I get asked all the time how do you build a community on Facebook.
How do you get more likes?
How do you get more shares?
How do you get more interaction?
This one common mistake may be the reason you are having a hard time growing your Facebook page.
Now, before we dive into what that mistake is, I want to say that Facebook changes their formula for who sees your posts and pretty much everything they do what seems like daily. I’m sure as I’m writing this Facebook is cooking up a new plan on how to change the things many of us have worked hard to figure out.
That said, I am a firm believer that if you fix this common mistake then no matter what Facebook throws at us you will still be able to build your community.
The mistake:
Only posting about your sessions.
I realize that you are your brand and your sessions are you work so it only makes sense that those are what you post about. However, are these things going to keep a current customer following your page? Probably not.
The reason this is a problem:
Have you ever gone to a party and started to talk to someone who only talked about themselves. You listened to them go on and on and they never even asked your name. Yeah, me too. Do you want to get together with that person for coffee? Yeah, me either.
Building your Facebook page is like building a friendship.
The solution:
1. Ask questions.
Post an image in black and white and color and ask which they like better. Ask what their favorite ________ is. There are TONS of things you can ask. They don’t even have to relate to photography. Who is your ideal client? What does she like? What does she do? Ask questions that relate to HER.
2. Provide value.
Give your client a reason to follow you. Share simple photography tutorials, craft ideas (if you are trying to reach moms), wedding planning tips (if you are trying to reach brides), pregnancy tips (if you want the mom-to-be). Again, it does not always need to talk about photography. Remember it is not what YOU are interested in, it is what YOUR client is interested in.
3. Be consistent.
Remember this is a friendship. If you have coffee with a friend and hit it off, you aren’t going to wait a month to call her again. Decide how often you want to post to Facebook. I’m not saying you have to post 3 times a day or 3 times a week. But find something that works for you and will keep you on your clients mind.
4. Show your personality.
Clients book and people buy from you because they like you. Share a little about yourself. However, remember the 80/20 rule. 80% of what you post should be about your client – asking questions and providing value. 20% should be about you.
Now, I’m not saying you can’t post images from your sessions, in fact just the opposite. You should. People want to see your beautiful images. Just remember there is so much more you should be doing if you want to grow your Facebook page.
If you follow these simple steps to fix this common mistake people are more likely to interact and share your content. That interaction and sharing is what will organically grow your site.
Read more how to grow your business:
– How to start a photography blog
– How to get your images shared on Google Plus
What is one thing you are going to post on your Facebook page today to fix this common mistake? Tell us in the comments below.
Some really great tips there, Courtney. I don’t have a photography business, it is just a hobby for me. I’ve been thinking about starting a Facebook page though to share my photos with those family and friends who want to follow along, rather than posting them constantly on my personal page. Thanks for sharing your experience with us . I for one really appreciate it :-)
You should definitely start a page to share you work :) Even if you aren’t in business.
I am super excited to take your class at Click Away! I’m all signed up! Thanks for sharing these tips!
Oh goodness! I just got super nervous :) Excited to see you and share about social media.
Those are very important points you made Courtney. I like the idea of posting a black and white photo and ask fans for their opinion. People are more likely to like interesting images rather than simple posts about your brand. We are
So much of this makes sense…some valuable points made here! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love the idea of having people chose their favorite! I spend so long deciding which images to post, asking them would get people involved. You’re brilliant! http://Www.daniellegeriphotography.com
Thanks Courtney. I follow your emails and the ideas are great. I, too, am just getting my feet wet as a hobby, but I liked your comment above about just starting the page anyways. Great things to remember… looking forward to more. And, as always, to find the time to get out there and take more pics :)
I wonder if there are better sites than Facebook for photographers to generate interest in their work? Facebook is really pushing for paid ads, so pages aren’t getting the same reach they once did. Plus, they can do whatever they want with your photos. What other sites do you think are important for photographers? Thanks for sharing all your information!
That is a great question. I know a lot of people like Google Plus, myself included for the SEO purposes that Google loves Google :) But I would say don’t rely on social media.
Simple, brilliant love this advice. thank you.
Thanx a lot…. 4 the Gr8 advice
These are some really great ideas. I have a facebook page, that I just share my photos. Still working on my website. I’m looking forward to the 30 day challenge!
Thanks! Excited you are going to join in :)
I just launched a Facebook page for my blog. Your post makes total sense. I am a newbie photographer and still learning, but I love capturing pictures. I’ve posted a couple of my practice/play sessions on the page and I love the feedback. It is very inspiring. I can’t wait to post more!
http://mysimplesignificance.blogspot.com/2014/05/graduation-inspired-photography.html
Good tips. I am definitely guilty myself with not asking questions and showing personality. I sometimes am afraid to share my apple juice obsession with people. lol!
Thanks Courtney for your great suggestions. I’ve started my romantic portraits activity a few months ago and I’m trying to get the most from social media also. I’ll definetely put your tips in practice!
http://www.annabellephotography.com/
I didn’t get the follow up email…what’s the follow up answer? How, oh how do I grow my business? :)
The key is having a newsletter :)
WOW~ What a breath of fresh air!! I am SUPER excited to have found ‘Click it Up a Notch’! I have been doing photography for several years, family mostly, and have striven to gain recognition within our local community. I have no website and use Facebook to ‘get the word out’. I can see where I have made some over-sites in actually doing that. Thanks for the information! You have gained yourself a new ‘fellow photographer’!
Thank you so much! Welcome Becky :)
I will try both thinks you said, first of all I will ask a question about a photo what they think is better color or black and white and the other tip you said, I will post once a week at least. Thank you for the information I found it very usefull
The 80/20 rule makes so much sense! First thing I’m gonna do is ask my followers what they would like me to photograph. But should I make that a multiple choice or an open question?
I would make it as easy as possible to answer. But don’t forget to ask them about themselves too :)