Droid 2 and could get the ap on her phone she discovered all of its wonderfulness and capabilities of updating several different social network outlets the same “update” with the click of a button.  Ah-maz-ing.

Photography

“When we know who we serve, it will determine how we live.” – Bianca Juarez

Whatever Bianca’s energy and personality is made of, I swear hers and mine are of the same component.  I think B and I were in the same batch when God made us.

Bianca Juarez loves people but most of all, she loves Jesus.  She loves Him so much and loves people so much that it is her life’s mission to share His love, grace, and goodness with any one who will listen.  B and I “met” over a year ago when I contacted her wanting to share products from my ministry SpirituallyShe, and we kept in touch since through Twitter.  B was in town this week and I was able to catch her speak Monday morning at Grand Canyon University where she spoke about our God who does the impossible, show examples of this through scripture, and also share her story.  As she spoke, I looked around at the college students who were there voluntarily and I thought how fortunate they were to hear her message.  I was convinced had I heard Bianca speak when I entered college at the age of 17, it would have changed my life – that’s how she can impact an audience.

Later that day, I picked Bianca up at her hotel and as soon as she got in the car (yes, that was the first time we met!), she asked me one question after another that I didn’t even have a chance to ask her anything – I felt terrible!  We met up with  fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, speaker Marcus Murphy and his wife (a talented wedding photographer) Gina Meola, and blogger Nicole Cottrell and had an awesome, uplifting, encouraging lunch at Oregano’s since B heard about it all the way from LA.  We laughed as we shared salad and a giant pizza and of course, the Pizza Cookie which I think B and I totally devoured it (more on my thighs than anyone else’s at the table).  I rarely let my spoon rest, and if I let it, it was only because I wanted to look polite.  We talked about women in ministry, home churches, social media, and what God has laid upon our hearts and how we hope to serve Him.  How awesome of our Lord to bring us together.  Thank you Bianca for all that you are, your networking skills, your incredibly warm personality, and your heart for the Lord.  Words cannot explain how much I admire and adore you and consider the time I was able to spend with you (even when all I felt like I did was talk about myself in the car) to be such a blessing.

For those in the Phoenix Valley, you can catch Bianca speak tonight at 8 pm at Grand Canyon University at the chapel.  Bring your bibles – cause if you don’t, she’ll scold you for it.  *smile*

This video gives the perfect introduction to an incredible Godly woman, Bianca Juarez, captured by Shade Tree Films.  If she looks familiar and you can’t figure out what is going on, you may just think you’re seeing double, Jasmine Star is her twin sister.

In The Name of Love from Bianca Juarez on Vimeo.

Bianca is beautiful.

Bianca is cute.

Bianca is animated.

Bianca is a Godly woman.

Diana Elizabeth has never felt so much joy, peace and excitement than she does presently, and when she looks into the future.   Happy is a fantastically wonderful place to be.

Portraits

Shade Tree Films is amazing.  Chad and Drew, are amazing. Their love story and wedding films…amazing!

I first heard about them from my friend Bianca Juarez (twin sis to wedding photographer Jasmine Star).  You can watch her video, here.  Say it with me now, amazing!

We all know about wedding filmography, but have you heard about love stories where you sit and talk about how you both met?  It’s the latest thing, I love it!  Brides, whomever you decide to document your wedding, consider doing a love story as well to show at the wedding reception for your guests, or just as a priceless keepsake.

I have to share this video of Brandon and Kristin, just adorable.  And yep, amazing.

The Kidds from Shade Tree Films on Vimeo.

Photography, Weddings