Ever make a presentation to 700 people? Neither have I.
Yesterday, I had the chance to speak again at WPPI (2013). Like always, it was a nerve-racking experience. Luckily, the attendees were warm and gentle with their smiles.
Do you like my cat? It was a giveaway for my talk. It’s an official Big Bang Theory cat that sang “Soft Kitty” by Penny. Since I promised kittens, it would have been “false kitty advertisement” had I not delivered at least one.
Program
Nowadays, the consumer experience is less about what a company can provide, and rather, it’s more about the relationships they build. This paradigm shift requires businesses to build relationships with customers instead of just dishing out sales pitches or portfolio photos.
Learn how to create high-quality content worthy of sharing to attract, acquire and engage a targeted audience to drive consumer action through popular social media channels.
Join the amazingness.
Content Marketing & Social Media:
The Secrets to More Bookings and Online Engagement
Monday, March 11, 2013
4:00PM – 5:30PM
Platform Class (PC32)
Studio B
Photos courtesy of Regis Chen.
Photography Marketing Tips Ideas Free – Social Media Traffic
About a month ago, I had a conversation with Mike Hanline at SXSW regarding Instagram and how we use it more than other platforms while traveling. It’s quick, easy and visual.
So, if I loaded a photo (or link) on one platform, should I repeat it on all of them?
- Facebook Like Page
- Facebook Personal Page
- Youtube
- Google Plus
- Instagram (@tofurious)
- and all of the other networks like Flickr, 500px, Tumblr and so forth.
What if someone sought to follow you on all of your sharing platforms? Wouldn’t it be tiresome if they saw the same messages repeated and in the same exact ways? I get it though. Some follow you here, while others there.
Plus, it’s especially easy and more convenient to repeat on sharing apps like Hootsuite, Buffer and Ping.fm.
However, let’s look at this “Social Media Explained” meme. We laugh and share it, but there’s wisdom behind the photo.
Be Conscious and Deliberate
Share selectively. Some links or photos do not need to be shared on all platforms. Each platform has different features. And I implore you to use them accordingly. I’m not going to get into this here; in fact, I had to write an entire book on it.
Reward followers. If someone followed you on all platforms and realized that you only shared, let’s say, a photo on Instagram and nowhere else, what a treat! It’s something special that is privy to only those on that platform. Suckers who aren’t on it get left out.
Introduce differently. I understand how you might have all sorts of followers everywhere. Think about introducing the subject matters differently. Change up the introduction. Or …
Change the call to action. What is it that you expect users to do when they receive a message? Decide how you want them to react.
Vary the timing. Another approach is to stagger the posting. Since not everyone reads every tweet anyway, feel free to share on different platforms at different times. Or combine with any of the aforementioned to make it more unique.
What Do You Think?
There is no right or wrong answer. It’s all dependent on your social media goals. So, now that you are more wise in sharing, feel free to share this article with friends through selective platforms. 
Sincerely,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Off to Miami for a wedding. It’s going to be a stormy 80 degrees … sounds oxymoronic.
Is there a site that you have bookmarked and never missed reading a post? Hopefully, Tofurious makes the cut (insert winky face).
What is it that compels you to return?
Generally speaking, it’s because of good content. Content comes in all forms.
- Education
- Comedy
- Inspiration / Motivation
… or it can be a combination of the three. Can you think of a person or site that fits in each category?
I’m not going to elaborate those here, but there is one general rule for producing awesome content.
Whether it is a blog post, tweet, Facebook update … whatever, write for your readers, not for yourself.
Here’s how …
Beneficial Content
There are different types of content. Posting portfolio work of your clients is one method. However, it’s nearly impossible to create so much content unless you’re shooting something everyday, which is why 365-day projects are convenient.
Another method is to write beneficial content for your readers. Below are some examples.
Food Photography
You could showcase all of the foods you photographed with links to the restaurants. While sharing good eats, you’re also sharing what a great food photographer you are.
Margarita pizza at Opera House Cafe in Sydney
Pet Photography
You can share an article you found about organic foods for dogs. Make sure to post a photo of your dog enjoying its meal. Voila!
Children Photography
Let’s imagine that you found a boutique clothing store for your kids. Share the store address with photos of your kids donning the ensemble.
There are countless ways how you can create content that do not center on paid work that are still excuses to show off your photography … all while creating content worth sharing amongst your readers. If anything, create wallpapers and screensavers for every season!
Position
If you have not noticed, I take the stance of education. But I’m not limited to that by any means. I could write a story about triumph over adversity next week (motivation). But instead, next week, I’m writing about design.
If you like this post, please share with friends with buttons below. And comment one food that you absolutely cannot live without.
Cheers,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. A lovely note from Russell Climie – a reader of my psychology to pricing and packaging e-book!
P.P.S. Here’s a photo I shot of Layla from yesterday’s Wedding Style Magazine New England party at Cafe Nuovo (Providence, RI). A quick shout out to some lovely photographers I met – Nicole Chan, Melissa, Stephanie and Seth, and Jo!