YouTube Video Optimization for Photographers: 5 Tricks

youtube-video-optimization-for-photographersIf you’re a professional photographer, not only do you (hopefully) have an online showcase of your work, as well as a website and a regularly updated blog – but you are also active on social media and know a thing or two about SEO. Now, content optimization for search engines is neither brain surgery, nor rocket science, but it’s the sort of differentiator that can turn your business into a highly profitable one, when used properly. This is why today we bring you five ideas on how YouTube video optimization for photographers and videographers can bring you new business leads and help you grow your profit margin. They can be used both for branding, as well as for marketing purposes and are a great way to increase your visibility. So here’s what you need to do:

#1 Create a video

It goes without saying that the building block of YouTube video optimization for photographers is actually putting that video out there. Some photographers are camera shy, understandably enough: after all, your job is to stand behind the lens, not in front of it. But the thing is you don’t need to be on camera, in order to create your video ‘business card’, as it were. You can use a platform like Animoto to turn your pictures into a video – and you will definitely want to do that, since, in case you didn’t know, YouTube is the world’s largest search engine, second only to the web giant that owns it, Google itself.

#2 Tagging is essential for YouTube video optimization for photographers

All right, so now you’ve got your video ready to hit the intertubes – but before you upload it, there’s one essential step you need to fiddle with and perfect. That’s tagging, i.e. attaching tags to your work. They work like labels and are best employed as keywords that potential clients in your area are already searching for. They can be anything along the lines of “wedding photography in [your area]”, “[your area] wedding photographer”, or anything along those lines. Choose top targeted keywords as tags and make sure to enter them into the Details tab of the video’s properties, in the title, subtitle, target, and comment areas. In order to find the most appropriate keywords to use, you can always get some hints by using the Keyword Planner function in Google’s AdWords platform.

#3 Use a good title for your video

This one might go without saying, but it’s important to mention, since it’s the second step in our crash course on YouTube video optimization for photographers that needs to be performed before the video is uploaded. Use the top ranking keyword among those you’ve culled out to use as tags. Another important tip is to use the keyword in the beginning of the title, since this lends it more ‘weight’ in the eyes of search engine crawlers.

#4 Drive traffic back to you

The main purpose of YouTube video optimization for photographers is to lead potential business back to your main HQ, which is probably your website or online portfolio. For this purpose, you’re going to want to include a link to said domain as early on as possible in the video description. Use a clear call to action and make sure the link is visible, or else risk losing a business lead in the endless pool of distraction that is YouTube.

#5 Use GeoTagging

Chances are that, if you’re a wedding photographer, you’re going to want clients in your area to find you – receiving the admiration of viewers across the globe may be flattering but, at the end of the day, it doesn’t help lift those profit margins. So add Geo Tags to local videos, via the Advanced Settings option of your account on YouTube. Input your address, then get the precise coordinates on the map that pops up and remember to “Save Changes”. Presto – your vid is now optimized for local searches!

A Little YouTube Inspiration For Photographers

Every once in a while, its nice to take a break and be inspired by something outside of your comfort zone. What are others doing in the world of photography? How can they motivate you to reach and grow and stretch beyond what you are currently doing with your own photography?

I recently ran across a few YouTube videos that provide inspiration to us photographers. Take a look and see what you think.

Man, That’s A Nice Camera

Sometimes clients say the darnedest things. There have been been many times I’ve just sat there staring, wondering if they really know what they just said.

When was the last time you were asked, “can I just print my own copies” or “can you Photoshop this out”? If so, you should really appreciate this video…. Shtuff People Say to Photographers

 

What are your client saying to you in your Photography Business?

The Newest Beauty Secret … Fotoshop by Adobe

Do you love parodies? Do you love finding the Photoshop mistakes they make in some of the biggest magazines in the world? Then you’ll love this – Fotoshop by Adobe

Released 5 days ago and already approaching 1 million views, this video will make you laugh at how unrealistic our expectations really are when it comes to beauty.

How To Maximize Your Marketing Results By Using YouTube Videos

You blog. You use Facebook. You showcase your photographs. But what about video? Are you using video to enhance your marketing efforts?

As photographers, we think “stills”. Yet it’s easier than ever to create a video – many DSLRs have the capability. So why not use it to help you market what you do? Here are a few tips to help you use video to enhance your marketing efforts.

