Our Blog Has Moved! Take a minute to Subscribe again and look around!

by Rachel 7. May 2010 10:33

Our Blog Has Moved!  Take a minute to Subscribe again and look around at www.blog.hhcolorlab.com!

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Email Market Your Photography Business

by Rachel 29. April 2010 13:41

Photography is an art, no doubt, but being able to market and attract customers who yearn to employ their services is a talent that not many have mastered.  With the advent of digital technology, everyone is going the e-way in promoting their products and services. The most basic of which, for professional photographers, is email marketing, gradually moving towards utilizing the Social media forum to establish one’s photography skills and invite new projects and customers.

A good email list, well leveraged, can grow reader loyalty. Hearing from you again and again with good content reminds readers of your value, especially if they heed your advice. Here are five pointers one must keep in mind before diving into the world of email marketing.

  1. Purpose: Email marketing is all about sending out emails or newsletters to a select group of people who will function as messengers for your photographs and services. So make sure to understand how it works before signing on. How often do you intend to send out email blasts? In order to become a viable“information channel,” set a time frame and stick to it to achieve effective results.
  2. Content: Identify the content to be provided. Do a survey in order to learn about other offerings by photographers and create your own niche.  Value for money is what the customer expects, so prioritize and send out only relevant information and tips. People who subscribe to your newsletter will expect something more, maybe a series of top tips, “how tos” or special discounts on selected products or services.
  3. Tools: When just starting out, developing an email campaign and following up with timely and thoughtful replies can seem overwhelming. For this reason, consider signing up with a company such as iContact, Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor or Benchmark. These programs will help to build your email list so you can, more easily, send more emails to a growing list of people. They can help you more easily create attention-grabbing, successful emails for a lot less than you’d pay a professional, and show you reports so you know what's working and what’s not. Some even allow you to create surveys and generate charts and graphs, all of which will give you invaluable information.  In addition, many of these offerings also offer free webinars and excellent tools that allow you to quickly learn how to use and develop an effective e-mail campaign.
  4. Themes: Since you are going to send out email blasts at least on a monthly basis, create themes and follow a trend for your mailers. This will increase the popularity of your mails and invite more requests for your product and services. In wedding season, send out tips on photography for weddings, such as different technical or environmental settings one can use, and so on. If a holiday is around the corner, give your readers unique gift ideas and even include a small discount for customers on various products.
  5. Database: With every email blast that goes out, you will have new contacts built through existing customers. It is important to manage your database of all these customers and keep them updated. This is the only way the email marketing venture will prove useful for you as a photographer, it will add value to your business, increase clientele and build your brand.

Finally, understand what spam is.  Spam isn’t just what ends up in someone’s spam or junk folder.  Become aware of the “Can Spam Act” by visiting ftc.gov/spam for information and be sure to read your email service providers spam policies. With all these things in mind, remember that the bottom-line for a successful email marketing venture can be summed up in three simple words -“Keep in Touch”!

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Keywords Just For Your Photography Website

by David D 27. April 2010 17:05

Today, it seems that a large portion of the world seems to be searching for something online while the rest is working diligently at being found!  With exploding internet access around the globe, connecting people with very diverse backgrounds, the only real way to be noticed is through an online presence. Professional photographers, like other personal service providers, need to maximize the value of their web presence, as studio web sites are essential in order to sell your products and services in a connected world.

Being listed amongst the top few “hits” on search engine results can be achieved through careful consideration of your keywords and keyword phrases.  These are words that will direct the internet user to your website, thereby increasing your traffic and brand value. The keywords are not random words, but are specific to the line of work and services you offer. Here are 5 basic tips for choosing just the right keywords for your studio website.

1.      What is Your Focus? That is the main message of your website. This unique message will begin to create a brand value for your photographs and photography skills. Note these words or phrases as they will be important keywords for your site. In addition, look for other related words that will direct visitors to your website.  Jot down all the words, phrases and terms that you might use to look for good photography websites and you will have developed a list that you should incorporate in your own content.

