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Everything You Need to Know About the Instagram Shadowban

April 21, 2017 by Ty Merkel 11 Comments

If you are reading this article then you’ve probably heard of the next big Instagram plague— far worse than the non chronological feed debacle and a thousand times worse than the infamous Instagram purge of 2014. The shadow ban. It’s here and it will seriously wreck your precious Instagram account. Whether you’ve been affected or not, read on to discover what causes it, how you can avoid it, and how you can un-shadowban your account.

What is an Instagram Shadowban?

The Instagram shadowban is when your hashtags become unsearchable, undiscoverable, and for all intents and purposes, invisible to anyone outside of your current followers.

You can still use hashtags and from your perspective everything seems dandy. When you click through your tags, your photos pop up where they should. Although, when a stranger searches for a hashtag that’s linked to your photo, like #pnw for example, your post will be totally missing on the gallery page, while other people’s photos are still displayed.

This hashtag specific ban means you will have a difficult time gaining a following, especially if you are a smaller account. Reversely, if you have painstakingly built a fantastic profile with a large fanbase, that account might become stagnant.

How do I know if I’ve been shadow banned?

Believe it or not, some people’s accounts have been banned for months and they are just noticing. Other users notice almost immediately. The primary sign is that you’ll see a drastic drop in engagement, and upon more investigation you’ll realize that virtually all of your likes and comments are coming from your current followers.

If you’ve noticed this downward trend, then you can conduct a hashtag test. You simply put up a new post and tag your photo with an underused hashtag that doesn’t get many updates. Then while you are still on your own account, click through to the hashtag gallery and look at precisely where your photo is located.

Then log onto another account that doesn’t follow/ interact with your profile. If your hashtag pops up, congrats, your account is in the clear. Sleep easy. But if the photo doesn’t show up where it should, you might be shadowbanned.

Update: Now you can use this shadowban checker.

Why did my account get shadow banned?

So you might be asking, why? Why me? I’m not a robot, I don’t use any third party apps, I don’t post nudes —I’m a maternity photographer for goodness sake!

Instagram hasn’t acknowledged this shadowban, let alone stated what actions will land you in time out. After exhaustive research, here is what might be causing your shadowban:

#1 You are using a broken or banned hashtag

We all know that certain tags like #booty is banned. Yet, sometimes perfectly innocent hashtags get overrun with so much spam and nudity that Instagram decides to nix the entire hashtag rather than sort through the rubbish. For example, #Newyears, #Instagirl, #eggplant and even #kansas are banned tags. Also, if you incorporate one banned hashtag into your post, it can essentially poison your entire set and render you invisible on all other legit hashtag galleries.

#2 You are using the same hashtags over and over again

Do you use the same set of 30 hashtags every time you post? Do you only switch up the last tag or two? Well, that might look a little spammy, as Instagram flags any repeat comments (or captions) you post.

#3 You’ve gone on liking sprees and mass following/ unfollowing

Instagram has a limit on how many actions you can make in an hour and if you go on a spree, IG will eventually block that action and say that you can’t use that feature for a while. But even if you don’t go over the limit, Instagram might recognize these surges of engagement as an Instagram bot on a liking rampage.

#4 Other users have reported you

Anyone you interact with can report your actions to Instagram HQ, and this is the one area of IG customer service where they act swiftly. So if you have been spamming, following/unfollowing rapidly, posting nude photos, stealing photos, or posting weird comments— some people might report your inappropriate behaviour, and you could be shadow banned instead of having your account outright deleted. Also, if you have been using the following/ unfollowing method you might be following/ unfollowing the same person a bunch of times, so much that they notice and report you.

#5 Using any kind of instagram automation software

This goes without saying but any service that claims to boost your account or perform any actions on Instagram on your behalf might be sabotaging you. In simple terms, anything automated is directly against Instagram’s terms of service. But maybe you have the automation set to slow speed, to mimic human actions on IG? Well, Instagram will find out anyways, because one minute your automation service is liking photos from an IP address in Washington then a few minutes later you comment on some posts from an IP address in New York. The algorithm will immediately recognize all of that as shifty behavior.

Is this a glitch or is Instagram doing it on purpose?

Instagram has released a statement vaguely addressing the invisible hashtag issue…

As you would guess, not many people are happy with this answer (and that’s putting it lightly).

The gist is that you should simply not lean on hashtags for growth and instead focus on other avenues, like creating good content and reaching out to potential followers. But hashtags are the main discovery mechanism on Instagram and growing your account without them is like going back to dial up internet.

Additionally, from what we’ve researched no one has personally heard back from Instagram if they reported this issue on the app. So for now, we are in the dark and at the mercy of the Instagram gods. But there are three valid theories which will help you make sense of the hysteria.

#1 Since this summer, Instagram has been changing their algorithms. Why? To crack down on automation services and Instagram bots. So one possibility is that the system is a little overzealous and is incorrectly punishing regular accounts. If this is true, the problem will be remedied when Instagram “gets the resources” and makes their algorithm smart enough to differentiate between bots and normal users, like yourself.

#2 Some people suspect that not enough business users are paying for ads on Instagram, especially considering Facebook’s acquisition of IG. So this could be the beginning of a pay-to-play system that has already been implemented on Facebook for businesses. Where your engagement is lowered automatically by the algorithm and you have run some ads to bring engagement back up.

#3 Many people suspect Instagram is deflecting from the issue, and will just continue to silence various accounts that appear spammy or don’t “behave well” via IG’s mostly unwritten engagement rules. Never communicating with the accounts as to not cause alarm. Scaring people straight with the constant threat of a shadow ban seems like an effective way to punish users who use get-followers-quick tactics.

How can I get my account back to normal?