Create Compelling Content

By creating a YouTube video, your goal isn’t to create the most watched video ever. You’ll never be able to compete with Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga, who have pulled a half billion views for just one of their videos.

But do you really need a half billion views? What would you do with that much traffic? Would you really be able to shoot that many portraits, or service that many wedding clients?

Instead, create content that addresses your audience’s needs and desires. If you are in the world of fashion photography, showcase what you look for every day. If you regularly work with brides, showcase your trash the dress shoots.

When you look at the videos showcased in the above two niches, you’ll see that they don’t create videos that sell what they do. Instead they focus on creating content that shares a little about who they are and what they look for – you can quickly find the talent and expertise, and choose to search further into how to use their services. [Read more…]

Are You Lacking The Right Level Of Confidence?

I’m working with a client who is building up a pretty large web presence. One of her goals is to start speaking, and wants to begin using a YouTube channel in order to give weekly tips, have video testimonials on her sites, and be able to showcase who she is all around the web.

We built her YouTube account up close to one year ago. We branded her channel, and it mimics the look she has on her site, her Facebook and her Twitter accounts. Yet to date, her YouTube channel remains empty.

As photographers, we tend to think of what we do in the form of stills. Yet I’m betting even with stills, you probably enjoy being behind the lens much more than you do being in front of it, right?

And when you add in the dimension of video, where you can see yourself move, laugh, speak and communicate, it becomes much more surreal … and scary.

The problem lies with how we normally see ourselves. In most cases, you see yourself daily in the mirror. Yet that is you in reverse. Its not the true you. So when you see yourself in video, which allows you to see yourself as others see you, it throws off your perspective. Your voice also changes. When you hear yourself talking every day, you hear it through your own filtering system. When you are recorded, it removes your filtering system, and you suddenly hear yourself as others do. In combination, that can overwhelm you, and cause you to doubt your true presentation.

If your goal is to showcase video on your sites, the only way to get passed it is to just do it. Create a video, and put it out there for the world to see. Just do it. You’ll always be able to find something wrong with it – you don’t like the background, or the way you look, or the clothes you wear, or the way you presented the message. Yet what you see isn’t what everyone else sees. They simply listen to your message without all the biases you have going into it.

When I was working on my degree, I needed a public speaking class in order to graduate. That class was my biggest fear, and I put it off until the very last semester. Being a public speaking class, we gave a ton of speeches. And with every speech we gave, every person in the class had to write down comments on a half sheet of paper, which we were given at the end of the class. Those pieces of paper taught me a lot about speaking. I expected my comments to be the worst: you have a terrible voice, what a dumb tip, your presentation was horrible. That’s what had built up in my mind over time. Instead, every sheet of paper had a positive comment: I loved the tip on ___, I love your necklace, great voice, speak up I really want to hear more about what you are saying. And by the end of class, my presentation skills improved a lot.

Today I speak regularly, and teach classes all over, including at a local community college. Trust me, I never would have predicted that back in college. I also can record a video with one or two takes, and look at it critically for the message I delivered, not for the way I look or sound. It takes practice. But once you stop looking at it from your insecurities, and get the general population to listen to what you have to say, you’ll be surprised at the results.

Finish watching today’s tip:

5 Videos To Inspire Your Photography (and one bonus)

Inside the B&H Conveyor System

You’ve heard of the infamous B&H conveyor system set up in the Manhattan B&H store, but have you ever seen it? Watch this quick video to see what the merchandise sees as it makes its way through the store.

Inside B&H conveyor system… from Lense on Vimeo.

Photo Shoot With iPad and Eye-Fi

Want to know how you can use your iPad for a better shoot? Watch this as the BYU photo crew shoots a poster for the BYU Women’s Gymnastics team.

A New Way To Light Your Food

Are you a foodie? Foodie blogs are turning up everywhere. But if you want your photos to turn out fabulous, you might need a bit more than your iPhone. Check out this for a tip on how to make your food pictures pop.

18 Years of Polaroid’s

Not a video, but definitely something worth checking out. For nearly two decades, Jamie Livingston took a Polaroid every day, including through his own journey with cancer. The series ended on the day of his death. The story is now being told in an exhibit, and you can view them online.

