Photography Marketing Tips Free Blog Theme » catherine hall

Social Media Marketing for Digital Photographers

Lawrence — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:21:24 +0000

So, you have a Facebook Page, Twitter account, blog and maybe a YouTube channel. What’s next?

The allure of social media is strong. We’re now able to connect with clients and build exposure without having the expensive costs of traditional marketing. Unfortunately, there are so many social media options out there … and the number is increasing.

If you’re like me, I like to maximize my time and effort. I simply want to know what works best — creating quality content to build lasting relationships and establish a strong position in your market.

Achieve perfect exposure for your photography business with a well-considered social media marketing program. Use these online engagement tools to explore your customers’ wants and needs, likes and aversions, decision triggers, and more, and earn brand advocates by delivering images, tips and insider information that makes them swoon.

Lawrence’s comic wit coupled with marketing expertise takes you behind the scenes to understand how to reach your market …

This book is a must read for those that want to tap into the formula for converting “looky-loos” into paying clients who [then] turn into evangelists for your brand, business or cause.

– Chris Holt

Develop a strong marketing strategy to achieve your business goals
Zoom in on your best customers and most promising prospects
Explore the pros and cons of specific social media channels
Understand the vital skill of listening
Find out how and why to promote the luxury angle of photography
Discover how to inspire brand evangelists through social media
Learn important survival tips for your social media program

Listen to your audience and learn what they love, hate and couldn’t care less about.

Create content that resonates with your market and supports your niche position.

Convert your fans, friends and casual readers into clients and advocates.

Evangelize your brand with passionate followers who’ll spread the good news of your work.

In addition to the powerful strategies illustrated in this book, I was fortunate enough to have friends in the industry — Kenny Kim, Zach and Jody Gray, Jerry Ghionis, Becker, Jasmine Star, Catherine Hall, and Grace Ormonde — whom offered valuable advices through different perspectives.

Bulletproofing Efforts

We all know how fast social media changes. Remember MySpace? Social media are platforms. Although some have advantages over others, the strategies are virtually the same.

Understanding this concern — what if I build up my Facebook following and it one day collapses? — I dedicated an entire chapter to methods in securing your digital space in the event of a change of mediums.

Many of the successes I’ve had this far in the short time I’ve been in business I attribute largely to the marketing strategies and knowledge I’ve gained from reading Lawrence’s Tofurious blog and most recently the Social Media Marketing for Digital Photographers book.

After reading it you will undoubtedly think differently about how you market your business and your business will in turn be better for it.

– Arleth G Photography

Read The Introduction

Download the Introduction (PDF) to see if you like the writing style. Read a few blog posts to see if you like the content.

Lawrence outlines the way photographers can create an avid following and attract potential clients using the tools such as Facebook, Linked In and Twitter. Using his signature dry sense of humor, Lawrence uses examples of well known brands and provides parallels on how a digital photographer can apply these marketing strategies to their own businesses.

I picked up many valuable tips to use in my own business as well as insights on my own motivations as a consumer. I’ll for sure be re-reading this one a few times so I don’t miss any nuggets of wisdom.

– Hanssie Trainor

Where to Get It

Amazon, Barnes, Walmart and other retailers all carry the book in stock. However, I’m a fan of Kindle, so all of my books go through them. Alas, the Kindle version is still be converted, so hard copy for now.

Lawrence has a very unique and keen insight on consumer habits, and does a great job of guiding the reader on how to utilize social media as an effective marketing strategy for growing your business.

If you’re like me and have wondered how to do this, then this material will probably be just what is going to help you, and educate you on how it all works. I was very impressed by his ability to allow us to see “behind the curtain” and understand the mechanism that motivates consumer habits, human behavior, and how to use it to attract quality clientele. Big thumbs up!

– Tauran Woo

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I’m working on a surprise for those who leave a nice comment on Amazon. I believe in positive reinforcement

From my perspective: If photographers were “Jedis” and marketing the “lightsaber,” Lawrence Chan [would] be Qui-Gon Jinn whom with maverick and unconventional methods will teach us the proper use of the (marketing) “force.”

– Gabriel Mora

P.P.S. I spent about seven months working with a talented team to put this book together. A lot of blood, sweat, brain juice went into this. I’m really really really proud of this. Hope you all feel the same way.

P.P.P.S. Digital iBook, Kindle, Nook, etc. formats coming soon. Wiley Press is still in the process of converting it over. I’m anxious myself.

Twit Photo Guest Quest

Lawrence — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:56:36 +0000

Hey photo friends,

Catherine Hall is the host of TWiT Photo — an online photography show — and she recently emailed regarding TwiT Photo’s quest for the hottest emerging photographer.

Per the contest website:

You will have the rare opportunity to get your work in front of a prestigious judging panel made up of five past TWiT Photo guests, including Art Wolfe, Colby Brown, Tamara Lackey, Frank Doorhof and Zack Arias. Simply submit a portfolio of images based on a coherent theme to your favorite social media platform (choose from Google+, Facebook, 500px or Flickr).

Reward

The contest winner will be our guest on a Winter 2011/2012 episode of TWiT Photo and will be featured on the TWiT blog and Catherine Hall Studios blog. Two honorable mentions, including a selection of their work, will be featured in an article on Catherine Hall Studios blog, promoted through Catherine Hall Studios’ Facebook, Twitter and Google+ accounts, and mentioned on TWiT Photo.

