In a World of Blogs :: Becoming a Better Blogger?

[ChristopherCoy]

Blogs seem to be a necessity these days, and most every 'successful' photographer whom I follow has one. And while I have had one for a while now, I dont update it as I should. Mostly because writing is a difficult area for me. Sure I can type/talk all day long, probably much to your irritation, but to create a short story that compliments the pictures that I am posting is usually pretty difficult.

Since I am updating/rebranding my website at themodernmutt.com (I took the plunge and changed everything while getting rid of the 'images by' stuff), I am setting new goals both for the website and the blog. For the website, I am going to be ruthless in what I post in galleries. In times past I was so anxious to get stuff up that I would overlook stuff, then look back and think to myself 'really'? For the blog, my goal is to update it with good content as often as possible, and keep it interesting.

My only problem is that I'm not a writer.

So if you have a blog, how did you become a better blogger? Did it just come natural for you? Did you take a class?

Also, what helps you create your blog entries? Do you keep a 'blog book' of ideas that you write down as you think of them?

And do you think that you should keep your blog strictly 'business' oriented, as in only post things about your photography? Or do you post other things like events you may attend during personal time, or things that happen to you personally, outside of the business?

[lscottpht]

I have a huge issue with writing, that's why I don't do anything with my blog. Jasmine Star is so great at it! The reader really gets to know her, both personally and photographically. I think you should read her blog to help inspire you, if you don't already. I think she is a really good photographer, but I think her blog helped propel her to "star" status. Also, I don't even go to ppl's websites anymore. I just go to their blogs; so, it's very important.

[debbry531]

I know I sometimes check out people's blogs before I check out their actual website so I think they're important. I think it often gives you a better idea of people's work and what it would be like to actually work with them. I don't update mine as much as I should (I'd like to at least every other day), but I'm working on it.

As far as content - I don't write that much and a lot of what I do write is just little facts about the subject. It's not literature, that's for sure. Some can write beautifully (see Sarah Beth's entry on the rescue she recently visited), but I don't have a problem with keeping it short and simple (see a lot of Sarah Beth's other entries).

I usually keep mine limited to dog-related stuff, but I do occasionally put something else up (i.e., my recent post). But when I do, I tend to try to tie it to dogs (the photo of super-fan Belle) or photography. I like when you are able to get to know the person a little bit, but I don't really want to know *everything* about them. I think it's easy to stress about the exact wording, but people are usually more interested in the photos than the words. Keep it short and basic until you feel more comfortable writing more.

I'd strongly recommend getting involved with a rescue organization or shelter -- photographing the dogs gives you practice, but it also gives you an easy blog entry. You don't have to say much - just the very basics about the dogs featured and/or the organization. Plus you're doing a good deed!

[rab3rd]

writing is just like anything, its a skill you hone. I have been debating over content for my website. Just a gallery or a blog/gallery. I am not a pro and I am sure no one will even care but it seems to be the way to go as a photog, as you have indicated. Certainly a creative writing class would go a long way towards jump starting better writing skills.

I would add that as an artist, your fans want to know more about you than just the business stuff. It gives them a sense of where you come from, what drives your style if you will. It makes the photographs more interesting if a viewer has some insight as to what the artist was thining/feeling when they took it. So for me more than just business = much more interresting.

On a side note: What blog software are you going to use? I just started, today in fact, researching what is available. Seems they run the gamut from free to "how much??!!"

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

On a side note: What blog software are you going to use? I just started, today in fact, researching what is available. Seems they run the gamut from free to "how much??!!"

By far the Profoto Blog Theme by NetRivet is the most popular amongst photographers. But I find it too expensive to justify at this point, for me personally.

However I am using a self hosted WordPress installation, with the PhotoPressPro Theme. I enjoy the large amount of custom options, and with a few WP Plugins, I've nearly got the look of a Profoto theme without the cost. You can see mine in action here. I've still got a few things to work on like informational pages, and reformatting my images to 800px wide, but its getting there.

And I get the point about the customer wanting to get to 'know' the artist, my biggest problem is that things tend to get repetitive. I tend to not 'put myself out there' most of the time for fear of offending someone somehow, so my 'stories' and blog posts end up sounding the same time and time again. Thats a good idea about the creative writing class though! Might have to see if the county college has one.

[Fireball]

My blog has been very successful in getting people to my new website. I started blogging before I went pro so I brought those people over also. I use blogger which is free and lets you edit HTML codes. I chose a two-column theme and then went in and widened the sizes I could upload for my pictures and header. I custom make my own headers in PS.

