Social Media

TOP 10 SECRETS

TO SUCCESS WITH @ASKSTERNREP

1. Create a cohesive body of work with a consistent style
2. Know your niche and know your market. Who are your clients?
3. Market yourself. Consistently and tenaciously, and in a way that is aligned with your brand and goals. 
4. Know what you’re good at and delegate what you’d rather not do.
5. Ask for help. There’s no shame in needing help or asking for it. 
6. Be a good business person. Manage your time with discipline based on your priorities. 
7. TEST outside your box. Be hungry. Hustle. Stay fresh with the times. Your portfolio should not just be the jobs you have shot, it should be the jobs you want to shoot. 
8. Social Media. In these times, as a pro image creator, being on IG is a must, as your 2nd portfolio has its type of library. 
9. Money. Know how to negotiate or have a rep help you.
10. Enjoy it!

Q:

Do the number of images we show differ between a website and social media?

A:

The quick answer is that we generally post more IG images because of the scrolling pattern compared to the amount of images we show on our websites. Since we can change websites more easily than our IG platform, we should continuously hone our website. Remember that our clients have a 2-3 second viewing span, which is how we should build our image placement; too many images will work against us and can become an editing challenge to have clients “walk” away with a strong sense of what we master. 

Q:

Is “authentic” becoming synonymous with “cheap” or “low production,” i.e., not wanting to pay as much?

A:

“Authentic” means believable, so the term itself doesn’t necessarily imply cheaper photography. Many photo and broadcast shoots aim for a genuine style and use stylists to achieve that authentic look. However, social media content often has an authentic aesthetic and tends to come with lower budgets.

Q:

This may either be controversial or a matter of semantics, but what are your thoughts on photographers being ‘content creators’? It’s always made me feel cheapened, but maybe I’m just being stubborn?

A:

Personally, I see this issue as a financial one. If a client is paying appropriately for quality images you are proud to put your name on, that answers the question for me. “Content” is what most clients need these days, so not wanting to be a part of that could really limit your job opportunities. I’m curious to hear others’ opinions on this in the comments. What do you think?

What a rep needs from you is something to say. Tests, new work, content, a story, anything to give us something to share about you. 

Q:

Other than consistently sharing their work, what are the best ways photographers can use Instagram?

A:

Instagram can be the best marketing tool available to us, but we need to use it correctly to make it work. Find your clients and engage with them. Be consistent with posts and Stories, and bring your authentic self to this marketing platform.

You look like an amateur if you don’t have an official website email address, along with a signature on the email including your web or IG link on it.

Q:

I’ve noticed a trend of photographers at every level showcasing huge online portfolios with hundreds of images. Do you think art directors, producers, and others now prefer seeing more content? I’m inclined to follow the “less is more” trend but would love to hear your thoughts.

A:

The shift to showing more images reflects today’s portfolio platforms of social media. Consistent content is how we keep ourselves out there to be seen. Be careful not to water down your style by showing too much, but stay relevant with overall wee-branded posts available to impress and attract your clients. 

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 often look at your Instagram before your website.

3. The game has changed, and Instagram is now an intrinsic part of the advertising paradigm.

Q:

I’ve been chatting with photographers about the issue of tagging/adding crew info in the IG comments of a job image. Some don’t want to give credit because they don’t want others to hire their crew, and others think it’s only fair to give everyone credit where credit is due. Is there an industry standard for this?

A:

I may not give the most honorable or “right” answer to this, but as a rep, my opinion is based on what will help you. For example, if a client wants to be tagged, it will help you to tag them. If your crew will appreciate it and want to work with you more, or they have a large following, and you’d benefit from it potentially being reposted, it can be a win/win. You should feel good about your decision, whether to feel good-hearted or not tagging to get a clean design; your call.