The Word Bank

What on earth is a "Word Bank"?

This is my go-to resource for anything that I am branding, marketing, writing about, choosing images for ... it's basically your beginners guidelines for what to say and how to say it. And more importantly, how NOT to say it.

You need a Word Bank for every market you photograph: seniors, children, families, weddings, couples, engagement, maternity, you name it.

A Word Bank is your guide. This is how you start to communicate your brand. It should include as many words - even sentences - as you can think of.

Don't worry about all of them being brand-right at first, just go with your gut. This is probably the most simple, but one of the most helpful things you will do for your marketing.

1. Get a sheet of paper. Write the market at the top (Seniors, Families, etc). One per page.

2. Write your Value Statement just under that.
                                                           If you don't have a value statement, now's time to create one!

3. Write down every single word/sentence that that market makes you think of. Aim for emotion words. Emotion words sell.

4. Brainstorm. Ask all of your friends, families, clients, colleagues what they think of.

5. Now its time for brand check. Go through the list and cross out any that aren't brand right, or they don't feel natural to you.

6. Type up the list of what you have left over. I know this sounds silly, but it will help you feel more organized, and give you a tangible piece to start your effective writing with. Put it in your binder for that market.

The next time you have a post to write, a tweet to share, a marketing piece to create, start with your Word Bank. It'll get you going in the right direction!

Tip of the day: Leave out the backstory. They don't need the why, they just need to know what's in it for them. We see so many photogs who give out WAY too much information: "We're making changes, we will make your session amazing, we we we"... if it's not about your clients, leave it out. Talk about them and the benefits to them in EVERYTHING you write. It'll make a BIG difference.