Comments on: Are bios important? http://stocklandmartelblog.com/2009/12/09/are-bios-important/ News, commentary, interviews, video, and more from photo agency Stockland Martel Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:19:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: NB/Wonderful Machine http://stocklandmartelblog.com/2009/12/09/are-bios-important/#comment-590 NB/Wonderful Machine Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:08:11 +0000 http://stocklandmartelblog.com/?p=2496#comment-590 Thanks, Kristina. I think you have it exactly. And we provide just enough background information that creatives don't have to be bogged down with a lot of text, either, if they don't have time to read but do want to see a bunch of interesting images. I don't rely on bios as a main marketing tool, but only an enhancement for those who have time and want to know a little more about the people behind the camera. Because we're not robots, and sometmes it's nice to take a moment and learn more about someone whose work you admire (hence the blogs, too!). In terms of success, we've received better responses from creatives after adding the bios (sometimes they mention the bio itself in their replies). Heather Morton liked the blurbs, too (in a blog post where she otherwise disparages email promos): http://www.heathermorton.ca/blog/?p=3404 That said, we'll always try to mix up our approach to show appropriate and compelling images. So we may not present the bios in all of our email promos. -Neil Thanks, Kristina. I think you have it exactly. And we provide just enough background information that creatives don’t have to be bogged down with a lot of text, either, if they don’t have time to read but do want to see a bunch of interesting images.

I don’t rely on bios as a main marketing tool, but only an enhancement for those who have time and want to know a little more about the people behind the camera. Because we’re not robots, and sometmes it’s nice to take a moment and learn more about someone whose work you admire (hence the blogs, too!).

In terms of success, we’ve received better responses from creatives after adding the bios (sometimes they mention the bio itself in their replies).

Heather Morton liked the blurbs, too (in a blog post where she otherwise disparages email promos):
http://www.heathermorton.ca/blog/?p=3404

That said, we’ll always try to mix up our approach to show appropriate and compelling images. So we may not present the bios in all of our email promos.

-Neil

]]> By: Kristina Feliciano http://stocklandmartelblog.com/2009/12/09/are-bios-important/#comment-588 Kristina Feliciano Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:50:13 +0000 http://stocklandmartelblog.com/?p=2496#comment-588 I really like the bios in your email promos, Neil. Short and peppered with what are essentially talking points—an art buyer can read one and come away with several subjects they can ask the photographer about beyond the images shown. Very cool. You mentioned that the bios got a good response, and I'm curious to know more. Bios are sort of an overlooked marketing tool; you don't usually hear people talking about the writing or reading of them. I really like the bios in your email promos, Neil. Short and peppered with what are essentially talking points—an art buyer can read one and come away with several subjects they can ask the photographer about beyond the images shown. Very cool. You mentioned that the bios got a good response, and I’m curious to know more. Bios are sort of an overlooked marketing tool; you don’t usually hear people talking about the writing or reading of them.

]]> By: NB/Wonderful Machine http://stocklandmartelblog.com/2009/12/09/are-bios-important/#comment-587 NB/Wonderful Machine Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:45 +0000 http://stocklandmartelblog.com/?p=2496#comment-587 I think bios are a way to reward the curious, but not at the expense of showing good imagery. A blog is another way to give depth to your bios. I also suggest including a few unusual facts about yourself, and try to make them sound "real" and not too much of a sell. Otherwise, photographer bios all start sounding the same. We've had a good response to the slightly untraditional bios we've included this year in our email promos. Here's an example of one: http://www.wonderfulmachine.com/wm_spotlight/wm_photographer_spotlight_100809_2.html I think bios are a way to reward the curious, but not at the expense of showing good imagery. A blog is another way to give depth to your bios.

I also suggest including a few unusual facts about yourself, and try to make them sound “real” and not too much of a sell. Otherwise, photographer bios all start sounding the same.

We’ve had a good response to the slightly untraditional bios we’ve included this year in our email promos. Here’s an example of one: http://www.wonderfulmachine.com/wm_spotlight/wm_photographer_spotlight_100809_2.html

]]> By: Jeremy M. Lange http://stocklandmartelblog.com/2009/12/09/are-bios-important/#comment-586 Jeremy M. Lange Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:50:39 +0000 http://stocklandmartelblog.com/?p=2496#comment-586 I like bios as you said, I like to know a little about where people are coming from. I know that what I did before photography has largely framed what came after and my approach to my work. It taught me how to relate to people,a frame of reference. I like bios
as you said, I like to know a little about where people are coming from.
I know that what I did before photography has largely framed what came after and my approach to my work. It taught me how to relate to people,a frame of reference.

]]> By: Dan Brouillette http://stocklandmartelblog.com/2009/12/09/are-bios-important/#comment-585 Dan Brouillette Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:44:16 +0000 http://stocklandmartelblog.com/?p=2496#comment-585 Yikes...looks like I better clean my contact/bio up a little!! Yikes…looks like I better clean my contact/bio up a little!!

]]>