Use social media channels to achieve a goal.

We've all been hearing and reading about how this wonderful new concept/reality called "social media" is changing the world.

Well, I'm going to take it upon myself to challenge myself to use social media to do one simple task.

I'm going to spend some time researching the various techniques that a handful of social brainiacs recommend and then I will set up a plan. A plan designed to bring about one successful sale of a print or digital file of my own creation. 

That's my goal. Sell an image I create using social media. To give it a bit more meaning, I'm going to set a price of this image at $225 for a 11x17 print, and if I sell the digital rights to an image I'll set that at a starting fee of $400 (depending on usage).

I will keep a running blog describing my status and my techniques. Should be interesting to see how this works. Watch for future posts right here, on Twitter, Facebook, Google + and LinkedIn. If I can find more media outlets, I'll use those too. Wish me luck.

People want to learn new skills.  This is apparent in every genre, wether it be music, technology, art, crafts, sports etc. I've recently started sharing what I know about making interesting image with my readers.  
I aim my weekly tips and assignment at those who are starting to investigate photography as a hobby, not a income making venture.

The tips are simple and useful. I want the readers to be able to go out the very same day and make use of the suggestions to make improvements in their photographs. I want them to feel like they received value, and that I wasn't wasting their time.

Each week I talk about a skill that is easily learned and retained. The reader can go out with the kit that they currently have and make a difference in the quality of their photographs by following along and completing the assignment.  It may be a technical action, or an aesthetic accommodation to how they are working currently. I even make suggestions for alterations to the use of equipment or what might improve their images, equipment wise.

I'm enjoying writing these photography tips and tutorials and just the thought that someone is benefitting from acting on these is rewarding.
If you find value, I hope you will tell a friend. Who knows, you might just help to give a push to a future photographer to create something beautiful. Thanks.