smugmug pro tips

AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
edited September 25, 2007 in Mind Your Own Business
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Comments

  • Mike LaneMike Lane Registered Users Posts: 7,106 Major grins
    edited October 11, 2005
    andy wrote:

    so folks, let's here your tips! ear.gif


    • Post high quality pictures.
    • If you've got a blog, get on a long blogroll list. Mention your site lots. Get people to talk about it. Soon you'll be on the top (or above the "fold" at least) of the google list for all kinds of searches. (Google Mike Lane Photography, thailand native photography, or colour photography old woman mwink.gif Those are just from my last 100 hits too!)
    • Get into webdesign;)
    Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance.

    http://photos.mikelanestudios.com/
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 15, 2005
    download sales details
    you can go to control panel>pro sales>sales details>download

    you get a .csv file, that opens in excel, or other spreadsheet-type application. there are shareware/freeware programs that will open these files as well.

    this data was always there, but it's very cool to have the download capability now.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2005
    RE: download sales details
    andy wrote:
    you can go to control panel>pro sales>sales details>download

    you get a .csv file, that opens in excel, or other spreadsheet-type application. there are shareware/freeware programs that will open these files as well.

    this data was always there, but it's very cool to have the download capability now.
    Not to blow my own horn, but standard issue SM sales download feature is kinda limited. For the active event/action photogs with hundreds (or even thousands) of sales each month downloading the ever growing single csv file will become a logistical nightmare after a second month.

    OTOH, it's free and works for every browser:-).

    S*E is not free and win32 only, but it will get you this:
    • smart time-based selection (download new data only, or redownload some old stuff)
    • "live" sorting/filtering (see who bought what/when)
    • instant email to customers (Andy is right as always, this is very important!)
    • live access to pictures (curious what you just sold 100 copies of?)
    • MS Access-based reports
    • and, for those who *really* want to know how they are doing biz-wise:
      pretty good analysis
      (of course, via excel, but try to get there from std download)
      (actual data courtesy of S*E pro customer)
    SE_Piv11.jpg

    I guess, in a pro world, you're always end up getting what you paid for:-)

    Thank you for mentioning that sales info, Andy:-)!

    HTH
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2005
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited October 17, 2005
    Gallery-level keywords: ETA?
    andy wrote:
    Did you guys discuss the opportunity to specify gallery-level keywords (as well as geography) that would automatically apply to every image within? That would save GOBBLES of time...
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited October 17, 2005
    So just for the big dumb guy...if i own wadjelaphotography.com.au (which i do) can i be rid of the word smugmug in my URL name ?
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited October 17, 2005
    Redirection/domain forwarding
    Humungus wrote:
    So just for the big dumb guy...if i own wadjelaphotography.com.au (which i do) can i be rid of the word smugmug in my URL name ?
    Yes, many people do that, check www.photosocal.com for example:-) It's the same old http://nik.smugmug.com, but with my own URL.
    However, it needs to be done at your domain control panel (or whatever that place is called in case of your domain provider). Look for "redirecting", or "domain forwarding". If still at loss contact the techsupport (of the said domain provider, not SM!) and explain to them that you want your www.xyz.com be forwarded to http://xyz.smugmug.com. They should be able to help very fast.

    HTH
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 17, 2005
    Humungus wrote:
    So just for the big dumb guy...if i own wadjelaphotography.com.au (which i do) can i be rid of the word smugmug in my URL name ?


    yes, see this help page, 'gus
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2005
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 3, 2005
    I just spoke with Paul at Charlston Picture Company. What a great idea he has - he does food events :eat :eat amongst other things -- and he sells "print ads" for a healthy fee to local merchants, and puts them inside the galleries that the community goes to to order pics from the local festivals and things.

    clap.gifclap.gif nice idea, extra $$ is good, too.
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 4, 2005
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 4, 2005
    Many pros who offer the whole product line, or nearly all of it, will prominently feature this page on their site.
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 8, 2005
    Amuse Bouche
    Just like in a fine restaurant, give your clients and would-be clients a little "amuse bouche" that little treat of an appetizer or palate opener that the chef in a Michelin 3-Star restaurant would send to your table while you are perusing the menu. :eat :eat :eat

    Event Shooters - give away a little taste, a sample :D

    Example here at Hoofclix I love this idea, it's a fantastic way to bring 'em in and build a great customer base.
  • Ann McRaeAnn McRae Registered Users Posts: 4,584 Major grins
    edited November 8, 2005
    andy wrote:
    Example here at Hoofclix I love this idea, it's a fantastic way to bring 'em in and build a great customer base.
    That is a winning strategy!!!!!

    (Often, mwink.gif my candids are my best shots!!!! )

    Great tip, thanks andy!

    ann
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 10, 2005
    Referral Link in Footer
    Smugmug can be free for you thumb.gif

    Put your referral link in your site footer!

