It seems to me that I am constantly thinking about methods of monetization for photoblogs and something struck me this afternoon. How about introducing a “subscribers” a.k.a “true fans” section to your existing photoblog? This type of thing has existed for ages in other parts of the web so why doesn’t something similar exist in the photoblog world? Here’s what I am thinking – you create a members only section of your photoblog where you provide subscribers with extra-value in exchange for a small bit of information about who they are, and what they like to look at.
Some ideas for add-ons might include,
Discounts on prints
Nothing helps to move product like a discount. Maybe a monetary incentive could be just what your work needs to get it introduced into the marketplace.
Limited print editions
Make ‘em feel special, this print edition is made available only to my fans, etc.
What I am really talking about here is the introduction of permission marketing to your photoblog. Build a deeper picture of who’s coming to your photoblog and what they are most interested in all while getting their permission to keep them in the information loop when it comes to whats happening on your site and with your photography. I think that many photographers who build their own photoblog have a “build it and he will come” attitude and that simply just dosen’t cut it anymore.
Anyone have any thoughts?
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1 response so far ↓
Hi Brett,
First of all, I’d like to differentiate between this blog and photoblogs. I think yours is a business venture, meant to be monetized. No problem with that at all. But the basic assertion of your last few posts seem to be that people (amateurs) need to quit spinning their wheels and monetize their photoblogs. So, I’d like to assert that the two are altogether different vehicles.
First off, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making money from your art. The opposite is true. A craftsperson making images for sale is a great thing, and a photoblog could have a link to print fulfillment, or an Etsy storefront (or the like) because if a viewer wants a print or product, it’s certainly a win-win for both parties. But the term “craftsperson” rather than “professional photographer” represents a mighty (and highly underestimated) difference between the two activities. And while there are some amateurs that may possess the photographic skill of some working professionals, there are a myriad of other business skills that a professional applies first before a great image can fall out the other end. And, like any successful business, it requires a sustained effort for the long, long haul. Ads on a photoblog, given the amateur nature of the whole genre, just seem awfully presumptuous. That’s not a fact, obviously, just my opinion. But…
If an amateur desires to make money via photography and not just post for personal enjoyment, then the advice should be to go “all the way” and involve themselves with ALL the websites that are available for self-promotion. Monetization really is a euphemism for “going pro,” so they should also make a corresponding professional website of their own, with the photoblog being just another link and avenue of self-promotion; that’s the MO applied on the web sites of almost EVERY professional photographer. The daily maintenance of these various integrated self-promotion vehicles will take a heroic effort on the part of most, who have day jobs, significant others, and a host of life distractions with which to grapple, but that’s what dabbling in getting people to pay you for what you offer is all about.
Then, when the torrents of money start pouring in from all these efforts, those same folks need to be aware of the implications of receiving money for their prints. Even one print is income, you know. The purchase won’t come as cash. PayPal? Same difference. So, they’ll need to set up some sort of account in which to keep the receipts, because the tax man will want a share, and the setting up an LLC will probably make sense at some early date. There are a few websites that will handle all this for you. They are relatively expensive. You’ll have to do a lot of volume to justify the expense. Or, you could save the expense and print yourself: quality printer, paper, multiple ink cartridge replenishment, protected mailing materials and pouches, (international) postage, trips to the post office or courier, damages, disputes, returns, rejects, refunds, time, energy, effort.
Profit? Monetization? Hmm. Not the sort of motivation or set of goals that drives most photobloggers, do you think? What, then?
Well, most photoblogs are simply amateurs wanting to put the results of their photographic efforts (the good, the bad, the ugly…a lot of ugly) out into the public–for family, friends, coworkers and, yes, even for strangers to see. That’s it. Vanity plates of the internet. Heady stuff, perhaps, when clicking that “post” button and knowing your image is now in worldwide, public view. But, I venture to say there are no corresponding, idle dreams of being a rock-star with minions that go along with it.
So, while I’m wholeheartedly for having many, many more web vehicles to promote individual photoblogs, I’m really against the direct commercialization of them individually. In fact, I immediately quit visiting any on which I find advertising. I’m likewise turned-off by those containing the occasional “vote for me” banners, as well.
Also, consider for a moment the dynamic: I’m a photoblogger being visited by other photobloggers…my equals; peers. perhaps someone enjoys my work and I enjoy back that they did. I also enjoy sharing, and that includes sharing any expertise I may possess with anyone who emails me. It’s easy; that kind of one-to-one correspondence and conversation is the main reason why I started blogging in the first place. That of making friends around the world, and the discussions and relationships that ensue as a result of my photoblog.
But, setting myself up as a guru to which people subscribe…well, that’s certainly a stretch. At least to me.
Now, I’m not assuming you’re in opposition to this position, but because of the frequent issues you pose surrounding monetization, I wanted to offer an alternate viewpoint and make it clear to others reading that there are legions of photobloggers who are doing this for fun and NOT for profit, and that you don’t have to feel bad or somehow slacking-off if you don’t aspire to the heights to which some other “professional” photobloggers have taken theirs.
I really enjoy your ongoing efforts and believe you are providing a really valuable service to photobloggers here by raising a number of issues and basically promoting the entire genre. I think a blog about photoblogs is a great idea. I hope you keep it up.
Peace and cheers!