Social media has become an indispensable tool for photographers to showcase their work, connect with potential clients, and build a community. However, navigating the complexities of these platforms can be challenging, often leading to frustration and burnout. Understanding the nuances of social media is crucial for photographers to effectively utilize these platforms and avoid common pitfalls.
Coming to you from Roman Fox, this insightful video offers valuable advice on how to approach social media as a photographer. Fox emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear purpose for using social media. Are you aiming to gain widespread recognition and lucrative brand deals, or simply share your passion with a close circle of friends and family? By defining your goals, you can tailor your approach and avoid the pitfalls of chasing metrics that don't align with your objectives. Fox also stresses the significance of focusing your efforts on a select few platforms rather than spreading yourself thin across numerous channels. This allows you to maintain quality and consistency, preventing burnout and ensuring your content resonates with your target audience.
Fox's advice extends beyond the basics, diving into the intricacies of online interactions. He cautions against engaging in gossip, hot takes, and online drama, as this can detract from your work and professionalism. Instead, Fox encourages focusing on creating valuable content and fostering a positive online presence. He also highlights the importance of setting boundaries and avoiding excessive time spent on social media, suggesting batching activities to maximize efficiency and minimize distractions. Additionally, Fox advises against comparing yourself to others, as social media often presents a curated and unrealistic portrayal of reality.
Building on these points, it's crucial to remember that authenticity and originality are key to standing out in the crowded social media landscape. While trends can provide inspiration, avoid becoming overly reliant on them, as they are fleeting and can compromise your unique style. Instead, focus on developing your own voice and creating work that resonates with your personal vision. Furthermore, be mindful of brand deals and partnerships, ensuring they align with your values and audience. Finally, remember that success takes time and dedication. Avoid chasing overnight fame or viral trends, and instead focus on consistent growth and improvement. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Fox.
"Social media is a necessary evil." I agree with half that statement. I avoided social media from the very beginning because it just felt kind of sleazy. And with all of the focus in the news on social media's current problems, it hasn't become any less so.
But is social media really a "must" as the author and virtually every marketing expert claims it is? I'd love to hear how much impact social media has on the bottom line of photographer's income statement. My guess is that it depends on the type of photography one is engaged in. A senior portrait photographer probably benefits from exposure to the social environment of their customers. Although as a consumer, how much stuff do I really want to hear about from my banker, insurance agent, car mechanic... or photographer? As the supplier of these goods and services, we believe that the whole world is waiting on the edge of their seats for the next bit of trivia coming from our social media site. But I doubt it. For the most part, the steady stream of noise is pretty annoying to most people on the receiving end.
With a commercial photography or B2B business model, most clients are even less interested in unnecessary intrusions into their life. They're more apt to ignore about every form of sales and marketing until the point at which they need something. Marketing these days is tough. I sell primarily photographic art to interior designers and commercial art buyers. Competition is fierce. In order to get any attention from these people, I have to get on the phone and promote my work. Not the most fun in the world but a critical function of business. I would only agree with the author to the extent that something in the way of an active sales and marketing strategy is a must for a business... I'm just not convinced it's social media.
By the way, as a person inclined to getting motion sickness, watching this video gave me a little bit of a headache. I really wanted to hear what he had to say, but much like being a passenger in an automobile on a winding road, I was anxious to get it over with too. I would advise YouTube creators to think as much about distractions in their video productions as they would in their photos.
There are photographers, and there are YouTubers. The two things, aren't necessarily related.
So, to answer your question, "is social media a must"? It depends on who's putting their work out there.
Granted, there are of course good photographers that also use social media to reach a wider audience, but first and foremost, their expertise is photography and social media is only a secondary task.
And as for the income, yes, it can make a difference if the numbers are high.
Unfortunately, nowadays, there's a widespread misunderstanding on what those numbers represent, and people tend to think that quantity equals quality.
Forty years ago, the same today's somewhat famous YouTubers would merely be wanna-be photographers with not much chance of making it. In that sense, social media has been a blessing for many.
I estimate that, perhaps, 95 percent of inquiries that come to me originate from Instagram. So, yes, it can play a huge role. To say otherwise is simply incorrect. I've only got about 1200 followers and I'm not interested in becoming some sort of "influencer."
For me, Instagram is basically an extension of local word of mouth.