Some of the top platforms for social media for photographers are Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Each of these platforms allow you to share your content (your images) with larger audiences. Once you decide to include these platforms into your workflow, it is time for you to build your social media plan for this year to increase awareness and gain additional bookings.
Social Media for Photographers
Because there are various social media platforms available, it can be helpful to be selective in which you use for your photography business. Even though it might sound like a great idea to reach new audiences through several platforms, you may not have the time. Think about how much time you can realistically schedule into your workflow to spend on social media, and which platforms can assist you in attracting ideal clients. To help with your strategy, we put together a list of how to create a social media plan for your business.
Image by Daniel Lopez Perez Photography
Create an Instagram Account
One of the top social media platforms for wedding photographers is Instagram. Creating an Instagram account allows you to showcase what you do: take gorgeous photos for your clients. Once your photos are edited by a wedding picture editor, like ShootDotEdit, you can show users who you are as a photographer through your images and what you could produce for them if they book you for their wedding day.
If you already have a personal Instagram account, create a separate business account and share the news with your current followers. On your business account, you can post your past weddings and engagement sessions, as well as any other projects you are working on. This account is specifically meant for users to learn more about you as a photographer. Your personal page is where you can post photos of your family, vacations, and other things you enjoy doing with your time. Both pages help foster a relationship with your followers and other potential clients looking for a photographer to shoot their wedding day.
With your Instagram business account created and ready to attract clients, maximize your account by using creative hashtags so ideal clients can find you in their search. Also, take advantage of properly communicating with your ideal clients on your individual posts so they know you are invested in building trust with them.
Develop a Facebook Strategy
Another important social media photography platform for you to be a part of is Facebook. You may already have a following on your business page, but are you maximizing all of the tools Facebook has to offer for business owners? Since you are looking for a specific type of client to work with in your business, using advanced targeting methods can help you share relevant content with an audience which is custom-made for you. Facebook allows you to build an audience of ideal clients, and you can share specific pieces of content with them to assist in forming trust. You can choose to create an audience based on age range, gender, location, and relationship status.
You can then boost your posts and choose those custom settings to connect with clients who are perfect for you and your business. Learn more about how to use Facebook ads from Jesse and Becky of Idealust in this post.
When your clients reach your Facebook business page, they want to see who you are and your brand message. You can easily create a business page which reflects you and your brand by choosing a compelling cover image and simple profile photo (use a design on your cover image which is similar to what is currently on your website). Having a consistent look across both your Facebook business page and website helps the client know exactly what to expect from you.
As you continue to share your work with your audiences, you can easily tag your clients as well as other vendors from the wedding day. Tagging is a simple way for you to place your content in front of new audiences, meaning you may reach new potential clients. Plus, clients and vendors will be thrilled that you included them into your post and may feel compelled to share the post with their following on Facebook. The more your content is shared, the easier it will become for you to meet new clients.
Share Often on Twitter
As you build your Instagram account and Facebook page, start looking into how you can use Twitter to keep your followers and ideal clients interested in you. In the US alone, there are over 65 million users on Twitter. Because of this, you should have a presence on Twitter so ideal clients can take notice of what you do and who you are.
On Twitter, you can share both information about your business and fun facts about you as a person. Think about Twitter almost like a mini-version of your blog, but you post more regularly. You can share photos from your past events, items from your newsletter or upcoming promotions, and you can add in some fun details about a recent trip or a family gathering. The key is to share a lot on Twitter so you can stay relevant and have your content be placed in front of your audience.
Twitter also gives you the opportunity to link out to other social platforms and your website. This is crucial for you as a business owner so you can continue to build a relationship with your clients. When they reach your other social platforms, they can see your content and get to know more about you. As they click on your website, they can begin to see more about what it would be like to work with you (as well as your prices and other important information).
Create Multiple Pinterest Boards
One important thing to remember about using photography social media platforms for your business is your images are what sell you as a photographer. Creating and developing your Pinterest business page can help you continue to reach clients looking for a wedding photographer. When you interview clients during the booking process, how many tell you they found wedding inspiration from Pinterest? Because there are over 100 million users who are active on Pinterest, and 85% are women, chances are many of your clients have used this platform to spark ideas for their big day.
Placing your best work on Pinterest could mean your images are pinned and shared throughout the platform, as well as on other social media. When your photos are viewed by multiple users, they get an idea of who you are and what type of work you could produce for them on their wedding day. Because your photos should link back to your website on Pinterest, there is more of a chance that your visitor count will increase.
Instead of placing your photos all together, create individual boards on Pinterest. Similar to Facebook, you want to segment your content to clients who will benefit from your work the most. If you are an outdoor wedding photographer, you should have boards which represent the different locations you shoot in. That way, clients who want to have their engagement shoot in the mountains can quickly open your board labeled the same and see what their photos could look like. This helps you immediately make an impression on your clients, without forcing them to take too many steps to view your work.
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Incorporate a Content Calendar
Now that you have a plan in place for each social media platform, you should incorporate a content calendar to keep your posting schedule for social media in order. Just as you should schedule your blog posts, creating a calendar for your social content can help ensure you stay active on the platforms. With a calendar and schedule in place, you also avoid missing posts and spending too much time worrying about what should go out next. A content calendar allows you to schedule out as far as necessary so you can stay on track with your photography social media marketing.
Before you fill out your content calendar, decide when exactly you should post on each platform. It is important not to post too often so people are frustrated by you, but not too infrequently so you are still top of mind. Take a bit of time to look at the best times for you and your business, so you can accurately plan your social schedule.
Once you choose the best posting schedule for your business, there are a few ways to incorporate a content calendar into your workflow. The first is to use Google Calendar. Choose to view the entire month and start filling in the content which will go out for each day. For example, a day on your calendar may look like this:
10:00 AM: Facebook: 3 Ways to Quickly Choose Bridesmaids Dresses
10:30 AM: Twitter: Free Content Giveaway
11:00 AM: Instagram: Adams’ Engagement Photo
On the calendar, use different colors for each social media platform so you can keep them together. Also, there are options for pre-made calendars which you can use each month to fill out your schedule. Whichever option you choose, ensure you have a solid plan which assists you in reaching your goals for social media.
Use a Scheduling Program
Creating a content calendar filled with social posts may seem overwhelming, especially when you think about the time it will take to individually post each message. Instead of posting at the time you would like to share the messages, take advantage of programs which allow you to schedule your posts in advance. Not only will this allow you to stay relevant on the various social media platforms, it will also ensure your workflow stays intact. Anything you can do that maximizes your time is crucial so your workflow time continues to decrease.
One way to schedule your Facebook posts and Tweets is through Hootsuite. Not only can you schedule individual messages on Hootsuite, but you can create the same message for multiple platforms. If you desire to share the same copy on Facebook and Twitter, you can easily do so in Hootsuite. You can also use Schedugram to schedule your Instagram posts. When you schedule your messages in advance, you do not have to worry about posting on your social media platforms every single day, which gives you time to work on other projects (and meet new clients).
Sharing your content on social media can help you expand your reach and attract clients who are perfect for you, meaning you have a chance to book more clients and increase your overall profit. Because social media for photographers is always evolving, make sure you stay up-to-date with the changes. The more visible you are, the easier it is for ideal clients to find you and contact you. So you can continue to build a strong social media plan and attract ideal clients to your platforms, click on the banner below to download our Comprehensive Guide to Social Media for Wedding Photographers!
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