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Using photos to get those social media conversations started
Hell it’s tough out there in social media land! Some businesses seem to effortlessly pull in the followers, with a string of loving comments to boot. So, how do you get those elusive conversations started? How do you make your target audience sit up and take notice? Well, for starters, through the power of great photography, that’s how.
Many small businesses will cobble together a couple of head shots, and generic stock images for their website, and think they’ve ticked the photography box.
If you want to truly engage your clients, and get the conversation going, this kind of approach will simply not cut it. Who will engage with a stock image devoid of personality? Where’s the relevance to you? Why should they engage? People want to see who is behind the business, and they want to see a helluva lot more than a headshot!
The photos don’t have to be award-winning creative masterpieces, but they definitely need to be eye catching and thought provoking. Good photographers will help to create dynamic images that work hard for you on social media getting those elusive conversations going.
It will not surprise you to know that photographers think in pictures (we’re a simple lot), so before you commission your chosen professional, arrange to meet up – most photographers will offer a free consultation as a matter of course – to discuss your thoughts and your ‘wish list’ of shots.
Talk about your business, your vision, your ideas, but most importantly talk about the problems you solve for your clients; how you help them develop who they are, and get them to where they want to be. Let’s take a look at some businesses to give you an idea of what I’m on about….
What if you are a Social Media Strategist; you help your clients through the weird and wonderful (and at times mind-boggling) world of social media. But what do you actually do? You bring vision, focus and clarity by delivering tailored social media strategies, training or SEO. You get the picture?
Bingo… Binoculars! Now you have the perfect image to accompany a post that goes something like this: ‘Are you struggling to focus on your social media? If so, I’d love to know what you find most challenging – ping me a message and I’ll come to your rescue’.
OK, so you’re into words not social media . As a Copy or Content Writer you are not just a wordsmith, you are a conduit; you help people find their voice – cue ‘megaphone shot’ are you still with me?
But what if you’re a service provider? What’s your message? I get asked this a lot. Trust me you still have a story.
You’re an accountant – you’re in the ‘Phew! What a relief’ business (well, that’s certainly how I feel when I’ve sent my year end accounts to mine). Visualize a photo of you, delicately mopping your fevered brow, a wonderful look of relief on your face. The accompanying message reads: ‘End of year returns giving you a headache? Let me be your Aspirin’. Ok, a bit cheesy but you get the gist…
What if you’re an Architect? Well, you’re obviously in the ‘Grand Designs’ or ‘Building the Dream’ business, not to mention the ‘how can I extend my property to house the new baby, home-office or mother-in-law’ business. Cue a photo of you, the Architect, smiling whilst discussing the merits of eco-builds and granny-annexes. The accompanying blurb along the lines of: ‘Why move when you can improve – let us show you how’.
Granted, it’s a lot more challenging to photograph a ‘service’ than a product that someone has made or created however, finding the right photographic ‘story’ for you, and your products, is still incredibly important.
Be creative when showing off the products you make; if it’s a lampshade why not wear it as a hat! Show your style, personality and wit – after all if a client likes, and relates to, you they are more likely to buy from you.
Let people into your world, let them see a snapshot of how you work and what it’s like to be in your office, studio or home.
Let them see ‘normality’ in action, especially when it comes to your surroundings, what you wear and how you really work, then beautifully photograph it.
If you usually have your pet dog, rabbit (snake?!) with you whilst working, why not take it along to the photoshoot to add a little humour, or go for the cute, cuddly look (maybe not with the snake…).
Above all else, be genuine. Authenticity; we hear that word so much it’s driving me nuts (like ‘curated’, ‘passion’ and ‘vibrant’) but ignore it at your peril. Be proud of your individuality and quirkiness, it’s what makes you unique. Show your weaknesses and failings and you’ll be loved for it.
Use your quirkiness as a conversation starter ‘Hey! This is me, in my favourite Doc Martens, off to see a client. Which items of your clothing says: ‘Hello clients, this is me?’
At the end of the day, whatever you do for a living, let them see the real you, and the next time you post on social media, post something real; something they can relate to or engage with – post a conversation starter.
Want to use great photos to start your own social media conversations? I can help you. Book a ‘no obligation’ one-to-one (with tea and cake obviously!) to find out how. https://www.victoriatapperphotography.co.uk/business-photography-marlborough/corporate-business-photographer-west-and-london.php