FB has gotten pretty touchy about running contests now. It's pretty much against the rules to offer any type of physical prize for any contest, unless you run it through a 3rd party ap on FB. If you are doing it and not getting banned for it, I'd sure like to know how, and what to do!
I actually have recently placed an offer on CL to shoot a free wedding (on an off peak day) in exchange for 100 new FB fans. The only catch is that they each have to post a photo in a fan album on my fan page, and tag themselves. Then it creates lots of news updates on all those 100 new fans pages, when I post. Etc. I placed the ad yesterday, got an email today. Hopefully this will work out. It's worth it to me.
I'll try what you say about tagging and such. I can't seem to conquer FB yet. I have troubles every time I try to do something on there. I know it's a gold mine now, but I have to dig into it better.
Thanks for the advice Mark.
Gonna be honest, that's kid of a cheezy way to do a contest. The way you should do it is offer something at 100 fans, (maybe not a free wedding) I can get you 200 fans if you want today
Check out the contest I am doing right now:
"We’re doing it all over again, the coolest thing is about to happen. We want you to pick your most unique idea for a photoshoot! We try to mold our shoots around your personality rather than be a ‘GWC, or PIP” The couple with the most unique feasible idea will be chosen for the shoot that they want. Yes, it’s like a dream shoot! So come up with your BEST idea, give it you’re all and if you are creative we’ll shoot your pics within the idea you create up! You would pay your own way, and for us, No Charge! Only travel charges would apply if it exceeded outside of Florida.
So what do you think? At the time when Lindsay and I were thinking about photos, I said “lets do it in the rain” That was my unique idea at the time, but since then it has changed (ill keep mine a secret until we do our shoot here in the next few months)
What do you need to do?
Submit to me your Idea via a Facebook post, on the fan page
Turn your profile photo into the one you want displayed on our cutest unique couple of 2011!
Your suggestion will be posted on the fan page in a gallery “2011 Cutest unique couple”
We will have the fans vote on the BEST IDEA!
After 1 month we will pick the winner(s)
Schedule the shoot!
Rules about it?
Not too many apply, just the simple ones. 1. Shoot will be comped, and disc and cute sweet case with customized photos will be given. 2. Travel charges and other transportation to get YOU there is not our responsibility (we’ll meet you there). Travel charges outside of Florida will be assessed (in case we get a NYC shoot) J. 3. Have your friends, family and others on Facebook vote for the best, by clicking the “like” button on your photo! 4. We’re not responsible for items or wellbeing traveling or on the shoot 5. Most importantly you must show up on the scheduled date in order to receive the shoot, and if you fail to show you forfeit your shoot!
Some tips and ideas to help you!
We have big telephoto lenses (distance shots), underwater equipment, portable lighting and set options, multiple photographers, and many other options to get you started!
Here's what you are doing wrong (asking how to break out of Craigs list, but yet posting to get people from craigslist to your profile" lol so your full circle in the same realm, now they just follow you on facebook.
Here's what you are doing wrong (asking how to break out of Craigs list, but yet posting to get people from craigslist to your profile" lol so your full circle in the same realm, now they just follow you on facebook.
Well the thing is, I'm still stuck on CL at least until my big ad is finalized on The Knot. (They now have it up, but the link is still not active) I'm the only one in TN with this big ad in the TN photog section.
For now, I was anxious to get FB rolling more, so I used CL for a little ad. I've got a bride who is currently testing the waters to see if she can get me 100 fans, before she commits to this. Seems like a decent idea to me.
If I had said I needed advice on getting out of my current vehicle and buying a new one, would you blame me for still driving my old one until I have a new one? Just sayin.
I like your advice though, and I am glad you have taken time to help. I may give it a go with a contest on FB, but still I ask, isn't a contest on FB illegal, without going through a paid 3rd party ap? I'm pretty sure it is. It seems you are not being harrassed for it though, so maybe I won't be.
Canon 5D MK IV | 24-70 2.8L USM | 50mm F1.4 USM | 70-200mm F2.8L | AB 800 light | 430EXII speedlight (x2) | Lowel iLight | Cybersync remotes | bag of trail mix | My Weddings Website • Blog •
Hahaha, i did tell you if it hurt you more too drive than too junk it to ride a bike:)
I.completely understand. For sure. Its a hard transition I was there myself. Take and ad out on fb I doi one there for.40 per click. (works moderately)
I started my contest today, ill let ya know how it goes. So so many people do it, the news companies other people and ive never seen the banned ones or anyone say anything of it. Im doing one where fans.select the.most unique shoot.
