Search engine optimization (SEO) and the variables that control the ranking of websites and pages are constantly changing. Google’s algorithm, the system that dictates which webpages show up in searches, and in what order, is constantly being altered. The changes are usually minor if you are doing the right things and practicing “white hat” SEO techniques, such as creating quality content and acquiring high-quality links from topical websites. But there are other variables that are constantly shifting, and if you want to get or stay at the top for your selected search terms, you need to stay on top of these changes.

Google’s latest algorithm, named Hummingbird, hurt a lot of websites. Most of those that took a big hit were sites that purchase link building services from SEO companies that provide low-quality links with the exact same anchor text. So if you were targeting the term “St. Louis Wedding Photographer” and you used one of these services that provided links from low-quality websites with the link “St. Louis Wedding Photographer” pointing to your website, you were now penalized for doing so. Google has caught on to this shady technique, as it always eventually does when people try to fool the algorithm. Google’s now looking for more organic links, like “click here…,” and especially your brand name/domain name, since they are more natural.

A member of my online photography group recently asked if any of us identified as a “fauxtographer.” What the heck is that?

It’s someone who earns money doing photography, who has a photography website or fanpage, but, from a legal standpoint, does not have a legitimate business. It’s way more common than you may realize.

Urban Dictionary defines it as someone “who tries to jump
on the photography band-wagon by ‘Pointing-and-shooting’ hundreds of terrible pictures, which they will upload to myspace in an album titled ‘My Photography,’ ‘My Art,’ or ‘Critique My work.’ Always followed up by the person adding ‘Photography’ to their General section, or adding ‘Photography is my life…’ to their About Me.”

The question posed to my photography group caught me a little off guard. “Fauxtographer” doesn’t seem like something anyone would aspire to. Who’s going to admit to being that? Of course, the goal of this person was to help those who are not legitimately in business, but the way it was asked and the way people responded made me feel bad for those who may have felt embarrassed fessing up to their faux status. Then someone posted, “Perhaps we won’t hear from those who are not legitimate.”

I’ve written a lot over the years, including an article here in Shutter, about what it takes to be a speaker. It’s a lofty goal. Most of you see it as being tied to fame and fortune. While it can be both, it requires an incredible amount of work, and is much heavier on the fame side than fortune.

I don’t know of anybody in the industry who’s made a living exclusively speaking, and that includes photographers doing tours, speaking at various conventions and doing their own workshops. Even photographers with their own DVDs and webinars still generate the bulk of their revenue from their client base.

Since this is March and we’re nearing the end of convention and trade show season, it seems like a great time to talk about some of the pitfalls of being a speaker. Then I’ll turn it over to some of the experts.

Let’s start with some of the major fiascos I’ve seen photographers get into over the years.

I remember listening in to my first client consultation. I was in the backroom of the basement studio of the photographer I was working for at the time. I simply couldn’t concentrate on my computer work without eavesdropping on the conversation in the next room. After all, how do you convince a bride to trust you with thousands of dollars, especially when there are thousands of other photographers she can choose from?

Since then, I’ve made it a practice to let photographer friends and assistants listen in on my client consultations from the next room. Consultations can be nerve-wracking, especially if you have no idea what’s supposed to happen during one. Here’s your chance to eavesdrop on what my consultations are like, and the five things I do when meeting a couple for the first time.

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