Social Media Myths about Nature Photography Business to Ignore
Ah, the ever-present behemoth that is social media – infiltrating every nook and cranny of our existence, from our personal lives to our professional endeavors. On one hand, it can feel like a bottomless pit of procrastination. Hours vanish into thin air as we upload photos, engage in comment wars, and mindlessly scroll through our feeds, achieving nothing of real significance. On the flip side, these digital domains serve as a veritable playground for marketing, offering our nature photography business a fighting chance amidst the corporate titans.
But amidst the chaos, one burning question looms large: how much of my social media following actually cares about my photography business? This article aims to debunk some common myths that could make or break your success in using online platforms to bolster your nature photography business. So grab your camera and your sense of humor – we’re about to navigate the wild world of social media with style and savvy.
Nature photography business functions on Social Media
Myth #1: It is about social media follower count
Social media follower count – the elusive metric that supposedly reflects the popularity of your nature photography empire. But does it?
Back in the glory days of Google+, I basked in the glow of over 1.6 million social media followers. You might think, “Wow, this guy must be the Ansel Adams of the digital age, or maybe he’s just bribing folks with free stuff.” Indeed, with such a hefty following, I practically felt like a social media demigod. At media events, I signed autographs and my followers would hang on every syllable. And it was so not good for my ego!!
Nature photography at the iconic Machu Picchu, Peru
But hold your horses, folks. Just because I had more followers than a cat video on a Monday morning doesn’t necessarily mean I’m the next Ansel Adams. Nope, my ascent to social media stardom was more about luck than pure talent. Yours truly got added to the suggested users list on Google+, and the rest is history.
Let’s face it – social media platforms have their own secret sauce, their algorithmic hocus-pocus designed to keep us hooked like fish on a line. So, don’t be fooled by the follower count. There are plenty of nature photography maestros out there whose online presence miniscule. And heck, some of the most successful nature photography moguls don’t even bother with social media. So, next time you’re tempted to judge a nature photographer by their follower count, think again.
Myth #2: It is easy to be a influencer on social media
Ah, the classic assumption: a photography business with a gazillion followers on social media must be ruling the nature photography kingdom. But hold your horses, because the reality is a tad more complex than that. Sure, having a massive social media following can catapult you into the spotlight, but there’s a catch. Your reach is about as limited as a caged cheetah, all thanks to those pesky algorithms cooked up by the social media overlords.
Providing value added content for our social media audience
If all you’re doing is slapping together some photos and hawking sponsored content like it’s going out of style, your followers are gonna bail. Say goodbye to those engagement metrics. To keep that influence train chugging along, you have to find that sweet spot – a delicate balance of jaw-dropping visuals, brain-teasing insights, and, sure, the occasional sponsored post. So, ditch the one-trick pony act and embrace a more well-rounded approach. Your followers will thank you, and who knows, you might just become the influencer of influencers.
Myth #3: Running business on Social media is a no-brainer
It is a common perception that running a nature photography business on social media is a piece of cake, right? Anyone can do it! Right? Wrong!
You have to remember that not everyone lurking in the shadows of your follower list is eagerly waiting to throw money at your nature photography business. Some are just there for the eye candy, soaking up your majestic landscapes like a sponge in a puddle. And let’s not forget the lurking competitors – they may be pretending to be fans, but really, they’re just sizing up the business competition.
Additionally, the visibility of the nature photography content you provide is actually quite limited. This limitation stems from a couple of reasons.
- Even if your content is worthy of nature photography awards, the social media overlords have their own diabolical plan. Their algorithms are like bouncers at an exclusive club, letting only a chosen few see your masterpiece.
- And let’s face it, not all your followers are glued to their screens 24/7 – some are off living their busy lives, leaving your posts to gather digital dust like forgotten relics in the attic.
So, don’t be fooled by the glitz of social media popularity – it’s not a one-way ticket to marketing success. It requires effort, more like trying to sell snow cones in Antarctica.
Myth #4: I don’t need a nature photography business website.
We’ve heard this many times before: “Why bother with a website when you can just park your business on Facebook?” Picture this: your own little corner of the internet, where you reign supreme like the king or queen of your own digital jungle. With a nature photography website, you call the shots. Want to showcase your work in all its glory? You got it. Fancy a redesign that screams “I’m the boss”? No problem.
A nature photography business website is essential for long-term success.
And the best part? You’re not at the mercy of those pesky social media algorithms or their ever-changing terms and conditions. You can march to the beat of your own drum, sharing your thoughts and musings without fear of a ban hammer coming down on your head.
So, while Facebook may be the popular kid on the social media block, your website is your own private island – and trust us, it’s way cooler than even the flashiest social media site.
Myth #5: All social media platforms are created equal
With social networking sites popping up like mushrooms after rain, it’s crucial to remember: not all platforms are created equal. We’ve got our favorites, the cream of the crop – the ones that make interaction as easy as pie (such as Facebook). We invest more time and resources in cultivating our audience there, while giving the others a polite nod. We only toss out an occasional post on these sites to give their users a glimpse into our nature photography business.
Nature photography business content creating strategy for Visual Wilderness
Now, when it comes to measuring interaction, you’ve got to have a goal in mind. Sure, likes and shares are nice, but what we’re really after is getting our audience to devour the sumptuous feast of nature photography content waiting for them on our website. That’s where platforms like Facebook, Flipboard, Twitter, and Instagram shine – they let us sling direct links to our articles.
But what about those other, lesser-known social media platforms? Oh, they exist, like distant cousins at a family reunion. We’ve got a presence there, sure, but they’re like a backup in our grand social media performance. They play a supporting role, but they’re not stealing the spotlight. It’s all part of our master plan to squeeze every last drop of juice from the social media fruit – and hey, so far, it’s working well for our nature photography business.
In Summary
The modern-day amphitheater of social media is a great place to entertain and enthral your fans. If your nature photography business boasts a sizable following, you’ve hit the jackpot! You can showcase your stunning snaps and shamelessly plug your products. However, tread carefully, my friend. Striking a balance between socializing, captivating content, and shameless self-promotion is as tricky as juggling flaming torches.
To keep your audience hooked, you’ve got to play detective. Serve up content so irresistible they’ll be hitting the ‘like’ button faster than you can say “cheese!” But if you bombard them with sales pitches like a used car salesman, you’ll find yourself losing followers.
Running a nature photography business isn’t all sunsets and rainbows – it’s about navigating the treacherous waters of social media. Don’t fall into the abyss of millions of posts that are vying for everyone’s attention – it’s a black hole for productivity. Instead, arm yourself with automation tools like a medieval knight with a trusty sword. With discipline and cunning, you can tame the savage beast that is social media.
Master this social media jungle, and who knows? Your humble photography business might just soar to the heights of celebrity status. Good luck!
About Author Jay Patel
I could startoff like this – “Seeds of Jay Patel’s appreciation for beautiful places were planted early in his childhood….” but it would get boring really fast. I will just sum it up and say that I am a Landscape and Wilderness Photographer who loves to capture dramatic light. My photographs have been published in various magazines, calendars and advertising materials throughout the world.
Patience is a virtue...unless you are chasing your dreams