2.      Search engine: Before creating content for your photography website, do a mock search on various search engines. Use the various keywords and phrases that you have listed to see what kind of websites come up in the results. Fine tune your keywords based on the results generated. When you spot a new word, make note of it, similarly remove the ones that are irrelevant or lead to unrelated sites. 

Once you have narrowed down your list, check the effectiveness of your words and phrases by using a keyword program like the one at Adwords.google.com.  Click the link and get some good keyword ideas.  Then type the words and Google will give you the average number of people who search that phrase per month and much, much more.

3.      Words, Words and More Words: What are the various products or services you offer for sale through your website? If only photographs, then use those words more often, but if you also offer photo books, greeting cards, digital files or other unique services or products, make sure to frequently include those words in your final content.  Also, remember that users might not use simple, “silver bullet” search terms so try to incorporate other words that are related to photography. Words like nature, wedding, children, birthdays, memories, locations, interiors, design, portfolio, names, albums and so on. Remember, there is little reward here for “almost,” so check your spelling!

4.      Photographs: If your site is going to have more images than text, then you should take the trouble to embed the your images with keywords. Software packages like Adobe Photoshop, allows photographers to incorporate text or words in the photograph. When a keyword is entered in search engine, these images will be included in the hit list, which will, in turn, bring visitors to your site. This also comes in handy when uploading pictures to many stock sites, where only one keyword will is allowed on each image. When saving images in jpeg format, make changes, embed the text and then save as a jpeg file.

5.      Content: Finally, although keywords are extremely important for search engine optimization, keep your content relevant rather than flooding it with keywords. It’s a good idea to maintain an upper limit on keyword or phrase usage of 50-60 times in the website.

Of course, the overarching goal is to be found, but it all starts with an understanding and careful attention to your message and brand positioning.  Incorporating these suggestions will help you get started on the right track and allow those new customers to easily find you through simple and effective search optimization.

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Converting Engagement to Revenue: Social Media for Professional Photographers.

by David D 10. April 2010 22:34

With so many consumers joining social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter, it goes without saying that photo assignments will follow. Social networking sites are becoming household brands to this expanding group of consumers, making it easier for people to stay in touch with others, and providing new opportunities for savvy business owners to promote their businesses. Photography is a very relationship oriented business and adopting an effective social media strategy can be a valuable addition to your marketing plan!

 

How can a professional photographer use social media to drive increased business volume? For starters, they can show off their skills by putting one or more high quality portfolios on a couple of popular social media networks. Studies have shown that looking at pictures represents more than 75% of the activity on all social networks. People love to look at images and will “spread the word” about your artistic and technical talents. As traffic and fans build, your social networking pages will serve as a powerful “on ramp” to bring significantly increased traffic to your existing website.  For photographers, a dedicated web site is an absolute necessity, but the old “storefront on internet main street” model is rapidly giving way to the more chaotic, social media “crowd in town square” metaphor. This model is far more effective at rapidly disseminating valuable information and ideas, since it relies on the unique “one to many” community features unique to modern social media.

 

The attractiveness of social media lies in its ability to communicate appealing, yet fundamentally personal content or impressions. As an accomplished photographer, you have an unfair advantage here, as your images always convey unique and powerful perspectives of everyday places and events. For optimal appeal, all you need to add is some personal and insightful perspective about the location or event.  For example, if you include an environmental shot from a wedding, add a few words to perhaps explain why you use the location. Something like “the expansive north facing windows in the conservatory offer bright yet soft natural lighting in virtually all seasons.”  For you, this should be easy, since that is the reason you use the location in the first place!  For that perfect baby shot, you might add “Julie was a little out of sorts that day, but when her puppy ambled in she settled down as if finally protected!” A few comments like these, accompanying your best images will make you a “hit” to your target audiences. They will show why you are an insightful and exacting professional, who does everything possible to get that perfect image for each of your clients.  It explains how and why your images are at once personal yet spectacular. Remember, even if your displayed images are not exactly what a given client might want, after looking at your best and reading your perspectives, they will be comfortable that your intuitive visual skills and techniques, coupled with your personal desire to please, will result in that perfect image, be it for senior citizens, families, married couples, babies or graduating seniors.

