Social Media Microblogging Site, Tumblr, Helps Fine Art Photographers

I know what you are thinking: why do I need to do something else?  Why should fine art photographers care about Tumblr?

Tumblr is a growing site that’s become an important resource for interesting fine art photography.  While Pinterest is another visually-oriented blog which is hugely popular and is more mainstream, Tumblr is creatively oriented and skews younger.

Besides social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, Tumblr maybe the next most important tool to spread the word about your work.  It’s a great place to share your images and pick other photographs that you like.

Also, Google likes Tumblr and ranks it highly.  So, if someone is searching for your name, Tumblr (if you are active), could show up on the first page, which is good since the more information out there with your work, the more people will see it.  And that’s what we want, right?

Here are 7 tips:

Create a Site

Creating a Tumblr site is free and easy.  Just sign up.  Be sure to include your name in the Tumblr site to help you be found more easily in Google search, such as, “johnsmithphoto.tumblr.com.”

Complete Your Profile

The profile or account settings are minimal but they should be filled out by selecting the gear  icon on the top, fourth from the left.  Add your picture, for example, by going to the blog, and clicking on Change avatar to upload a picture of yourself.

Customize Settings

Next, select a Theme and make other customizations   To do this, select the gear icon again, click on your blog name on the lower left (below Apps), and below Theme, click Customize.

On the top left, click on Themes.

Here you have the option to pick how your blog will be displayed.  Just click on one and see the preview on the right side.

Once selected, click on Use at the top to be brought back to the Customize area.

Other things you should do is to add a Description below the Title on the left.

Include some basic information about you—be sure to add your name too.

Scroll down to Pages, and click on Add a page.  Its helpful to add a more detailed biographical information about you, such as where you went to school, recent shows you’ve been in, and other things that might be of interest to dealers.

Click on Save at the top left, and Close.

Search for Interesting Photographers

Now, here’s the fun part.  Who do you like?  Who to follow?

Following is similar to “Like” in Facebook: it’s a way to be connected to anther photographer and to receive their posts automatically.

One of the best ways to start is to click on Find Blogs on the right, and click on a category such as Art.  Here you will find Spotlighted or major publishers.  To follow, just hover over a selection, and click +FOLLOW.

To find others, try entering a term in the Search field in the upper right, such as “fine art photography.”     To Follow someone, you will see a small +  just after their name: click on this to follow them.

Upload Photographs

Add your own photographs to Tumblr by clicking on the Photo icon on the top menu bar, and selecting a photograph.

Be sure to add additional information to optimize your post.

In the upper right, click on the gear icon and add a custom URL.  What is this?  This helps you get found in Google.  Try adding your name here.

Below that add your site’s URL in the Content source so when someone clicks on the image, they will be taken to your main site.  This is a great way to drive traffic.

Next, add a Caption.

This could include something about the photograph, why you like it, what it means to you, etc.

Also include your name here, and link again by to your site.  You do this by clicking on the text, and select the small link icon to add the URL.  Again, this is helpful to drive traffic to your site.

Finally, in the bottom field, below Caption, add search terms or hashtags.  Try something a bit more general such as “photography,” “Brooklynphotos,” “night,” “fine art.”   When done, click on Create post.

Select Photographs You Like

Now, browse through images that are posted.

If there are ones you like, click the heart icon on the top right of the posted image.  This is a great way to interact with others, and helps them follow you.

If you want, reblog the image by clicking on the arrows icon to the left of the heart.  This is another great way to get followers.

Why do we care?  The more followers we get, the more Google thinks your blog is active, and it will rank your site higher in searches.

Add More Of Your Photographs

Continue to add more of your photographs.  Try adding them at peak times, such as the morning, lunch time, or evening or weekends.

Check in Weekly

Continually add images, follow others, and like photographs to get the most out of Tumblr.

It can be additional work, but it’s a great way to get your work out there and be seen by a whole group of people you probably would never have met.

I knew a photographer that was contacted by a major magazine who wanted to publish their work, so you never know.