The best blog ideas come from your activities.

I subscribe to a lot of blogs.  I try to keep up on the news from company blogs such as Canon, Flickr and Google, and tech blogs like Mashable and TechCrunch. Photography news, business and trends are also at the top of my list, especially when new technology or updates are announced.

This blog will never be about being the first to publish.  I have better things to do.

I find my best blog posts come from my experiences photographing and marketing The Rosh Group and Synectics Media. Working with clients, while using the tools I’ve written about on this blog, has been helpful for developing new ideas.

I sincerely don’t have the desire to read or write another post about why social media is good for your business, or the top 10 uses for Twitter, or how to photograph a sunset, or why they don’t get it.

The Web is saturated with basic information.  If I’m to rise above the noise, I need to develop and share new ideas.  If you are going to make your mark with a blog, you need to write about things people haven’t thought about yet.

There’s pandemonium in the photography, technology and social media worlds. Survival requires ingenuity and thinking beyond the basics.

No, it’s not easy. That is why few survive.

We need to think beyond the obvious. We must force our minds, cameras and computers to do things we never thought of before.  Make note of your experiences and share them with the world.

Following the deafening silence from the Internet community and calls that last year’s hyped platform is dead, Google is working to improve its beta version of Wave.

It’s no secret that I’m a Wave fan.  I’m also realistic.  Google has to make  many improvements. Here are some of the developments:

As I’ve recommended,  it is important to keep up with new activity on your Waves. One solution is to install a browser plug-in. I’m using the Firefox plug-in for Wave.

Hyped as the e-mail killer, Google Wave is now using e-mail to keep users up-to-date with their accounts. To add e-mail notifications, look for the settings next to the inbox icon. I believe this is a smart move and should benefit all users.

In January, Google also added a read-only function to Wave. Previously, all Waves had read and write functions, which allowed people to make changes to any Wave to which they had access.  This is part of the appeal of Wave. When you make a Wave public, however, this can lead to problems. Another nice feature:  click on the individual members of a Wave to adjust their access.

Google also improved the history function by creating a restore option.  Not only can you view the history of a Wave, but also you can restart the Wave at a previous point in its history.

The Google team says it plans on adding a reply only option too.  This would allow users to add and adjust their comments without affecting the rest of the Wave. (I think that concept is also called a blog.)

I like Google’s improvements. Although speed is still an issue, it seems to be getting a little better.  If you have not tried Google Wave,  give it a shot.  Collaborate on a project. Plan an event with friends or family.  Share information with the Wave community or plan a photo shoot with other people.  The uses are endless once you understand the basic concept of this collaborative tool.

Rosh

Click on these links for some interesting information:

Matt Cutts shares how you can adjust the code in your embedded YouTube videos to start at any point in the timeline. http://su.pr/1ucMjE

Aaron at Socialphototalk.com warns his readers: Please Don’t Use HootSuite; Ow.ly is Dangerous http://bit.ly/at5Ju4

Google recently acquired Picnik, a popular online photo editor.  It is the same one integrated into Flickr. Flickr is owned by Yahoo. For more information, go to Google’s blog at  http://su.pr/2Jwp19.

Learn more about search refinement, related to location, from Google at http://su.pr/1HF5PK.

Read Jack Hollingsworth’s touching post, I am husband. http://su.pr/2aLcEI.

Mitch Joel has an interesting post and video, Print is not dead, on his blog.

You can’t go wrong following the wisdom of Seth Godin:  Try different.

This week Rosh talks about whatever comes to mind.  No agenda.

• New Media Photographer: A photographer who publishes to the web.
• Time: 30:00
• Podcast hosted by Rosh Sillars
• This podcast is about new media, social media and digital marketing for the photographer.
• Topics on this week’s show: Tumblr, iPad,  Apple and cookie cutter apps from Tech Crunch, Facebook, Jay Kinghorn HTML 5 and Flash, Where are people going to view your Web site in the future. using Wordpress.org for my Web site, Seth Godin Linchpin.

• Podcast network commercials from Dave Warner Lensflare35 and Jim Goldstein EXIF and beyond
• Photography news by Trevor Current: Currentphotographer.com , twitter – @trevor current.
• Photography news Links:

New media photographer comment line link love: none this week

• Become a fan on Facebook
• New Media Photographer Twitter @newmediaphoto
• Tumblr.com New Media Photographer
• Friendfeed – New Media Photographer
• Itunes New Media Photographer subscription
• Comment line 206 202 3568
• Email New Media Photographer
• New Media Photographer
• Rosh Sillars Photography Portfolios
• The Rosh Group, Inc.
• Prosperous Artists
• The Driven Business
• Tags: new media, digital media, social media, photography, photographer, photography marketing, business of photography.
• Do  you have a recommendation for the new media photographer award?
• e-mail

 

 New Media Photographer Podcast 91 [30:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

People often ask me if I see value in having a Facebook fan page. It seems as though you start a fan page for yourself, your product or service, collect your fans, and then never hear from them again.  So, what’s the point?

