Virtual Tours are a quickly growing area of opportunity for photographers. Local businesses can share what it's like to visit their facilities with Google and other platforms. In this multipart series, we'll learn about the process. Let's learn about publishing VR and 360˚ content to Facebook Publishing VR and 360˚ content to Facebook, part 1 from Virtual Tours: Video, Photo, and VR by Richard Harrington and Francis Torres Publishing VR and 360˚ content to Facebook, part 2 from Virtual Tours: Video, Photo, and VR by Richard Harrington … [Read more...] about Virtual Tours: Publishing VR and 360˚ content to Facebook
Join the Photofocus reader’s group on Facebook
Would you like to engage with like-minded photographers? Then join our Facebook readers group. Comment on articles with longer discussions Share your photos (and maybe even be featured on Photofocus) Submit story ideas Pitch us on guest posts Interact with Photofocus writers and readers … [Read more...] about Join the Photofocus reader’s group on Facebook
Guide to Facebook Ads, part eight: Instagram ads
For this last installment of my series about Facebook Ads, I had to talk about Instagram! The social media of choice when it comes to photography, Instagram should definitely be part of your marketing strategy. There are two ways to create ads on Instagram. You can either use the Ads Manager, where you can choose to create an ad for Instagram only or for both Facebook and Instagram, or you can do it in the Instagram mobile app directly, which is similar to boosting a post on Facebook. Prerequisites First, let's talk about what you need to … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part eight: Instagram ads
Guide to Facebook Ads, part seven: Additional tools
In the last article about Facebook Ads, I went through how to optimize your Facebook Ads to get the best results. By now, you should have a solid strategy for your Ad Campaign and following its performance. Today, I want to talk about a few more tools that Facebook gives you to really customize your customer's experience. Offers If you're advertising a discount, a special offer or something similar, you may want to use the Offer feature. It's a great tool to market special offers and it's easy to use. There are two ways to create an offer. … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part seven: Additional tools
Guide to Facebook Ads, part six: Advanced optimization
It's time for another installment of my Guide to Facebook Ads! So far, you've learned about the basics of ads, discovered the Ads Manager interface, learned how to create a campaign from scratch, how to use the Facebook Pixel and explored the analytics side of ads. It's now time to improve the results of your ads! As you will see rather soon, testing different strategies, ads, audiences and more, is key to succeeding with Facebook Ads. You will constantly be looking at your Analytics and tweak your ad parameters to optimize your results with … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part six: Advanced optimization
Guide to Facebook Ads, part five: Analytics
Last week, we talked about the Facebook Pixel and how to set it up. Now that you're all set up and that you know how to run ad campaigns, it's time to start talking about analytics. Running ads is one thing, but you need to analyze how they're performing to make sure you're not wasting your money. This is a key part of ads and it will allow you to refine your ad campaign and get better results. When you log into Facebook's Ads Manager, the main screen has a lot of data. It's very useful and you can learn a lot about your ads here. Analytics … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part five: Analytics
Guide to Facebook Ads, part four: The Facebook Pixel
So far in this Guide to Facebook Ads, you've learned about the basics of ads, discovered the Ads Manager interface and learned how to create a campaign from scratch. You're now set to start advertising on Facebook! Our next step is to make sure you have good analytics so you can measure your results. Today, let's talk about the Facebook Pixel! The Facebook Pixel is an analytics tool that allows you to measure how effective your ads are by tracking people's actions on your website. Basically, it allows you to see how people who click on your ad … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part four: The Facebook Pixel
Guide to Facebook Ads, part three: Creating a campaign
It's time for part three of my guide to Facebook Ads! After covering the basics of boosting a post and the Ads Manager, let's dive into creating your first campaign. The process is a little more involved than with boosting a simple post, but once you create a few campaigns, it'll get easier! You'll also have the option to duplicate ads, sets and whole campaigns instead of starting from scratch every time. Getting started To start, get to your Ads Manager and at the top left, click on the Create button. It opens a pop-up screen where you … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part three: Creating a campaign
The absolute best time to post on Facebook
Let’s be honest, you’re slightly misled by the title of this. Kinda, sorta. OK, here is the truth. I am about to tell you the absolute best time to post on Facebook. But really, that time depends on you. There, I said it. There is no golden hour for Facebook posts. There is no shining star that works for everyone. There is no miracle worker. Facebook is a pay to play system now. Back in “the day” you could go on Facebook, post something, and all of your page followers would see it. But now you’re lucky if you can get a handful of people … [Read more...] about The absolute best time to post on Facebook
Guide to Facebook Ads, part two: The Ads Manager
Facebook's Ads Manager can be daunting, but once you know how to use it, it's a very powerful tool to advertise on the platform. It allows you to control everything about your ads and the analytics are great. In my last post, we talked about how to boost a single post. It's a good introduction to Facebook Ads, but it won't get you far. This time, we're going to get to the next level and learn to use the Ads Manager, so you can plan campaigns and implement your strategy. The Ads Manager is part of the Business Manager, which is a platform … [Read more...] about Guide to Facebook Ads, part two: The Ads Manager
Photography Marketing: Asking for a review