I do free shoots without copyrights and thats brings in tons of people. Also sign in as your fans page and find.venue fans pages and city pages and post pics logoed on their page, thats might help too.
I noticed that your fan page is a public figure too. I cant say for certain that it will affect you, but it might be good as a local business or business fan page, whatever they are designating it as.
I may have said this before, but also for web presence add a few more meta data and description to the website, even on the splash page. My main site has a few more keywords but not too many.
Well just a quick report, for those who may benefit from this thread.
I've had my big listing on the Knot .com for about a month so far. I definately get more web page visits from it, though I haven't closed any deals yet from it. I seem to be getting a high bounce rate from my website, according to Google Analytics. (for Knot visitors) So I'm now trying to figure out why brides don't get too far into my site. I've just reduced the slide show down to just 2 images.
I still run my Craigslist ad...for now, but I've also just raised my prices quite a bit, since my Knot visitors are hopefully NOT bargain hunting as much as CL brides.
I thought of something that could further enhance my listing on The Knot .com. I could place a banner accross it that reads "As seen on Craigslist!".
Canon 5D MK IV | 24-70 2.8L USM | 50mm F1.4 USM | 70-200mm F2.8L | AB 800 light | 430EXII speedlight (x2) | Lowel iLight | Cybersync remotes | bag of trail mix | My Weddings Website • Blog •
I thought of something that could further enhance my listing on The Knot .com. I could place a banner accross it that reads "As seen on Craigslist!".
I think that this sounds like a step backwards... especially considering the kind of cash vendors have to pay to advertise on the knot (I've got one going now as well... like you - more views of the site but no closed deals yet...).
I just attended a SMUG last week with Jeff Jochum of Smuggy fame. He said something that so many others have said but it didn't finally sink in until he said it. Be unique. Yes, we all know that everyone tells us that we need to find a way to stand out. For me, the thing that tipped it from 'generic piece of business advice that I can't really relate to' to 'holy cow, I get it!' was that I should imagine myself looking for a wedding photographer. I would want that photographer to be like me, right? Someone I could relate to...
I would want that photographer to really care about local businesses, the health of the planet, farms in our area and capturing a really authentic moment in the great outdoors rather than a pretty pose in a studio.... and you know what? That's me! I am that photographer! I had a little epiphany as I came to that realization. Now I know how to advertise myself to set me apart in the little community we have here in G'ville.
So last night I rearranged some photos on my site (and ad on the knot) to focus on those images that fit the bill and I added a tiny blurb in the 'about' section saying that I am interested in these things. I also mentioned that a handful of eco-friendly printing options are available and I'm committed to using recycled paper for my marketing materials (which is already a true fact thanks to whcc!). I am planning to add links for the local businesses (restaurants featuring local and organic foods, a CSA farm, a co-op, etc) that I've done free promo work for because I believe in their causes. That way all the rest of the hippies like me in town will know that I'm on board with what matters to them. Hopefully that will help draw more folks in and then word will spread throughout this 'green' community that I'm the photographer in town that cares about the same stuff they do.
I guess my point in all this is to say that maybe you need to really sit down and think about what your ideal photographer would be like. Would they be super tech-savy? Would they love travelling? Would they be fascinated with antique cameras? Would they be a dirty hippie without a TV? Who is that person? Make it be you
I think that this sounds like a step backwards... especially considering the kind of cash vendors have to pay to advertise on the knot (I've got one going now as well... like you - more views of the site but no closed deals yet...).
I just attended a SMUG last week with Jeff Jochum of Smuggy fame. He said something that so many others have said but it didn't finally sink in until he said it. Be unique. Yes, we all know that everyone tells us that we need to find a way to stand out. For me, the thing that tipped it from 'generic piece of business advice that I can't really relate to' to 'holy cow, I get it!' was that I should imagine myself looking for a wedding photographer. I would want that photographer to be like me, right? Someone I could relate to...
I would want that photographer to really care about local businesses, the health of the planet, farms in our area and capturing a really authentic moment in the great outdoors rather than a pretty pose in a studio.... and you know what? That's me! I am that photographer! I had a little epiphany as I came to that realization. Now I know how to advertise myself to set me apart in the little community we have here in G'ville.
