50+ Photo-Sharing Tips For Traffic and Against Theft

Do you think your photos (artwork, videos, etc.) are good enough to sell? If so, you might wonder about issues such as privacy, theft and the best SEO practices for sharing your photographs. In this article, Linda shares tips that anyone can use to bring attention to a site and to a graphic design or photography business. At the same time, she shares tips that can help protect you and your photos from theft, privacy concerns and more.

SEO

Note: If you are sharing videos, consider an abstract or transcription of that video to help increase viewers. This type of description also makes search engines take note.

1.If you use an online gallery, be sure to optimize your visibility by filling out your profile.

2.If that online gallery allows a vanity URL, be sure to use it (http://www.flickr.com/photos/AnnSmith/).

3.Understand an online gallery's algorithm, or how they rank photographs. Usually, they use a title, description, tags, rating and number of views. See if you can take charge of any one of those factors to increase viewer numbers.

4.Add tags or keywords and key phrases to your photo caption and to its description for search engine happiness. Use Google Adwords to find descriptive words or phrases (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal)

5.Don't be shy – add links back to your primary Web site in an obvious place. If possible, share your URL with every picture's description.

6.Join groups that share your interests and share your best photographs with that group.

7.Comment on other photos, as this participation can increase your viewers.

8.When you post a 'portfolio' of photographs or even one photograph on a gallery, point to it with a blog post on your own site. Use similar keywords and keyword phrases in your description, tags, etc. on your blog.

9.Use social bookmarking to share your photographs. If this is not possible with an online gallery, bookmark your own blog post when you point to that photograph or portfolio.

10.Use the power of numbers – don't limit yourself to one online gallery unless a gallery asks for exclusive rights (if they ask for exclusive rights, then you have sold your work with full rights, or they are ripping you off or your work has become too valuable to share).

Gallery Etiquette

1.While constructive criticism is great in classroom situations, it may not work on gallery sites. Be kind yet smart with your statements ("that colour contrast between the purple sky and orange flowers is perfect!") so you can build a reputation of being kind and smart.

2.On the other hand, if you want a snarky reputation, go for it. But, usually this type of personality must have a spotless reputation with photographic skills.

3.To add to the above, some of the greatest photographers are not pompous nor mean-spirited. So, by being critical and anti-social, you may be called on it eventually by someone who either is much smarter than you or more talented.

4.It is perfectly acceptable for you to comment on your own work. Do not be self-deprecating, but don't be a braggart. This is good practice to look at your work objectively and to comment with positive constructive criticism.

5.If the gallery is a sharing site, don't practice salesmanship. Instead, use that URL option to point people to your site or to a site where you've posted photos for sale.

6.Be patient and consistent. As much as someone might like a photo, they may want to get to know you and trust you a bit more before they buy. Point to a resume or other photo sites when possible so folks know that your work is available in more than one place and that you're not a one-shot deal.