If you haven’t been introduced to Pinterest, you’re in for a treat!
It’s the newest, hip social network that cracked the top 10 of popularity…while still being INVITE only! Inspiration boards of styles you like, goals for your future, books you want to read, cute DIY wedding ideas have always been around but up until Pinterest, they were created with paper, scissors, tape and poster board – I know, we’ve all been there!
Pinterest is a gold mine for photographers, especially wedding photographers, because brides-to-be are there, pinning images from their favorite websites to showcase ideas while categorizing their favorite wedding cakes, details, dress and even their ‘something blue’ for crying out loud! As photographers, we supply images that they pin (you can pin ANY web image and brides are scouring wedding websites and blogs for new images). Then, their followers and friends see our work...and boom…in comes a job lead!
Things to remember when using Pinterest:
- You must use a watermark or a logo border on all of your images so that no matter which image they choose, your brand goes with them (as well as a link from the source URL).
- Pinterest frowns on being solely a self-promotion tool. It’s inherently about authentic social sharing! Sure, you can share your own images on your boards, but think outside the box and pin into categories your style, stuff you love and even posing ideas from others to spread the love. Clients are looking for ideas, from cute clothes to wear to their session to adorable save-the-date concepts. Include images that you want your clients to pin for a specific reason, not just because you think it’s a great image.
- Market your boards to your audience and fan base to follow you. Why? Because when clients choose you, it’s because of your personality and style! Pinterest shares both the style of your images and the uniqueness of your personality by visually displaying things you love. Consider adding ‘Pin it’ plug-ins to your blog and a link to your Pinterest page from your website.
- Optimize your description and include a link to your website and Facebook URL. That shows on the left side of your page.
- Check out what images of yours have already been pinned by others using this link: http://pinterest.com/source/yourdomain.com/ (Change yourdomain.com to your website URL).
Pinterest is THE hottest new online marketing tool and there are endless possibilities of vision boarding. When you jump on the Pinterest bandwagon, showcase your personality and style by pinning things your clients will LOVE. Being a genuinely helpful resource for your clients catalyzes dialogue about their planning, showcases new ideas for their wedding or portrait session, and builds trust.
Happy Pinning! This is part of the new e-book “55 Smart Web Ideas for Photographers.” For information on the e-book, check out: http://bit.ly/webmarketing-ebook-55smartideas
About Wendy Roe
Wendy Roe has spent the last 10 years ingrained in all things web marketing – from design/development to search/social media. In May 2010, she decided to quit the corporate life and join forces with her husband, Byron Roe, to shoot full-time one of life’s ultimate highs – weddings. She now focuses on business development and being a second shooter for Bend, Oregon based wedding photographers, Byron Roe Photography.
She is the co-author of “55 Smart Web Ideas for Photographers” e-book, a 2-time speaker at WPPI Photographer’s Ignite and traveled through west coast PUG groups consulting photographers on web marketing. She’s known as an interpreter, changing technical language into easy information. Above all, she’s an educator at heart and believes: “Web marketing and wedding photography are two passions that drive bringing the best out of beauty and brands.”