To Blog/FB or not?

[Robert Pope]

How many of you blog/FB as part of your marketing plans?

What lessons did you learn early on that helped you refine your efforts?

Any and all info is appreciated!

 

[Big Mike]

I have a blog and used to have a FB fan page, or whatever that was...but I don't keep up with it much.

I have seen many, many photographers who use social media/networking very well and it's a huge part of their marketing. A big key is keeping up with fresh content. If you never update your blog, people won't come back to it.

Some photographers mix their personal life and their professional life on their blog/facebook etc. This can be beneficial, in that people can get a glimpse of the real you, which may lead to them being more comfortable with you. But it also puts your personal life on display, which some people don't want.

 

[HikinMike]

I have both a blog and a FB fan page. I'll post a new picture (I'm a nature photographer) on my blog and I also post family stuff on my blog. This way people can see the real me....good or bad!

 

[dnavarrojr]

Same... Topeka is as backwards of a hick town as you can get, but for some reason Facebook is HUGE here. Probably half my work comes from Facebook. I shot a bridal fair fashion show for a client a couple weekends ago and while I did not have a booth at the fair, I still booked two weddings (video, not stills) as a result of my posting of images on my Facebook business page. If I was willing to do wedding photography right now, I could have booked a few more weddings.

I have also managed to gather a pretty good sized following of stock footage buyers on Twitter. I have been able to directly link a decent percentage of my sales to Twitter announcements.

 

[Cinka]

I have both and I'm trying to figure out what the angle is. So far, I've been keeping both updated regularly and am SLOWLY building a following. I even tried Facebook ads for a week and managed to attract...wait for it...13 new fans and no new inquiries. Granted, I live in Los Angeles and the competition is stiff. I'm hoping that with persistence it pays off.

 

[johnydg]

If you never update your sites, it's counter-productive as far as I'm concerned. Also, if you want more business, try to do give aways for sessions, editing, or whatever. You could also post something like who ever books through facebook before xx/xx/xxxx gets x% off.

 

[waynegz1]

I am looking to blog as well. I do have a facebook page. I never thought about giving away free editing, just free sessions. I will try that.

what are the best free blog templates?