Exhaustive list of ways to get Photography customers and a following online

[tmuelle1]

I want to make sure that I have covered all of my bases with ways to get more photography business, get a following, get more fans online and for free. I am trying to avoid advertising so I am doing more of the "inbound marketing" strategy.

1. Stock sites referenced here in this forum.

2. Social Marketing - A Facebook Page, Twitter account, and Blog promoted to all my friends and promoted as much as I can offline and in online forums, etc.

3. Sites like Yelp.com and Localpinch.com where you can list a local profile and get reviews or sell gift certificates for your photos or sessions.

4. Try to list with an agency.or online rep to go out and sell my work to ad agencies.

5. Online photography competitions and contests like these

What am I missing?

[mlee]

SEO for your blog and your website is a must. Make sure that both your blog and website is optimized for searches.

A good STATS plugin or script on your website is also helpful to determine what people are searching for and where your website comes up in search engines.

I recently booked a wedding thanks to SEO. Found me through googling local photographers.

CONTENT is king. Fill your blog up with substantial content that showcases your photography and optimize every entry for searches.

The old fashion way of marketing through beautifully designed brochures still works. I've received a handful of referrals and a gig through my brochures.

[autofocus]

I think we can agree that most of your photography job opportunities are probably those that are within a 50 mile radius of where you live and work. Because of that, making your work more visible in that area is very important. It's very easy to exhibit your work at local shops, banks, libraries, etc...we've been doing this for years, and it has paid off very well. You don't even have to frame them..we mat 11x14's and hang them that way. We've created a nice inventory of these, and it's quite easy to rotate them from time to time. BTW, Costco (if available to you) does a pretty nice job on 11x14's for $2.99 each..and for exhibit purposes, you can't beat that. If you're not doing this you are missing out on a virtually near free opportunity to get exposure in your marketplace.