Hi All,
I had created a Blog post on this subject but thought it also a
good idea to create a fixed page. With all aspects of social
marketing and the apparent fascination that folks have with it the
true potential of using the full feature set goes far beyond
sending out profile updates filled with LOL's and Smileys.
The implications it has for the distribution of imagery are
limitless. Its for this that I've created this page. To show some
of our members who may not be aware as to how this all works. With
imagery, whether still or video, once uploaded the majority of
folks share it with the members here and that's it. By making a
comment on the image an auto generated 'Event' is posted on the
recent activity time line of the site and people can react to that
if they so wish. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Let's take an image, any image. OK this one from Wolfgang Leander
posted recently to iDive Sharks. A fantastic image that shows shark
photographer Paul Spielvogel in the company of 'Julia' a star
attraction Giant Hammerhead at the Tiger Beach dive location in the
Bahamas.
OK, so once you've uploaded your image and want to check that its
fine, maybe even rank it by clicking on the set of stars you see at
the lower left of the image (hint). From there you're just a step
away from sending this image viral. You can see the two red arrows
pointing out the Share and Twitter link buttons? These are
potentially the biggest asset for any photographer submitting
imagery to the MiDive Network sites, but unfortunately they are
also the least used!
Lets take the Share button for example. By accessing that you have
before you the option to send the image to any one, or all, of the
top six social networking platforms of which you may have a
presence. The most widespread and obvious is to your facebook page.
OK, so by selecting the facebook option, a dialog box opens:
Once you select your facebook option a further dialog box opens
which is the standard facebook share item dialog box. So as with
anything on facebook that wants to post direct to your profile page
you will have to Allow Access to the iDive Sharks sharing option
when prompted. You will only be asked this once for the duration of
your membership. Once completed its simple, painless and FUN to
share yours and your friends work to your facebook page.
The result of your sharing this will then appear as a profile
update on your facebook page in the way we are all used to seeing:
Another, and incredibly powerful social platform which is currently
taking the World by storm is Twitter. Over the past week I've been
tweeting away using the Twitter link found next to the Share button
we have just discussed. It was only about three weeks ago that this
feature became available to the network. It is an amazingly
powerful feature when implemented.
By clicking on the Twitter link text you will be asked to allow
access to your Twitter account, if you wish to use and exploit this
feature you will have to confirm this access. Again this is a quick
and simple click of two mouse clicks. Once completed by then
accessing this link text you will see the appearance of a dialog
box in which you compose your 'Tweet'. The URL as you can see has
already been shortened so just place your cursor to the left of the
double dots and tweet away. The counter will count down your
available characters until you reach the Tweet limit of 140.
By filling up the Tweet dialog box with as much info as possible,
or leave it cryptic to generate curiosity and then simply send it
on its way. This will then pretty much instantly appear on your
Tweet count. Taking your image to the computers of millions of
potential viewers. The good thing with tweeting about your work
from the network here is that there is not just the auto generated
back link but the appearance of the name of the iDive Sharks
network in the fine print underneath the announcement. Here's the
resulting Tweet that I sent out on this image:
Over the past two weeks I've been busy setting up all of the social
network links and feeds. By 'Tweeting' and sharing all manner of
the networks aspects, wherever you see the symbols and links you
can send out these powerful announcements to the world. This is
where the true power of social networking can be seen.
Imagine if you like a group of five members here who are friends
and photographers all. Not all of them are going to have 100% the
same social circles as each other on places like facebook etc. So,
they decide that they will each tweet and share their buddies
imagery, now just imagine the number of people who would then get
to witness and appreciate that image, blog post, video or profile
page? Viral is the word that springs to mind. So this really is the
way to go if you want to really get your imagery out there.
For all photographers looking to take advantage of these features,
I cannot reiterate enough the suggestion that you protect your
imagery with watermarks and, or, at least the appearance of your
named credit.
Cheers,
Admin
MiDive Networks.