We know, it sounds hopeless. Instagram’s customer support is notoriously silent in these sort of situations. But here’s what some other users have done to get the hashtag rights reinstated:

#1 Immediately stop suspicious activity

That means no more sprees of any kind. Make sure to do everything in even measure. What seems safe is to engage for a few minutes (5-10) every hour, like a few photos, post a unique comment specific to the post or photo, follow a new user, and like another photo in that order essentially. Don’t move too fast and don’t perform too many actions in a row or excessively.

#2 Revoke API permissions

Remember that one time you signed up for a follower tracker app and gave them your login info? Well, that could be the sole reason you are banned. So log onto your account and make sure that no other applications have access to your account. Additionally, if you have dabbled in any automation services in the past, they won’t show up on this authorized permissions page, because automation programs don’t use Instagram’s API in that way. If you can’t remember what service you used, or you are roped into some godforsaken annual plan, you’ll have to change your password to cut off the automation service.

#3 Switch from a business account to a personal account

It is possible that Instagram is trying to coax you into using ads. Businesses rely on engagement to increase sales, so decreasing reach could definitely force people to use sponsored posts. Reverting back to a personal account might be a way around this.

#4 Take a sabbatical

Take a few days off. Sign off and don’t log back in. No liking, no posts, and no following. Then when you get back on, ease back in slowly, and engage like you are being watched (because you probably are).

#5 Avoid growth hacks and engagement groups

Using 60 hashtags in your comment and caption? Following and unfollowing people by tracking them with a tracker app? Joined up with an engagement group that promises to like each other’s photos at a certain hour, in a certain way? Stop. It. All. These hacks may work for a brief second but if you get shadow banned then it’s all kind of pointless right?

#6 Delete questionable content

If you have posted anything that might be deemed questionable (this applies for hashtags too) go ahead and delete it. Getting rid of banned or reported clutter on your page might do the trick.
In the end, what matters is that you avoid anything spammy or questionable. If you follow these rules and recommendations there’s a good chance you can get your account back to normal. Have any of you been banned? Have any of these solutions helped? Anything that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

Beyond the Law: My Unlikely Path to Professional Photography

January 31, 2017 by Jen Dziuvenis Leave a Comment

Ten years ago, I was finishing my last year of law school, preparing for the bar exam, and looking forward to a stressful career sitting behind a desk, navigating the American legal system. If you had told me that nearly a decade later I’d be getting paid to follow adventurous couples into the backcountry or jetting off to Iceland to photograph an elopement, I would have told you that you were nuts.

But that’s where I am and I wanted to share a bit about how I got here.

As with many of the best changes in life, my move into the world of professional photography was brought on by some pretty extreme discomfort. My “real” job had been making me miserable for way too long when one day I hit a breaking point. I realized that the small amount of money I was taking home after I paid for our son’s daycare wasn’t worth the anxiety I was experiencing at work … and that continuing to do what I was doing was the definition of insanity.

That night I had a heart-to-heart with my family, drank a couple glasses of wine, and mustered up a heaping dose of courage. There may have been some tears. Turning in my resignation the following day was equal parts scary and liberating. I didn’t know what was next but I was damn sure that I needed to be doing something different.

All images by Jen Dziuvenis.

At that time I had been doing photography as a hobby for several years, mostly taking pictures of pretty landscapes and crazy cyclists ripping up trails in the mountains. Friends had asked me to take their family photos or suggested that I shoot their weddings and I had flatly refused. “That’s not really what I do …” were the words that came out of my mouth.

“No freaking way!” is what I said in my head.

Being a wedding photographer couldn’t have been farther off my radar. I didn’t especially enjoy going to weddings. Why would I want to photograph them?

Then one day, through the magic of social media, I stumbled on photographers who were doing stuff that I loved — work that spoke to my sense of adventure and search for authentic connection. People like Ben Sasso and Jordan Voth completely changed my idea of what wedding and portrait photography could be. Stiff, awkward poses were replaced with real emotion, undeniable human connection, and some of the most incredible landscapes on earth. A fire had been lit.

I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try my hand at photographing humans. I begged my friends to model for me and answered Craigslist ads looking for photographers. I connected with an online community of local photographers and did some second shooting at weddings. I agree when a friend offered to pay me to shoot her own wedding day.

I was scared as hell and full of doubt. I did it anyway.

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In a span of a few months photography went from an expensive hobby to a baby business that was bringing in enough money to convince me that this could actually be a thing. I booked a few weddings, doubled my rates, and booked some more. I invested in training and equipment. I landed my first international destination wedding. I had photos go wildly viral. For a very new business, I was having far more success than I had ever imagined was possible.

That’s not to say that it’s been easy or that I’ve been able to turn this into a fulltime gig overnight. Even with quick success, it’s slow going and a huge percentage of what I make goes straight back into the business. I’m working harder than I ever have — and doing it for less money.

And yanno what? I’m loving every damn minute of it.

I had a regularly occurring meeting at my last job that caused me considerable anxiety. Every few weeks it would pop up on my schedule and I’d curse and cringe. I left it on my calendar when I quit that job as a constant reminder of why I left. That message still pops up every two weeks but now it doesn’t cause me angst. Now it makes me feel proud. It’s a reminder that I left that world behind, took control of my life, and am hustling like hell to pursue my passions.

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The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Photography Business With Instagram

January 19, 2017 by Ty Merkel Leave a Comment

Everyone is on Instagram—reality tv stars, startup coffee shops, Taco Bell, landscape photogs, and flower crown designers. With more than 400 million active users, the app is changing the way people advertise their businesses. High visibility as an “influencer” on Instagram is becoming a coveted status that can quickly transform a fledgling photography business into a money making machine.

However, many photographers are just discovering the app, and you might be wondering if you missed the window when it was easy to amass thousands of followers.

