I held back on posting Monday’s marketing piece (7 Ways To Market Your BIPP Membership) as we had a great conversation unraveling around Requalification and CPD in our BIPP Members Facebook Community.
Sometimes when marketing our business, we have to be aware of the political or world issues around us and hold back on our marketing, like during the COVID pandemic.
But, I have an important question to ask you.
Are you making the most of your Institute membership in your Marketing?
Lets explore just a few simple ways you can better market your BIPP membership and qualifications.
1) Do you have an email footer?
The way we sign off our emails is important as it’s one of the last changes we get to leave a first impression. Does yours feature your post-nominals and details of your professional membership?
2) Does your website display the BIPP logo on your homepage?
Adding the logo and a link back to the Institute’s website is a must do for all members. Trade association logos reinforce trust and add credibility.
3) Are you listed on the Find a Photographer Directory?
Head to bipp.com and check your details are correct on the directory. Not listed? Or errors in your contact details? Contact HQ and they’ll help you sort it.
4) Explain to your customers how achieving professional Qualifications makes you different …
A series of blog posts around the subject will work wonders for your SEO ranking, they also give us the opportunity to explain our beliefs and values as a business.
Here’s a few ideas for blogs that you could take and adapt:
• The steps to becoming a qualified professional photographer
• My journey to professional qualification as a photographer
• Why achieving professional photography qualifications was important to me
• Judgement day – What its like to have your work scrutinised
• Putting it all together – Getting ready for my Licentiate
• Art or Profession? – How Qualifications helped my Art.
Great blogs are over 700 words and are balanced with great images and a sprinkling of other SEO techniques. Regular content around your subject will help grow your visibility online and you can feature this content on your social channels too. This leads on to…
5) Get social.
The duration of content on social media is short, so ensure you have regular content throughout the month around what makes you different and your Institute membership.
One great fact: The British Institute of Professional Photography dates back to 1901, so you are assessed and qualified with one of the longest-running professional bodies.
Create some memes, quotes or stories around using a pro.
6) Why, Why, Why….
During my sales patter, I always like to tell my clients why using an accredited professional was a great choice. A handful of comments during your pitch or viewing session can really embed the message.
7) Tell others about your journey…
Regular professional development, whether attending regional meetings, training days, even zoom calls, give you exciting things to tell others about. Use posts and blogs about these to show how you are constantly improving yourself for the benefit of your customers.
So there’s 7 great ways you can put things into practice to raise awareness of using a professional, whilst marketing your BIPP Membership.
