Here’s my answers to some interview questions I was recently asked for a friend’s project on social networking and it’s effect on the creative professional.
1. What social networking tools do you use?
For professional purposes I use Twitter and I do some blogging. I use Vimeo to post & share my production work. I’m also an avid RSS reader. I only use Facebook for personal purposes. (I’ve got to have fun somehow!) However, at one point I did use Facebook advertising for a local publication that I helped to start up- in the short time that we used it, it drove more traffic to our website than any other source- it was a highly effective form of advertising our publication’s website.
2. In your opinion, how have networking sites, like Twitter, changed how creative professionals do business?
I think Twitter can be a great way to stay connected to clients & keep your brand in front of them. Of course that’s only if your “clients” are following you. But regardless, whatever new work you are involved with- you can instantly broadcast that to your community of followers. And I’ve found that good tweets spread virally- making it an effective way to extend your network & get your work viewed. Most importantly for me it’s a great tool for building a social network of like-minded people and for staying involved in the life & work of other creatives who inspire me.
3. Blogs have become almost a requirement for creative professionals in the past few years. Has the use of a blog effected your business and if so, how?
Humanitarian photography is my true passion - perhaps more a labor of love than a “business” at this point. And I use my blog primarily to communicate to other photographers and individuals interested in humanitarian work- rather than for communicating with “clients”. I expect this to change as my career & goals evolve, but as of now my blog is just as important as my portfolio, maybe more so. Of course I want my portfolio to be seen, but perhaps more importantly I want to communicate my creative process and what I’m thinking and experiencing- as well as show my new work from each assignment.
My wedding photography blog is simply a way to post recent work- I personally like the blog format better than a portfolio gallery, so I tend to update it more often. But weddings are very part-time for me, I’m far from an expert on that.
4. In your opinion, what is the single, most important social networking tool that you use?
I’d have to say blogging, then I’d say Twitter. For my video work- Vimeo is an absolute must.
5. Ten years ago emerging photographers, designers, or illustrators moved to large cities to be part of the “creative scene”. Do you believe that social networking sites have opened up more opportunities for creatives as far as location goes?
Definitely. It cannot replace local communities, but it means that I, living in a very small town, can at least have some communication with other like-minded creatives- as opposed to having almost none. Basically everyone I’m connected to on Twitter are people whom I never would have connected with in any other way. It’s a professional tool for me.
6. Has social networking simplified the everyday operation of a creative business or do you believe they have tied professionals down to their computers?
It’s just one more thing that ties us to our computers- or our iPhones- but it’s just a trade off from the traditional marketing techniques of the past. It’s still marketing- it’s just happens more (& differently) now.
7. A concern of many creative professionals is getting lost among the many people who use social networking sites for marketing and advertising. Do you have this same concern? If so, how do you push your brand above others?
As for my humanitarian photography, my strategy is first to invest the proper time and money needed to develop a good quality website that will do adequate justice to my body of work. Then I also invest the time needed to maintain a blog at least semi-regularly. I take the time to consider the goals and readership of my blog and try to generate appropriate content. I’ve done some writing & public speaking too. I think it helps to do something in addition to photography to set yourself apart- whether that’s design, filmmaking or writing. It also helps that I am part of a relatively small niche of photographers to start with. It’s a pretty small pond in other words, which should point to the importance of defining your style & your market.
For commercial & wedding photography yes, I am definitely drowned out by the others. And that’s because it’s part-time work for me, I simply don’t have the time to compete with full-time wedding/commercial photographers many of whom have paid staff-people helping them market.
8. What future do you see in social networking?
It is the future of communication. I think all electronic communication is going this direction.
For further reading, here’s a few articles I’ve come across lately on the topic:
The Stockland Martel Blog
The Travel Photographer
Problogger.com
