Some of you may or may not know that I am ALMOST done with my degree, not in photography, but in communications. That’s right, I’m a communications major and I have NEVER taken a photography class but yet I, have taught one (a little weird and backwards, I know). My background is in design and for a while I really thought that after college I would be entering into a career of marketing and advertising. Little did I know that I would be marketing for myself! I love it! I think I’m becoming a little marketing guru…NOT because I’m so great at it but because I LOVE finding things that work and totally taking advantage of them! The obsession seems to be getting worse.

I have been in business a little over a year now and I have TOTALLY taken advantage of the social media realm. I can honestly say that I have spent next to NOTHING on advertising. It’s amazing! The world of advertising is shifting into a culture of blogging, tweeting and tagging! Social media is taking over what it looks like to run and market a small business. (This just happens to be my senior thesis! Dr. Stern, if you’re a blog checker, you should be proud!) Inspired Designs is such a great example of what it looks like to advertise solely through web presence.

Quick Story:
Once upon a time, I posted a link to Inspired Designs on Facebook! It was just a simple link, nothing too exciting. However, a good friend of mine, Brooke Lewis, re-posted that link on her facebook wall which in turn led to her friend Blaire clicking the link. It just so happens that Blaire’s oldest sister, Michelle was newly engaged! (Do you see where this is heading?) Blaire then shared the link with Michelle and Michelle ended up booking! I was a part of Michelle and Ryan’s wedding in March of 2009 and it was there that I met Michelle’s wonderful maid of honor, Jackie! Jackie was engaged too and booked later than spring. Well, on December 5th, while shooting the reception at Jason and Jackie’s wedding, I was approached by a friend of theirs on the dance floor and guess what, she’s engaged and getting married next July! Wow. One simple post! That’s all it takes!
Moral of the story: Never underestimate the power of a post!

The awesome part about Facebook sharing is that it is now easier than EVER! If you haven’t noticed the small “Facebook Share” buttons under each post, please notice them immediately!

This is easiest, most basic tool that is totally transforming that effectiveness of my blog! All you have to do is click share and it posts directly to your wall, advertising the blog to ALL of your friends that have never heard!

Anyway, all of this to say that the success and growth of Inspired Designs is all due to YOU! That’s right! The foundation of social media marketing is “Word of Mouth” marketing. If you reallllly like what you see, you can’t help but tell someone else and so on and so on. All of you faithful blog readers, commenters and Inspired Designs Super Fans (I think I’m gonna make that a real term!) are the reason I shot 25 weddings my first year! It’s really incredible when you think about it. This time last year, the blog hits averaged about 72-75 daily. The daily average this past week has been in the 600’s! Awesome!

Please give yourself a huge pat on the back!  You deserve it! Keep up the good work and keep posting!

If you haven’t already, be sure to click the links below to become facebook fans and twitter followers!

And because every post is so much prettier with a picture… here’s a peek at what I’m working on right now!