Here’s the answer: Fans don’t have to come back. Once someone becomes a fan of your page,  your messages are automatically posted on their new feed.

What if someone blocks your page?  This is a real concern, but less likely to happen if you avoid abusing the privilege of posting information, thoughts and ideas on other people’s personal pages.

You need to think of every post as an e-mail. If you start chatting, posting uninteresting information not related to your fans’ interests, or spammy hard-sell pitches, they have every right to block you. Everything you post represents your fans, too.

You will find the more you post interesting, useful information, the more fans you will earn. Keep your fans’ interests at heart and your page will be a winner.

Note: updated 3/4/2010 – made an error on how a fan page is posted.

This week Rosh talks about this last day at BNI and the new book.

• New Media Photographer: A photographer who publishes to the web.
• Time: 30:00
• Podcast hosted by Rosh Sillars
• This podcast is about new media, social media and digital marketing for the photographer.
• Topics on this week’s show:  www.socialmention.com , http://www.go2web20.net

• Podcast network commercials from Dave Warner Lensflare35 and Jim Goldstein EXIF and beyond
• Photography news by Trevor Current: Currentphotographer.com , twitter – @trevor current.
• Photography news Links:

1. Sony’s New DSC-H55 and DSC-TX5 Cyber-Shot Cameras
2. Pentax Optio W90; Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof and Dustproof
3. Pentax X90 Megazoom Digital Camera
4. The Essentials from Trek-Tech
5. SanDisk Announced Their 64GB Ultra SDXC Memory Card
6. Epson Wins Four 2010 “Hot One” Awards
7. The Lynda.com iPhone App

New media photographer comment line link love: none this week

• Become a fan on Facebook
• New Media Photographer Twitter @newmediaphoto
• Tumblr.com New Media Photographer
• Friendfeed – New Media Photographer
• Itunes New Media Photographer subscription
• Comment line 206 202 3568
• Email New Media Photographer
• New Media Photographer
• Rosh Sillars Photography Portfolios
• The Rosh Group, Inc.
• Prosperous Artists
• The Driven Business
• Tags: new media, digital media, social media, photography, photographer, photography marketing, business of photography.
• Do  you have a recommendation for the new media photographer award?
• e-mail

 

 New Media Photographer Podcast 90 [30:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Thursday was my last day as a member of  the  Royal Oak, Mich., chapter of Business Network International (BNI). I’ve been member of this chapter and a major supporter of the networking organization since 1996.

I started going to BNI meetings the same year I transformed my photography company into a creative representation firm.  BNI has played a role in attracting to my company some of the biggest jobs, clients and opportunities. Due to my travel schedule and focus outside of my home town I decide relinquish my seat.

The business of photography has changed. I’ve changed, too.  I’m still a photographer with a studio in Ferndale, Mich. But the economic slowdown in Detroit and major shifts in the photography industry have forced me to look outside of this market for new opportunities.  Social media has played a big part in the development and success of my efforts.

Why BNI?

BNI has taught me how to focus on my business message and how to network using that message.  Without BNI’s influence I may not have had the perspective and skills necessary to develop the social media community I enjoy today.

Givers gain is the foundation of BNI.  As I continue to focus my attention and business outside my local community, I’ve found it harder to be a member. I’ve not been networking locally. I’m not getting referrals for my fellow chapter members.  As valuable as my seat is, I realized it is time to give someone else a chance.

I hope another photographer fills my position soon. Only one person from each occupational specialty is allowed to fill the valuable seats in each BNI chapter.  If that person is you, please remember that offline networking is like online networking: The more you give, help others and participate, the more you will get back.

Some people don’t believe in BNI. Like social networking groups, each chapter has a different personality. If you participate in an online forum that doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean all forums are bad. Many are good places to educate, learn, and meet new people.

I’ve collected many good memories in the 15 years I participated in BNI. I’ve made friends and earned clients through the efforts of my fellow members.  I’m not leaving because of social media.  It’s still important to network offline  in order to build business relationships.

I’m writing this post to thank everyone at BNI who has supported my career. Since the first days of The Rosh Group Inc., I’ve never had to wonder where to find a trustworthy accountant, mortgage broker, attorney or plumber. Conversely, I  had a team of people, educated by me, looking every day for photography leads for my business.

