www.pinterest.com
Pinterest is sort of like twitter for images. Users post images they like to categories and other users are able to "pin" them to their own collections of favorite images.
I thought it might be a good way to get exposure so I added a few images and within an hour they had been pinned and repinned by over 30 people. I had my web address in the image description and it only resulted in 7 visits to my site, only one of which was from my area. Some things I didn't like were that people would repin the image and take out my web address. It would probably be best to watermark the images. Once an image was repinned from a repin it would lose all connection or reference to me. People would put an image on their board with comments like, "I like this pose, we'll have to use it for our shoot!" or "I love these flowers!"
The good thing is that there is potential for future clients to see your work. The downside is that this site makes it extremely easy for other photographers and brides to borrow your ideas without any recognition to you.
What does everyone else think about the possibilities for this site?
It's ironic for me because I'm such a techie nerd, but I just am not into all this social media crap. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, whatever... I chat with people on Facebook and post silly crap for my own amusement, but I just don't see these as very good avenues of marketing for me. I realize it works great for some folks, but I think it takes a special kind of person to make it worthwhile.
RichardLavigne wrote:
I think there is huge potential... currently, though, it seems that it is considered deuchey to pin your own images for the sake of self-promotion
I agree that it has huge potential. I use it to collect things that inspire me, as well as represent my personal style...basically as another way for potential clients to get to know me better. I also have a board called "Wall Art & Display Ideas for Clients" that has been useful for selling multiple canvases or framed prints (2 decent sales so far).
Yes, it is considered "douchey" to post your own images for self promotion...but like anything, if done with purpose and restraint it is ok. Lots of (well-known) photogs on there do it all the time. A few favorites, unusual or "outside the box" images go over great. Definitely include a watermark in case the source link is erased somehow.
I may actually have to pin the (very funny) image above to Pinterest today
Plus, for all you full-time wedding people - there are TONS of brides doing their homework on Pinterest, as well as girls who aren't even engaged yet (I've seen several boards with titles like "For My Someday Wedding"). Even if you don't actively participate on Pinterest, I don't think its a bad idea to encourage blog viewers to "Pin" your images (again, make sure they are watermarked). You can install the "Pin It" button on your site via a quick html code cut-and-paste.
RichardLavigne wrote:
I think there is huge potential... currently, though, it seems that it is considered deuchey to pin your own images for the sake of self-promotion
May I ask why this is a faux pas? If people are enjoying the images and repinning, then why does the intent for posting matter?
Be Nice
Pinterest is a community of people. We know that tastes are personal, but be respectful in your comments and conversations.
Credit Your Sources
Pins are the most useful when they have links back to the original source. If you notice that a pin is not sourced correctly, leave a comment so the original pinner can update the source. Finding the original source is always preferable to a secondary source such as Google Image Search or a blog entry.
Avoid Self Promotion
Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion.
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kbelgrave wrote:
Plus, for all you full-time wedding people - there are TONS of brides doing their homework on Pinterest, as well as girls who aren't even engaged yet (I've seen several boards with titles like "For My Someday Wedding"). Even if you don't actively participate on Pinterest, I don't think its a bad idea to encourage blog viewers to "Pin" your images (again, make sure they are watermarked). You can install the "Pin It" button on your site via a quick html code cut-and-paste.
Yes watermark everthing.....it's a great promotional tool and it's FREE ! Isn't exposure the name of the game in our business ?
RichardLavigne wrote:
not my rule... theirs.
Disagree. If people are inspired by your work, they will seek you out. Help them find you. This site is like an apple orchard-- it may take some time, but you'll have tons of fruit if you play it right.
So far, my experience has been that most of the members pinning my work are brides planning their weddings, potential brides looking to the future and collecting ideas and wedding planners looking for ideas for their own business,
So any image that I can put in front of any of them with my watermark is a good thing.
