This is a very relevant topic for us as undergrads and although I have a good online presence it already it hit home that some work was needed.
In my first year as a university student I decided to set up a website for my photography and graphic design in hopes to establish contacts and an audience by the time I graduate. One of the hardest decisions is deciding on a name. I didn't want to take the stereotypical route of using my full name and adding 'Photography' afterwards as I felt this was more than played out.
I started brain storming with some friends and eventually decided to create more of a company than an individual page. Since I take photographs, shoot video and do a lot of graphic design work I didn't want to just create a 'photography' page as I felt this would narrow my target audience.
Eventually I decided on 'Shoot The Future' as an online alias. I got to work on a website with a friend and decided to create a facebook along side the website to keep people up to date with my work.
The website has now been online for 12 months and I've had a lot of positive feedback. It has helped me secure work and when speaking to prospective clients having a website is the most valuable tool in my opinion.
I have since created high quality business cards that allow me to pass my details to clients in a professional manor which have already paid for themselves.
Digital Profiles
I am already very active online and have several digital profile across several sites in order to reach the larget audience possible and spread my work.
Some sites I am already involved with:
Flickr
Tumblr
500px
Blogger
Vimeo
Youtube
I feel some of these sites offer more benefits than others but considering they are all free for at least a basic package makes them priceless tools.
I create a lot of video work alongside my photography and my host of choice is definitely Vimeo. Youtube is very popular and it's a great platform but there is a lot of rubbish on there and it's hard for the good work to filter through where as Vimeo is used much more by professionals and videographers and so generally it's a much better site in my opinion.
I have Vimeo set up to link to my website so anyone who visits my site and see my Vimeo videos and vice versa. I also use the same setup for Flickr. Everything on my website it hosted through Flickr so I'm essentially doubling my audience on both. Anyone who visits my Flickr will be directed to my website and anyone who visits the site will be directed to Flickr.
We have been told to look into more online platforms such as linked in and creative hive. I have very little experience with creative hive and minimal experience with linked in. I always viewed it as a professional business tool but I'm assured there is some benefit for everyone on there and so I'll take a look!
No comments:
Post a Comment