I have been regularly blogging (so more than 3 times a week) for a little over a year now. Prior to that, I blogged sessions only- I blogged all of them, so that was sometimes 3 times a week….but in January and February each year, that was only two times a month. And all I shared was my business.  Then about a year ago, I decided to give a concentrated effort to blogging consistently, and about life too.  Like anything, results and engagement was slow and steady at first. But over the last year, my daily website visits and blog engagement has increased exponentially, mostly starting through the blog, and it has become my number 1 business referrer other than word of mouth!  I could share endless benefits to blogging, but today, I have limited myself to…

3 Ways that Blogging Will Transform Your Business

1). It proves my business is alive!  Blogging takes a lot of time- I will never hide that. It is one of the biggest focuses of my business behind the scenes, and it takes time.  But, when I go to the blog of a fellow photographer and the last session posted was from 6 moths ago, or even years ago, I have no clue if they are still even photographing! I don’t know if they are in business, if people are using them, or if I should use them! And since I try to reach a client base beyond just who knows me- it is really important that they see from sessions posted each week that I am currently shooting- and very actively so!   But it is so much more than just posting sessions…

2). Blogging is a way to share a part of my life with my clients- past, current, and potential!  It connects me to these people in a way that otherwise would be difficult with the way social media works.  Facebook and Instagram only show certain posts in people’s feeds…but my blog can be bookmarked or subscribed to and visited however often someone wants.  I share current sessions for my clients who are in them and their loved ones- AND for future clients!  And I share about Michael and I and our life because it gives my readers a little insight into who we are, and allows them to connect with us even if they haven’t met us!  And that is very powerful.

3). Blogging is Personal Marketing!  With the exception of less than $50 on facebook ads just to see how they work, I have not paid for any marketing for my photography business. Not one print ad, not one paid account with a wedding planning website, not one booth at a bridal show, nothing.   And that is because my clients are hiring me due to word of mouth, or because they have gotten to know me and my voice through my blog! They know what to expect when they choose me to document their lives!  I have been told quite a few times recently that my writing just “sounds like me”- and that is the biggest compliment!  For a business that is largely online behind the scenes, it is so important that the work we are doing behind the scenes is helping us!

I think a lot of photographers don’t blog because they don’t have time…but I wonder what parts of their business they could streamline to save time, or even hand off to someone else if truly stretched to the limits, to make time for something that will actively grow their business with every post!   It has certainly changed my business and I believe it can change yours too!

Do you have a question for my Ask Anything series? Email me at jill@jillgum.com!

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