I’m here to tell you it’s not too late, and with a little direction and structure, you can hop on the social media gravy train and drive tons of benefits for your business.

Hold up though—you might be wondering how Instagram can grow your business. The answer is this: Instagram allows you to curate a journey, a story populated with your professional work. It can help you lift the veil between your photography business and clients, and convince followers that they shouldn’t just hire you for your photography skills but also for your unique perspective and personality. Then on the practical end, it increases visibility, adds credibility to your business, and makes you more SEO-friendly.

Best of all, Instagram allows you to do this all for free, which makes it one of the most effective marketing devices…well, ever.

So yes, you should be on Instagram, if you aren’t already. Here are 10 tips to help you whip your gram’ into shape.

1. Only Showcase Your Best Work

While posting regularly is key to developing your Instagram folllowing, make sure you are posting only cream of the crop images—the kind of photos that incite an automatic wow. Create an Instagram persona that strikes the balance between formal and carefree, and keep your followers hooked by mixing up the sort of images you post. But always share shots that fit distinctly into your brand. India Earl, a wedding and elopement photographer based in Utah, has curated a beautiful Instagram that speaks volumes about her personal style.

@indiaearl

2. Decide your niche ASAP

From the get-go, you must position yourself as an authority within a specific field, because you can’t be a jack-of-all-trades photographer. If you try to specialize in everything, you’re really specializing in nothing. The more narrow your niche (like babies in fairy costumes or enchanting elopements) the better, because it will help you stand out from the rest of the Insta crowd. Additionally, you never want users to be confused about your forte. My advice is to make it so glaringly apparent that a random follower only needs a millisecond glance at your Instagram page to know exactly what your expertise is.

3. Tell Good Stories

When someone decides to follow you on Instagram, they become avid consumers of your work. Your job, then, is to keep them addicted. Even though you want to represent your brand accurately, don’t be afraid to be funny or too whimsical. Your followers obviously admire your work, but they tune in to connect with you as an artist with an authentic personality. At the same time, don’t feel pressured to spin life changing stories or reveal universal truth. Just be yourself. Like what happened at your last shoot? Did it start to rain during the marriage ceremony? Or did you make goofy faces at a toddler just to grab one good photo of them? I know you possess a unique perspective and stories that only you can tell. So go ahead and narrate them! I promise your followers will fawn over your candor.

@tecpetaja

4. Use Hashtags and Geotags Effectively

Hashtags and geotags increase your post’s reach across the app. While it might be tempting to use a hundred tags to promote a post (I’ve been there), a tactful approach will help you so much more. First off, an effective hashtag is searched but not overused. Your post is probably going to be lost in any hashtag with over 500,000 entries.

Also, avoid common tags such as #sunset, #fun, #dog, and the like, since they are overloaded and the engagement from these tags is quite spammy. If you tag all willy nilly you might attract bots or aimless likes that won’t convert into followers (let alone clients). You want to cultivate an intentional, active and caring following.

In terms of placement, don’t substitute real words in your caption with hashtags. Example A: “#Sunsets in #Iceland are insanely #beautiful”. Avoid this cardinal Insta sin at all costs. It is just a tad grating to read, and the human attention span is shorter than a goldfish’s while scrolling the Gram, so keep your captions clean and legible to keep your audience captivated.

Instead, put your hashtags at the end of your post or in a comment below, and please try to limit yourself to 20, which is a classy amount. Don’t bombard your poor followers with 50+ hashtags.

Here’s a starter template for deciding what hashtags to use:

Always, always geotag the location of the photo, and if you can, indicate the specific name of the park, building or event (some examples are #losangeles #lacmalights #dodgersgame). Followers invariably want to know where a photo was snapped, and it makes your photo pop up if someone searches that location.
Indicate the type of photography (eg. #newbornshoot, #seniorportraits).
Tag the equipment you used (eg. #canon5ds #35mmsigmalense).
Pair up your location and expertise (#losangelesweddingphotographer #chicagosportsphotographer).
Tag the details of your shoot (#newbornclothes #weddingdress).
Lastly, use Instagram’s Explore feature to discover trending hashtags such as #newyearseve2016 and #earthday and integrate those trending combos which are relevant to your post.

@kathvphotography

5. Apply For Shoutouts

Besides hashtags, geotags, and interaction, shoutouts remain the single best way to gain followers. But how do you court a feature account, you ask? Here’s how you do it—follow an account that is analogous to your niche, authentically engage with their posts often (aka more than the thumbs up sign), and tag photos that would fit right into their feed. It’s that easy. If you are consistent, the moderators will eventually notice you. Then, when you finally nab a feature, make sure to flex that ethos and issue a heartfelt thanks so they feel compelled to feature you again, because everyone likes doing favors for grateful folks— am I right?

6. Ask Questions In Captions

An effective way to spark engagement is through posts that ask a question. Queries are irresistible because they ask for opinions, and everyone loves to give their two cents.

I have even found breathtaking adventure spots just by asking my followers for suggestions. Get creative. Ask what life-changing book they read this year. Or what is their favorite national park? What kind of cat do they want to be? (Like I said. Don’t be afraid to be whimsical). Ask anything, because your followers will appreciate the fact you care about their thoughts and interests and that following you means a reciprocal show of affection.

@indiaearl

7. Forge Authentic Community

If you feel intimidated by other influencers with a million followers, don’t sweat it. Followers aren’t necessarily fans—and popularity doesn’t denote profitability. Because at the end of the day, you don’t want a successful Instagram, you want a successful business. Back when I was working for a wedding photography company, our Instagram only had 1,200 followers. But half of our business came from the app! Yes, HALF.

