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Batch working and batch content with Rachel Bragg aka Sweet Images Photography

batch working and batch content with rachel bragg of sweet images photography

What do you think about batch working? Do you know what batch content is, or do you think I’m talking a different language? Don’t worry – batch working will change your world, whatever you do. In this podcast, Rachel Bragg from Sweet Images Photography tells us how she makes it work for her.

Batch working and batch content with Rachel Bragg

In this episode we talk about the value of producing batch content, batch working, tips for both and a whole lot more. In this episode of the Small & Supercharged Podcast with Rachel Bragg from Sweet Images Photography, you will hear…

  • How time consuming it can be to NOT batch your work together (and why looking at it differently can save you a lot of time).
  • The many different ways that small business owners are pulled, meaning that the time we have is quite short, and how that means we have to make it count.
  • How the idea of batching (and the practical application) became apparent to Rachel when working for a commercial client.
  • The way that batch content can actually help you to create your best work as you can create all the content when the conditions are optimal.
  • How the act of just planning the time to create the content can make you more productive as you can start to create a props list on the lead up to the event too. Preparation is so important.
  • When you’re batch working, you also need to make sure you have everything where you need it to be. This helps you use your time as well as possible.
  • How to create more than one image out of each shot you’ve set up. We talk about batch working with flatlays, and how the angles and the position you take the images from can make even more content from each flatlay you’ve set up.
  • Why it’s important to make sure you plan what you want to shoot, what you want to achieve, and know why you’re doing it. When you’ve done this, work out what you could also shoot at the same time. This should give you additional content for the future.
  • How important it is to be ruthless with your time and literally book out the time to create your content.
  • How DSLRs are good BUT, for the vast majority of us, a phone camera is more than adequate. In fact, sometimes the really modern phone cameras are better in some situations that DSLRs, especially if there’s a light issue.
  • The importance of props and how these can help with the story.
  • We talk through a few scenarios and the props that you can find that are easily to hand and can be used (that won’t cost you a penny and can really add to your images).
  • How you don’t need to have lots of posh, expensive props to make a flatlay work. You just need to make sure it’s relevant.
  • The idea of taking lots of shots when you have a session set up. It’s something I do (as a non-photographer… and I always like to try and stack the odds of getting a good shot in my favour!), and Rachel also talks about whether or not it’s the right thing to do!
  • How to edit the images on your phone, and how you can actually batch work really effectively on your phone.
  • The value of images. Why images are such a key part of your content, and the every day consumption of images. Why batch working is so, so important, to ensure you get the number of images you need.

Where you can find Rachel…

A massive thank you to Rachel for chatting about batch content and batch working on this week’s episode. To find Rachel online, you can find her…

Sweet Images Facebook Page

Sweet Images Instagram

Sweet Images Website

…and if you want to see Rachel’s work in action, have a look at Hiho Silver, Mackenzie & George and Smart Grooming’s Instagram feeds.

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Content – what is content? What’s content marketing? – Small & Supercharged Podcast

Today we’re talking all about content – content marketing, what content is, what it means to you… and how to make this work. We use the word ‘content’ a lot – I do – but I don’t use it as a buzzword. I use it because it covers so, so much. So, without further ado, should we have a little chat about content? It’s a solo one with me… so thank you so much for joining me.

Let’s talk about content, shall we?

Show notes for the Small & Supercharged Podcast – Episode 12 – content. What content is, how to make it work for you, the different types, and how to make sure everything you create has the best chance of delivering a good return on investment.

In this episode we talk about…

  • Different types of content and how it’s important to make it it work for you.
  • Blogging and how written content works – not just in terms of what you’re trying to do and the message you’re trying to convey, but also from an SEO point of view.
  • What to do if you’re not good at writing (or you don’t think you are) . We talk through different hacks to help you here.
  • Transcription and dictation software and how this can help.
  • How podcasts can make really good content as they get to people in a different way. We also talk about how the podcasts can be made into blog posts. And what the show notes can add too.
  • The value of video. We chat about Facebook lives, Youtube, and more. We also talk about what video does and how it allows people to connect with you on a different level, and how it allows people to find out more about products too.
  • How there are lots of side benefits to videos that you might not realise.
  • Why being authentic is really important, and how it’s scary to put yourself out there… but the benefits it has too.
  • Podcasts and videos – can you do them at the same time? I talk about why I don’t at the moment.
  • Videos and where you can post this content.
  • Photography – and why I count photography as content. And how it can actually be pillar content depending on which platform you spend the most time on/where your customers are.
  • Professional photography, but also the benefit of getting better at your own photography and how this can really help you.
  • The value of quotes, testimonials and so much more. And how this can work as part of your content plan. We also talk about how these allow you to create your own content from nothing.
  • How we need to play to our strengths but how we can work with people who can help fill in the gaps. You only need to be good at one way to produce content… and then you build from there.
  • Human connection in content and why it’s important to put it out there.
  • Perfect and how you won’t be perfect when it comes to content, but how you can just do your best. And also how you can edit.
  • The value of just having a go. Because the value that content brings over any of the negatives outweighs it by a HUGE amount.
  • If you need any egging on – I’m @rheafreemanpr on Instagram and Facebook, and I’m @rheafreeman on Twitter.

