Obviously every photographer wants to get as many likes on their facebook page as they can, I mean who wouldn’t? But sometimes in the struggle to ‘promote’ or ‘spread the word’ about your page you could actually be doing some rude things. This is a hard topic to talk about because everyone’s views are different on this subject but I thought putting together a little guide to go by might help some photographers think before they post on others walls. Last I would like to say this is for photographers business pages on Facebook. As far as Lemonade and Lenses we LOVE to hear from you guys and pretty much anything photographer related is accepted on our page!! That’s why we created our page for photographer to share, talk and learn. So these guidelines should be used when visiting a photographers business page.
Everyone of us has seen a post like this. (see image below). Yes I used my own facebook page and Gina’s for this demo. The post below is actually an example of a not okay message to post on someone personal business wall. Yes you are just trying to spread the word of ‘YOUR’ business page but the page you are posting on is ‘THEIR’ business page and was created for that photographer to promote themselves and interact with their clients. Not for you to promote your page. This kind of post makes it seem like the only reason you went to their page was to tag yours to get more likes and if you think about it a little it’s kinda rude.
Personally I think it is okay to post something like this. (See image below.) I love interacting and networking with other photographer and don’t mind seeing something nice posted with your business page. This way your not obviously promoting your business, your just leaving a nice comment for a photographer you like. This again is my opinion on this and other may not like any photographers posting on their wall with their business page. If your ever in doubt and still want to say something nice just use your personal page.
Now what about commenting? I think as long as you go with the advise above, and don’t link yourself intentionally, then commenting with your business page is okay. Again this is my view on it and may not be the case for others and again if you are in doubt just comment with your personal page.
The same thing goes for commenting on images. I actually don’t know anyone who doesn’t like photographer commenting on their images..jpg)
Last I would like to point out multiple page tagging. (See image below). When you tag multiple pages like below your post shows up on all those peoples pages. Just think about who you are tagging before you do this. I was recently made aware that someone did this for multiple pages that sell the same thing. So stores that are considered competition to that person are now being directly linked on the persons wall. See where this is going?? Just think before you do something like that.
Please feel free to share in the comments what you think about this topic… and please lets be nice about it.
Kate - This is such a great post. I always feel scared to write posts like this on how I’ve learned what is or isn’t proper etiquette so admire you for doing so and I wholeheartedly agree with everything you wrote too! Bravo! ……<>
Catey - I’m always nervous about offending someone so I always use my personal page to leave comments/love on other photographer’s pages. I don’t mind other photographers posting on my page as their business page but it does rub my wrong when they tag their page. Just me though.
Jeanette Rowley - Thanks for this!
I’m always nervous about posting on other photographers walls, even if it doesn’t have a link back to me!
terri - I would like to bring up another “bad etiquette” thing to do. I recently posted a picture of a floppy disk on my business page (it was going around Facebook the other day) to make the point to my client fans and potential fans that I love for them to get prints as well…because of the potential for CDs to be obsolete in a few years. Well, another photog in my area commented negatively about what I had posted…she runs her business platform on high rez CDs. I thought it was rude of her to do that on my business page where I ought to be able to market to my clients the way I want without having to defend myself for how I run my business. So, the point is, be mindful that you are commenting on an extension of someone’s business platform and you should not challenge them on how they do things. She could have put her point of view on her own page, not mine! Sorry this turned out to be so long. :)
lemonade and lenses - That is another good point Terri! Thanks for sharing.
Brooke Bikneris - Wonderful points! Here is one I had the other day – the other photographers comment was along the lines that she liked my page, and I needed to make sure to go like her page. I found that really rude. The way it was worded was very forceful. And not only that, but all my clients get to see it. For one, she linked her photography business page, two, she made it seem like I was so adle brained and such a slacker, or greedy (it was silent tagging) that I needed to be called out/ guilted to like hers. I had already liked her page. Needless to say, comment hid.
Michael - Very new to the world of Facebook, and this post is so helpful. You’ve made some great points on networking amongst photographers, and I look forward to dong it the “polite” way. :) Thanks for sharing!!
caitlin elizabeth - this is SUCH a necessary post in today’s facebook-saturated world – great job!!
Marla - I agree with everything u said! There r “right ways” and wrong ways to do things on fb; especially as a business owner. I absolutely love getting other photog comments and try to give them but no soliciting is involved when I post. That’s just sleezy. Thx for clarifying everything the way you did!
Wini Ray, MEd - I didn’t know it was so involved! Good to know. I’m hoping I didn’t do anything innapropriate by commenting on photos done by friends of mine who also happen to be professionals. Hope not.
Trae - Wow, so much insight into what is rude. I really do my best to be as kind and considerate as possible. I use my personal page, and always comment on the photogs work, what I admire about them. – but then I tag my page at the end of the comment, so they can find me if they’d like.(I only do this on pages that are participating in ‘silent tagging’ or on pages that I really admire.
Is that considered rude? Or should I comment with my business page instead of my personal page. What do you all think? Is one more inoffensive than the other? I just want to be polite and follow the ‘unwritten rule’