Get Out There: Advertising on Facebook

Definitely read this great article on understanding the difference between marketing and advertising on Blogtrepreneur.com


It made perfect sense! One of friends told me that since she updated her status on Facebook as "engaged," she had been seeing a ton of advertising on her profile page pegged toward the bride-to-be, including ads posted from wedding photographers, event planners, destination wedding sites, flowers and catering and gowns and tuxedos. The same thing happened as soon as I wrote on my profile that I was now fostering dogs for a local shelter. Suddenly, I started receiving all of these ads about rescuing abused dogs. "You should create an ad too!," my friend told me.

She was right. For only a few dollars a day, I now have an ad that brands and promotes my services on one of the most popular social sites on the web. The ad is 100% branded by the advertiser with copy and image and does not include any social actions. It can link to a Facebook Page, application or external website. Plus an ad directed to a Facebook Page or application can generate social actions for future campaigns.


I loved this "explanation" when I found it on Pronet Advertising.

Facebook Ads display in the right side column on Facebook pages in the Ad Space. The key to having as many people as possible see your add is to use keywords. The better your keywords, the more effective your add in narrowing the audience who receives it based on interests that match my offer. Even if you aren't interested in advertising on Facebook yet, be sure to check out the "best practices" guide because the information provided is great for helping you begin ANY marketing campaign.

This has also been a great opportunity for me to try to specialize my branding, since Facebook advises that ads are more likely to perform better and continue running successfully if it's displayed to targeted, smaller, more specific group users. There are tons of ads already out there for general photography services. Wedding photography is definitely a more targeted ad campaign. So I decided to narrow it down even further with a pitch for my boudoir photography as a way to test the waters about potential interest.


Teri's Rose is now featured in my new ad campaign on Facebook.

I've extended my boudoir special started earlier this month to extend throughout the wedding season, which lasts through September 2009. My Facebook ad keywords target everything I could think of (until they wouldn't let me add anymore) including girls night out parties, wedding photography, brides and grooms and the ultimate gift. I think I mustered up about 30 keywords.

Since the ad was approved yesterday, I've had more than 100 extra visitors to my business website, starting at my boudoir galleries. That may not seem like a lot, but that's 100 more visitors than I might have had otherwise. All I need is one person to book a session, and my Facebook ad campaign has paid for itself 3X over.

Get Connected: Networking

I recently joined two emerging networking sites for photographers that I thought I should introduce you too, as well. It's always exciting to be a part of something that is new. You know I'm a big proponent of connecting with photographers as close as in your backyard or as far away as another continent. Doing so can fuse you with energy and inspiration. It's also a great way to learn about new opportunities including seminars, model shoots, classes, etc.



Ian Littauer, former publisher of Studio Photography, and imaginginfo.com has launched photoclique.com, the alpha version of a new photography news article and social networking portal. The site's insightful articles focus on products and services, tips and techniques, profiles and business marketing. The photographer community features photo albums, blogs, chat, classifieds, events, groups and poll applications to allow photographers to share experiences and help each other become better photographers. Have something to contribute? All press releases and articles can be sent to edit@photoclique.com for publishing consideration.

Have some fun personalizing your profile and giving potential clients another way to find you online. Check out my profile here and if you live in Colorado, join the group I created here.



Andrew Fashion Photography, based in Denver, created the bemodel.com portfolio hosting site. Similar to Model Mayhem, but with the latest in innovative social networking tools and features for this industry, bemodel connects photographers, models, makeup artists and stylists for organizing events, casting calls, photo shoots and portfolio building sessions. New members were able to get unlimited albums and photo uploads, as a thank you for beta testing, and received their own custom beModel URL (bemodel.com/yourname).



New features coming soon include a personal beModel email account (yourname@bemodel.com). The messages can be forwarded to your real email account for your convenience or you can use it separately. An online prints feature is on the horizon so members can print any photo they want instantly. Sign up at this URL.

I love checking out the work from members spotlighted every day on the site. Plus, it was incredibly easy to set up my own shoot I am hosting for Auraria Campus to promote their spring campus wear fashion line. Within days, I had numerous talented models online ready to shoot with me. My URL is www.bemodel.com/pictureyourworldphotography. Stop by!