You'll come away from this episode knowing exactly how to write effectively for your target clients and still get ranked well in Google; starting with a working headline, great content based on real life stories, first drafts to hitting the “publish” button.
In addition to unique, interesting writing, you'll learn how to structure your photos in a blog post so that they are searchable by google and just (maybe more) as importantly, have your site visitors actually stop and take in your photography, not just scroll on past.
Here's some more of what we cover:
Starting to blog can be an overwhelming thought, particularly when you look at what's already available to readers. The idea of ever being able to churn out enough unique content to make a difference is just plain scary in the beginning.
Following this interview, I'd like to think you'll come away motivated with a strategy to either get started or vary what you're already doing to make you blog that much better in the eyes of your clients… and Google.
Demian has a range of articles to help you get started on creating “epic” content that your clients really want to see.
What's on Offer
Everyone is fighting to get noticed online – it's a constant battle to have the link to your website clicked. In the audio for Premium Members, Demian talks about the single strategy that will get you more clicks than any other.
You don't need to know any code, you don't need to write any differently or do any courses.
Not only will you get noticed by following Demian's advice, you'll also open up a potential new and growing audience.
You need to get this done now… it's simple to do. Have a listen to what Demian has to say about the subject in the Premium area of the website.
A landing page is the page your visitors first see when they get to your website – you need to have irresistible copy on this page.
What is your big takeaway?
Is blogging something you've yet to incorporate into your marketing and SEO strategy or is something you've been doing successfully already? I'd love to hear about your experiences with blogging or what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you'd like to implement or remember from what Demian had to share?
Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have any questions for Demian that I missed, a specific question you'd like to ask or if you just want to say thanks to Demian for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs
Each week before recording the podcast, I check iTunes for any reviews but this week is a little different – I'm on holidays (and I'm guessing you are too if you're up to date with the release dates of the podcast) so I'm preparing these show notes ahead of time and there aren't any new reviews.
Please don't let that stop you leaving a rating and review though!
The iTunes reviews make a big difference to the podcast being ranked well and found in the iTunes store. If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes. Don't feel your comments have to be long, involved or gushy, an honest opinion is all I ask.
Don't be shy about leaving your business name in the review either – that way I can add a link in the show-notes and show my appreciation with a proper thanks and a Google loving back-link to your website.
If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I'd love to hear from you!
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
The Copy Bot – Demian's personal blog
Evernote – the desktop and mobile app to organise everything
Brian Clarke – founder of Copyblogger and CEO of Copyblogger Media
Buzzfeed – great examples of headlines that draw you in
Gawker – great examples of headlines that draw you in
Business Insider – great examples of headlines that draw you in
Huffington Post – great examples of headlines that draw you in
Rafal Tomal – Head Designer at Copyblogger
Rafal's free web style guide and PSD template
The Resources Page
Don't forget about the ever expanding resources page that has a listing of products, programs, hardware, books and directories mentioned in each episode of the show. If you're looking for something that a guest has mentioned on a previous episode but just can't remember who or what it was – you'll find it listed in order on the resources page.
Talk about great headlines! Every one of Demian's headlines just make me want to read on… do your blog post titles do the same?
If you've been enjoying the podcast, I'd love for you to tell just one other portrait or wedding photographer about it – it could be in a Facebook Group you're a part of, a photography forum, a photographer friend or on twitter. Any help in growing the audience of the show means a better show for you in the future with bigger name guests and a higher quality podcast.
If you do have a twitter account, simply click here: https://photobizx.com/tweet or use the share buttons below to help spread the word.
That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business and you have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas/New Year break.
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
A timely episode! First thing on my list of things to improve in 2014 is my website. For a while now I’ve been wanting to revamp my website, and I know I need to write more on my blog (all I do now is the dreaded, “we had a great day with Jack and Jill, check out their beautiful pictures)
I’ve been wanting to write more articles like you talked about in the episode, answering common questions brides have, but one thing that I have been struggling with is how to do it. I am afraid that if I write a bunch of articles on my blog then potential clients might come to my site and want to see more pictures, go to my blog and see mostly all written articles and wonder if I do more writing than taking pictures. Not sure if that makes sense or not… if I were shooting 30-40 weddings a year plus portraits then it wouldn’t be an issue, I would have a nice mix of photo posts and written posts, but I’m not quite there yet.
Hi Terry – you’re not alone in wanting to do more work on your website. I think that job is on the list of many photographers for 2014.
I know what you mean about having all text and not enough images to use for your blog posts. There are a few ideas that come to mind.
1. Use just one or two photos for each post – if it’s information you’re offering, that’s what your readers want, the information. If it’s good “evergreen” content you’re writing, you can always come back and add photos down the track.
2. Speak to a local gown designer and shoot models using their gowns. You can find models that will work for photos (not money) on sites like Model Mayhem and the gown designer or retail outlet will love photos for their website, social media and advertising. You could do the shoots at different venues and offer them photos as well. You’ll soon build up great relationships will a bunch of vendors and create a nice portfolio at the same time.
3. Shoot video for your blog posts. This is probably the easiest solution that will work fantastically for you. You could answer one question for each video blog post. The video means you don’t need to have any photos to go with the post and you can have the videos transcribed (cheaply) to help with SEO.
You can also upload the same video (using your transcriptions as captions) to help even further with your SEO.
For more ideas on using video as a solution, there’s a ton of infer in both the James Schramko and Gabriel Machuret episodes.
Hope this helps and I’d love to know what you decide to do.
Andrew,
I loved this episode! Demian really seems like he knows what he’s talking about and was fun to listen to.
For 2014 I’m going to be taking his advice on updating my site(s). I like how he talked about Google and how it thinks and ranks the results people search for.
I just posted on a local forum here in the Dallas where Photographers hang out about this subject. I linked back to this website because I know it will help out other Photographers and in the process it will help out the photography industry which in turn will help out ALL local Photographers.
Joey Joiner
Fort Worth, Texas
USA
This was a great episode. I think good writing is so important in our line of work, which we often forget! I’d love more episodes focusing specifically on the writing side of our marketing, if you find any more relevant guests 🙂
Good stuff as always, Andrew!
Thanks Shad, glad to hear you enjoyed this interview.
In regard to writing, make sure you have a listen to Jenika’s episode and check out her blog and writing course at http://psychologyforphotographers.com – I’m sure you’ll love what she teaches!
There’s also a fair bit of talk about writing in the episode 50 with Ibarionex Perello.
Finally, Demian is always blogging about writing on the Copyblogger site and all his articles are super helpful for writing great content.
I’ll keep a look out for future guest on the topic as well 🙂
Thanks Andrew, will check those out. I’ve heard Jenika’s, which was actually the first episode I heard that got me into the podcast!
Looking forward to the new episode.
Hi Andrew
Listening to this podcast has given me the guts and tools to start writing content and i am loving it.
I now carry a notepad with me everywhere i go so that if i get ideas, i just dump them into the notepad and then review them later.
I have seen myself also start using the notes App on my one to jot down ideas.
Thanks to Demian and you for sharing.
Kind Regards
Oz
Awesome to read your comments OZ!
I’m a notepad carrier, especially in the car when listening to podcasts.
I haven’t found a great app for doing the same – I’ve tried the voice-memo, notes and Evernote Apps on the iPhone but nothing beats the old notepad and pen for me… so far.