How to Create a Genuine Social Media Following
Social media is one of the most effective ways for photographers to showcase their work and connect with potential clients! However, creating a genuine social media community isn’t an easy task. A big following doesn’t come overnight! It requires time, effort, and a thoughtful approach. Plus an authentic and engaging community is way more important than a large number of followers. Here are some tips and strategies to help you create a genuine social media community.
1. Understand Your Ideal Client
Before you start posting on social media, it is important to identify your target audience. The number one social media tip for photographers is to get clear on your ideal client!! Who are the people you want to connect with and showcase your work to? Are they other photographers, potential clients, or both?
When you understand your ideal client, you can create content that resonates with them and helps build your community!
Use these questions to define your ideal client:
Where do they live?
What do they do for a living?
What do they do for fun?
What kinds of photos do they like?
2. Share About Yourself
Social media is a great way to showcase your personality and connect with your followers on a personal level. People are hiring you to tag along for the biggest moments of their lives, so you wanna make sure your personalities mesh well!
Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work and your creative process. Share your passions and interests outside of photography. This will help your followers get to know you better and feel more connected to you and your services!
Whatever you’re comfortable with, share it! Of course, it’s important to set boundaries, but allowing your followers to know you help them trust you!
Here’s an example of a post I made that shares a little bit of how I felt starting my business but also provides some encouragement to my community!!
3. Consistency is Key
Consistency is essential when it comes to building a genuine social media following. You need to post regularly and consistently to keep your followers engaged and interested in your work!
If you need help being consistent, create a content calendar and plan your posts in advance. Instagram has an amazing new feature where you can schedule posts and it will automatically post for you! This will ensure that you have a steady stream of content and ideas to share and that your followers know what to expect from you.
4. Engage With Your Followers
Engaging with your followers is a crucial part of building a genuine social media community! Respond to comments and messages promptly, and take the time to like and comment on other photographers' posts! This will show your followers that you are active and engaged on social media and that you value their support. Engaging like this builds trust and community.
5. Collaborate with Other Photographers
Collaborating with other photographers can be an excellent way to build your social media following!! You can collaborate on a project or a styled shoot together or just grab coffee to network. This will help you reach a wider audience and connect with other photographers who share your interests. Business doesn’t need to be lonely!
6. Provide Value
Last but definitely not least, provide value to your followers!! Share tips and tricks on photography, share your knowledge and expertise and offer insights into the industry. You can post wedding planning tips, date ideas, or just general lifestyle content that you know will interest your ideal client. By providing value to your followers, you will establish yourself as an authority in your niche and build a loyal, interested community. Give them something to come back to!!
Building a genuine social media community takes time, effort, and a thoughtful approach. Just be authentically yourself and the right clients will find you!