While the dreamy goal is to gain a massive following to increase the exposure for your business, you want to first focus on treating your current followers well. Follow them back, like their photos, show them sincere appreciation beyond a nonspecific “thanks.” Always aim to start conversations with followers that prove you care about their support. Because the more you talk to each of them, the more they will not only feel compelled to follow you, but also to support your business financially, and champion you in a myriad of other ways. Also, reach out to current and past clients and flatter them with tags. Puff them up, tell your followers why you had a stellar time working with this client, and just be genuine.

@elizabethmessina

This is a bit taboo, but you should also reach out to your competition. Yeah, I said it! Why not convert them into friends instead of foes? Trade marketing secrets, observe each other’s client conversion tactics, and maybe even partner up for a fancy project. This is just another way to increase visibility and become deeply involved with your Insta niche. You could even cross-promote one another, and you just might win over a few of their fans. At the end of the day, only use Instagram to build bridges, never burn them.

8. Host Giveaways And Advertise Discounts

Giveaways are huge on Instagram. Whereas contests and free prizes on the general internet off the social media grid are always viewed with skepticism, Instagram is a rare exception. Although, in the midst of all the Insta-revelry, remember that the goal is to have users advocate for your brand while pursuing your prize. Here’s how you host one in five steps:

Choose a theme based on your specialty (eg. babies, family portraits, dogs in cool hats).
Decide the prize: whether that be free headshots or five canvas prints.
Determine how users can enter the contest. They can like a photo, follow your page, share your post, tag their friends and or comment or perform a combo of all the above.
Choose an entry deadline. If you are giving away seven separate prizes you might want to give it a week. Or if it is just one prize, 24 hours might suffice. Just make sure to give people enough time to enter and allow the contest to gain traction.
Promote your contest. Because who’s gonna enter the contest if they don’t even know it’s happening right? Send out polished emails to past clients, post it on all social media mediums, tell your aunt who likes every single one of your posts. Just get the word out!

Additionally, Instagram is an effective megaphone for advertising discounts sans content. For example, you could announce a 25% discount on a newborn photo session if you book within the next 48 hours. Sometimes a small savings is all it takes for a client to take the plunge and book a session with you.

@kateholsteinphoto

9. Post Behind-the-Scenes Images and Videos

Instagram’s stories are basically a copycat of Snapchat that lets you create photo sequences that expire after a day. It is where you get to be a real human and not just a profit-obsessed robot who happens to take stunning photos. Deposit content into this feature that wouldn’t work in a traditional post—like behind-the-scenes shots, selfies with clients, snaps of your perpetually messy work desk, or you wading into a frigid lake in the middle of freaking winter to get that perfect shot. Since this content only last 24 hours, the stakes are much lower and it won’t affect the aesthetic of your home page.

10. Make Sure Your Linked Page From Instagram Is Sales-Centric

That link in your Instagram bio should lead directly to a “Book Your Session” page instead of more examples of your work, because at this point your Instagram is your portfolio as far as your prospective customer is concerned. Make it painfully easy for followers to arrange a photoshoot so they don’t get cold feet while exploring your site.

The final word:

Obviously, Instagram won’t replace your portfolio or traditional networking. Who knows, it could become the next Vine and die abruptly tomorrow. But for now, 30% of the internet is on Instagram. If potential clients are logging onto the app, you need to get on there and catch em’. Don’t be afraid to get reach out, be inspired, tell good stories, and most of all, have fun! It can only help your business. So log on, post those gorgeous photos of yours, and start meeting your 400 million new besties.

12 Ways to Make More Money With Your Photography Business in 2017

January 9, 2017 by Ty Merkel 4 Comments

Author pictured above.

This is the year that your photography business is really going to take off. How do I know? Because if you follow many of the tips I’m going to offer below, you’ll be well on your way to a successful 2017.

Do you want to make more money this year? I’m going to guess the answer is “heck, yes!”

Where do you even start? Raising your prices? Starting a referral program? Offering freebies? (wait, that sounds wrong… but it actually works!)

Read on to learn some solid strategies to attract more clients, increase your visibility and grow your brand, and at the end of the day — and year — pad your profits.

1. Offer a Freebie

Offering your services for free may seem counter-intuitive. After all, you’re trying to make more money, not less. Still, if you’re relatively new to the photography biz, one of your most important assets is word-of-mouth advertising. So get out there and work it! You want to generate buzz, and get as many people familiar with your brand as possible. Say you give out freebies to 10 people, and “only” two of these clients decide to purchase a larger package. That’s a 20 percent “conversion rate,” which is actually a fantastic return on investment — and you now have two customers you didn’t have before.

Whatever you offer, whether it’s free canvas prints, free headshots, or free retouching, just make sure to offer something that is valuable since everything you produce (even for free) is reflective of your brand’s quality. Still, make sure those nifty free goodies are quick to produce and not too expensive — no sense going into debt for freebies.

2. Book Mini Sessions

Mini sessions are an excellent way to entice commitment-phobic clients. For example, a $50 session might only take you 15 minutes and your client walks away with five finished images. That’s a very satisfied client who’s likely to rave about you to other prospects.

Keep in mind that mini sessions are not a full session at a discount. Gently remind clients that they are scoring a deal, so make sure to streamline these sessions to make it worth your time. One location, 15-20 minutes tops. Don’t offer these quick jobs expecting an immediate payday. Just like freebies, mini sessions are an investment in networking and converting clients into loyal customers.

3. Streamline Your Editing

Using your time efficiently is one way to generate more income. Time saved is money earned. This was actually my first mistake while starting out: I spent way, way too much time in post-production. I would devote three extra hours a day trying to get my color balance and white highlights just right. Avoid my mistake by using Lightroom presets and Photoshop actions. You can automate these programs to overlay filters and customizable edits onto your imports, create your own presets and actions, or (in the true spirit of time saving) you can just purchase preset packages (No shame, here. I’ve always opted for pre-made filters. Hey, it works for those influencers on Instagram!).