 

But there is more to the magic of social media than just your own perspectives. In the past, most photographers judged whether someone liked their work by looking at the number of "hits” on their web pages. This methodology, however, is flawed. Social media also enables public feedback and discussion as you exhibit your best stuff…in the town square! It is also extremely important to acknowledge what many refer to as "the 3 C's," those being conversation, community, and collaboration. You need to be prepared to interact with individuals who may be interested in their own works, including other photographers as well. Before the internet, few people knew about many accomplished photographers. Today, individuals around the world have access to pictures from a wide variety of artists, and a photographer's needs to use this capability to maximum advantage. Through opinions received from more prominent and experienced photographers, novice professionals can learn what their own work lacks and in this manner, advance their own professional development. Build a connection with everyone who comes to the social networking site looking at your pictures. Engender trust with all these potential clients, and realize that everyone who is interested in your pictures has many friends with whom they can share their opinions. In this way, you can build a much larger community of followers who appreciate your work and have the potential of using you for pictures of their own life!

 

I know all this may seem like a lot of work, but your growing social media presence will make you real, and clients who call on you will feel like they have known you and your work for years!

 

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Five Must Read Tips to Boost Traffic on Your Photography Blog

by Rachel 6. April 2010 13:24

Today's blog post is by David Drum.  David is head of Business Development at H&H Color Lab in Kansas City, Missouri. Starting his professional career as a process engineer at Xerox and Motorola, David moved to the professional imaging industry in 1993. David has worked as Technical Support Manager, Production Manager, Lean Manufacturing Manager, and IT Director before assuming his present role.

If you are a photographer, operate a professional photo lab, or market the photographic work of others, a blog is an ideal way for you to generate more interest in your product. In the modern world of social media, blogging allows you to encourage a dialog with others interested in photography, communicating your experiences, perspectives and opinions with others. Regardless of whether you are a wedding photographer or specialize in senior portraits or events, here is a list of 5 tips for using social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and even Facebook fan pages to boost traffic on your blog.

1. Identify Your Primary Audience

In order to effectively market your blog, you first have to identify your main target audience. This is pretty simple since a wedding photographer wants to connect with future brides, a portrait photographer with area high school students, and an event photographers with area event organizers. Once this is accomplished, you develop content that appeals to your target audience. Think of creative ways to slant your content so that it appeals to your audience. For example, if you are into events, you will probably attract the most attention by blogging about events you have done, which ones worked out best and things to avoid in the mix of photography and event planning. Your audience will identify with your focus, experience and expertise and you will begin to attract the right audience for their services. If your concept is catchy enough, your blog might become so popular that it could even qualify as a viral marketing technique, where your target audience begins to recommend you as the “go to” expert in the field!

2. Have an Overall Plan and Concept

If you are planning a new blog, step back and spend a little time planning your overall concept. If you already have a blog, do some brainstorming to identify new ways of marketing it, such as using evolving forms of social media. Starting a Facebook fan page or using Twitter are both great ways for publicizing your new content and gaining new readers. You would be surprised how fast a “winning” Facebook fan page can attract attention.

3. Its Easy to Blog About Something You Already Know

Your expertise is maximized in the particular facet of photography that you specialize in, so blog about it. People love to get inside tips and instructions from an experienced insider. Narratives of successful shoots, technical photo advice and useful “how-to” information will gain you a lot of new readers. You could even write about the photography marketing ideas that work best for you. Share ideas and advice with other  up and coming photographers. Offer some some tips and tricks for those just beginning in the field.

4. Make Your Content Interesting and Compelling

Even if you have the best idea ever for how to combine photography and social media, your blog will not gain readership without some really interesting and fun to read content. If you spend the time writing some good blog entries, it will pay off for you in the long run. If you need help creating high quality content, consider hiring a ghostwriter or just relying on someone to help you stylize and finalize your work.

5. Create Excitement

Remember the blogosphere is a big and crowded place. In order to be noticed and gain readers, it will help immeasurably if you can create some sense of excitement surrounding your blog. Social media venues such as Facebook Fan pages or Tweets can be used very effectively for this purpose, but there are other options as well. Many successful bloggers use contests, surveys and other types of marketing to encourage dialog and create excitement, both of which will attract even more readers.

