Social Media Strategies for Photographers by Eric Kim<\/a><\/p>\n Pick up a copy of MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/strong><\/a> for more practical life hacks, strategies, and tips on photography marketing, branding, and monetization.<\/p>\n Social media is a platform that allows you to share, interact, and engage with your followers.<\/p>\n Social media includes Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Flickr, Tumblr, etc.<\/p>\n Generally the social media platforms you use are free and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t cost you anything. Of course, there is always a hidden catch<\/a> \u00e2\u20ac\u201d eventually you will have to pay money to these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d platforms to connect with more of your fans.<\/p>\n I personally think in some ways social media is overrated. I think it is more important to build your own website\/blog<\/a>, and build your own newsletter (I recommend mailchimp.com)<\/p>\n Social media is like the branches of your tree. Your website is like the trunk.<\/p>\n Social media is helpful, but we shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t invest too much focus on it. I would recommend put 20% of your effort in social media, and use 80% of your focus building your own platform<\/a>.<\/p>\n Use these 10 strategies to build a following, build trust<\/a> with your followers, and to stay to your own vision:<\/p>\n Ask questions to your audience to engage them. Empower your followers by asking them questions, to give them the opportunity to share their experiences, their opinions, and their perspectives.<\/p>\n For example ask questions such as:<\/p>\n I generally find the best questions start with the question, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why?<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d because it encourages us to be more philosophical and deeper about our own motivations.<\/p>\n Whatever strategy you pursue in social media, make sure it is authentic and real to yourself. Use social media like how you would talk in real life. Use your natural voice, and share personal photos. Show your humanness, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just be like an anonymous brand.<\/p>\n Rather, build your own personal brand<\/a> with your first and last name.<\/p>\n For myself, I share photos of Cindy, I write how I talk, and I use this as a strategy to connect deeper with my followers. I treat them like friends. I try to write these blog posts like letters, to be more relatable. I share my hopes, dreams, and also my personal fears and failures.<\/p>\n Lesson: Talk to your audience and followers like your real friends, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t censor yourself, and be real.<\/p>\n It is impossible to know what others will like. My suggestion:<\/p>\n Only share what you would like.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This allows you to build a following of people who think the same as you, and share the same or similar life perspectives.<\/p>\n Whenever I write content, I try to write and format it in a way which I would like to consume. For example, I like reading letters, tip posts, and a mix of practical and philosophical ideas. Therefore, I share these ideas in this style \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because I like it when others do it that way.<\/p>\n Of course timing will differ, but if you want maximum boost on Facebook and Instagram, noon at pacific time works best for me.<\/p>\n But also, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go overboard with optimization. I nowadays treat social media like a stream\u00e2\u20ac\u201d keep flowing like a stream of water, with less friction and concern about \u00e2\u20ac\u0153optimizing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Because in truth, there is never anything fully optimal in life.<\/strong> Just do your best, and publish whenever you feel like it.<\/p>\n Also a new shift for myself:<\/p>\n \n Share more than less.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You will never know what is best, so just follow your gut.<\/p>\n Listen to your own inner voice, your own strategy, and what feels right to you. To be more authentic to yourself, put more trust in your own gut and intuition than data, page views, followers, and like numbers.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re gonna do something on social media and it feels wrong to you, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it. If you feel it is right (yet everyone else thinks you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re crazy), JUST DO IT.<\/p>\n By following your own intuition, you might be wrong, but you will feel less regret by following your own voice.<\/strong> Also you will be able to take more risks in your life, be more adventurous and have more fun.<\/p>\n Less is more if you want more social media reach. That means, the less frequently you post, the more traffic you will get. Also the less you publish, the less \u00e2\u20ac\u0153noise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d there will be, and more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153signal.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n For example, I publish a lot on this blog, but I try to send out my newsletter<\/a> less frequently (newsletter once a week or every two weeks).<\/p>\n Whatever \u00e2\u20ac\u0153less\u00e2\u20ac\u009d means to you \u00e2\u20ac\u201d follow it.<\/p>\n You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need a million followers. You probably don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need 100,000 followers, 50,000 followers, or even 10,000 followers. All you need is \u00e2\u20ac\u01531,000 true fans<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to successfully monetize your photography, or to gain more critical acclaim for your photos.<\/p>\n This means, the quality<\/em> of your followers matters more than the quantity<\/em> of your followers.<\/p>\n If someone is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153true fan\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, they will attend your workshop, attend your seminar, purchase your products, books, or prints, or enjoy your work, and spread the word about you.<\/p>\n Also realize a lot of people who have tons of followers have few \u00e2\u20ac\u0153true fans\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n The best way to build a true fan:<\/p>\n Be unabashedly you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t marry the first person you meet. You wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become best friends with someone you just encounter.<\/p>\n In human relations, trust is the most important element.<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153branding\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is nothing more than building trust. I trust NIKE and therefore buy their shoes. I trust LEICA to make high quality goods. I trust NORTH FACE to keep me dry and warm.<\/p>\n Realize you cannot build trust overnight. It might take you 5-10 years to truly build trust with your followers or audience. Even the average person who attends my (expensive) workshops has usually followed me for at least<\/em> 1-2 years.<\/p>\n To build trust, be real, authentic, consistent, and genuine. People can smell bullshit from a mile away.<\/p>\n By being true to yourself, there are going to be people who don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like you. But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s okay. A good strategy is to polarize your followers.