in previous columns, I've discussed the importance of getting reviews, especially on platforms like Google and Facebook. So what's the best way to do it? How do you ask for a review without sounding desperate? Why are reviews important? Reviews on both Google and Facebook are important because they help build your reputation. Whether it be a simple star rating or an in-depth recommendation from a client, having these is important as you continue to build your business. Whether it's the case or not, having no reviews might show that you're … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Asking for a review
Photography Marketing: Know your platform
As photographers, we spend a lot of time sharing our images and trying to market ourselves on social media. It's no secret that we spend about 20% of our time actually photographing, while the other 80% is spent on our business. In order to be effective on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, however, you have to know the platform. And you have to know your audience for those platforms. Facebook When Facebook was initially launched in February 2004, its audience was clear. It catered specifically to college students. But two years … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Know your platform
Using video for your photography business
Editor’s Note: We welcome Scott Wyden Kivowitz to the Photofocus team. Scott is a father and photographer whose dedication to teaching photographers comes through in a straightforward and no fluff style. Scott is also the Chief Community Officer at Imagely, the WordPress Photography People. As photographers, we think photography is the only thing we should be showing on our websites. The mobile age is here and has been for a while. But it’s only still getting started as new apps and services are coming out every day for both iOS and Android. … [Read more...] about Using video for your photography business
Photography Marketing: How to completely ruin your Facebook marketing
As business owners, it's important that we're active on social media. It gets our name out there and lets prospective clients more easily find us. But there are a few guidelines that every business should follow — especially when it comes to photographers and videographers and their business presence on the world's largest social network. Post political opinions Before the 2016 election, one of my local pizza joints posted heavily on its Facebook page about how it was "all for" a certain political candidate. The business trashed the opposing … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: How to completely ruin your Facebook marketing
Quick Tip: Use a Facebook Page NOT your personal profile
Best-selling author Armando J. Pérez-Carreño suggests using a Facebook Page, not your personal profile. He says this is perhaps the biggest mistake he sees with small business owners and their Facebook marketing. When you use your personal profile, you lose a lot of the cool features a Business Page gives you and you drastically limit your potential reach. Facebook can decide to close your account citing a breach of terms. Want to learn more? Check out this article, "5 Things Every Photographer Should Know About Facebook" … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Use a Facebook Page NOT your personal profile
Heartening statistics about photography use
I found this infographic heartening because I'm always hearing about the devaluation of photography. But, according to this, it sounds like photos and images are still the most important tool for reaching people with lasting impact. Think about that next time you trip the shutter. The infographic is provided by MDG Advertising. … [Read more...] about Heartening statistics about photography use
Photography Marketing: Respond, respond, respond
Last week, I photographed a two-day conference for the State Bar of Michigan. It was filled with education seminars, an awards banquet, networking events and more. But what stood out to me was the opening keynote. Here's the thing. When it comes to communication and responding to inquiries, many of the same rules for attorneys also apply to photographers. Responding is the most important thing you can do All times of the day, it's important to be able to respond to inquiries. These days, potential clients contact you not only by phone and … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Respond, respond, respond
Quick Tip: Participate or join a Facebook group to get out of a creative slump
If you find yourself in a creative slump, participate or join a new Facebook group. Look for images that inspire you and chat with the person who created it. This will help you get motivated to try new ideas and get back to being creative. Want to learn more? Download and listen to this podcast: “The InFocus Interview Show with Andrew Kavanagh | Photofocus Podcast June 27, 2018” … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Participate or join a Facebook group to get out of a creative slump
I like you; I just don’t ‘Like’ your page
A Facebook business page seems like business 101 for a photographer these days. You start making pictures for people, then immediately start a business page and load it with pictures and promotions. But there's one thing you must do in order for your page to be successful. Invite friends to Like 'Like' has become such a funny word in the era of Facebook. But you need people to like your business page so that they can see your promotions and know that you're the ideal photographer for their family or business. And just like everything in the … [Read more...] about I like you; I just don’t ‘Like’ your page
Photography Marketing: Facebook drops Lightroom share; a look at other options
You might not have noticed it, but when you went to set up a Facebook account to share to in Lightroom Classic or CC recently, you were greeted with the following message: "Facebook is Discontinuing Sharing from Desktop Applications: Starting on August 1st, 2018 Facebook will no longer allow applications like Lightroom Classic to post photos on your timeline. You can continue to use this feature until then, but after that date it will not be possible to share photos directly to Facebook from Lightroom Classic." So, what's this mean? Well, if … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Facebook drops Lightroom share; a look at other options
Hiring a professional photographer: Is it really worth your money?
