If agencies are “following” you, what, if anything, would you recommend doing?
If agencies are following you on Instagram – be proactive and engage them. Follow that hot lead and make the most of it by engaging them on social media, contact them on LinkedIn, and get them on your promo list. Use them ‘following’ you as a way to get your foot in the door!!
Should a photographer edit and cull their Instagram page to make it look like a professional portfolio? If my Insta has some commercial work, behind-the-scenes shots, but also smartphone shots of my puppy, is that a huge turn-off?
Instagram needs to be your 2nd portfolio. Just as your website has your ABOUT section, which brings a bit of personal info to it – same goes for Instagram. I’d suggest for instagram; 80% portfolio and 20% personal.
ALTHOUGH, the personal should really still be images that are interesting to your clients. THey love seeing locations you are working in and learning/knowing any interesting info about you. They want to know who you are and what your hobbies are. They don’t really need to know what your pets look like.
Instagram: IS IMPORTANT.
I’m sorry to say it, because I know it can feel like a bit of a nag, but it can’t be ignored.
3 reasons to up your instagram game today:
1. It’s FREE marketing.
2. Clients are OFTEN looking at your Instagram before your website these days.
3. The game has changed and Instagram is an intrinsic part of the new advertising paradigm.
Do you think Instagram promotion is a good way to reach ad agencies and Art Directors? Do you or your photographers use it for promotion? The world is changing, so we have to change with it!
Yes, definitely use Instagram as it is the new portfolio. Hashtags get photographers seen and can lead to bidding on a job. We definitely use it and you’re right – the world is changing in a big way and we need to flow with it.
What if a photographer seeking a representative isn’t an American citizen? Could it be a problem if you are not a native English speaker?
A rep is just like a client, and what we care for mostly is a strong portfolio/website/Instagram.
Can you give us some advice about what we should be doing with our social media, website and marketing strategy in general?
Guest Post, Art Producer: Social Media is very important these days, especially in the way clients are trying to reach their audiences. Hash-tagging can help to expand your discoverability, but of course it’s not the end all be all to becoming noticed.
Your website should be clean and easy to navigate, while also showcasing recent work to show you are still actively working/generating personal projects. I enjoy physical promos as well, but find they are most valuable when they come from the artist themselves (i.e. From a meet and greet).
Do you really look through source books for new photographers?
Guest Post, Art Producer: I find source books useful when I need to break from the digital-format search engine, but I primarily use social media (Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest) when searching for a specific kind of inspiration – especially if the brief is more open ended and still in blue sky stages. These platforms are very accessible while offering a way to focus in on the topics you’re trying to nail down.