So last night I rearranged some photos on my site (and ad on the knot) to focus on those images that fit the bill and I added a tiny blurb in the 'about' section saying that I am interested in these things. I also mentioned that a handful of eco-friendly printing options are available and I'm committed to using recycled paper for my marketing materials (which is already a true fact thanks to whcc!). I am planning to add links for the local businesses (restaurants featuring local and organic foods, a CSA farm, a co-op, etc) that I've done free promo work for because I believe in their causes. That way all the rest of the hippies like me in town will know that I'm on board with what matters to them. Hopefully that will help draw more folks in and then word will spread throughout this 'green' community that I'm the photographer in town that cares about the same stuff they do.
I guess my point in all this is to say that maybe you need to really sit down and think about what your ideal photographer would be like. Would they be super tech-savy? Would they love travelling? Would they be fascinated with antique cameras? Would they be a dirty hippie without a TV? Who is that person? Make it be you
OK, I have to say...you do know I was joking about the "As seen on Craigslist" thing? It's so pathetic of an idea, I thought it was obvious.
I was at the Nashville SMUG Jeff Jochum thing last week. (2 meetings) Were you at the Nashville one as well? Or in FL? Yeah, he's a guru. I learned a LOT from him, and have already been making some tweaks to my website, and my marketing plan. I really like the idea of specializing in a certain type of bride. Polarize the public at large, then turn the ones who like you into raving fans. I have a type of bride in mind that I may be going after soon. (or rather, making myself into the "honey" that attracts those bees. ) "Think like a target, not an arrow", as Jeff teaches!
Glad to see another Jochum junkie here!
Canon 5D MK IV | 24-70 2.8L USM | 50mm F1.4 USM | 70-200mm F2.8L | AB 800 light | 430EXII speedlight (x2) | Lowel iLight | Cybersync remotes | bag of trail mix | My Weddings Website • Blog •
Comments
You have to be personally friends with people to tag them on your FB fan page.
Facebook: Friend / Fan || Twitter: @shimamizu || Google Plus
Gonna be honest, that's kid of a cheezy way to do a contest. The way you should do it is offer something at 100 fans, (maybe not a free wedding) I can get you 200 fans if you want today
Check out the contest I am doing right now:
"We’re doing it all over again, the coolest thing is about to happen. We want you to pick your most unique idea for a photoshoot! We try to mold our shoots around your personality rather than be a ‘GWC, or PIP” The couple with the most unique feasible idea will be chosen for the shoot that they want. Yes, it’s like a dream shoot! So come up with your BEST idea, give it you’re all and if you are creative we’ll shoot your pics within the idea you create up! You would pay your own way, and for us, No Charge! Only travel charges would apply if it exceeded outside of Florida.
So what do you think? At the time when Lindsay and I were thinking about photos, I said “lets do it in the rain” That was my unique idea at the time, but since then it has changed (ill keep mine a secret until we do our shoot here in the next few months)
What do you need to do?
Submit to me your Idea via a Facebook post, on the fan page
Turn your profile photo into the one you want displayed on our cutest unique couple of 2011!
Your suggestion will be posted on the fan page in a gallery “2011 Cutest unique couple”
We will have the fans vote on the BEST IDEA!
After 1 month we will pick the winner(s)
Schedule the shoot!
Rules about it?
Not too many apply, just the simple ones. 1. Shoot will be comped, and disc and cute sweet case with customized photos will be given. 2. Travel charges and other transportation to get YOU there is not our responsibility (we’ll meet you there). Travel charges outside of Florida will be assessed (in case we get a NYC shoot) J. 3. Have your friends, family and others on Facebook vote for the best, by clicking the “like” button on your photo! 4. We’re not responsible for items or wellbeing traveling or on the shoot 5. Most importantly you must show up on the scheduled date in order to receive the shoot, and if you fail to show you forfeit your shoot!
Some tips and ideas to help you!
We have big telephoto lenses (distance shots), underwater equipment, portable lighting and set options, multiple photographers, and many other options to get you started!
VISIT THE FAN PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/markdickinsonphoto
"
Here's what you are doing wrong (asking how to break out of Craigs list, but yet posting to get people from craigslist to your profile" lol so your full circle in the same realm, now they just follow you on facebook.
MD Website
MD Store Site
Mark + Lindsay Facebook
I love animoto
Well the thing is, I'm still stuck on CL at least until my big ad is finalized on The Knot. (They now have it up, but the link is still not active) I'm the only one in TN with this big ad in the TN photog section.
For now, I was anxious to get FB rolling more, so I used CL for a little ad. I've got a bride who is currently testing the waters to see if she can get me 100 fans, before she commits to this. Seems like a decent idea to me.