4. Partner with an Influencer

Speaking of… social media influencers attract a massive following because they have captured some sort of zeitgeist. There are many reasons to work with influencers: They will help you tailor your message with their insider experience.They are typically cheaper than a proper advertising campaign. And they’ve already established trust with their cult fans. With their quasi-celebrity stamp of approval, they help make your brand more effective and trustworthy. If all goes well, their fans will be tempted, and artfully encouraged to become your fans.

5. Offer Word-of-Mouth Incentives

In the world of creative services like photography and graphic design, referrals are king. They provide “social proof,” or evidence of your value based on someone else’s opinion. Some people who totally ignored my business suddenly came calling after their cousin, or teacher, or sorority sister put their stamp of approval on my work. So don’t be shy, and openly encourage your clients to vouch for your business. But remember to reward them accordingly with a discount or free prints. Even if you can’t offer an incentive, give them a shout out on good ol’ social media. Public flattery is always a good idea; it’s free, and takes just a few hot seconds.

6. Update Your Website

For the majority of customers, your website is their first impression of your business. It is the online equivalent of a storefront and customers will decide your value and trustworthiness within seconds. Your website needs to communicate your capabilities, your personality, your brand, availability, and some ballpark of your fees. Always make sure it is painfully easy to locate that golden “book me” button. Also, invite friends and clients alike to test the usability on your website, whether they get lost navigating around your portfolio, or whether certain wording is a major turnoff. Then make the appropriate alterations. If you aren’t a software developer in your free time (I am most definitely not; numbers and HTML scare me), then it would be best to start with a WordPress or Squarespace template. You can put up a professional-looking site in mere hours with these services; no coding required. If you can afford one, it’s worth hiring a website designer to customize your online portfolio.

7. Improve Your Marketing Automation

Automation tools are gifts from the tech gods. With of these tools, you won’t waste your time sending emails and texts with every new submission or booking. Establish automated responses and then fill in the gaps with personalized content when necessary. Schedule your blog posts, newsletters, social media updates to go out when your audience is online. For instance, if each task takes just one minute, at my current rate of over 7,000 tasks per year, that’s about 14 working days back in my pocket for more shooting, post-production, Netflix binges, whatever!

8. Spread Your Content

Having multiple points of contact with your brand is vital. It increases brand awareness and adds another layer of trust to your product. It is the Web equivalent of leaving breadcrumbs for customers to follow back to your booking site. You need to scatter your work across all platforms—Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ (if only to improve your SEO), magazines, and blogs like this one! (There are some tips to get published in your dream magazines.) You don’t just want views, you want attention from people who are interested in your service. Compose a content calendar to help yourself brainstorm what promotions, content and platforms you are posting on for a given day or week. Also, remember to set up specific, measurable goals to help yourself determine if your efforts are successful or need adjustment in the future.

9. List on Deal Sites

Sometimes folks aren’t brand-loyal, they are deal-loyal. Thus, coupons are a way to introduce them to your business. Listing photo discounts on sites like Groupon is a simple way to expand your clientele and dip into that frenzied coupon crazed market. Fair warning though: Set up an enticing deal, but not one that’s so cheap it devalues your brand or isn’t worth your time.

10. Advertise on Social Media

When it comes to advertising, it’s a given that you’ll turn to social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. Why? Because their image-driven formats are perfect vehicles to showcase photography businesses, and because your target audience is already on these networks, waiting to be wowed. And because it’s almost impossible these days to stand out with “organic” traffic alone. You need to boost your presence with paid advertising. Make sure to target your ads to specific audience groups so your photos are landing in front of qualified leads, so you don’t waste money marketing to people who have no business learning about your business.

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11. Bundle Together Package Deals

Rather than book one shoot – book two, three, five! Aim high, because the worst someone can say is “Eh, no.” Use a discount to peak their interest. For example, you could offer a newborn shoot that is paired with a photoshoot for the child’s first birthday, or you could book engagement snaps along with wedding photos. In the end, bundling several shoots into one package is really just a photographer’s version of a short-term subscription service. Less courting and more commitment and money from your clients. Sounds dreamy, right? Also, your clients will love the simplicity and discount you’ll give them for upgrading to a package.

12. Shoot for a Cause

Shooting for a charity or nonprofit is a brilliant way to increase exposure while messaging to clients that your brand has heart. Back when I was starting out, I routinely offered free photography and videography to a nonprofit that helps the homeless population in downtown San Francisco. Why? Because it was a cause I cared about and I had a valuable skill that could contribute to their marketing. In turn, I was able to count the organization as a bona fide client and showcase my work.

Most people get stuck on trying to drum up fast money-making schemes. The secret is that your greatest chance for success is routinely implementing a series of small changes, like these strategies, over a long period. So test, try and explore. Have any of these tips worked for you? Did I leave out any illuminating advice? Let me know in the comments below!

Photography Business Marketing – The Only 2 Strategies You Need

September 10, 2015 by The FCA 1 Comment

The business of my dreams appeared literally overnight. And when I say literally, I mean it; I went to sleep and when I woke up in the morning, cosy and warm snuggled up to my baby daughter, I opened my inbox on my phone and practically fell out of bed.

Sale after sale after sale of my film photography book, Supercharge Your Profits.

While I had been sleeping, my book had been selling hundreds of copies all over the world. I ran downstairs to show the hubs, who was busy getting ready for work.

That’s great! He rushed out of the door with a kiss ‘ we will talk about it tonight’ and I was left holding my phone screen, baby, and the little life growing inside of me at the time; standing in a morning ray of mystery and wonder.

And that’s when I realised that for so long, I had been getting it wrong. Striving to build a business based purely on the fact that ‘I’m a PHOTOGRAPHER, Goddamnit!’ Instead of embracing all of the other possibilities open to us.

