PR Tips For Photographers: How To Promote Media Coverage (the right way!)
When your photography business gets mentioned in the press, don’t let that moment pass you by—leverage it to its fullest potential!
Securing media coverage isn’t easy, and getting featured in newspapers, magazines, websites or blogs is probably not an everyday occurrence to you.
You will likely have made a conscious effort to pitch your story and/or images, and devoted time and energy to landing that article. So, this is a big deal!
So, whether you’re featured in a ‘news in brief’ slot in your local paper, or you’ve landed a small feature or photo story, an interview or a multi-page editorial, this is a success well worth celebrating —and sharing!
Why Promote Your Media Wins?
Sharing your press coverage comes with a host of benefits:
1. Boost Visibility and Website Traffic
Media features, especially those with links to your website, can direct a fresh wave of organic traffic your way. Even print mentions that highlight your name or business can pique curiosity and encourage potential clients to explore your work online.
People who have read the article and are interested in what you do may be curious to know more, so your website is the obvious next step.
2. Stay Top-of-Mind
Sharing your coverage reminds people of your expertise. It reinforces your position as a trusted photographer and keeps you on the radar of potential clients, collaborators, and even past customers.
3. Build Confidence Through Positive Engagement
Celebrating your media success can lead to comments and messages of congratulations and support from friends, family, clients, and peers.
These interactions can boost your confidence and inspire you to seek out further opportunities for press exposure.
4. Create a Snowball Effect
Another reason to promote your media coverage is that you never know who might see your article. One article can lead to more media opportunities – this is what’s known as the ‘snowball effect’.
For example, a strong local story may be picked up by a regional magazine or regional TV news or radio channel. A regional story may be picked up by a national newspaper, magazine, TV or radio programme. Or a story covered nationally may leads to local or regional coverage.
Your press mention could catch the eye of other journalists or editors, leading to additional opportunities.
How to Promote Your Press Coverage
Here are six effective ways to share your media mentions and make them work harder for your business.
Before I get onto those though…a word of warning. Please do not take photographs of newspaper and magazine articles and share them online as you may become liable to pay for a media access licence or risk being fined due to breaching copyright law.
Further reading: This is a useful article about how to share press coverage in the right way.
1. Share Links on Social Media
For online articles, share the direct link on your social platforms.
Tag the journalist or publication to acknowledge their role, and consider pinning the post to the top of your profile for greater visibility. For Instagram, temporarily update your bio link to direct followers to the article.
Avoid using quotes or reproducing the article headline, and don’t share screenshots of the publication taken on your phone, to stay on the right side of copyright law. Again, this article has great tips on do’s and don’ts of sharing press coverage.
2. Blog About It
Your blog is also a great place to write about the press coverage. You can write an article about the topic covered in the media and include a link back to the original.
Even better if you can tell the story of how it came about and what you learnt from the experience of being featured. Perhaps you took part in a magazine photoshoot – what was it like being in front of the camera instead of behind it, for example?
Share behind-the-scenes insights, such as how the opportunity came about or what you learned from the experience, and insights that will be interesting to your readers.
3. Feature it in Your Email Newsletter
Tell your email subscribers about your press success! These are often your most loyal supporters, so they’ll be thrilled to hear about your achievement.
Include a link to the article or share key highlights.
4. Showcase it on Your Website
Create an ‘In the Press’ or ‘Featured’ page on your website to highlight your media mentions.
Featuring logos or links to publications also adds credibility and builds trust with potential clients. Place this section prominently, such as on your homepage or About page.
When visitors to your website see that you have been quoted or interviewed in media articles, they will probably be impressed! It also gives you an edge over your competition and could even end up being an influential factor in why a client books you over another photographer.
Again, don’t share photographs of the press coverage but you can share a direct link to it if it is an online article.
5. Update Your Email Signature
Add a link to your ‘In the Press’ page or a specific article in your email signature. This small but impactful tactic increases the visibility of your press coverage with every email you send.
By including a link to your ‘In the Press’ page of your website or to a specific online article you are increasing the visibility of your press coverage. Don’t forget to include other important links, such as to your website or blog in your email signature too.
6. Display Press Clippings in Your Studio
If you have a physical studio, showcase your press coverage in a professional binder or as framed pieces on the walls. Clients will love to see you in the media spotlight, and it can serve as a conversation starter.
Celebrate Your Press Wins
I hope that these ideas have inspired you to start sharing your media coverage so that you can get more impact from your moment in the spotlight!
As I’ve highlighted, by sharing your press coverage, you’re not just celebrating your success—you’re amplifying it.
Thoughtfully promoting your features can boost your visibility, strengthen your reputation, and attract more clients to your business.
Have you ever been featured in the media? How did you promote it? Share your experience in the comments—or if you haven’t yet, now’s the time to start shouting about your successes!
