7 Tips for Creating a Successful Photographer Blog

Photography blogs can be great ways to funnel new visitors and potential clients to your photography work. I’ve been photoblogging for almost three years. Here are seven things that I’ve learned:

1. A blog is no place for second-rate work. Even though it’s “only a blog”, potential clients do like to look at blogs before hiring a photographer.
2. Write succinctly. People aren’t going to a photoblog to read War and Peace. Give them enough commentary to figure out what your pictures are about and why you composed them the way you did. And then stop writing. On a photoblog, a picture truly is worth a thousand words.
3. Ask for the sale! Trying to sell your photographic services? Or your stock photography? Well, don’t be shy. Here are a couple of ways to do close the deal:

• For stock: Where relevant, I add “buy this photo” links to my blog posts. Those links take buyers to my stock photography site
• For assignments: My blog covers a wide variety of topics, but the main one is event photography in my hometown of Tucson, Arizona. One of my main blogging goals is to get assignment work. So, I end event photography posts with a brief sales pitch. It goes like this, and you’re welcome to adapt it for your own use:

You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on [stock photography blog]. I am also available for event photography assignments in [locations]. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please email me or call [number].

4. Don’t be a “one and done” blogger. You know the type. Their last post was back on December 14, 2005. And the blog’s been sitting there ever since. You need to keep fresh content coming. Can’t do that? Then don’t blog.
5. Don’t blog about everything . Although your dog’s upset stomach was a big event at your house this morning, the world doesn’t need to know about it. Really, we don’t. Instead, give us some nice, crunchy photos and commentary to chew on.
6. Take a break now and then. Speaking of which, I went on photoblog hiatus earlier this year. I needed to become more adept with my new camera before I posted examples of my work. If you feel the need to explain why you’re posting less frequently, do so. But, if it’s really personal, save the explanation for your offline conversations. There’s plenty of oversharing on the Internet as it is.
7. Make them care. Unless you’re an internationally renowned photographer, very few people will come to – or care about –  your blog.  So, tell people that you’ve blogged something that might be of interest to them. Go ahead and e-mail links to your posts. Mention them on your Twitter feed or social media page. Include them in your e-mail newsletter.
Now it’s your turn. How is photoblogging working out for you?