Building Blocks for 2024 - Part IV

"But Skip, there's still not enough to write about!"

by Skip Cohen

I realize there are plenty of people who believe the days of blogging are long gone, and to a point they're right. But I still believe the most important issue is being relevant to your readership, however you're reaching them, and blogging does help contribute to SEO.

So, I'm sharing content topics - they don't have to be used as formal blogs, but could easily morph into posts, reels or sound bites on Facebook for example. My point is trying to give you ideas to keep strengthening your brand as an imaging artist in your community.

When somebody tells me there's nothing to write about where they live, they just haven't looked hard enough. There's ALWAYS something going on worth talking about!

Here's the last round of content ideas. It's not meant to be all inclusive. Put together with my building blocks from the previous two posts, you've got plenty of content for social media...regardless of how it's delivered.
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• Community Profiles: Please check out my previous post on the topic. Done right, this can keep you in relevant content for months.
• Pets of the community: In the hierarchy of why people hire a photographer, pets are in the top three. Share photographs of pets around the neighborhood while at the same time demonstrating your expertise as a photographer. You could easily share one pet portrait each week, demonstrating your skills and, at the same time, having fun in the community.
• How to hire a photographer: Share tips on what to look for when hiring a professional photographer. Obviously, make sure you score high on every tip.
• Community Calendar: Build a calendar of community events and then keep it updated. This puts you in a role of support for each event and the groups/associations hosting them.
• Community events after they've taken place: Be there live or online to capture the event. Then, create content about the event. Become an ambassador for non-profits, which will get their attention and also help spread the word about the brand you're building.
• Community-relevant topics: For example, years ago, my good buddy Jared Burns ran a series about henna tattoos. He was interested in making the Indian community aware of his skills as an artist.
• Tips on presentations: framing, canvas wraps, and slide shows
• Gift ideas using photography: As I've written before - CALL YOUR LAB and ask, "What's new?" Then, include a few new products on your website.
• Places to photograph around the community
• Technology updates: Become a resource for your readers on new products involving imaging. Include easy-to-use software, especially programs that involve mobile applications.
• Important camera gear and mobile accessories for capturing great images
• Profile your favorite charity in the community.
• Profiles of people/businesses in the community: Do an environmental portrait of people in the community. There's an almost unlimited supply of subjects, from your pharmacist to the chef at your favorite restaurant to a helpful manager at the local market. 
• Photo projects for kids: From coloring book pages made from family portraits and events to keeping a photo journal, help Mom and Dad with ideas to keep the kids busy, especially this time of year in areas hit with snow and cold.
• Documenting Valuables: Run a few posts on building images for insurance purposes. Include tips on closeup and macro, as well as storage tips for the photographs.
• Throwback Thursday: Sharing old images gives you a chance to remind clients it's time for a new family portrait. It's also an excellent way to talk about Legacy programs.
• Legacy Programs: I have hundreds of old photographs of family members who have all passed away. I don't know who many of them are because I didn't take the time when my folks were alive to find out about them. Share ideas on becoming the family historian!
• Community photo contests: Invite your readers to participate with their images. You pick the topic; they share their pictures.
• Using photographs with stationery and holiday cards: The number of applications is almost unlimited. And besides planting the seeds for ideas, position yourself as the expert to take your readers through the process.
• How to show your best side with online video (Skype, Google, Zoom, etc.)
• Cross-promotions with other vendors: Stop thinking you have to do everything alone! Look for community vendors with the same target audience and then cross-promote with each other. This should include not only the products/services themselves but also posts about each other's businesses. For example, post a blog on tips for macro and closeup images with flowers. The link becomes where the flowers came from, as well as post-processing and printing.
• Growing your skill set: Share new things you're doing in your business as a result of workshops (on or offline) you've attended. Headed to IUSA this weekend? Create content from things you see at the trade show or classes you're taking to add to your business offerings.

There are twenty+ content ideas for you to share. Your goal is consistency in sharing great information and building brand awareness as the photography expert in the community. Remember, these give you content to share during those quiet weeks. You still have images to share with things like "365 Projects," client shoots and challenges, and events happening more in real time throughout the week.