Advice & tips for a newbie? I have a cute puppy photo & I'm loaded with monopoly $

[zevivien]

Hello all! Just registered today, and kind of new to this whole thing. I also just created a flickr account today. For those of you who have had some extra experience in this area, what other online platforms have you found effective, or recommend, and what other ways do you market your brand? How did you direct people to your work and build a strong following initially? Even if you aren't a paid photographer, or do not have a registered business, do you think it would it be a good idea to hand out business cards, to people who show interest, to direct traffic to an online portfolio or something? Looking to get some recognition and establish my branding a bit more. Very difficult to break through the clutter when there are so many 'photographers' out there this day and age.

Also, are any of you photographers that use 'pen names' for your work? Just thinking about business names. Ideally, I would like to use some to the effect of '[name] photography', as opposed to something like 'captured moments photography' or '3.14 Studios'. I just feel that my name doesn't have a nice ring to it, and this is also taking available domain names into consideration.

Thanks!

[Krusty79]

You'll probably get better responses if you post in the Earning with Photography section.

[dakwegmo]

I fully expected to get rick rolled when I clicked that flickr link.

[PixSixSix]

You weren't kidding about the puppy...