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4 Step Guide to Getting Exposure on Facebook

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How do we as photographers get our message out in the algorithmic environment of Facebook?  Facebook has found ways to censor what our audience sees.  According to Veritasium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVfHeWTKjag), “When you make a post, Facebook distributes it to a small fraction of the people who like your page and just to gauge their reaction.  If they engage with it by liking, commenting, and sharing then Facebook distributes the post to more of your likes and even their friends.”  So you can see, if you post all your photos at once, and if no one sees them, you won’t get any exposure.  With this in mind, I have found a creative way to try to be seen by more followers by spreading out my Facebook sneak peeks over 5 days.   I think that my method may be most advantageous for the start up photography business that has a lighter volume of photo shoots, but wants more exposure.  Here’s my methodology and reasoning!
 

There is a method to my madness.  

 

1 . On Day 1 I always show my second favorite image.  Why?  Because I want to start off with a really strong image to catch the attention of the audience.  They will think, “Wow!  I want to see more!!!”.Facebook business tips  

2. On Day 2-4, since I shoot newborns and maternity, I like to mix it up between family pictures, images of mom with baby, dad with baby, sibling pictures.  I like to let people know that there will be 5 days of sneaks so they keep coming back.  On my posts, I number the sneaks so they know if they missed seeing one.  For example, I might say:  

Nathan & Allison’s maternity Sneak #4: We had several quick outfit changes, so lots of variety.  Here are a couple of solo pictures. Only one more sneak to go, stay tuned tomorrow for the last one social media tips

3. On Day 5, for the final image, I save the best for last! The final image is always my top favorite from the session.  I also like to announce that it is the last sneak, and if I plan on doing a blog of the images, I leave a cliffhanger so they know to keep watching in the future for the blog.  Something like this: 

Nathan & Allison’s maternity Sneak #5: Here is it, the last sneak! I hope you loved them as much as I did. These are my favorite from the outdoor solo part of their session. I still have to show you more of the studio pinup pictures, but you will have to wait for the blog to see those. Stay tuned!

get found on social media
Spreading out your sneak peaks creates a buzz.  No really…your clients will be eager with anticipation to see the next sneak.  Their friends and family will also be checking daily to see when you have posted your next sneak peek.  So, this is a way to get traffic to your page.  They will like and comment and tag themselves because they will love the photos you have chosen for them.
 
4. So how do you get buy-in from your followers and clients?  Well, since you can’t rely on Facebook posts to reach your fans, the best way to reach them is to mention it as much as you can.  Make sure you casually mention it when you see them at the shoot, when you communicate via email, and when you talk to them on the phone.  Talk about why it’s a great thing.  They are your biggest advocate and resource in fighting this machine.  I personally have also written a blog on the subject and directed this blog to my clients so that they know I appreciate the traffic to my page and why the sneak peaks are an added benefit.  Here is a snippet from my blog addressed to my target audience:
social media tips

The Facebook sneaks are a way for you to see your images sooner and to share with friends and family.  I only start posting your sneaks after I receive a signed model release from both parents for all family members that were present at the session.  I will post one of my favorite images from your session for 5 days (1 each day) and if I get a lot of comments and likes, I will post more photos, a grand finale, or blog as a thank you.  So, you win by getting to see more photos and I win by getting the exposure to my Facebook page.  I appreciate the traffic directly to the page, so I ask that you like the image and tag yourself.  I also love reading the comments, so tagging yourself encourages your friends and family to comment and then it makes my day to read the nice things people are saying about your photographs.  I ask that you do not crop my logo out of the FB pictures and printing of these is not allowed because they are intended for online viewing only.  In fact, I do not provide a print release for Facebook sneaks and they are such low resolution that the prints will look horribly pixelated.  (http://memoriesbydeanna.com/blog/?p=395)

facebook exposure

DeannaGUEST BLOGGER:
 
So give it a try and see if it works.  I can’t guarantee it will increase your traffic, but it also can’t hurt to try.  Don’t let Facebook lump all your pretty pictures into one post that may go unnoticed!  Where there is a will there is a way.  I would love to hear if this works for you!  Keep in touch visit me at www.facebook.com/memoriesbydeanna to become one of my fans!
 
 

Comments

  1. Cassie says

    I’m assuming you are shoot and burn? Are you doing IPS? This type of image exposure does not work into my workflow as they see the images before the sales session and are not as excited and are less likely to buy. I’m curious if your having success with sharing more than one teaser and IPS.

    Reply

    • Deanna says

      With my business model, I do a sales consult at the time of the session. I show the products and suggestive sell at that time. So I’m showing the sneaks the week after the shoot, then I do online galleries at the 2-3 week mark so they choose their images and their products at that time. This works for my model, however, if you do IPS meetings and do not show your sneaks until after the IPS meeting, you could potentially still spread out the sneaks over a timespan. The biggest take away is that lumping your sneaks into one post will not net as high of traffic on Facebook. Spreading them out helps reach more viewers. I’d love to hear how you modify this for your business model!

      Reply

  2. harshita says

    Deanna…i love the tips and tricks…i need to definitely use these for facebook sneakpeaks as i hardly reach my fans 🙂 Love those <3

    Reply

  4. sarah sweetman says

    I love these tips on how to get more exposure on facebook – I really need to implement some of these ideas as I don’t think I use facebook as a marketing tool near as much as I could or should. thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with us.

    Reply

  5. Samantha says

    Wow Deanna what awesome Facebook tips on gaining social media attention through your imagery. It is so important to be thoughtful in what you post verses any image. I love your very first tip the most though in that you should post your favorites, the ones that speak volumes, that ones that grabbed the viewer. Gorgeous job!

    Reply

  9. Kathy says

    Great idea for maximizing your exposure on Facebook! I know sometimes it can feel like pulling teeth to get a good organic reach these days! Facebook Marketing can seem like a really daunting task, but with your tips, it just might not be too difficult! Thanks for the tips!

    Reply

  10. Linda says

    What an awesome way to create hype. I never thought to spread out sneak peeks and to announce that another one is coming. That is brilliant!

    Reply

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