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

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

What up from WPPI.  Or more like, I’m up past 1 a.m. in bed munching on a candy apple.  A crazy life I lead when I get to Vegas, let me tell ya.  This is me from today after the WPPI Tradeshow, I stopped by the KISS Books booth (the reason why I’m at WPPI) and was given a shirt and a tickets to the MGM Studio 54 party tomorrow thrown by Pictage and KISS Books.  Co-owner Kevin Swan and his staff wore the red shirts that said “Let me teach you about KISSing” which I thought was adorable.  Mine says, “KISS me, I’m simple.”A cute twist since KISS Books is known for being the simple books and I’m offering clients their awesome albums.  Looking at this picture reminds me that I really need a haircut.

Sunday night I was eating at MGM’s Wolfgang Puck’s when I heard, “Diana?” across the table and looked up to see none other than my fabulous friend Daniel Boswell.  Above is a photo of me with my friend Harrison Long and Daniel Boswell, I’ll call this the talent sandwich.

I’m sure most of you want to hear all about my day and who I saw.  It started at 8 a.m. (I’m serious about this photography thing, no joke) and attended Kirk Voclain‘s course about senior portraits which was hilarious and then headed to the trade show which was amazing to walk the floor of the MGM Convention Center.  I then attended Jared Bauman‘s course about pricing structures to get ahead, which was amazing.

And last but not least and though I was a starving Marvin, I waited in line for everyone’s favorite, Jasmine Star to hear her talk about “Ghetto Fabulous Marketing” and yes, that was the title of her lecture, and it was fabulous.  She is just as funny, wholesome, sweet and inspirational as she is on her blog. I had actually debated if I would go to her class or go to a lighting course in which I tweeted about this dilemma and received a direct message from Jasmine herself:

Um, OK I think I HAD to go see Jasmine.  The most memorable thing is that she would ask for names in the audience and knew that they read and commented her blog and even said that one was from Brazil.  Wow.  Jasmine truly cares and loves her fan base, she visits other people’s websites, blogs, and clearly so, since she took the time to convince me through a quick direct message.  What a beautiful soul she is.

And so, it has been a very long day with the trade show and I left the room at 7 a.m. and here I am finally resting in bed at nearly 2 a.m. to check in with y’all, my lovely blog readers.

Tomorrow’s plan includes walking the tradeshow floor again, possibly buying a few goodies, lunch with Daniel, class with Elizabeth Messina and the MGM Studio 54 Pictage/KISS Party.  xx de

Photography