Yesterday, Becker graced me with an opportunity to speak at the [b] school Study Hall. The topic was on effective blogging techniques.
I can relate.
- blogging is not that fun
- blogging is time consuming
- why blog? do people even read it?
- how do I validate it being useful? based on number of comments?
Don’t worry. Blog for the sake of blogging. Do it for yourself. But I admit, there are ways to do it more effectively. And over the years, I have been honing this skill and have booked many weddings from it.
Coffee Tour Shared Blogging Techniques
Just a couple of months ago, I went to 13 cities to have coffee with photographers and shared some blogging techniques that I use to book weddings. They are simple things that everyone can do and that will dramatically bring in business.
Think For Your Readers
A lot of times, I hate to admit it myself, it is easier being told what to do rather than to think for ourselves (so pat yourselves on the back – business owners). Even Apple’s Senior Product Innovator said, “At Apple, we like to give our customers features they do not realize they want yet.”
Interesting.
Think about it – a normal photographer’s blog post consists of a short little intro, then a whole slew of images including detail, preparation, bridal portraits, ceremony, couple portraits, kids, reception…and the list continues. At the very bottom of every post, a client has a few options:
- comment on the blog post (highly unlikely)
- scroll all the way back up to find a contact button
- leave the website
In this age of instant information, it’s difficult to expect a reader to know what to do next. Rather, give them options that are seemingly the next steps. After one reads the blog post, I give two choices:
- view portfolio
- contact me
Look at Chenin Boutwell‘s blog as an example.
Write Compelling Blog Post Titles
When you have interesting titles, people are more inclined to read them. Let me give you some examples.
- I Guess Jasmine Star is Making Me Lasagna
- 3 Steps to Marketing an Idea
- What Makes A Successful Photography Business?
- Drinking Too Much Milk Leads To…A Funny Story
Here is an idea for children photographers – “Not Funny – Baby Puked On Me”
Want more ideas? I subscribe to Anthropologie‘s newsletter for inspiration. If you want to subscribe to mine, it’s here.
Transparency
Transparency is what Becker likes to say, “being real.” It’s extending yourself onto the web. Talk about yourself! Good examples would be Becker‘s public love for poker and Jasmine Star‘s kisses and disses.
When clients look at your website, they can connect with you. Remember that you are selling yourself, not your images. To an untrained eye (let’s say most of our clients), all of the photos look the same. Be different.
One last example, consider Perez Hilton and TMZ. Perez Hilton is just as successful (if not more) as one person versus a whole company delivering the same news. Why? He injects his personality and opinions.
So talk about your favorite foods once in a while. Yes, people do read about it.
Write Reviews
Everyone likes reviews because it is inside perspective on something. To help your clients, review things that pertain to them such as bouquets, or destination weddings vs. local weddings, and etc.
Since the wedding season is winding down, use this opportunity to review wedding venues you’ve photographed or all of the different types of bouquets you’ve seen in terms of style and fashion.
Here is a review I did for Contiki Holiday‘s European Tour.
As a result, they published my video on their website and will use my pictures for their 2010 marketing materials!
Thank You
I appreciate everyone who tuned in – there was 594 people who signed on! Nice!
So what are your thoughts? I know many of you are already using the techniques! Give a shout out! 
Cheers,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. I just bought a 26″ LED monitor from Costco for my workspace. SO. MUCH. DESKTOP.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
I love you and want to have your babies. Ok, maaaaybe not but these tips are fantastic. So thrilled to start implementing! Thank you for your generosity!!
Great articles! Thanks for the good tips on blogging. I can’t wait for the seo
DVD to be released in Dec.
Enjoy your new 26inch LCD monitor
awesome, awesome advice!
Great article once again. It was good seeing you at study hall. I wasn’t on too long (had to go to a meeting) but you looked sexy in front of the camera.
Got your DVD’s. Look fwd to looking through them!
LOVE the tips on blogging! I totally needed this
Thanks so much!!!
I never thought of some of the things you mentioned. I think alot of time it’s hard enough to come up with a topic.
Lawrence, Ive been using your techniques for about two months and even with starting from scratch with a brand new blog and URL, I’m already showing up on page one for certain search terms…..thanks again!
Makes sence what you say!!!
Will the SEO dvd be available for download or just hardcopy?
I really like the idea of inserting links at the bottom of your post. I didn’t think about that before, but it totally makes sense!