Although it may seem like a lot of work, a good blog will continue to build your following.  Most of your posts will contain timeless material which will continue to attract readers as time goes on…building your reputation and become the social media version of the “miracle of compound interest!”

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Applying Textures to Create Fine Art Museum Gallery Quality Portraits

by David D 26. March 2010 17:57

This is a guest contribution by Wendy Cunningham of Wendy C. Photography:  After spending years working on a degree in Business Education, Wendy decided to follow her dreams of becoming a lifestyle and fine art wedding photographer.  Wendy has spent several years being mentored by L.A. Fashion Photographer, Jason Christopher, and now this Nashville based wedding photographer is hitting the wedding scene.  You can find out more about Wendy by visiting her site at http://www.wendycphotography.com.  Thank you, Wendy, for contributing your expertise!

Applying Textures to Create Fine Art Museum Gallery Quality Portraits

As a wedding photographer, one thing that I offer to my brides is Fine Art Wedding Photos.  My style of this is pretty simply achieved, and brides love it!  Here is how you can add textures to your photos using Photoshop to create beautiful art.

1.  I start out with a photo of their choice.  Here you can see the photo chosen before any textures have been applied.  Open the photo in Photoshop.  Make sure you are always working with high res files.

2.  Using the lasso tool, draw around the outline of the subject.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  Then apply a Gaussian blur from the filter menu at the top of your screen.  This helps to make sure that particular area of the photo will remain smooth when you apply your texture.

3.  Once you have your photo open in Photoshop, and your Gaussian blur applied to your subject, you then need to open the texture that you are applying.  You can find textures everywhere on the internet.  I purchased this particular texture from Nichole Van.  Make sure you are using a high res texture as well.

4.  In Photoshop CS3, use the move tool to grab your texture and drag and drop it over to the photo you want to apply it to.  If you are using CS4, you will need to have your texture visible on the screen, and then use keyboard shortcuts Ctrl A to grab the texture, and then Ctrl C to copy it.  Select your portrait photo so that it is now visible on the screen, and then use keyboard shortcut Ctrl V to paste it on top of the portrait.  You will end up with something like this:

5.  Once your texture is placed onto the photo, use keyboard shortcut Ctrl T to resize your texture to fit over your photo from corner to corner.  Once it is resized, hit the enter key.

6.  At this point, you should have two layers in your layers pallet.  Make sure your texture layer is highlighted, and then you can play with the various blending modes by choosing the dropdown arrow and choosing one that you like.  Most of the time I use the multiply blending mode, but in this example… I chose to leave it normal.

7.  With your texture layer still highlighted in your layers pallet, bring down the opacity to about 50%.  You will be able to see the original photo behind the texture.  You will also be able to see where you have your subject still outlined with the lasso tool, and it should be blurry where you applied the Gaussian blur.

8.  Once your texture is applied, press keyboard shortcut Y to get your history brush.  Make sure you choose a brush size that will keep you in the lines of your outline.  At the top of your screen, lower the opacity to somewhere around 15% before you start erasing the history of your photo.  Slowly erase the texture (which will also erase the Gaussian blur) from the subject of your photo.  You do not want to erase it all because you want it to blend.  I always erase the heaviest on the face, leaving plenty to be seen everywhere else.

9.  Basically from this point on, you keep playing with your opacity, your history brush, and your blending modes until you reach a desired look.  There is no science to this.  Just have fun with it until you reach your desired look to your piece of art.

This is a great way to sell more expensive products to your clients.  These look absolutely fabulous printed on fine papers and canvas gallery wraps.  I almost always include at least one fine art print with every package I sell, and it never fails… the client always comes back for more.


Nashville Wedding Photographer:  Wendy C. Photography

www.wendycphotography.com

 

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5 Ways to Take Your Photography Business Over the Top with a Contest

by Rachel 18. March 2010 10:22

As a rule, contests have always been a tried and true way for any business to gain visibility, brand recognition and most importantly, to grow the business. With the explosion of the internet as not only an education and informational tool, but also a booming hub of cultural activities, the opportunities and audience for a contest has grown exponentially. With the clever use of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, an adept photographer can build and grow their business through viral marketing strategies.