Nowadays, anyone can take pictures anywhere, anytime. Everybody has a cell phone in their pocket and/or a camera in their bag. It's available, it's convenient and it's cheap. As a business owner or an event organizer, why bother spending big bucks on a professional photographer for something anyone could do? Well, let's talk about it for a minute. A lot of people think they can do the same work because they own a camera. They think it's an easy job, or they've done some photography and they feel qualified enough or they simply aren't aware … [Read more...] about Hiring a professional photographer: Is it really worth your money?
The InFocus Interview Show with Andrew Kavanagh | Photofocus Podcast June 27, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-with-andrew-kavanagh-photofocus-podcast-july-27-2018/s-sXS0S In this episode: Photoshop tutor and retoucher Andrew Kavanagh talks about the benefits of joining a Facebook group. Andrew runs one of the most successful Facebook Groups “Photoshop and photography” with over 300K members. Topics: What motivated Andrew to create the group How members learn from top professionals A resource to ask questions and share ideas. Use of Facebook’s new Units section If you … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Andrew Kavanagh | Photofocus Podcast June 27, 2018
Photography Marketing: Preparing for Facebook’s New News Feed Algorithm
Last week, Facebook announced plans to change its News Feed algorithm. As with any change that Facebook makes, this was met with some backlash from its users — even before it's been initiated. Usually, I'm one to wait things out, but with Facebook promising to make personal content more important than brand content, this will undoubtedly have a negative effect on brands across the platform. So, as photographers, how do we keep our Facebook pages relevant to this change? First, the Facts The news came from Mark Zuckerberg himself, writing … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Preparing for Facebook’s New News Feed Algorithm
Photography Marketing: Responding to Negativity on Social Media
This past summer, I had a first-time experience in dealing with negativity on social media. I had contacted someone via email that had used my photograph without asking, in an article that was bashing the client for whom I made the photograph. After reaching out to the infringer, I was attacked on Facebook for photographing for my client. The negativity piled up on that post by a few of his friends, so eventually, I addressed it. What came next was unexpected. It actually ended up benefiting me rather than the person who attacked … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Responding to Negativity on Social Media
Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts
With the marketing and social marketplace changing on what seems like a daily basis, it's easy to get overwhelmed and think you have to be active on every platform imaginable. It's great to have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, Flickr, Instagram, 500px, LinkedIn, MySpace (wait, MySpace?!?)... You get the idea. There are a ton of networks out there that can help achieve your marketing goals. But you should only be active on those networks that positively impact you and your business. A Case Study: Google Plus Back in … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts
Photography Marketing: Upload Pixel-Perfect Images on Social Media
Let's face it — as photographers, we have to spend a ton of time on social media sharing our images. But depending on the platform, it's not as easy as just clicking the "Upload" button. Different social networks recommend different image sizes, in order to make your photos look as best as possible. While every social network compresses uploaded images somewhat, the amount your image is effected is often based on the size you upload at, as well as some additional factors, like compression and converting to different color … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Upload Pixel-Perfect Images on Social Media
Sunday Comics: Selfie Edits
This Sunday Comic is brought to us by the Shoppe Satire … [Read more...] about Sunday Comics: Selfie Edits
Photography Marketing: Rethinking Your Facebook Strategy
Over the years, Facebook has changed the way its business pages work, especially in terms of engagement with your audience. Over the past few months, I've noticed my photography business page has suffered and is no longer getting the attention that it once had. Engagement is the name of the game here. And there's a few tricks in order to help boost your numbers on the world's most popular social network. Post Regularly It's important that you put something on your Facebook page on a regular basis. This can be daily, twice a day, a few … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Rethinking Your Facebook Strategy
How to up your social media engagement
After the first couple times, I was asked about how I have such good engagement on social media, I disregarded the questions because I didn’t feel like my social media following was that big of a deal. Many other’s have much more followers and engagement, or so I thought. When one of my friends who runs several Instagram accounts with thousands of followers asked me how my engagement was so high, I literally looked at her confused. I admired her following. Then when my followers started asking me advice on what I do, I actually ignored their … [Read more...] about How to up your social media engagement
Make Facebook Display Your Photos in the Highest Quality!
If you've uploaded to Facebook, you may have noticed that Facebook does something funky with the pictures that you post. With 350+ million pictures being uploaded every day, it is no surprise that Facebook wants to save on bandwidth and costs. The Problem. Photographers know that the images uploaded to Facebook tend to look like junk, especially after they've gone through hours of editing (or have spent money for someone to retouch their images). Even clients get a little crazy when the images they upload-- those wonderful family pictures … [Read more...] about Make Facebook Display Your Photos in the Highest Quality!