    A great idea, Pat Kane uses it and thanks to John Friend for the code to do it!
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 10, 2005
    Sometimes stating the obvious really helps. I recently had a pro's customer complain about a large print. After investigating the actual file, I found that it was being printed from a 750px by 500px file. Not good! I know I'm probably stating the obvious, but to get the best printed output, please upload the full size file. In your gallery customization, you can always disable originals, password protect, watermark, right click, etc.

    But your customer deserves the best print possible thumb.gif
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 10, 2005
    Of Box Tops, and New Featurs etc for your site
    We're constantly innovating (thanks onethumb and jt!!) - how cool is that - new features coming out all the time.

    Many of our pros customize their homepages completely - totaly "non-smugmug" look and feel - and yay isn't that great? We give you a lot of control and power with your site.

    So, for example, if you have this code in your css:
    .boxTop {
    	display: none;
    }
    

    you'll not see the boxes, and the "show/hide" buttons on your home page for the various features. Great - so far. BUT - when we come out with a new feature (like show/hide timeline for example) as we did this week, you'll see it on your homepage (logged in or out) and won't be able to "hide" it if you wish.

    And so, the workaround, is to put this code in your stylesheet CSS:
    .loggedIn .boxTop {
    	display: block;
    }
    

    This code, will allow you to see the "show/hide" buttons of these features while you are logged in only so that you can "hide" or "show" as desired. Your clients/visitors will NOT see this.

    I hope this helps,
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 23, 2005
    Event Shooters: A Must Read
    Please have a look at how Bill Jurasz does big events and galleries, keywording, and more. He's really got it down! clap.gif

    Mercury Photograpy
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 30, 2005
    Event Photograpers: Keywording
    See how Pat Kane does it:

    Koala Playhouse
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 30, 2005
    Customized Right-Click Protection in 5 seconds
    It's super, super easy. See this thread. Just copy, paste (and modify to taste) the code in John Friend's excellent post.

    Thanks to JT and Onethumb for coding it, and to John for making that post!
  • LiquidOpsLiquidOps Registered Users Posts: 835 Major grins
    edited December 1, 2005
    Check The Weather
    Always be sure to check the weather ahead of time when doing an on location shoot. It's best to be prepared than to be surprised when you get there. It's also helpful to advise your client/customers/photo subjects of what to wear according to weather :)

    Just my thoughts.


    Steven
    Wandering Through Life Photography
    MM Portfolio

    Canon 30D | Canon 50mm f/1.8 | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Canon Speedlite 580ex
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2005
    LiquidOps wrote:
    Always be sure to check the weather ahead of time when doing an on location shoot. It's best to be prepared than to be surprised when you get there. It's also helpful to advise your client/customers/photo subjects of what to wear according to weather :)
    Along the same veins bring along drop cloths for people to sit/stand on. You don't want nice clothes to get dirtied by that lovely grass they are posing in or sitting in. Or maybe they are sitting on a nice park bench, which of course hasn't been cleaned in some time. Etc.
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    A former sports shooter
    Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
    My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited December 3, 2005
    Learning to fish, part one
    :nono not here, Ya gotta go to my blog for this one.
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited December 3, 2005
    Learning to fish, Part II
    Learning to Fish, Part II
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2005
    Event / Wedding Shooters: Set up Ahead of Time!
    I found this on another board:
    Dadoffour wrote:
    Make sure you pick a smugmug name you are happy with. I see that yours matches your own domain, so that is good. Once you pick a name, people expect to find their images there.

    Before you go to an event, create a new gallery so that you may tell/show participants its location. Within that new gallery, put a "Coming Soon Image", so that clients know that they have at least reached the correct destination.

    You also need to create a heirarchy, and stick with it, using Categories and Sub categories.

    I.E.
    Weddings
    Smith&Jones
    Harris&Baker

    Reunions
    abc
    xyz

    Smugmug allows 3 levels of heirarchy, so you could use
    Weddings
    Smith&Jones
    Rehearsal
    Getting ready
    Wedding
    Reception

    etc.

    Great tips.
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited January 10, 2006
    Get Referrals, your SmugMug subscription can be $0
    Check out how Matt Saville gets his referrals!

    clap.gifclap.gif Nice Job, Matthew!
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    Check out how Matt Saville gets his referrals!

    clap.gifclap.gif Nice Job, Matthew!


    So my question is: how effective is it?
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2006
    DavidTO wrote:
    So my question is: how effective is it?


    Combined with other techniques, I bet very effective.
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited January 31, 2006
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2006
    Pimp Your Ride
    Some CSS Tricks to add some bling-bling to your SmugMug site.

    Enjoy!
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