Because that’s what we do, isn’t it? We cling on to our identity as a photographer.

I work with SO MANY photographers over in Shining Lights and The Fierce Photographer Society, who shoot the one thing that they think they are supposed to be shooting, when actually, after a lot of digging deep in private coaching sessions, they start to realise that they want to be doing something else altogether.

They have another, deeper passion, more ideas, more excitement for other projects.

But we get caught up in photography. In being ‘a photographer’.

Why? It’s easy, and it’s prestigious for some of us. It was for me. It was quick and easy to be GOOD at something, and I LOVED being able to say I was a photographer and people say- oh wow! or – that’s cool, or similar.

And I loved it so much that to even entertain the idea of possibly even being anything MORE is just out of the question, or even indulgent and greedy.

Why should we dare to want MORE, when we have created something that we are GOOD at? Why should we even stop to consider those OTHER dreams, those other passions? Which, if you are a multi-passionate, multi-potentialite like me, you probably have many.

But. They are there.

And it’s not that you have to forget about photography and focus on that ‘other’ dream you have instead- instead, it’s about figuring out how to bring those other dreams and desires and gifts and talents you have INTO your photography (or the other way around).

It’s about embracing who you are as a WHOLE, not just within your identity as ‘photographer’.

When I wrote my ebook, I was giving myself over to the writer that lurks within me. She has always been there, since childhood. Endless incomplete novels, chapters, poems, letters, diaries and journals.

I didn’t write this book because I thought- oh, this would be a great way to make money– though the hope was there of course, but I even struggled to write it a little with the GUILT that – argh! this was taking precious time away from GROWING MY PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS!!! which of course was the BEST way for me to make money as I am a PHOTOGRAPHER, right?!!?

What I didn’t realise when caught up in the passion of words, of writing- was that THIS-

Embracing your other passions within business is the BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS, and one of the BEST forms of marketing available to you.

Why?

When you create something outside of actual ‘shooting’ itself, for a commercial brief/ client / project, here is what happens.

– You instantly stand out from the other photographers – both in the eyes of the industry and your clients. If you are passionate enough to create something of value that isn’t just another client booking, it demonstrates that you LOVE your work. Your passion and your expertise SHINE!

– You establish yourself as an expert. This puts off so many people from creating a book, course, tutorial, workshop, coaching / mentoring sessions etc because we feel as though we will never be truly ‘an expert’. (Let me just clarify what ‘expert’ means – it just means you are a few steps further along the road than the person / target audience you wish to teach). I’m pretty sure you have SOME knowledge of your passion, right?

So what else can you do with it that embraces MORE of who you are??

Love speaking? Run a workshop. Love writing? Create a book. Great at admin / speaking / writing / building a community? Create an online course. LOVE building websites? Set up a website template shop. Etc Etc etc. The options are literally as big as your imagination and gifts.

But back to being an expert – when you create something that is passion-fuelled and is combined with your knowledge, you automatically elevate yourself to ‘expert’ status.

I wasn’t an expert on film photography or the world’s best film photographer, but I did have ten years of film photography experience behind me and was hugely passionate about what I was writing about- but I still very definitely was not an expert and when I wrote the book I had actually been only shooting film for around 8 months after YEARS of shooting only digital! So I was actually rusty! and nowhere close to being an expert – yet this didn’t hold back book sales or the hundreds of questions that came flooding in after the launch!

And when you elevate yourself to ‘expert’ you automatically by association LIFT your business up to MORE opportunity! After my first book launched I was offered to become Marketing Editor over on an incredible film photography blog, I took part in some lovely shoots, I got more of my ideal clients coming to me, my photography heroes actually started SPEAKING TO ME!!!! 🙂 which for most people wasn’t a big thing and it’s not like I worship my idols or anything like that, it’s just I bloody LOVE artists with an incredible vision which brings me on to the second thing you need to do to market your business brilliantly.

Do what you do every day, and tell the world about it.

It’s THAT SIMPLE.

But it’s the part that most of us fall down on. Are you shooting every single day, (or doing one of the other things that you love and tying into your photography every day) and are you sharing it, daily?

Because how on earth do you expect your clients to find you if you don’t?

Do you hope that one day they will just miraculously find you? That they will maybe stumble across one of your features on a blog somewhere, (because there are only about oh I don’t know, 2 bazillion blogs that they COULD be reading?)

You have to do what you love and MAKE IT THE BIGGEST PART OF YOUR LIFE!

This can’t just be ‘oh, I’ll do a little shoot here and then I’ll get it published and then YES! Everyone will find me and my business will GROW’

This needs to be EVERY SINGLE DAY! And this is where most of us- very definitely myself included– fall down. Every single day I wake up with a ton of blog ideas, newsletter ideas, shoot + photo-project ideas, but how many do I manage to get out there?

Probably about ONE a week on average. Maybe you are like me and spend way too much time procrastinating on facebook, spending a ton of time with your family, flicking through magazines.

Which is kind of ironic really seeing as the more your business grows the MORE time you will have for ALL of the above, and especially if you create products of some description as you don’t actually have to DO very much at all! (Well you do, but not like in the way that you need to go and shoot somewhere- this is no longer a trading-time-for-money-transaction)!

And the thing is – we all have such good intentions.

Yes! I love photography! Of COURSE I can shoot every day, and possibly blog at least every other day.

But then you do it for about six weeks and when you see no return you give up and go back to the snails pace that you were living before.

The thing is with marketing?

It needs to be CONSISTENT. So you need to do this for the long haul and you need to do it for however long it takes and if you want to give up after a few whiny WEEKS?

Then you haven’t got marketing nailed and you probably haven’t got what it takes, and again I’m talking to myself here because I probably wonder at least on a weekly basis whether I have it too because it is HARD,

Because marketing?

