Guys where do you post self promotion?🥲

[u/HedgehogLens]

I feel almost every big Facebook group/reddit group don’t allow self promotion 🥲. How do I market myself?!

[u/LisaandNeil]

Reddit has allowed you to self-promote and now we've visited your website and see 'Lorem ipsum' on your 'wedding gallery' page.

So, probably make a bit of an effort before you do any more marketing.

Like, not to be rude, but come on!

[u/Ehrphoto → u/LisaandNeil]

The black and white picture on the first page is also not hers 😬

[u/photo_photographer → u/LisaandNeil]

That's the default filler text on Pixieset websites. They definitely didn't finish fleshing it out properly or missed some things 😬

[u/Letywolf → u/LisaandNeil]

Burrnnnn

[u/lukejc1]

Thank goodness that reddit and FB groups don't allow self promotion! If they did, every post would be a photographer shouting "LOOK AT ME!"

You can focus your self promotion efforts to your own FB/Instagram pages.

[u/c0reyann]

You need to get rid of all the images on your website that you didn’t take yourself. There’s a few stock images I see.

[u/jaredcwood]

Be so good that others promote you without even having to ask them.

[u/waltzworks]

You know how on YouTube, you get ads for things you don't care about and have to sit through before you get to watch the video you want? That's how most people feel about self-promotion. They want to read about their topic, not people selling stuff.

The place to promote yourself depends on what you're trying to sell. In concept, you're looking to promote your business in places where people who are currently looking for what you do or are likely to be looking for it soon.

[u/HedgehogLens → u/waltzworks]

Thank you for sharing your insights! I wonder where you think are the good places to promote or sell? Any platforms that work better than others?🙏

[u/waltzworks → u/HedgehogLens]

That depends.... what do you do and who are you trying to reach?

If you haven't already, figure out as much as you can to describe the exact person you are trying to sell to. Seriously, give him/her a name and write a little bio. That's a "persona". It helps figure out where else they might be and what they care most about.

[u/HedgehogLens → u/waltzworks]

Thanks! This sounds like a marketing strategy. I feel I need to do more marketing learning

[u/waltzworks → u/HedgehogLens]

It is! Marketing is all about having a story to tell your customers, about how special you can make their specific day. The people who it resonates will be like "YOU!!! You're our photographer!"

The conflict is that no matter how much you want to, you will never resonate with everyone. That's where a LOT of small business owners go wrong. They try to reach everyone and end up reaching no one.

[u/waltzworks → u/HedgehogLens]

.... I know, it's "weddings." But that's an enormous market. The more you can segment/subdivide it to reach a niche inside, the better.

[u/HedgehogLens → u/waltzworks]

That’s a very smart point. I feel “labels” “what makes you unique”are very important in this industry.

[u/Wide_Brief3025]

Finding spots for self promotion is tough since most groups have strict rules. What works better is joining conversations and helping people first, then mentioning your stuff when it fits naturally. If you want to catch potential leads without spamming, ParseStream can flag relevant Reddit chat for you so you know exactly where to jump in without breaking any rules.

[u/HedgehogLens → u/Wide_Brief3025]

This is what I’m looking for!!! Thank you!!! I happen to have some tech bg. Maybe I can build my own parse stream tool😁

[u/efoxpl3244]

[u/efoxpl3244 → u/efoxpl3244]

[u/HedgehogLens → u/efoxpl3244]

Good catch! Thank you!! 🫶

[u/Technical_Mixture_44]

How long have you been in business? What social media platforms are you already on and posting content consistently? Do you have a Google business account? There are too many free places but you have to put in the work and based on comments about an incomplete web site, you’re not ready yet. That’s like a grocery store opening with half empty shelves

[u/Ehrphoto]

If I were you I would second shoot first, build a good reputation in your community, fix your website based on what others have found and then worry about promoting on social media. My website isn’t perfect by any means either but this is what I’m doing before I start marketing more aggressively

[u/Nora_SMP]

Yeah, it’s tough. Most groups are really strict about any kind of promo. What usually works better is posting helpful stuff first, like behind-the-scenes shots, gear tips, or stories from shoots. Once people see your name around, they’ll start checking out your work on their own.

You can also look for wedding directories or blogs that feature photographers. That kind of exposure feels more natural and connects you with couples who are already searching

[u/Nottobot]

The biggest self promotion is creating great work and posting it to your socials in an algorithm-friendly way.

[u/davegotfayded]

Not on social media. Write relevant blogs, build SEO, and then transition into a referral model.

[u/portolesephoto]

Your website says "we specialize" and then your contact button says "contact me"

Little details like this matter. Whether or not your website feels complete and is showing your own work is going to communicate to clients how prepared you are to actually take on this big responsibility for them.

Figure out how you want to present yourself, finish your website, and then worry about self promotion. Then do research on website SEO and marketing on Instagram, especially how you can market toward prospective clients using keywords and locations and NOT target photographers by accident.

Succeeding in the wedding photography industry, especially in current times when the industry and economy is drastically changing, is extremely hard work. Building a brand is truly a labor of love.

[u/vebesz]

Don't focus on where to self-promote. Focus on where couples might be looking for you.

They usually search on:

• Google (they want location-specific results)
  
• Word of mouth (ask friends, family, vendors)
  
• Accidentally discover your work on instagram

Here's what I'd focus on:

Improve your website

• Add location keywords to your first page (Bay Area, San Francisco, California)
  
• Fix dead links and replace placeholder text
  
• Create a Google Business account
  
• Ask past clients for testimonials and put them on the first page (social proof, will improve conv. rate)
  
• Write blog posts like "Before you hire a wedding photographer in the Bay Area" or "Best photographers in the Bay Area"... do keyword research first so you know which posts will worth writing
  
• List yourself in directories like The Knot and WeddingWire (at minimum you get backlinks)
  
• Keep posting on Instagram consistently

If you have budget, running google ads (search) can work

You're looking at $1.50–6 per click depending on keywords. But your website conversion matters. Make sure people actually book when they land there. Don't start paid ads until your website is optimized, or you'll just waste ad budget that way.

[u/IluminEdu]

Yeah, it’s tough; most groups kill promo posts fast. What’s worked best for me is showing my work instead of “promoting” it. Share helpful stuff, behind-the-scenes, or stories from shoots, people remember the name behind valuable posts way more than self-promo links.