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A Network of Support

April 9, 2014

Nikki Santerre Photography_Charleston Wedding Photographer_Fine Art Film Photography_Charleston Engagement_Jennifer & Justin_0029

One of the greatest things about being a part of the wedding industry are the amazing people I’ve been given the opportunity to work with. There is something to be said about building lasting relationships with like-minded women who share your passions. To me, it’s really priceless.

Some of the women I have grown to appreciate most are wedding blog editors. Keeping up with a blog takes diligence, organization, an eye for style, and is a huge time commitment so I really appreciate these women and how they run their small businesses. I can’t speak for all blogs, but I can say of the ones who have featured my work that having them in my corner is something I treasure. Building these relationships has been beneficial to my business because these women believe in my work and support me enough to share my images with their fans. Even when it’s work I haven’t submitted directly to them, they will share my blog post directly to their pages!

When I first started my business, I heard photographers say to never pay for advertising for your business. For the first six months, I heeded that advice. Last summer, an opportunity to become a preferred vendor to one of my favorite wedding blogs became available to me, and at first I was hesitant. I didn’t want to “pay for advertising” in that sense because people whose opinions I valued told me it was wrong. I soon realized that, like many other areas of my business, what works for some people may not be what’s best for my business. I made the investment and can honestly say it is some of the best money I’ve ever invested in my business because now I can proudly say that I am a preferred vendor for Le Magnifique and Burnett’s Boards.

5 Reasons Why I Believe in Advertising with Wedding Blogs: 

1) It’s More than Getting Featured, it’s About Building Relationships: Even though having your work featured is an amazing thing, that is not the main reason I would suggest investing in blog advertising. Building a relationship with the editors is priceless. They become genuine fans of your business, and having that support is so necessary.

2) Brand Affiliation: I love what the heart of the blogs I am affiliated with are about. Everyone knows I have a soft spot for styled shoots, and that is what Sara of Burnett’s Boards specializes in-inspiration boards and inspiration shoots. Having my brand affiliated with another brand that is really positive and is a brand that I identify with in is a wonderful thing.

3) Reaching Ideal Clients: I have reached clients that probably would have never seen my work if it hadn’t been shared on a particular wedding blog because these national blogs reach a larger audience. Having these connections can put you in front of potential clients you might not have been capable or reaching without this connection.

4) Supporting Another Small Business: As a small business owner, I do everything I can to support other small businesses because I empathize with their struggles and know the passion in their hearts. Whenever I have an opportunity to support another small business, I jump on it. If other people didn’t believe in and support my art, I wouldn’t have this job and this business that I love so much, so of course I want to do what I can to support other small businesses.

5) Platform to Display Your Work: I’ll never forget the first time my work was laid out editorially for a wedding blog. There is just something magical about seeing your work through someone else’s eyes. Having a place for your work to be displayed other than on your own blog is definitely another plus.

Like I said previously, there isn’t necessarily a right or a wrong way to approach advertising because what works for one small business owner may not work for everyone. I will say that I have built friendships with women in the wedding blogosphere that I cherish and that have helped my business grow and for that I am thankful!

  1. Love this post Nikki! It’s so amazing to see you writing about the incredible “smaller” blogs out there 🙂

  2. So beautifully said! Thank you for sharing this with the world!

  3. YES YES YES!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your thoughts about this. Every single aspect that you said- it’s like you’ve read my mind and overheard my conversations! 🙂 As a small business owner, I have put my heart and soul in my business, which means that I also put my heart and soul into other people’s businesses too. I don’t think I could ever do things any differently. Thank you again for sharing!!! 🙂 xoxox

  4. Your point of view and positivity towards wedding bloggers is so refreshing! Building relationships has always been on the top of the list.

  5. YES! I love this! As a blogger I also love working closely with my vendors.

    I get emails from brides all the time in a panic over how to find high-quality mountain vendors. I always have a list of great vendors that I can whole heartedly recommend because I’ve worked with them and know their work.

    Thank you for sharing a vendor’s point of view!

  6. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with wedding blogs and the editors behind them. The wedding industry thrives on small business owners supporting each other – building relationships with like minded creative people is a wonderful part of that! 🙂

  7. Sara says:

    You are such a sweetheart. Thank you SO much for all your support. I feel so blessed to have ‘met’ you. Hoping for an IRL meet up soon!

  8. I could not have said point #1 any better! Like kristin said, “Your point of view and positivity towards wedding bloggers is so refreshing!”

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