There’s just no escaping it, this damn internet thing. I prefer hanging out with my dogs or going on little outside adventures with my husband to staring at a phone or tapping away at a laptop! So how exactly do you do that as a photographer? How do you build a strong online presence?
First off, what does it mean to have a strong online presence? Having a website and social media presence has always been important for photographers — whether you like to photograph cats with hats or dads with their lads — but the potential of marketing your work online is only growing.
Creating a strong online presence is key for any photographer looking to take their career to the next level. It can help reach a wider audience, showcase your work and attract potential clients (and moolah)! Here are some steps to help you build a strong online presence:
Build An Impactful, Kick Ass Website
First you build it, then they come. Your photography website is your home base, a platform for all your work, projects, information, and vision. This is the vital first step in how to build your web presence as a photographer.
The best portfolio websites are simple and optimised for desktop and mobile, with clean layouts that let the images speak for themselves. That’s a key feature of a good photography website – a clean layout.
If you already have a photography website, that’s awesome! Now take some time to review the homepage and image galleries on it and consider if you’re making the most impact with your curation. A cluttered portfolio with hundreds of photos can be overwhelming for viewers!
If you don’t already have a website for your photography, stop reading this and make one. Go now, I can wait. There are plenty of good website builders out there and it’s never been easier to make it yourself!
Flaunt Those Skills: Create Educational Content
One of the best ways to develop your online presence as a photographer is to offer genuine value. That can come in the form of educational videos, PDF guides, newsletters, blog posts, and more.
Think of what your audience needs and provide them with something they can’t get elsewhere! It can be as simple as posting a how-to on social media or as complex as publishing an eBook available for download.
Whatever you choose, draw on your awesome skill set and let your unique voice shine through. That’s also what is key! People want authenticity and the best way to give them that is to unfilter yourself a little and let your light SHINE.
The more honest and truthful you are, the more interesting you become. And it’s often that authenticity that people connect with. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, however weird or offbeat that may be!
Share The Love: Build An Online Network
A broad range of photo communities can be found all over the web, from Facebook discussion groups to curated Instagram feeds. Many even meet up offline. Depending on the group, you might use them to network with other photographers or connect with potential clients – this is a great example of the importance of an online presence.
Ask questions and follow artists you admire. Remember, much of being creative is finding inspiration from others in your field!
The network you build can be a powerful way to gain credibility online and attract new clients. For many photographers, this has been a key element in getting their career to the next level.
Leverage Social Media
You can’t be active 24/7 on every single social media platform out there, and for photographers Instagram is always the best place to start and is one of the best ways for how to improve your online presence.
Instagram can be a useful complement to your website, functioning as a low-effort blog where you share updates and behind-the-scenes looks at your photography work. Posting frequently on Instagram can help keep you in the sights of potential collaborators and clients, and can also be a powerful motivator to push you to make new work even when you don’t have big projects on the go (and, of course, boost your online presence)!
You don’t need to share a new image every day, but posting at least a few times a week can go a long way towards increasing your online presence. Videos explaining how you do what you do and why you do it are becoming more and more popular. Don’t just show your work – show the process of creating it if you want to really get noticed and increase your online presence!
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These quick tips on how to build a strong online presence should help you get started on developing your online presence as a photographer, and getting your work seen by more people! Ultimately, the key to establishing yourself online is taking the time to curate your best work on your website and social media accounts, and posting regularly and connect with others in the photography community.
Want more helpful tips like this regarding building a photography biz? I’ve got you. Sign up for my 1:1 photography coaching and workshops for photographers where I walk you through every element of the industry and help you take your business to the next level. Simply pop me a message and we can take it from there!
