Blogs are such great buzz builders for your business.

I had pretty much let mine get down to 1 or 2 posts a week over the past few months- which dropped my viewership tremendously. I decided to kick back into gear this month with more frequent posts, and my numbers have quickly picked up pace again.

One new thing I started was a viewer submissions category called "pic m.e.". Basically, I invite viewers to upload one of their favorite pictures- then I pick one each week to give some PS love to. I am not the greatest PS'er in the world, but slight enhancements to color, brightness, and slight artistic adjustments can help you create some major buzz among your fan-base. It also establishes you as someone who does more than just take pictures- it gives you an added value as a retoucher. People will have a new respect for what goes into each of your photographs.


Of course, the quality of the submissions may limit what you can or can't do with them, so choose wisely. Always compliment the person who submitted the picture- you don't want to appear antagonizing. And, if possible, e-mail the submitter a full res copy of your finished product.


Do you have any tips? Share them below.

Great idea Mark.

Wow, Mark! That is an awesomely creative idea. I think it is often hard to think of ways to liven things up on blogs, but definately a good thing to do.

Thanks for sharing.

I love that idea, are we allowed to copy

of course! Copy, make it better.

Now THAT's what OSP is all about Mark!

Mark this is a really great idea - building on this typing of thinking is perfect punk marketing... imo. Way to be outside the norm...

Thanks for sharing - I love that idea!

what a great idea! TFS!

That IS a great idea Mark! Thanks!

Awesome idea! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

cool idea and great job on the picture

great Idea, I might have to use it, when the season slows down.

Case in Point- just received this comment from this weeks edit.

"Mark,

I just wanted to tell you one more time and this will be it how much I love this pic! I will hold it dear and treasure forever. This pic is of my oldest daughter and I just can't keep my eyes off of it.. Thank you so much!!!! She hasn't seen it yet and when she does I know she will feel the same way. "

Mark, what are you using to allow people to upload pictures?

Def gonna copy your idea. It's great. Thank's for sharing! =)

I blog with www.squarespace.com. They offer a feature (widget) for uploads.

I'm not sure if widgets are available for other blog platforms, but you can always have them e-mail the submissions to you.