If I had said I needed advice on getting out of my current vehicle and buying a new one, would you blame me for still driving my old one until I have a new one? Just sayin.
I like your advice though, and I am glad you have taken time to help. I may give it a go with a contest on FB, but still I ask, isn't a contest on FB illegal, without going through a paid 3rd party ap? I'm pretty sure it is. It seems you are not being harrassed for it though, so maybe I won't be.
My Weddings Website • Blog •
I.completely understand. For sure. Its a hard transition I was there myself. Take and ad out on fb I doi one there for.40 per click. (works moderately)
I started my contest today, ill let ya know how it goes. So so many people do it, the news companies other people and ive never seen the banned ones or anyone say anything of it. Im doing one where fans.select the.most unique shoot.
I do free shoots without copyrights and thats brings in tons of people. Also sign in as your fans page and find.venue fans pages and city pages and post pics logoed on their page, thats might help too.
I noticed that your fan page is a public figure too. I cant say for certain that it will affect you, but it might be good as a local business or business fan page, whatever they are designating it as.
I may have said this before, but also for web presence add a few more meta data and description to the website, even on the splash page. My main site has a few more keywords but not too many.
MD Website
MD Store Site
Mark + Lindsay Facebook
I love animoto
I've had my big listing on the Knot .com for about a month so far. I definately get more web page visits from it, though I haven't closed any deals yet from it. I seem to be getting a high bounce rate from my website, according to Google Analytics. (for Knot visitors) So I'm now trying to figure out why brides don't get too far into my site. I've just reduced the slide show down to just 2 images.
I still run my Craigslist ad...for now, but I've also just raised my prices quite a bit, since my Knot visitors are hopefully NOT bargain hunting as much as CL brides.
I thought of something that could further enhance my listing on The Knot .com. I could place a banner accross it that reads "As seen on Craigslist!".
My Weddings Website • Blog •
I think that this sounds like a step backwards... especially considering the kind of cash vendors have to pay to advertise on the knot (I've got one going now as well... like you - more views of the site but no closed deals yet...).
I just attended a SMUG last week with Jeff Jochum of Smuggy fame. He said something that so many others have said but it didn't finally sink in until he said it. Be unique. Yes, we all know that everyone tells us that we need to find a way to stand out. For me, the thing that tipped it from 'generic piece of business advice that I can't really relate to' to 'holy cow, I get it!' was that I should imagine myself looking for a wedding photographer. I would want that photographer to be like me, right? Someone I could relate to...
I would want that photographer to really care about local businesses, the health of the planet, farms in our area and capturing a really authentic moment in the great outdoors rather than a pretty pose in a studio.... and you know what? That's me! I am that photographer! I had a little epiphany as I came to that realization. Now I know how to advertise myself to set me apart in the little community we have here in G'ville.
So last night I rearranged some photos on my site (and ad on the knot) to focus on those images that fit the bill and I added a tiny blurb in the 'about' section saying that I am interested in these things. I also mentioned that a handful of eco-friendly printing options are available and I'm committed to using recycled paper for my marketing materials (which is already a true fact thanks to whcc!). I am planning to add links for the local businesses (restaurants featuring local and organic foods, a CSA farm, a co-op, etc) that I've done free promo work for because I believe in their causes. That way all the rest of the hippies like me in town will know that I'm on board with what matters to them. Hopefully that will help draw more folks in and then word will spread throughout this 'green' community that I'm the photographer in town that cares about the same stuff they do.
I guess my point in all this is to say that maybe you need to really sit down and think about what your ideal photographer would be like. Would they be super tech-savy? Would they love travelling? Would they be fascinated with antique cameras? Would they be a dirty hippie without a TV?
Spread the love! Go comment on something!
OK, I have to say...you do know I was joking about the "As seen on Craigslist" thing? It's so pathetic of an idea, I thought it was obvious.
I was at the Nashville SMUG Jeff Jochum thing last week. (2 meetings) Were you at the Nashville one as well? Or in FL? Yeah, he's a guru. I learned a LOT from him, and have already been making some tweaks to my website, and my marketing plan. I really like the idea of specializing in a certain type of bride. Polarize the public at large, then turn the ones who like you into raving fans. I have a type of bride in mind that I may be going after soon. (or rather, making myself into the "honey" that attracts those bees. ) "Think like a target, not an arrow", as Jeff teaches!
Glad to see another Jochum junkie here!
My Weddings Website • Blog •
Spread the love! Go comment on something!