 

Rhea Freeman Newsletter Link

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Does posting natively increase your reach?

does posting natively increase your reachDoes posting natively increase your reach? Well, there are a few things to consider here – and a few points were raised in a previous blog about context and content… but let’s dive in.

What do you mean by ‘posting natively’?

Posting direct to the platform and not making people move around to view content. This works with blogs, vlogs and links to websites. And I get the irony that this is a blog and has been promoted on my social media platforms. But you’ll notice how that even though the blog isn’t native to the platforms I’m promoting it on, I’m creating native content to promote the blog… did you see a graphic on Facebook or did you just see a boring old link with no imagery? I hope you saw the graphic that I uploaded to Facebook so I could combine the benefits of the native posting with the benefits of bringing you here to my little corner of the internet.

Does posting natively increase reach?

Yep. And this is two fold. Thinking of Facebook, it’s said (and in my experience this is correct!), that the algorithm prefers native content. And why wouldn’t it? Watching stuff natively on the platform and not venturing off to other sites is a win for any website. Even when you’re as big as Facebook. For the consumer too, you click it, you watch it, you get bored, you move on. You don’t have to open and close tabs to get back to where you were. And the other reason that native posting can increase reach is simply because it looks a whole lot better in the feed. This means it looks a LOT more interesting and will encourage a lot more engagement.

Should I only post natively?

Yes and no. If you take the example of video, you might be looking to develop your Youtube channel, but want to use your Facebook page to help promote your videos. So what do you do? There are a few options. You can just post a link to your video on Facebook and hope for the best, fully aware that it doesn’t look half as good as a native post and that the reach will be less – but it will link to Youtube and you’ll get your views there. You could post an image from the video natively and also post the link to the video. It looks visually more inviting and you still drive people in the right direction. You create a short ‘trailer’ and post that video natively and include the link to Youtube. You post natively to Facebook. By which I mean you post the WHOLE video natively to Facebook and, if you like, to Youtube. If your objective is views, wherever they come from, this can work well.

Here’s just one example of how posting natively can increase your reach – what do you think? How did you do it? I’d love to hear…

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How does a blog provide exclusive content?

How does a blog provide exclusive content? Well, that’s an easy one – unless you copy someone’s blog (and please, PLEASE DO NOT do this!), it’s your words, your viewpoint. It provides exclusive content as it’s your view on a subject, a product, a situation – well, whatever you want it to be.

How does a blog provide exclusive content?Does exclusive content matter?

I think it does. I use my blog to share my views and ideas with people who are interested. All thoughts are my own (apart from guest blog, but these are clearly labelled and align with my own thoughts). And that’s really important. It’s exclusive content that you should only find here. My blog is part of my ‘marketing mix’ when it comes to my own business. I am not expecting everyone who reads it to convert into clients, God no, but neither would I expect everyone who saw an ad to call me. What I am expecting if for people to read it to feel that, after they’re read it, they know me a little better. They may like what they read, they might not – and whilst I hope for the former, the latter is always a possibility when you put yourself ‘out there’. Because the content created is mine. It’s my words, it’s my thoughts, it’s my take on things, people are building up a picture of me and my expertise and skill set. I also like to think that, when people read my blog, they’re getting something that they can’t get elsewhere. Sure, there are a LOT of blogs about blogging. But are any quite like this?

Be your authentic self

So, what I’m trying to say is if you write from the heart and you’re your authentic self and create interesting, engaging, exclusive content that can only been viewed and digested on your website and blog, you’re adding value. You’re giving your fans and followers the chance to read something difference (or, at least, the way you view it) and you’re adding layers to your offering and your story. And that’s why it’s exclusive. Because your reader shouldn’t be seeing it elsewhere.

 

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