It’s doing what you love, every day, and then doing more of what you love, and then sharing what you do that you love with the world and making it easy for them to find you. Consistently.

That’s it. But it’s not easy. But if you can muster enough self-discipline for the short-term loss and maybe even learn to LOVE that loss in the process as you make room for the long term GAIN-

and you use the following 2 essential marketing strategies which you probably won’t find in most marketing RULE BOOKS but are basically the ESSENCE of success which is why you find every big name photographer under the sun running workshops and creating books and courses- if you can understand THIS-

Digital products and creating other things using your other gifts and talents massively boost your visibility, making it easier for people to find you, which is the real reason photographers should always have an eye on DIVERSIFYING- NOT just because of the income boost it provides.

And then when you can compound this with showing the world who you are – ALL of your gifts and talents filtering into and alongside photography like a kaleidoscope, that you cannot turn your eyes away from – CONSISTENTLY-

THAT is when you get to say you have got your marketing nailed.

So if you want tasks?

Try this.

Start to think about what you can create that brings in your other loves and passions and encompasses more of who you are. What are you going to create and what will it look like. Who would it be for, who would want it? And don’t scrimp this even if you’ve already launched or in the process of launching other things! The more you launch the more visible you become!

And next – are you shooting daily, or at least nurturing your creative spirit on a daily basis, and are you sharing THAT with the world? The easiest way to do this of course, is via blogging or sending newsletters on a daily basis – (Don’t even try me with Instagram!! It’s just too disposable and forgettable)!

So – can you? Are you?

Are you making the commitment to elevate your business and grow your following and are you doing it CONSISTENTLY- and above all, are you in this for the long haul?

Because if you are. And you can do it.

You will get everything that you want. You too will be wrapped cosy and warm, watching in wonder as your business grows overnight and in front of your eyes- and in ways you have never before even imagined- if you can take the leap, stretch yourself, create something new, and show up consistently, doing all that you love.

Love + Light

Got your own secret dream about writing a successful book, launching a course, running mentoring sessions?

But just don’t know where to start, how to focus, how to make it manageable while running alongside your existing business?

PLUS you want the tech details needed to actually MAKE THIS HAPPEN for you?

I’ve got something that you are going to love. Join the waitlist here.

How To Use Being An Introvert To Grow Your Business

August 31, 2015 by The FCA 2 Comments

How do you overcome being an introvert entrepreneur, especially when it comes to marketing your business?

After all, generally, the very nature of being in business as a photographer usually demands that you are present at social occasions, and not just present but absolutely LOVING it- because how can you NOT love something that is so intrinsically part of your business?

But… the only thing is… sometimes, there is just this voice, isn’t there?

This little voice that says/ screams from within that says ‘Hey… I’m not actually enjoying this AT ALL’.

And actually, being surrounded by people may or not be enjoyable for you, but it’s the little parts of business that sometimes make you sit and wonder whether you’re really cut out for this, right?

The marketing. The networking. The small-talk at shoots and at events. Even PHONE CALLS can cause a bit of panic mode to creep in (or in my case, a lot). Those face to face meetings. All of it, for the true introvert can equal STRESS CENTRAL and as for enjoyment? That would be somewhat of a BIG FAT OVERSTATEMENT.

Here is my not-so-secret-secret- I am a massive introvert.

Nobody EVER believes me.

Why? Because I don’t come across as shy and quiet.

As if those are the only qualities that make up an introvert!

An introvert – is this you? – purely and simply, just doesn’t get their energy from being around people. As my husband likes to tell me ‘you just hate people’ which is entirely untrue, it just means I would absolutely one million per cent, rather stay in and read a book than go out and party with a room full of strangers. I would rather go to a restaurant than a bar, hen-dos of the traditional kind literally make me cringe, meeting new people makes me shake on the inside.

I know, right? LOSER!

And perhaps the saddest part of this is that I actually used to believe that about myself!

That because I hated going out, would rather stay in, and would rather wilt in the corner of a party than actually go and say hello to people, I actually felt like a big social loser.

I’m not saying you feel like that at all, and I actually pray to God you don’t, as for so long I tried to fit myself into other people’s standards and ideals of fun and pleasure. (Now, I very happily embrace the fact I am a complete nerd and this website wouldn’t exist without it so… those university party-free nights obviously paid off somewhere).

But the point is- if you are an introvert, in business, you probably wonder from time to time how this is holding you back.

You know you should be marketing more. You wonder if you are saying or doing the right things at client meetings. Perhaps you wonder too much what people are thinking of you. You wonder if you really should be arranging meetings with the Influencers and cool people in your industry. Networking your ass off. Giving out your business card to people like you give out handshakes (not that I give out many of those either – STAY AWAY FROM ME GODDAMNIT I’M AN INTROVERT!!!!!!!)

You get what I mean.

IS your introversion holding back your business?!?!

And my answer might surprise you.

Because I am going to tell you this.

Yes, absolutely your introversion is holding back your business.

Because you are letting it.

Ever heard that ‘thoughts become things?’ I think I first heard that in the movie The Secret (which I highly recommend as an introduction to the laws of attraction and how they work, by the way).

Well, I realised something after about a decade in business as a photographer who outwardly was doing great but who was dying a little death on the inside every time I had to rock up to a wedding or a shoot.

I realised that because my introversion had been such a focus of my attention for literally, YEARS- the comments about always being the student who stayed in, being a boring child with ‘her nose always stuck in a book’, and ‘why don’t you go outside and play like the other kids?’ (er, because I don’t find jumping 6ft off swings and smoking cool)?I had kind of started using it as part of my identity, without even realising it.

I was hiding behind it as an excuse not to run my business the way I wanted to run it- because I thought that if I did, I wouldn’t gain business. I thought I HAD to do things ‘ the done way’.