 

Whether you run a blog on the subject or have a brick and mortar Photography Studio, you can take advantage of many of these photography marketing ideas to grow the business you have and maybe even expand into some new areas. It does not matter if you understand social media or not, it is important to factor its incredible power and possibility. Think about it this way: Millions of people around the world tap into these sites every day. How many of these people are interested in your niche? How many people have no idea who you are? Social media is your chance to increase those numbers. If done right, you can tap into the greatest source of free advertising available.

 

Here are 5 great ideas for running and promoting a contest with social media

1)         Referral Contest – One successful contest is a referral contest. With this type of contests, your current customers are challenged to recommend your business to a friend or family member. This can be done in several ways. An effective method to use is a Facebook Fan Page. For example, have a contest where the first person to help you get 5 or 10 new fans on your Facebook fan page.

 

 

 

2)         Photo Contest – This one is not only a great for publicity, but also fun and enganging for your customers. You can either post photos from your own shoots, or have your users submit their own photos. Then have everyone either vote or post a comment on your blog, with the winning photographer (or subject) winning a prize. You can take this even further by running a drawing for everyone who comments/votes and giving out more prizes.

 

 

3)         Facebook Status or Twitter Contest – This contest has some of the greatest potential to go viral. To run this contest, you must have two criteria: the winner must be a fan or follower and they must make a status update or tweet announcing your contest. Each tweet or update  (Limit 1/day for a short period time) earns an entry into the contest. Depending on how large the prizes are, you can give out one large prize or several small prizes throughout the contest. If you want to keep people interested, consider giving away small weekly prizes with the chance to win a grand prize at the end of the contest.

 

 

4)         Creative Photo Shoot  - Have your customers tweet or submit to you their creative photo shoot ideas. Once all entries are received, narrow them down to 5-10 shoots and hold a poll. You can also do this tournament style to generate more buzz. When the votes are in, the winning idea wins the photo shoot of their creation.

 

 

5)         Seasonal Contests – Everybody loves seasons and holidays (and there is no shortage of them). Try running a contest for one of them. You can have users submit holiday-themed photos or ideas. You can also just use the holiday as an excuse to hold a contest. For example, you can run a contest for a free Easter, Christmas or Halloween shoot. You will be sure to have plenty of people (especially families) jumping on board to win.

 

 

These are just a few ideas for growing your business through a social media contest. One of these may work for you, but make sure to play to your strengths and do what is best for your customers. Take some time and do some research on how each website works, so that you are able to make the most out of each social media outlet. Be creative and with the right steps, you can push your traffic through the roof in no time. With luck, many of these new visitors will not only be interested in your contest, but will also turn into regular, loyal customers.

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The Top 5 Tips on Why a Photographer Needs a Facebook Account

by Rachel 15. March 2010 14:43

This is a guest contribution by Georgia McCabe:  Georgia spent 30 years as a Sr. Executive in the computer and photo industry at IBM, Eastman Kodak and Fujifilm. As a driving force in conceiving and executing breakthrough approaches to the photo printing, sharing and delivery market place, she literally “changed the rules” for a category undergoing massive technological change and re-invention. She is a certified social media strategist, and is a market and branding consultant helping businesses utilize the tools and power of social networking. Georgia McCabe

 

Photographers need customers plain and simple. Getting the word out on your photography services can be made easier with the help of social media marketing, twitter, Facebook and by running online contests. Facebook is free and easy to set up. It is no longer an option if you want a Facebook fan page: if you want to be a success, you need one!

 

The Top 5 Tips on Why a Photographer Needs a Facebook Account;

 

1. To spread the word. The beauty of Facebook lies in the fact that most, if not all, of your high school, college and other business and social contacts most likely have one. Reach out to these people without purely marketing to them. Subtly reminding them that photography is what you do for a living may be enough to open up new business. These old high school buddies will have need of a photographer someday, or know someone who does and the simple reminder that you are a professional, may be enough to spark a job. Request friends of friends and build a network quickly. 

