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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Newbie Discussion => Topic started by: lauramura on November 28, 2017, 06:56

Title: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: lauramura on November 28, 2017, 06:56
Hello people,
I am ok with having my photos accepted by big agencies, but I do not know what to do next: is there any additional step I am supposed to take so that my pictures are sold or does it eventually happen in case my material is of some buyer's interest? Thanks so much.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: niktol on November 28, 2017, 07:26
Hello people,
I am ok with having my photos accepted by big agencies, but I do not know what to do next: is there any additional step I am supposed to take so that my pictures are sold or does it eventually happen in case my material is of some buyer's interest? Thanks so much.

Additional steps - maybe, but not advertisement. If you can advertise to the point that it makes a difference, you don't need no stinking agency.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: Pauws99 on November 28, 2017, 11:38
If any of your friends or contacts are likely to buy photos then it is good to publicise on social media but stock photography is a bit niche for the masses. If you sell on the likes of FAA or Zazzle maybe worth pushing your "wares" a bit.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: Brasilnut on November 28, 2017, 12:36
Friends and family may consider purchasing a fine art wall-hanger via FAA. Tomato isolated...probably not.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: unnonimus on November 29, 2017, 00:30
I advertise some of my portfolios, and in some cases I believe it makes a difference. I spend small amounts of money such as $3 per day.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: JuliaDacy on December 15, 2017, 09:25
I advertise (I am not sure,though, it is advertisment) just using the social networks. IG and FB work well
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: mj007 on July 03, 2018, 15:14
I tweet some of my stock accounts. Not really sure it helps but maybe folks open up my sites and I get more views. Views may or may not help in placement of photos in sites. The price to tweet is free so why not.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: qwerty on July 04, 2018, 03:48
with agencies taking between 50 and 85% you'd think you wouldn't need to do anything.

Make sure if your doing any promotion that its to people who are buyers not producers.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: namussi on July 06, 2018, 06:20
I tweet some of my stock accounts. Not really sure it helps but maybe folks open up my sites and I get more views. Views may or may not help in placement of photos in sites. The price to tweet is free so why not.

Because it takes up time. Time isn't free.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: dpimborough on July 07, 2018, 01:22
I tweet some of my stock accounts. Not really sure it helps but maybe folks open up my sites and I get more views. Views may or may not help in placement of photos in sites. The price to tweet is free so why not.

Because it takes up time. Time isn't free.

But you seem more than happy to waste "costly" time on this site?  ???

If tweeting or posting links on social media helps get portfolios noticed then post away.  It takes seconds and doesn't cost any more than posting sarcastic comments on obscure sites like this  ;D

Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: trek on July 07, 2018, 06:35
I tweet some of my stock accounts. Not really sure it helps but maybe folks open up my sites and I get more views. Views may or may not help in placement of photos in sites. The price to tweet is free so why not.

I think a poor view to sales ratio may hurt your search placement at some sites.  They really don't care about views.  Just paying customers.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: trek on July 07, 2018, 06:36
.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: cascoly on July 07, 2018, 15:55
I tweet some of my stock accounts. Not really sure it helps but maybe folks open up my sites and I get more views. Views may or may not help in placement of photos in sites. The price to tweet is free so why not.

Because it takes up time. Time isn't free.

But you seem more than happy to waste "costly" time on this site?  ???

If tweeting or posting links on social media helps get portfolios noticed then post away.  It takes seconds and doesn't cost any more than posting sarcastic comments on obscure sites like this  ;D

but NO evidence such SM posting makes any difference - AND nothing sarcastic at all -- AND posting here may be helpful to the OP - not everyone seeks to make money from every post they make
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: namussi on July 07, 2018, 21:48
I tweet some of my stock accounts. Not really sure it helps but maybe folks open up my sites and I get more views. Views may or may not help in placement of photos in sites. The price to tweet is free so why not.

Because it takes up time. Time isn't free.

Posting sarcastic comments is entertainment.


If tweeting or posting links on social media helps get portfolios noticed then post away.  It takes seconds and doesn't cost any more than posting sarcastic comments on obscure sites like this  ;D

But what evidence is there that it does get portfolios noticed and increases sales.

And as for posting sarcastic comments.... well, that's entertainment!
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: Microstock Posts on July 08, 2018, 00:07
My take on this in regards to SM. 10 Tips for New Microstock Photographers (http://www.microstockposts.com/10-tips-for-new-microstock-photographers/)

"10. Anti-social – This last point is subject to much debate. Don’t spend too much time promoting yourself and your images on social media sites or blogging to promote your stuff. If you enjoy it then go ahead, but remember that the top agencies have massive traffic and they have far more of the right kind of traffic, they have tons of buyers. This is where you want to be seen. Your best advert is to produce and get as many images on these sites as possible. Consistently produce outstanding stuff and your images will rise to the top without sending a single tweet."
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: memakephoto on July 08, 2018, 15:19
People browse for fine art. They usually don't have anything specific in mind, they just peruse until they see something they like. If you produce fine art images by all means get yourself out there. Promote your work and someone may see it and say oooohh aaaahhh and want to buy a framed print to hang behind the easy chair in the rumpus room.

Stock photography is utility. People, usually designers, but not always, have a need for a specific photo and the good ones go to a stock photo site instead of google images and they do a search using terms that describe what they need. They find a shot that works and they buy it without giving a flying f%$@ about who took it. They use the shot and then never think of it or the photographer again.

I have bought a ton of stock photos for work and couldn't tell you the name of any of the photographers because I don't care.

As someone above said, stock sites get thousands + visits per day, unless you're some huge personality with millions of fans you're not going to have an impact. Spend your spare time learning the business instead.
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: namussi on July 08, 2018, 22:36
I advertise some of my portfolios, and in some cases I believe it makes a difference. I spend small amounts of money such as $3 per day.

What makes you believe that?
Title: Re: Do I need to advertise my photos?
Post by: rinderart on July 14, 2018, 16:12
People browse for fine art. They usually don't have anything specific in mind, they just peruse until they see something they like. If you produce fine art images by all means get yourself out there. Promote your work and someone may see it and say oooohh aaaahhh and want to buy a framed print to hang behind the easy chair in the rumpus room.

Stock photography is utility. People, usually designers, but not always, have a need for a specific photo and the good ones go to a stock photo site instead of google images and they do a search using terms that describe what they need. They find a shot that works and they buy it without giving a flying f%$@ about who took it. They use the shot and then never think of it or the photographer again.

I have bought a ton of stock photos for work and couldn't tell you the name of any of the photographers because I don't care.

As someone above said, stock sites get thousands + visits per day, unless you're some huge personality with millions of fans you're not going to have an impact. Spend your spare time learning the business instead.

Best post in a few Years!!!! especially the last sentence. I have My stock library and My gallery/print Library and My client work which is way off the roadside..3 Completely different markets.And require 3 different Baseball Hats....LOL