By Skip Cohen
In Part, I of our podcast about building a great blog, my good buddy Mark Weber and I talked about why you need a blog, but now it’s time to give you content ideas to write about. Repeatedly I hear from photographers,
“But Skip, there’s nothing going on to write about!”
I’ll spare you my usual rant and simply say – if you know your audience, there’s ALWAYS something to write about! As you’ll hear me repeatedly say, your website is about what you sell, but your blog is about what’s in your heart. Consistent blogging gives you a chance to share your personality and passion for the craft.
For most of you, your target consumer is female. That’s because women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire a professional photographer in the portrait/social categories. That means most of the time “Mom” is your target. The exception is with wedding photography when the hunt is by the bride as well.
A great blog is an excellent way to show your very best images and talk a little about them, but in a way that’s helpful to your readership. It lets you demonstrate certain aspects of your skillset that would be lost in an online gallery.
Finally, a great blog gives your website credibility, much like the way publicity reinforces advertising. A blog gives you the ability to show you can “walk the talk.” Everything with your target audience is about building trust and making yourself habit-forming.
Think about so many ways you can be helpful to your readership.
Tips on Becoming a Better Photographer: The list is almost endless because there are things you do every day you simply take for granted. Here’s your chance to help “Mom” get better shots and it doesn’t matter what she’s shooting with. Whether a cell phone, a point and shoot, or a DSLR – composition, exposure, posing, lighting, etc. are all the same for a great image.
Tips on Hiring a photographer: I love this one because it puts you in a position of being helpful, while at the same time you’re making sure everything you suggest applies to you and your business.
Community Profiles: It’s a perfect way to build brand awareness and at the same time have key members of the community get behind you. With every profile, you’re developing another ambassador!
In this new podcast, Mark and I go on to talk about legacy programs, places for photography in the community, using Throwback Thursday to plant the idea for a new family portrait, and the list goes on and on.
Yes, you can survive without a blog, but I’m convinced a blog together with a good website will help you expand your reach and build brand awareness even faster. What good is working to build your skillset and capture stunning images of people who don’t know who you are? A blog, if done right, can be a key ingredient to building trust with your target audience.
“If people like you they will listen to you,
but if they trust you they’ll do business with you.”
Zig Ziglar
Enjoy the Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCJeOpE-2bU