IS your introversion REALLY holding back your business? Only you know for certain, but one thing IS certain; it will do, if you focus on it.

And the more you focus on it, the more aware of it you are, and the more aware of it you are as a ‘negative trait’ reinforced by probably a lot of societal conditioning, (which you probably ARE feeling otherwise you wouldn’t be asking the question about whether it is holding you back) then the more you focus on it as something negative, and so, like predictability itself, it then BECOMES something negative.

When the TRUTH? The real TRUTH about being an introversion in business? Is something entirely different and entirely more beautiful all together.

When you get over beating yourself up about not fitting into everyone else’s standards and start instead reflecting upon yourself as an individual with unique strengths, STRENGTHS LIKE INTROVERSION- you get to start creating a business that makes you HAPPY – in ALL aspects.

When I finally REALISED what a waste of time all of my FEAR had been and how much it had been holding me and my business back, it was a night / day difference for me.

Let me spell this out for you.

Again, in case you didn’t get it.

Introversion is a STRENGTH, not a weakness. So play to your strengths! Just like any great sportsperson, you don’t get great at something by focussing on your weaknesses do you?!? So you have to change the way you think about it- and it certainly ISN’T a weakness in fact I LOVE being an introvert and as I have already mentioned this website almost definitely wouldn’t exist without it because I wouldn’t have spent over a decade of my life reading books and websites and doing courses all about marketing and growing a business!

And then remember that YOU control your business. Your business is not like some great runaway minetrain with you tied on board like some helpless passenger.

This is your LIFE not just your business and you get to control EVERYTHING about it – the journey, the destination, everything.

Don’t like the view from the window? Change it.

I stopped doing face to face client meetings. In fact, I amended my email process so that generally, my clients booked without even having to meet me face to face at all until the day of their session, unless I decided I would like to meet them. I took my phone number down from my website as I hate phonecalls with strangers and nothing kills me quicker than small talk. I delegated a loud shouty wedding guest to call for guests for the group shots so I didn’t need to raise my voice. I stopped attending networking meetings all together and it was like angels singing to me. Seriously. Why on earth did I EVER think that was going to be a good idea??? I stopped doing in-person print sales. Hallelujah. In fact, I stopped doing almost everything that I was ‘supposed’ to be doing to run a successful business.

I got SELFISH – completely entirely selfish, and decided to take the whole of Saturday mornings and into the afternoon, away from my family and even guests we have staying here with us – no matter what, I make sure I have the ‘me-time’- that quiet time for reflection and solitude and peace that us introverts love and start to wither without.

I started to bring out all of the parts of me that I LOVE, the parts of me that thrive BECAUSE of my introversion- the reading, the writing- and created my books, my website, and through that I was able to work with clients that I truly love and barely ever feel conscious around. I will happily jump on a call with them any day of the week! Of course, I feel drained afterwards, because I pour my heart and soul into those calls and I work HARD to get good results so then I go and sit by myself and read and immerse myself in solace until my energy levels lift again.

When shooting weddings I realised I loved having a 2nd shooter with me to help direct, liase with the clients, and ease the pressure off. As an extroverted introvert I can happily socialise and chat if I need to- and do it brilliantly, which is why nobody ever believes me when I say I am intro- but the thing is I don’t LIKE to.

And that is ok. BEING WHO YOU ARE IS OK!!!

In fact, it is better than ok.

Especially when it comes to marketing your business. The internet is marketing HEAVEN for introverts!!! (If you want specific strategies start with growing your email list, blogging/content marketing, facebook ads, facebook groups for starters)

So in answer to the question how does being an introvert hold your creative business back–

It will hold you back- if you focus on it as something that holds you back, and something to hide behind. Why not try EMBRACING your introversion instead and creating a business that works on YOUR TERMS, not what somebody else’s idea of a business SHOULD look like?

Why not instead view introversion as a strength?

As a way of attracting clients who are also introvert and marketing to them specifically?

Or understanding that you can nail your marketing better than almost anyone thanks to the power of the internet?

Or realising that being an intro gives you absolute bona fide excuse to take some very deserved relaxation time on a regular basis?

Or realising that your clients might hate the exact same things that you do- small talk, face to face meetings, etc – which give you an extra advantage as you create your business to reflect primarily your needs but also scoring big for them?

Can you be selfish enough to demand that you take whatever it is that you need to in order for your business to grow? Whether that is time, or new processes, ways of doing things and working that work for you and support you and your energy levels?

And can you answer the really tough question – are you WANTING your introversion to hold back your business?

because to actually remove this part of your identity, this part of yourself that you have clung to for so long, to remove it from your armour means that you no longer have excuses to hide behind and you have to actually GO OUT THERE – in your own, beautifully introverted way, of course- and make this happen for you?

Because that’s for so long, what so many of us do. We might be introverts, extroverts, live in the wrong area, have no money, aren’t educated enough, etc etc etc. We hide behind an identity that isn’t even our own, cultivated through years of society telling us what to do, how to behave, and formed through our deepest experiences and fears.

Avoiding doing the work necessary to make your business to succeed in the way that you want it to by calling it ‘introversion’ is simply avoiding the work, whether that’s through fear or other causes (though it’s usually fear based in what true success and wealth might mean for you).

Because any good entrepreneur will tell you that there is ALWAYS a way to do something – so the real question here perhaps isn’t

‘is being an introvert holding back my business?’

But

‘Why am I hiding behind introversion as an excuse not to do what I need to do?’

You can create the business + life that you dream of, whenever you want to. So when are you going to start? How many more excuses do you need to clear out? And how can you make time to nurture your introvert and create a business + life that makes YOU– in all of your perfect introverted glory– THRIVE?

MOTIVATE

Beyond the Law: My Unlikely Path to Professional Photography