 

2. To make new contacts. First and foremost, you will want to keep it friendly. Facebook posts and updates should not all be about getting new business or self-promoting, rather, allow your contacts to see both your work life and a glimpse at your daily life. People who feel comfortable with you as a person, will be much more likely to recommend you to their friends and family who need photography services.

 

3. To direct people to your blog or website. Facebook has a great function that lets people see whenever you update your blog. You could also update your status letting people know that there is a new post. This serves two functions: updating brings traffic to your blog and keeps your Facebook current. A current, active Facebook keeps people engaged with you and your name at the forefront of their minds. Link your regular blog traffic to your Facebook with a Facebook button or small screen shot and vice versa.

 

4. To network with other photographers. Join photography groups on Facebook. Use the search function to network with local and global groups that cater to photographers. Find a professional photo lab or discover contest ideas and successful photography marketing ideas from other professional photographers who market on Facebook.

  

5. To make a name for yourself. Having a Facebook and Facebook fan page is a great way to brand yourself. The personal photo shot you post and the information you give all add up to a particular image. If you are careful about the information you share and how you share it, the rewards will be enormous. Build your brand by customizing your Facebook fan page and displaying the best photos you have to offer. Social media marketing is a matter of strategy and if done properly can turn into viral marketing, meaning that the people you reach would never have heard of you without the use of the web.

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Top 5 Tips to Broaden the audience for your Photographs

by David D 12. March 2010 09:05

Top 5 Tips to Broaden Your Audience for Your Photographs

Great photographs are the intersection of three important factors – a great photographic eye, a great photographic situation and a substantial audience to view and appreciate the result. The old days where people anxiously awaited proofs, visited conventional photo galleries or requested and kept books from stock agencies are history. Today there are countless web sites showcasing the artistic craft of working photographers. These sites are often directly coupled with social media sites or employ technologies like Web 2.0 that allow real, two way communications between audience and artist. In order to get broad exposure of your work, you really need to make some of your best work viewable online. There are many good online vehicles that can showcase photographs. You can create an online gallery and connect it to your website or blog. Another option is to display your work employing dedicated photo-sharing sites like Flickr, Google Albums, HHImageHost or SmugMug or you can create display albums using popular social networks like Facebook.

Tip #1 Blog and Show Off Your Expertise

Most working photographers already have their own website, but if you really want to make the leap and create an online following, add a blog to your website.  While your website displays information about yourself, your business and your products, it typically remains relatively constant. Your blog, on the other hand, should contain a wealth of information that continually changes and grows and is actually the focal point of your “social media” strategy. You can blog about any number of things ranging from simple tips and tricks to a narrative of an interesting and successful photo shoot. You might review interesting new tools or products.  Talk about your customers and your experience with them or perhaps even include comments from some of your customers relating their views of the photographic experience. Let your imagination go, but you will be surprised how easy it is to come up with truly compelling and interesting content.

Tip #2 Create a Facebook FanPage…It Is Free and Easy 

With over 400 million members, Facebook is a great way to show off your work and subtly advertise your skills.  You can create a Facebook “Fan Page,” name it and invite others to join.  Run a simple contest, post images of your work, talk about your product and maybe even offer occasional specials. Most importantly, offer some simple, yet valuable advice to your target market.  Give people a reason to keep coming back and they will become your social network “word of mouth.”

Tip #3 Heard of Google Knol…Give It A Try

Google Knol is an information sharing site (sort of a viral Wikipedia) that allows you to share your unique expertise and knowledge…and build a personal following. You create a Knol through any Google account.  Since you are a photographer, make sure to show off your best photographs and include links to the other social sites you are on.  Once you have informational articles written for your blog, you can change them up a bit and repurpose them as Knols.

