Photographers: Get Consistent, Get Paid
Know what successful photographers all have in common? They’re consistent. I’m not talking consistency as far as style, project types, or anything specific. I’m talking about consistently putting out some sort of content, no matter what it is, so people can see that you’re still working and active. It reminds everyone that you do what you do. Maybe when you release photos from a shoot you did, John Smith won’t need photos taken, but a month later when you live stream a photo edit, he will. I’ve noticed that a lot of photographers will be crazy busy on social media for a month or two, and then they’ll just disappear into the void. Sometimes it’ll be six months, or even years, before they post any updates either on their business or personal pages about photography.
Here’s some phones. You have one. You can do things online with phones, like, anywhere.
I’ve been guilty of this in the past. I’ve put off blogging, posting videos, posting photos, etc. for months at a time. The thought of being obligated to put out content made me not want to do it. The fix? I quit creating content that catered to anything. I used to be really careful with what I said, and was constantly writing with some sort of an agenda or demographic in mind, and I’d censor myself and my topics. I realized that by doing this I had turned it into a chore. Now, it’s a different story. I write about whatever comes to mind, regardless of what people might think about it. After I switched it up I started putting out much more content, and I actually enjoyed doing it. Now I live stream, put up blogs, make videos, post photo sets, and all that because I’m doing it for me, not anyone else. I also don’t even bother keeping it work related. From time-to-time I’ll write about video games, movies, or random observations and post it up. Even doing just that will keep you in the forefront of peoples minds when they need a photographer, because at least you’re there. Everything doesn’t need to be planned. If you’re on a shoot, hit that live stream button on Facebook so people can see you’re still at it. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your business.
Consistently put out some sort of content, in any form, at least once a week on any social platform. As long as your content is genuine, you’ll notice a positive difference in exposure and response within months. If you can do that, you’ll be ahead of 90% of the photographers out there who inconsistently post-to-pander, and you’re more likely to be taken seriously when the time comes to sell and get paid.