Oh Social Media...
I think one of the greatest learning curves when it comes to running your own business is the social media side of things. Marketing yourself when you haven't necessarily been big into social media, or grown up in a generation that has always had it at their fingertips is way harder than people make it seem! There’s so much that goes into it, so many details that you have to be aware of. Another part of your life becomes looking for content to post in order to get clients and keep yourself relevant. However, social media is a powerful tool. Today I would love to talk about how I personally use my social media and what sorts of information clients can find on my social media platforms!
First off, I would like to sort of talk about the various forms of social media I tend to use. I would say I am most active on instagram and facebook, but I also recently started exploring the world of TikTok (very foreign to me still). Having multiple forms of social media to platform yourself on is a huge benefit! It gives people an opportunity to connect with you in various ways and experience your content in whatever platform they prefer.
As for tips on how to structure your social media, I would certainly say it depends. Everyone has a different style, aesthetic, method, so it's hard for me to guide you any one way. I inquire anyone adn everyone to observe social media's of those you look up to, and take inspiration form what they do! Social media is a skill and learning crucial, but it is absolutely essential in my opinion to running a flourishing business. It helps you build community, relationships, and more in any industry you're a part of!
Next, I'm going to show a little snippet of my two main social media platforms; Instagram and Facebook.
On Instagram, I share a lot of information via my stories! If you are expecting a gallery from me, here is where I often send updates on who I am currently working on, when galleries are finished, estimated turn around times, as well as just life things. I find this extremely useful because it gives me an effective way to quickly communicate with my clients!
Beyond that, instagram is used as a creative archive. On there, I have many posts of previous sessions, and potential clients can use this to view the sorts of work I often do. This is also a great log of my reflection and growth.
Another way I make use of instagram stories is by posting new set ups ip and coming, sales, and giveaways! I love using it to connect with my community and giving back to those who have given me so much. Be on the lookout for up and coming black Friday sales!
Facebook is the other platform I use the absolute most. This is where I truly began, and I adore the strong community I have built! Here, I love to share little message blurbs for my clients after I sent out their sessions, which I just find to be more accessible than the comments I may leave on instagram. i would say these two platforms share some similar information, but I like having a variety! Everyone has a preferred form of social media and it is so important to me to be accessible to many people.
Every photographer, and truly anyone on social media, tends to have their own style. I pride myself in being straight forward and clean, making my information very easy to find. I also just think it is so beyond fun to share my clients beautiful moments with the world!
Finally, I'm going to end with some brief tips that you can apply to your own social media platforms. Keep in mind, I'm no expert, all this is based off of is the learning curve I myself experienced :)
1) Be consistent. Social media is made up of algorithms and love when you are able to keep to a schedule.
2) Find an aesthetic. It will make your pages more appealing to the eye. Find a color story and conform to it.
3) Be coherent. Find a pattern to how you structure your posts.Do the same type of description and post style. If you do collages, keep doing collages. If you do single photos, keep doing single photos. If you write detailed descriptions, keep writing detailed descriptions, and so on.
4) Use hashtags! Sometimes they may seem a little #cringe but this really helps boost your post performance and help reach more people!
5) Quality over Quantity. More is not always best. To maintain your image. focus on having more high quality thought out posts than having a lot of low quality posts.
6) Build a community. In doing this, encourage people to follow you so they don't miss updates. In order to have this sense of belonging, engage with those who support you. Show gratitude and true thought when it comes to interacting with those who support you.
Those are just the most basic pieces of advice I could come up with in regard to social media management. If you ever need tips and other tricks, look to those you look up to. The internet is also a wonderful resource to get into your groove.
Now, to finish up, let me let you all know the various platforms you can and should find me on. I think a little plug is all too fitting for this post!
Instagram: @jenniferbeckphotography
Facebook: Jennifer Beck Photography
Tiktok: @jenniferbeckphotography
Email: jenniferbeckphotography@gmail.com
(**Try to aim for consistent social media handles! It helps people find you)
As always, if you have anymore questions, do not be afraid to reach out and contact me through any of my various socials. Until next time everyone, take care!