I cannot fully express my gratitude toward by BNI team members for all the big and little things they’ve done for me.  They’ve all made me a smarter business owner and a better person.

I leave grateful for my experience and excited for my future. For now, I’m going to do something that I’ve rarely done in the last fourteen years — sleep in on a Thursday morning.

Rosh

I had a project estimate presentation with a large client.  We had a long list of topics and services to discuss.  One of the services was search engine optimization (SEO).

I was asked to justify the price tag for SEO.  I explained what we do, the actions, research and management of each page.  Although my response was accepted by the client,  I felt my answer was incomplete.  It was the wrong answer.

SEO is a valuable service.  Much of my photography work comes from people finding my portfolio through the search engines.  SEO works.  In fact, this company originally found our Web site because of our SEO efforts.

So what was wrong with my answer? I focused on what our company does — what some might call the features. No one really cares about feature details, only how the features will benefit them.

The client only needed to know one thing: Better search engine placement will help them make more money.

SEO is a good investment. The client most likely will earn back more than they paid for the service. I know it. I’ve experienced it.  The future of most companies hinges on being highly visible on the Internet.

The same principle holds true for your photography.  Your work is valuable.  When someone asks you  to justify your price, make sure you have a good answer. Here are a few examples:

• “My photography will help you sell more products.”
• “You are losing money with the poor photography on your Web site.”
• “I will make you look beautiful.
• My vision, style and passion will capture the memories of  the most important day of your life.”

People don’t care how you’re going to do it. They just need the justification to spend money on the amazing results you will provide.

Rosh

This week Rosh talks about new technology and his blog posts from the past week.

• New Media Photographer: A photographer who publishes to the web.
• Time: 30:00
• Podcast hosted by Rosh Sillars
• This podcast is about new media, social media and digital marketing for the photographer.
• Topics on this week’s show: Instapaper, wave, Evernote, Buzzom, Google Buzz, Picscout, squareup.com, Google shopper, Google Goggles Translate via Mashable, Tineye, programs do remove your meta data, Photoshop is 20 years old, Google Adwords for photographers, The magic of compound blogging.
• Podcast network commercials from Dave Warner Lensflare35 and Jim Goldstein EXIF and beyond
• Photography news by Trevor Current: Currentphotographer.com , twitter – @trevor current.
• Photography news Links:

1. Samsung High-Speed TL350 Digital Came

2. Samsung High-End TL500 Compact Digital Camera

3. Samsung’s Waterproof AQ100 and Durable SL605

4. Samsung Announced 5 New NX System Lenses

5. Samsung’s HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 Pocket-Sized Camcorders

6. Adobe Photoshop Turns 20!

7. Joby’s New Gorillapod Magnetic and Ballhead X

8. PicScout and PhotoShelter Partner to Help Sell and Protect Your Images

New media photographer comment line link love: none this week

• Become a fan on Facebook
• New Media Photographer Twitter @newmediaphoto
• Tumblr.com New Media Photographer
• Friendfeed – New Media Photographer
• Itunes New Media Photographer subscription
• Comment line 206 202 3568
• Email New Media Photographer
• New Media Photographer
• Rosh Sillars Photography Portfolios
• The Rosh Group, Inc.
• Prosperous Artists
• The Driven Business
• Tags: new media, digital media, social media, photography, photographer, photography marketing, business of photography.
• Do  you have a recommendation for the new media photographer award?
• e-mail

 

 New Media Photographer Podcast 89 [30:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Your first days of blogging, podcasting or video casting are lonely ones. No one is reading, listening or watching. The good news is over time people will discover your work through searches and your social media activity.

Early days and efforts will attract a few followers. But, the magic of compound blogging will earn a larger following over time.

When I speak to groups, I often use the example of two early photo posts to my personal blog. The first post was of a Britney Spears picture I had taken a few years earlier; the second was taken at Cake Nouveau, small Ann Arbor, Michigan, cake shop. Britney’s image earned me the highest-ever  traffic day of my early blogging. Unfortunately, by the next day my post was lost in all the Internet  noise surrounding the pop singer.

Later I posted the images from Cake Nouveau. It wasn’t the big splash I had with Britney, but I started to earn regular referrals from people looking for more information about the cake shop. In some cases, it was competitors and food industry people.

Each post and accompanying key words give the Internet search engines another layer of opportunity for people to find you. Eventually the traffic earned is compounded and becomes a continuous stream.

The more you post, the faster the interest builds. Bloggers come and go. If you are consistent, offer valuable, unique content and hold the course, you will find yourself among the top of your niche.

Don’t give up. Time is your friend.