I share anything and everything I take a picture of, whether personal or business. When we had a devastating tornado here on Feb. 10 of last year I was the go-to person for church members all over the world because our church school and some member's homes were destroyed in it. I eventually had to pay (very minimal) for unlimited bandwidth thru photobucket because I had so many visitors! Just a little over a year later, and I've had almost 6000!

So, yes, I think blogging is very important. People love reading other's stories and getting to know them personally.

[rab3rd]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

By far the Profoto Blog Theme by NetRivet is the most popular amongst photographers. But I find it too expensive to justify at this point, for me personally.

However I am using a self hosted WordPress installation, with the PhotoPressPro Theme. I enjoy the large amount of custom options, and with a few WP Plugins, I've nearly got the look of a Profoto theme without the cost. You can see mine in action here. I've still got a few things to work on like informational pages, and reformatting my images to 800px wide, but its getting there.

And I get the point about the customer wanting to get to 'know' the artist, my biggest problem is that things tend to get repetitive. I tend to not 'put myself out there' most of the time for fear of offending someone somehow, so my 'stories' and blog posts end up sounding the same time and time again. Thats a good idea about the creative writing class though! Might have to see if the county college has one.

Thanks for the info. I will have to check out you site a little later, just got home from a horrible round of golf. Still better than a great day at work.

On the offending someone, if you spend too much effort worrying about that then you arent letting people get to know you, are you? I mean you dont want to just piss people off but not everyone is gonna like you not matter how PC you try to be. Someone will be offended. You have to be true to who you are if you want your work and your words to be cohesive, at least thats what I think.

You dont want to air your dirty laundry but if you take a shot that is dark and moody and you blog about how happy and shiny you are, its not really gonna fit together to help paint the picture. I think the words are best when they become an extentsion of the image and take the emotion a step or two further.

[rab3rd]

I just checked out your site, I like it. THe BG is a little busy for my taste but I like simple graphics so take that for what its worth.

A thought on your blog about tug, I am no write guru so...

I could totally see a blog that talks about how you and tug interacted, played up with a little drama. He wasnt sure about you and he teased you with shots where he must have known when you were about to push the button cause he would show you his ass at that instant or he would always look away. Something where you humanize him at your expense. Creative writing to me is about embelishment of events, making things larger than they seem and really getting the reader engaged in the moment, like they were there living it with you.

There is nothing worng with your blog on him at all. It paints a nice picture but I am betting you had a lot of fun with him and it doesnt come across in your words. There were also his masters that could be worked into the story, maybe he played them too and everyone had a great laugh at how he tripped everyone up running away with the reflector. Ok maybe thats taking it too far but I think you get what I mean.

I hope I am not talking out of turn or anything

[janikphoto]

Hire someone to create entries for you... it's all about the SEO.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

I hope I am not talking out of turn or anything

Not at all! I've enjoyed your advice/tips. They've really made me think, along with everyone elses responses as well.

[Hanky]

Grasshopper, allow your pictures to speak a thousand words.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Hanky

Grasshopper, allow your pictures to speak a thousand words.

Yeah, but if your trying to sell a Lamborghini, and you park it in the middle of a cow pasture with a for sale sign, how are you going to get the traffic on the roadway to notice it?



*not saying my pictures are Lamborghini quality, just an anology.

[Hanky]

Sorry Chris, I was trying to be humoris like that cool Capt. dude over in Cowtown.
I guess I don't quite have the knack for it.

[toverman]

I've always been a writer, so the words are easy for me. The topics, though? Not so much. Couple that with not being able to focus whole-heartedly on my photography business and it equals "no help at all." I had a personal blog for years (since 2003, when blogs were still on the fringe), and a major key is updating on a regular basis.

For a business blog of any type, I'd recommend a brainstorming session. Keep an eye on the calendar, too, so that you can time entries about certain holidays or events. Write down every idea you have, then sweep through them and cull out the really strange ones. Plan out your entries a month in advance, committing to update twice a week at least. You might find that once you get in the groove, you'll start blogging in between your regular times. You'll photograph a client or have an experience and think automatically to yourself, "I'm going to blog about this."

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Hanky

Sorry Chris, I was trying to be humoris like that cool Capt. dude over in Cowtown.
I guess I don't quite have the knack for it.

The condition of 'smartass' is an accquired behavior. It takes many years, and a lot of pissed off people.... I'm currently still in training...