Going back on a regular basis and thinking what could I have changed when starting my career as a photographer, I kind of made a list (and I hate lists!) of tiny things which should help out. Being a beginner isn't an excuse not to be a professional. You don't need marketing or sales experience or to be a Photoshop savvy to do the following things:
- ALWAYS, always, always be humble and respectful.
I dislike cocky people. A lot. You might be younger or richer or prettier, but you need to remember this is not the 5th grade. No bragging unless payment is involved. And since you're just starting out, I am assuming I am the bigger fish here and you are asking for my help. Not vice versa.
Whether you are following a photographer you like, whether you just met a person with more success than you or you are just trying to network, your plan is to extract information from that person, which means you have to make it all about that person, not about you.
e.g. "I admire your work a lot. I am really curious what determined you to follow that path. When did it click/start working for you? What did you do?"
- YOUR EMAIL:
Can't stress enough how such tiny details can become crucial when interacting online. How so?
Example 1: sweetcherrybomb87@affjeirr.com sent you an email
WHO? Spam. Definitely.
Now you are trying your best to live out of your art. Me too! My email looks professional. Don't have a website yet with an email attached to it? That's not a problem. Use your name. Simple as that. I want to know I am talking to a real person, not some computer generated advertising id. And this is one safe way that your email won't end up in the spam folder automatically.
e.g. sam.smith@hotmail/live/gmail.com
Example 2: bla bla bla CHEERS!
This is all about manners. Always end your email with KIND REGARDS, *YOUR NAME*.We are not mates. That recruiter is not your friend. The employer who you've just sent an email asking for an internship opportunity - not your friend either. Be respectful.
Example 3: U no man id luv it u wud let meh asist ye.
My eyes are bleeding right now. That tiny voice inside your head who reads this is screaming right now! English is an easy language and there's always auto-correct if you miss a letter or two. But the example I've just showed is awful and just shows that you and school don't have much in common, therefore you hate learning things, therefore I can't teach you much.
Example 3: Cheers, Jo!
Who? Who did just send me this? Are we friends? How do I get in touch with this person?
Think about this: You apply for a job. The job application goes to a recruiter. If the recruiter likes it and finds it relevant, the recruiter will send it to the employer. So you need to make it super easy for the recruiter to reach the information needed.
So in your footer of your email you MUST add the following:Kind Regards,
Sam Smith
Freelance Photographer/Retoucher/Singer/Painter/Model/Makeup Artist
03757 5969 358
www.samsmith.com
www.instagram.com/samsmith
www.twitter.com/samsmith
www.linkedin.com/samsmith
www/facebook.com/pages/samsmith
I can relate sooooo much with this example! I contact models or make-up artists and I basically have to get the information with a fork out of some people. First the email, than the number. Love, I am not trying to pick you up! Want to work with me? Well how do I know with who I am talking? Give me your number, show me options to see your work and to connect with you! The first thing you need to do when contacting someone on Purpleport or ModelMayhem or whatever you use is to give your contact details. Each first messages should have that. Maybe I don't check my message often or maybe I like calling better than emails.
95% of the time I am on my iPhone checking my mail. It's so much easier for me to click on a link than to download your CV and find your number in a maze.
- SOCIAL MEDIA
I've always loved people who enjoy learning new things. But don't think for one second that if you've finished any form of education, your study days are over. Keep updated with technology, with trends, with colours and patterns, and SOCIAL MEDIA.
Example 1:
a. Ah, you know, I don't have an Instagram account.
b. Well then like my Facebook page so that you can see my updated work.
a. Yeah, well, I don't use Facebook that much. And I don't know what to tweet about.
WHAT?! What year is it?! Look, I get it. My nana is old, 85 this year bless her, and she can't really understand how Twitter works. But you have no excuse. None. You are a creative person, whatever that means (photographer, model, make-up artist etc.). You can't get work through traditional means. Well, you can, but not as fast as the free publicity you get online. Which gets me to example no.2:
Example 2: facebook.com/prettypics4ever
twitter.com/smithphoto
instagram.com/poshkitty93
samsmith.com
This to me sounds like someone has multiple personality disorder. Now that you've made the big step to be a freelancer or self-employed or you just want a job in the field of your art, you are a brand. And you need to sell yourself as a brand. Choose a name people can remember and create an account on each platform so that the name is taken now.
You don't need to use all of them. For example, I can't tweet much as I like talking and writing a lot (doh!), but I do it every now and then. You need to find a medium which suits you best and create your fan base there.
I am sharing another secret here: I like Googling people I choose to work with. If you have so many names online and I can't find you, I assume you don't exist. You are not a professional, you are not a creative and I don't want to be associated with you.
I wish you good luck and I hope you've improved a bit after reading this.
<3 Thank you for sharing this, hate that I'm so guilty of some of these! Better step my game up!! xo
ReplyDeleteHahaa Dora, better late than never! It's the small things that don't get you the job you want. Good luck xx
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