How do you market your photography business without breaking the bank? When you turned your passion for photography into a career, mastering marketing was probably not at the top of your list. But waiting around for clients to discover you isn't a viable strategy. You have to become adept at marketing and promoting yourself. 

The good news is marketing doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are three affordable ways to market your photography business.

1. Start by creating a professional blog.

How blogging boosts your business 

First, your blog is where people go to browse your work and learn more about you. Creating a blog and updating it regularly shows potential clients that you a) are actively working, b) have a dashing personality, and c) are dedicated to your work. 

Second, optimizing your blog for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can help you rank higher in Google search results (did you know 75% of people don’t go past the first page of results?). Businesses that blog get 55% more website visitors than businesses that don’t, so it’s worth your while. 

Plus, there’s more than one way to use your blog as a marketing tool (more on that in a minute). 

The easy way to blog

We know you didn’t start a photography business to sit at a computer all day. We created Narrative Publish to make it easy for you to produce image-heavy blog posts that stand out from the crowd.

Once you edit your images in Lightroom, you can build a blog post in Publish in minutes. Your images are compressed and resized so that your posts load at lightning speed to your website. Plus, they are enhanced for mobile, making for a pleasant viewing experience no matter the device.

When you use Publish, the beautiful stories you build will be optimized for SEO. By crafting your content and using relevant keywords, you can improve your ranking on Google search results, increasing visibility and attracting more clients. We couldn’t make it easier. 

Try Narrative Publish for free.

1. Turn blogs into video content.

Why YouTube is your new best friend 

By posting videos to YouTube, you can enhance your rank with Google by doubling down on SEO while positioning yourself as an expert.

YouTube has its own internal search system and is owned by Google. So when you optimize for YouTube SEO, your video not only ranks higher within the site’s search engine, it ranks higher in Google Search. Check out 21 tips to rank higher on YouTube to learn how to use keywords in your video title, description, and tags to rank higher. 

Repurpose your blogs

You know all those blogs you created in step one? Turn them into videos targeted at your clients. For instance, create a video giving potential clients tips on how to get the best wedding photos, how to prepare for a photo shoot, or how to choose the photographer that’s right for them.

You could market your videos as digital courses to make some extra income. Even if people work with other photographers, your expertise is still valuable. 

Already making TikTok or Instagram reels? Get ‘em on YouTube to widen your reach. The more content you have, the higher you will rank. 

1. Put your images in the spotlight.

Get published for social proof

Being featured in reputable publications gives you social proof and gets your work in front of a broader audience of potential clients. 

You can answer calls for submission or submit unsolicited. Either way, check the publication’s guidelines and tailor your pitch to them. Verify that you will be credited for your work, and ask to link to your website. 

How to start pitching

Make a list of online publications to reach out to and put it on your task list to pitch one a week. Send a concise email pitch with 3-4 of your best images, and include a link to your online portfolio (now, aren’t you glad you created all those blog posts?) Include a personal note - remember, there is another human at the other end of your email - such as an anecdote about the shoot or a bit about your personal story. 

Publications love images that tell a story. Choose images that portray an emotional moment and add a human touch, making the viewer feel like they were there.

Once featured, you can repurpose this achievement into a blog post, a YouTube video, and several social media posts to keep the marketing wheel turning.

Takeaway: Affordable Strategies for Real Results

Marketing your photography business doesn't have to break the bank. By investing your time and skills into creating a professional blog, leveraging YouTube, and seeking out publicity through online publications, you are making yourself known for who you are and your unique style. People relate to people, so put your best self out there. 

These cost-effective strategies don't just elevate your business; they solidify your standing as a reliable photography expert. If you’re ready for more marketing tips, we created a checklist of 10 fundamental photography marketing tasks that you can continually refine to keep growing your business. 

Ready to pump out some blogs? Try out Narrative Publish for free.