Great tips! I love the footer ideas of what to do next….trying that today:)
thank you, lawrence!!! i missed study hall, but i’ll catch it in the classroom this weekend. these are great tips.
glad to see this post right after i decided to put something up on my own blog that was just for me (i’m always hesitant to do that). thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hey there! Great post! I recently started following you and I love all your tips and tricks…
Okay, really basic question… how do I get those facebook / twitter / newsletter buttons at the end of my post? I can’t seem to find anywhere in my blog to put in code… Thanks!
SUCH good advice. My resolution for 2010 (or now) is to start blogging more and better. Thanks for the pointers! I’m feeling inspired
I love your blog Lawrence! If I only had more time…. being a mom comes first for me though. I’d love to have more time to blog and do all these things. You always give such fantastic advise!
xoxoxox
~ Dawn
Ps: Downloaded your DVDs. Looking forward to viewing them!!!
totally awesome.
listened yesterday..already implementing. you are a rock star.
Love the tips. I just started blogging within the last month and I’ve been thinking of doing something like a “love it/hate it” type of thing and it’s cool to see someone like Jasmine is already doing that. I guess I’m on the right track but as Emi says, the topics are the hardest part.
I was hesitant in my last blog post to write about almost peeing myself with laughter at the kids’ antics on a photo shoot but I blogged about it anyway. And now I can call it “transparency”, not T.M.I.! Love it!
As a wedding photographer in Ottawa, Ontario, there is a lot of talented photographers. It’s hard to stand out among the best photographer.Thanks for summarizing the study hall on SEO for Photographers…it is very helpful and I hope this will help improve my ranking in coming up for clients to view my portfolio.
I’m glad that my knowledge is worthy of sharing. I’m always flattered when I get comments like these.
Thank you for taking the time to comment! xo
Hey Lawrence,
Sorry I missed the live show yesterday. I’ll be checking it out with my bschool subscription. Off to school now…
very good! definatly going to implement some of those ideas!! Thanks
Love the tips! Missed the show so that’s a bummer…will look forward to your dvd’s! Thanks again!
Wonderful advice Lawrence! And thanks for writing it up the day after study hall! Thank you for being willing to share the things you’ve learned and implemented! So excited for your SEO info to come out!!!
Thanks for the great tips, always wanna join your session. Looking forward to your future webinar.
Thanks for the info Lawrence. I really appreciate your willingness to show us some of your blogging techniques. I know some peeps that hold onto information so tightly and they are very unwilling to share. So thanks for rocking. Have a great Holiday!
Sounds way useful, you’re rockin’ it!!
Thanks for the encouragement to blog. I am so far behind and feel like it doesn’t matter. I struggle with getting “me” into words and then written into a blog. Your thoughts on blogging will definately help me inporve. Looking forward to the SEO DVD’s. Any chance Santa might give one or two away for free?!?!?!? THAT would be a great “black Friday”!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones.
Be blessed,
Curtis
Great post Lawrence ! You do a really good job summarizing and pointing things out, that may otherwise take forever to figure out
ok going to check out your stuff, hope it’s going to work for me, i only can try it out and wait……..mahalo for sharing your knowledge.
Great post, I especially like the advice on compelling blog titles; Would be curious to here more of your thoughts on this, and creating titles geared toward SEO, looking forward to the videos… a early Christmas Gift.
you are just a genius .. one I want to meet for sure!!!
Thanks for all this .. I look forward to hearing more .. and can’t wait for the launch of your DVD!!
Thanks for the tips. Amy and I are looking forward to the more exciting blog titles that we’ll be creating as a result of your advice
Thank you Lawrence! Can these videos be saved so I watch them on my iPhone? Just wondering. Thanks!
Cant wait for the release! – John
Thanks for the blogging insight Lawrence. Looking forward to the SEO DVD’s!
I’ve really been enjoying your site Lawrence. You have a lot of great information on this site and are inspiring me to take my blogging and SEO optimization to the next level! Keep up the great work!!!
-Charlie
Thank you for sharing on the [b] school! I can’t wait for the 30 something techniques that you are going to share with annual [b] schoolers.
Really good info, thanks so much for being generous and sharing it!
great post! i’m new to the tofu… cant wait to consume some more info!!
Thank you, this is a great starting point! Can’t want to hit a seminar… any chance you have Austin in the works?
Thank you so much for the priceless information you share! I hope to be able to afford the DVD soon! Best, Michelle Tanner
thanks lawrence for all the awesome info you provide here. I’m loving the blog template I bought from you. Keep it up!
Always a fan, and as always, you’re full of useful information. Thank you for sharing some of it. Blessings
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