Have you considered using YouTube for your marketing?

Did you know that YouTube is the fourth largest search engine in the world? Not only that, if you haven't noticed lately, Google search results include more and more videos from YouTube. With only still photographs, what is a photographer to do? That's right, create a slideshow and upload it as a video. This morning I created a slideshow in iPhoto of my 2010 Maximum Ferrari Calendar. To the slideshow I added a soundtrack a created in Garageband. Then I exported it and uploaded it to YouTube. Set the export to the highest resolution possible. Also make sure you are using appropriate keywords and tags. This way people can find your work of art!

Arrived in Philladelphia for Ferrari event in NJ

Ok, I do know what I am doing. Even though I am staying an hour from the track. I am staying at the aLoft in Philadelphia. It looks like an hour drive to New Jersey Motorsports Park from here. And that's about how far I stay when I go to Atlanta or Road America.

But it just sounds strange to be staying in a different state. Plus, there are other benefits. I get the room essentially for free. I have the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. This earns me points towards free stays at Starwood Hotels, of which the aLoft is a part. Also, whenever I can stay in an aLoft that is preferable. Free wifi is good, but even better is the hotel change and the hotels themselves are brand new. Nothing like a new hotel to stay in. The rooms are a great new design, that is definitely the anti-regular-hotel. Hard to explain but it's modernistic with plenty of modern conveniences - place to plug in your ipod to play music through the TV, tons of outlets and a comfy bed. Down in the lobby is a great lounge area, with fantastic eats and great couches to open up the laptop and crunch out blog posts. Hehehe!

No Media Credentials for the Ferrari Challenge and Historic Challenge at NJMP

My bad. Chalk it up to being a noob at securing media credentials. The media contact has not returned my requests via email or phone for credentials, so it looks like I am going without. Dang!

SO here is a little note to myself about this:
1) Do not wait until the day before the cut-off to send in a request
2) Read number 1 again.

I'm also going to be a little proactive at the beginning of next year and send my media contacts a marketing kit. Since I work for my own publication, no one seems to think I am legit. I am not trying to get free admission! I really need access.

I will make the best of the situation. Time to pack

ThinkTank Photo launches new website

I received a tweet from a friend that ThinkTank Photo had redesigned their website. This is not something that is normally worthy of a post. I use their stuff and it's great, but they probably don't need any publicity from a little blog like mine. Anyhow, I think their "Sharethemoment" section is excellent. They allow customers to send in photos of themselves using the products.

This is not only a fantastic way to show off product uses, but is a great way to get testimonials. If you've ever tried to get customers to send an email with a couple sentences about what they think, you'll know what I mean. But put out an open call for photos, and people flock.

Check it out:
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/share-the-moment.aspx

Finished the Maximum Ferrari site (for now)

I've decided the upcoming 2010 calendar featuring my photos from this year's Ferrari Challenge events will be called "Maximum Ferrari". So the site where my images are hosted (and the calendar will ultimately be sold) has been changed to www.maximumferrari.com.

Can't wait until the calendar is ready to go!

If you like colors (who doesn't) here's a photographer you'll like

My friend Maura has her new website up (common theme these days!). She has some wonderful images of flowers, cityscapes and people. Here photo of Picadilly Circus is a favorite of mine.

Well done Maura!

Great meeting today with the Classic Car Gallery in Southport Connecticut

I met with Alan Goodman at the Classic Car Gallery today. We've been discussing some type of show to display my images in his showroom. This meeting he brought up a great new opportunity, a "Carbecue". They aren't roasting old Ford Pintos, but they will have a meetup of local car enthusiasts, classic car guys and the like. He'll serve hot dogs and hamburgers and invite one of the local radio stations to broadcast from the event.

So Alan offered me the opportunity to have a vendor tent and sell images. Wooohooo! Mark your calendars... August 30th from 10:00 - 2:00 we'll be havin' a blast at the Classic Car Gallery.