Tip #4 Expand Your Reach With Be A Photo Sharing Site

Sites like Flickr are not only a great place for showcasing your photos, they are also a great way to store and reference collections of photographs from other web locations. For example, you can use creative tools like FlickrSlideShow generator to arrange multiple images into a slideshow.  Once the show is created, copy the supplied HTML and add it to your blog, Facebook Fan Page or use Twitter to post a link.  You can also use Flickr to get great feedback on your work.  The network is large and people love to give feedback.  If you are worried about copyright they have a great tool PicMarkr which allows you to create a custom watermark and place it on your Flickr images as well as exercise full control over printing and downloads.  Not to be outdone, SmugMug, Zenfolio, and Photobucket are other sites that offer similar capabilities.  H&H, like many professional labs, also offers studio branded image sharing and output services using our HHImageHost platform. There are lots of powerful options, but an on-line photo sharing and output site will definitely allow you to greatly expand your customer reach.

Tip #5 Twitter is a Powerful Tool To Awaken Your Audience

Twitter is a powerful publicity tool but is often misunderstood. When you have new content posted to your blog, photo sharing site or you own site, use Twitter as a pointer to your new content by publishing a few tweets!  Remember to ask for feedback. You can us search.twitter.com with an applicable keyword such as “wedding photographer.”  You can even constrain the search to a zip code or search within a certain mile radius.  Once you search collects the applicable audience, tweet them with a link to your content!  You will have to brief as Twitter has a message limit of only 140 characters. You probably want to use a URL shortening service such as Bit.ly or TinyUrl for your link to avoid using up too much of the message limit. Twitter doesn’t directly support any attachments, but as usual, a number of third-party services have sprung up to fill the void, although mostly for consumers without personal web sites or blogs. The list expands daily but you might want to check some of them out. Look at Mobypicture, Pikchur, Posterous, Twitpic and Tweetphoto. 

As the web moves toward more and more two-way conversation, Twitter is clearly becoming one of the most important ways for people to highlight interesting content.  Even though Twitter has a 140 character limit, as the saying goes, a good picture is worth well more than a thousand words!

The options for social media marketing in photography are endless. Used correctly, social media sites can represent powerful new marketing tools for photographers, allowing images and compelling content to be broadcast to huge networks of potential customers. But remember, social networks are virtual versions of crowded town squares, where catchy images and compelling content are required to grab the attention of the entire crowd. It may seem like a lot of work, but effective use of social media is a lot like “the miracle of compound interest,” your following and reputation will continue to grow as time goes on!

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March Specials

by Rachel 5. March 2010 14:12

Our March specials are here - and many are under $10!  With Mothers Day and graduation coming soon, it is a great time to offer these gift items as specials to your customers and take advantage of these savings. 

 

So order these specials through eZsuite and be sure to enter the coupon code.
 

 
Haven't tried our frame service yet?  Do yourself a favor and discover the ease of letting us do it for you!  Order your print and frame through eZsuite at the same time...no more hassle! Your print comes framed and packaged in a box so all you do is hand it to your customer.
 
Shipping is free and all frames are 25% off during this month! (frame only - does not include print, or optional glass or matte) What are you waiting for?
Enter Coupon Code: Frames 
 
 
 
Single Tumbled Stone Tile Coaster - $13.50
Set of 4 Stone Tile Coasters-       $45.00
Iron Stand -                  $7.50
Enter Coupon: Stone

Single Hardboard Coaster             $6.00
Set of 4 Hardboard Coasters         $22.00
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Mirror CompactMirror Compact
Mirror Compact -      $8.75
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Money Clip -   $12.40
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Pewter Key RingPewter Key Ring
Pewter Key Ring -      $8.80
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Business Card HOlder
 
Business Card Holder
Business card Holder -  $9.90
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Digital Wallet Special - We have extended this popular special for one more walletsmonth!
48 or more wallets from one image $.12 each
Standard Service Only (H&H Color Corrected)
Lustre paper only  
Enter Coupon Code: WalletSpecial2010
 
 
10x20 Standard Digital Print
Lustre Surface -    $7.45
Pearl Paper    -    $8.50
Enter Coupon Code: March10x20
 
Economy Proof Special - This is another popular special we are extending for another month! One Low price for your economy proofs! Don't Wait! 
Luster proofs for only .25 cents each
Pearl proofs for only .33 cents each
3.5 x 5 ; 4x5; 4x6; 5x5 only
Enter Coupon code EconoProof2010

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