Client asking permission to post pics on facebook?

[bwtmom]

I've had this request a few times and I've been telling people it is not my practice at this time to send them pics so they can post of facebook or whatever. Just kind of rethinking this and curious what other photographers do.

Thanks so much,
Bridget

[BellaVida]

Definitely do it. Your clients probably have between 100-200 friends on facebook.. all of which could be potential clients. Can you say free marketing!?!? Do low-res and watermarked, but not obnoxiously so.

[stathunter]

Are you on facebook? I find clients are more concerned with seeing Facebook pics vs emailed pics - when I facebook I use a small size picture and put my email on it and let my clients share with anyone - it has gained business for me -

[sevillafox]

I usually put a preview up on FB...tag the client.

And, I also post and tag them in all ordered images.

Watermarked of course with the clear understanding that they do NOT remove the watermark.'

HUGE WOM especially with seniors!

[SwitchBlade]

I'm looking at including a CD with 640x480-ish images suitable for people to post on facebook(etc) with all packages. It's advertising for you and could get you bookings from their friends who see them there.

[sevillafox]

Originally Posted by SwitchBlade

I'm looking at including a CD with 640x480-ish images suitable for people to post on facebook(etc) with all packages. It's advertising for you and could get you bookings from their friends who see them there.

That's a good idea too....but just include the ones they order and your person faves. Don't give them all the pics from their session.

[SwitchBlade]

The intention is that it will be dual purpose as a disc of proofs (so only the images that pass my QC) and enable them to share images with friends via social-networking sites. I don't see why some people give all the images as you can't pp them all and you'll get plenty of closed eye/near miss photos that duplicate the good ones.

[sevillafox]

Ah, but see.....if you give them ALL then you run the risk of losing out on selling a print. There are some pics that people just want to have for themselves...just one copy so they can remember it...the picture of their kid screaming or something like that.


If you give them all the images on CD they have no reason to order that image in print because they already have it. They just wanted to have it to look at from time to time and you've given them a way to do that.

But, if you only give ordered images in the small digital size, then they have to order a print to get to keep that particular goofy image they just want to have.

[SwitchBlade]

Can't see anyone wanting to keep a 640x480 image over getting a print or paying for a higher res image, it's not even good enough for setting as a background on a PC.

[tracknut]

I sell plenty of 640x480 images, specifically for folks to email around to friends, post of FB, or whatever. Once they buy them, sure, they can do whatever they want with them, and I'm sure some print them too.

DAVe

[SwitchBlade]

So you charge by the image? Didn't think of that.

[tracknut]

Yes, but it could be a different business model from yours. I do event photography, so folks don't expect "proofs" of "their shoot". I put up all the proofs online, and folks buy what they want. I sell the small jpegs as "web jpegs" (and tell them the size) so they don't get surprised at the smaller size. I don't sell or give away any CD's full of pics.

Dave

[SwitchBlade]

Aye I'm looking at portrait/lifestyle photography. So rather than looking at maybe one person of many buying a few images out of a set I'm looking at the same people/person buying the set. Could work mind, but I'd need to do online proofing or something for orders.

[Thalagyrt]

Facebook images are 604px on the long edge. If you do it, send them 604x watermarked images (that way the watermark doesn't get scaled/distorted) and maybe you'll get some extra work from people following the watermark.

[ian.malnis]

I think you'd probably generate more interest (which has the potential to turn into sales) by giving some included in a package that are small and watermarked for FB, than the loss on print sales. IMO.