Digital marketing is used by businesses to promote their brand and products online or on digital channels. If you are a photographer, you also need to use digital marketing to promote yourself no matter if you’re a high end fashion photographer or you create and sell stock photos online. This is important because the online world is where you will find your clients.
Digital marketing is not rocket science. It is not difficult to implement it. You can do it on your own with some research and effort. It is also possible to work with any of the digital marketing agencies and take their help.
This guide tells you all you want to know about how to use digital marketing for your photography business
Digital marketing for a photography business
1. Getting started
The first step is to start using digital channels for your business. You need a website for your photography business. It doesn’t matter whether the business has 1 person or many persons working in it. A website is essential, so anyone can search for you, find information about you, and get in touch with you.
Your website needs to be well-designed with attractive photographs showcasing your work and capability. The principles of SEO or Search Engine Optimization need to be followed during the website design. This ensures your website is ranked higher by Google. So, when anyone searches for a photographer, you have a better chance of being listed high in the search results.
You also need to start using social media. Create accounts on social media platforms and start posting content. Post content regularly and share photos and information that is useful. Make sure you brand all the content you post, so people start to recognize your brand. Interaction with people who like and comment on your posts is important. Interaction is the best way to make your brand grow.
2. Identify your customer
Online marketing is tough because there are millions of people online. You need to carry out targeted marketing activities to focus on your target audience. To do this, you first need to understand who your customer is. You need to build a customer profile to identify who your customer is.
Based on the services you offer, you need to build a customer profile. Use criteria like age, gender, location, occupation, income, education, etc. to build the profile. Once the profile is built, it will help you carry out targeted marketing. You can ensure that your content reaches your target audience once you know them better.
3. Engagement is the key
The key to successful digital marketing is engagement. You need to constantly engage with your target audience. Talk to them and let your content address them directly. Share content that is useful and makes sense for them. For example, if you are into event photography share some useful tips on event management. This will help people plan an event. With the content, share photographs you have taken of previous events.
This will help them understand your capabilities. Whenever they like or share your post, start engaging with them. You can follow them or send them a ‘thank you’ comment. Whenever anyone asks a question or posts a comment, ensure you reply to it. Even negative comments should be responded to. Do it politely but assert your position.
Constant engagement is important. You need to post content regularly (once a week or twice a week or any other frequency). The more content you post, the more engagement you have. Each of the posts should carry your brand name, logo, and any other branding elements. Ensure your social media account has your biodata with contact details.
4. Run marketing campaigns
There are two types of marketing you can do – organic (or natural) and paid.
Organic is where your posts go viral when people share them. This is the best way to succeed online. For this to happen, your content must be top-class. You need to share quality photos and do it consistently. This will ensure your content is shared by many people. This helps you increase your reach.
You can also run paid campaigns. Put up advertisements on social media as well as on websites. People who click on your ad can be redirected to a landing page on your website where you advertise your services.
Another option is to work with social media influencers who have millions of followers. If you can get them to promote your post, you will be able to increase your reach.
Systematic and sustained marketing is essential for success and is a key element of digital marketing.