<\/p>\n Better to have people extremely love you, or extremely hate you, than to just feel lukewarm about you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Always strive and prosper, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t rush your journey.<\/p>\n Consider when you go hiking, it is all about enjoying every step, and enjoying nature. It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about getting on top of the hill. Sometimes when we rush hiking, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t enjoy it as much, because we are so focused on getting to the top, that we forget to enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n I think photography, social media, and building a following is the same.<\/p>\n A great redwood tree will take hundreds, and thousands of years to reach their great height. But it is steady\u00e2\u20ac\u201d inch by inch.<\/p>\n Treat every new follower, subscriber, or fan as a small win. Be grateful, always, and enjoy the process and journey.<\/p>\n Like Saul Leiter<\/a>, Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be in a great hurry.<\/p>\n Walk slowly, enjoy the walk, the beautiful blue skies, and the feeling of the pavement against your feet.<\/p>\n In life, enjoy the process of seeing your kids grow up, enjoy the dinners and meals you share with your loved ones, and like music \u00e2\u20ac\u201d enjoy every note and melody.<\/p>\n How do you measure \u00e2\u20ac\u0153success\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography or social media? Do you need 100 likes, 1,000 likes, 10,000 likes, or more? Do you need at least 1,000 followers, 10,000 followers, or 100,000 followers before you feel \u00e2\u20ac\u0153successful?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Only judge your success by yourself.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Don’t judge your success as a photographer by the number of exhibitions you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had, the numbers of books you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve published, or the number of commas and zeros in your bank account.<\/p>\n No, in order to become stronger and more robust, we must judge ourselves. We need to have confidence in our own progress, our own evolution, and development of our own style. Be your own self judge and arbiter of success.<\/p>\n Social media is a blessing and a curse. In some ways, it allows us to connect and engage with our followers, and an easy platform to share our work. The downsides include obsession over likes, followers, numbers, and crowdsourcing your self-esteem<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the most important thing:<\/p>\n Never compromise your own artistic vision.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n BE BOLD,<\/p>\n ERIC<\/p>\n Download your free and exclusive PDF guide: “How to Monetize Your Photography<\/a>” by ANNETTE KIM.<\/p>\n This guide will teach you:<\/p>\n Download PDF guide ><\/a> Learn more strategies, tips, and tactics to monetize your photography with MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a>.<\/p>\n Marketing, Branding, Entrepreneurship Principles For Success<\/em><\/p>\n MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/strong><\/a> is your new philosophical and practical primer to succeed as a modern photographer in today’s digital world.<\/p>\n Take control of your own photographic destiny:<\/p>\n Learn how to make a living from your passion:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/SOCIAL-MEDIA-STRATEGIES.001.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768\")
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\nBECOME A MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER.<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/6CBB04D8-1913-48D3-B99A-E093F03D5AF3.jpeg?resize=1180%2C2097\")
<\/a>
\nWhat is social media?<\/h2>\n
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\nWhy use social media?<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n
\nPractical social media strategies<\/h1>\n
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Eric-Kim-Photography-Photographer-Black-and-White-Headshot-2000x2000.jpg?resize=1180%2C1180\")
\n1. Ask questions<\/h2>\n
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\n2. Make it personal<\/h2>\n
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\n3. Share what you would like<\/h2>\n
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\n4. For maximum engagement and social media boost, post once a day at noon (your time)<\/h2>\n
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\n5. Follow your own gut<\/h2>\n
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\n6. Less is more.<\/h2>\n
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\n7. 1,000 true fans<\/h2>\n
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\n8. Build trust<\/h2>\n
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\n9. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t rush it<\/h2>\n
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\n10. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t obsess over the numbers<\/h2>\n
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\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
![\"Portrait](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/D99753F8-A3BD-4E38-BBA4-B1BFE1F8536A-1325x2000.jpeg?resize=1180%2C1781\")
\nFree visualization on monetization in photography<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Screen-Shot-2018-01-23-at-11.38.31-AM.png?resize=1180%2C1195\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How-to-Monetize-Your-Photography-by-Eric-Kim-Annette-Kim-HAPTIC.jpg?resize=589%2C11878\")
<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How-to-Monetize-Your-Photography-by-Eric-Kim-Annette-Kim-HAPTIC-2.jpg?resize=589%2C628\")
<\/p>\n
\nMODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/6CBB04D8-1913-48D3-B99A-E093F03D5AF3-1125x2000.jpeg?resize=1125%2C2000\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/A5921B9D-16C2-4FEA-9079-A8749D494C6B-1500x2000.png?resize=1180%2C1573\")
\nPhotography Entrepreneurship 101<\/a><\/h1>\n
The Modern Photographer: Tips, Strategies, and Tactics to Thrive as a Visual Artist in the Digital Age<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"THE](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/The-Modern-Photographer-Product-Pictures-76-800x535.jpg?resize=800%2C535\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\nHow to Monetize Your Photography<\/h2>\n
![\"EURO](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_3868.jpg?resize=1180%2C803\")
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\nWhy Become a Photography Entrepeneur?<\/h2>\n
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\n
\nTHE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/D006A8AB-32BA-4D58-AF85-DFF2F6A9F092-800x600.png?resize=800%2C600\")
<\/p>\n\n
\nPhotography Entrepreneurship Articles<\/h2>\n
![\"Google](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/FD8BF7FF-D794-4298-9E93-66A9F1988B88-800x520.jpeg?resize=800%2C520\")
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PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS 101<\/h2>\n
![\"CAMERA](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_3760-800x554.jpg?resize=800%2C554\")
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\nKEYS TO SUCCESS<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_1895-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
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Table of Contents<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_1701-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
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\nPhotography Business 101<\/h2>\n
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