Timeline

Deadline for submission: Nov. 22, 2011, at 11.59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (GMT – 7.00) (no exceptions)

Winner announcement: Dec. 6, 2011, on TWiT Photo and Catherine Hall Studios blog.

Submission Guideline

Entries must be from emerging photographers with 5 years or less professional experience who earn less than 51% percent of their total income from their photography career. To enter, submit a portfolio of 15-20 images based on a cohesive body of work that is a strong representation of your visual style.

More information about this can be found on Catherine Hall’s blog post – http://www.catherinehall.net/blog/2011/10/25/twit-photo-guest-quest/

Share with your friends! And submit yourself!

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Catherine Hall is sweeter than honey, so don’t use stage fright as an excuse not to submit.

P.P.S. Happy Halloween! Here’s a photo from a cafe on Degraves Street, Melbourne … cafe society!

Finally…the DVD Release: Tofurious SEO Workshop and Blogging Strategies

Lawrence — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:37:23 +0000

How do you market your business? There are many ways to market yourself, but you can read about how I did it below.

Two months ago, I had the privilege of sharing what I had learned about strategic online marketing with many photographers ranging from top 10 in the world to those with less than 10 months in business.

My workshop focused on two items:

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – being found on Google
Blogging Techniques – converting traffic into inquiries (examples)

Reasons Why I Chose SEO

The traditional form of advertisement (word of mouth) is only effective amongst the current client base. Outside that circle of influence, there is a large audience that is untapped. The goal is to be found by those who do not know you.

Why This?

There is probably a ton of options out there all claiming to be SEO experts, but when it all boils down, I can prove it with my inquiries and online ranking. Plus, it’s more than just SEO that makes a sale.

Being found is only half of the battle. The rest is strategic marketing (sample) through blogging, which will convert traffic into clients.

Some Testimonials

I didn’t have the chance to put together everyone’s testimonials, so it’s incomplete and a bit scattered.

Lots Of My Heroes

Aaron Dieppa, Becker, Ann Hamilton

Jasmine Star

Gene Higa, Keats Elliot, Catherine Hall

Dane Sanders

Sara France, Jose Villa

Mike Colon

Robert Evans, Doug Boutwell, Shaun Austin, Peter Garr, and more…

Catherine Hall

Tiffany Fosnight (Adeline & Grace Photography)

Doug Boutwell (Totally Rad Actions)

Kameron & Lyndsay (Shooting Gallery)

Kara Schultz

If Interested…

There will be a digital download coming very very soon so subscribe!

SEO Volume I and Volume II
Blogging Techniques (sample)

Invest into your business by arming yourself with new marketing strategies (auspiciously for the new year).

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. If there is one thing you could get for XMAS, what would it be? My Honda Civic is looking a bit bleh… Hmmm…

Edison failed 10,000 times to make an incandescent light

Lawrence — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:46:11 +0000

UPDATE: The Tofurious SEO workshops are now available!

Please click on the following image to proceed, but I still highly recommend that you to read the content of this blog post first

Hello!

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Thomas Edison was an American inventor who created the incandescent light. It took him 10,000 tries to create the first successful one. What if it only took him 10 tries?

I have been working with SEO for more than two years now. I read books, perused websites for tips, tried over and over again on my websites to finally perfect it. You can try that route as well.

Instead, what if I just shared my formula with you? How much time do you think you can save? 1 day vs 10,000 days? In that time difference, how many more weddings do you think you can book?

Like this video? Share it with others, copy code to embed video on your own blog / forum:

My formula works. I proved it to the OC workshop attendees by performing a simple optimization test. For the record, I have never photographed at Ritz Carlton (especially the Laguna Niguel branch) before.

Google: “Ritz Carlton Wedding Photography” and the following is the result:

Just keep in mind that this was for a global query for all Ritz Carlton locations! I made the posts that same morning. Just imagine the power…

Almost there,

Lawrence

P.S. I like Ritz Carlton, but I also like Cancun…and Paris, and Italy, and and and …the sky is the limit.

THANK YOU all so much for being subscribed to my blog and mailing list. Don’t worry, I am having some major announcements about the next SEO workshop very soon. Be first to know about it by signing up via email here.

Lastly, many thanks to attendees:
Gene Higa – top 10 wedding photographer
Keats Elliot – co-founder of ShootSac
Catherine Hall – photographer for National Geographic, Epson, Canon, etc.

San Francisco Wedding Photographers | Private Workshop

Lawrence — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:25:09 +0000

Hello everyone,

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If you are a BRIDE, please check out some of the top San Francisco / Napa Valley wedding photographers [in the world].

Did I ever mention that I normally live under a rock? Coming to San Francisco to do a talk to some of the world’s top wedding photographers was quite frightening. I had to prepare all week for this private workshop. I will elaborate more on this, but here were the attendees! A special thanks to San Francisco wedding photographer Gene Higa for graciously lending his beautiful home for us to use.

Overall, it was a pleasure to be working with these San Francisco based wedding photographers. Please check out their wedding photography websites as they are inspirational!

Everyone got one of of these cool leather portfolios! After a five hour workshop, I am beat.

Images courtesy of Lan Bui

Here is a little plug for some other San Francisco based wedding photographers:

Kameron Olds – http://shootinggalleryphoto.com/blog

Ashley Summer – http://ashleysummer.com

Sara Goetz – http://saragoetzphotography.com

Outtie,

Lawrence

P.S. Gene’s house is really really really nice. It is very cozy. I could fall asleep here.