The GoPro Camera

With the advancement of technology, you can now take a camera anywere. There are amazing videos on YouTube showcasing what you can do with you GoPro – here’s The Ski Move.

The Artic Light

An amazing look at the Artic, when the sunrise and sunset are connected. Not only is this video an inspiration, you have to read the story of how it was created as well.

The Arctic Light from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

10 Sites That May Inspire Your Photography

Every day I spend time surfing and checking out all kinds of links, resources and videos. And when I find great ideas, I save the URL in a special file as a reminder for future posts or stories.

As I was looking at some of them today, I realized that many of these sites have many meanings, and can inspire you at different times for different reasons. Whether you are stuck in your business, and don’t know what to do next. Or you just need a little inspiration during a few minutes of down-time, here are a few items that can trigger a host of ideas for you.

A Great Site To Help Our Military

I’ve written about photography with a cause before, and fully support combining your love of photography with a charitable cause you believe in. The latest one I’ve found is Yellow Ribbon Photography, which works to boost the moral of our service men and women serving overseas by giving their families free professional photography sessions.

Want Creative Business Cards?

Start by watching this video – these cards can give you a dynamic presentation, and are perfect if you are looking for a way to WOW a few people within your niche. Then check out the Cardnetics site to order. I haven’t seen them in person, but can immediately think of a variety of campaigns they would be perfect for.

 

QR Code Art

By now I’m sure you’ve seen a QR code a time or two. They are fun little codes you can put just about anywhere, and have someone instantly be lead to a URL of your choosing just by capturing it with their smart phones. While I love the QR code concept, this story takes QR codes to a whole new level. Check it out. It makes you wonder what you could do with your own QR codes.

Social Resource For Photographers Interested in Modeling/Fashion Industries

If you are into fashion, product or commercial photography and you regularly are on the hunt for great models, you may want to give One Model Place a try. It’s an online social community exclusively built to help connect models, photographers, agents and clients together.

[Read more…]

How To Put Together A Self Promotional Kit To WOW Your Prospects

What do you do when you’re trying to bring in new clients?

You probably have a few marketing tools you use regularly. Maybe a business card, a postcard, or even a brochure. Those are all nice, and can attract your average client. But what if you want to really kick it up a level, and attract a large customer that can bring in a ton of revenue to your studio?

You may need something that stands out from the crowd.

While we’ve talked here before on ways to develop a strong presentation piece or marketing kit, I found a video today from a commercial photographer that shows you how to put the WOW into it.

Great stuff.

Is something like this expensive? You bet. But the idea behind kits like this isn’t to mail them to thousands of people. Instead, its about finding the right people, limiting it to a few dozen or even a few hundred at most, and doing all you can to WOW them into wanting to use you.

Step one – Find your target market

Before you even begin creating a presentation piece, its important that you know whom you will be marketing to. Define your exact target market down to the detail. The more you know, the easier it is to find them and reach out to them. The key to a great presentation piece is speaking directly to the heart. And if you can define them perfectly, it’s easier to reach out to them. [Read more…]

How Much Power Your Words Really Have

Pictures or Images?

Proofs or Originals?

Come in for your shoot. or Come in for an experience.

The way you communicate can have a major impact on the way you do business. In fact, it can mean the difference between an average business and one of the top businesses in the world.

Have any doubts? Watch this video.

Just by changing a few simple words, you can say the same thing in a much more appealing way.

Start by looking at your current marketing materials. Your brochures. Your sales presentation. Even your voice mail message. What do you say to your potential clients?

Now start analyzing each item. How can you change what you say and make it more appealing?

Lets look at an example.

Maybe you leave a quick note on your voice mail, telling people to visit your website to take a look at the pictures in your gallery.

The average consumer takes pictures. Pictures imply a pile of quickie images that you take on a point and shoot, develop at the local big box store, and throw into the drawer when you are finished.

What could you say instead?

Instead of talking about pictures, why not talk about your images? Instead of talking about your proofs, what about the originals?

By changing one word here and there, your message can be taken up to a whole new level. Yes, you may still be shooting, but by creating an experience for your clients, your customers will see you in a whole new way.

A little more elegant. A little more of a “wow” for the caller. And a little more value in what you do.