Here are a bunch fo Gary Vaynerchuck’s predictions for 2012 in his high energy clip, including the Instagram prediction. A few others may surprisse you. I’ll tell you what, I’m totally on board with his final point but it is unrelated to both Facebook and Instagram.

What do you think? Will Facebook Buy Instagram in 2012? Leave a yes or no ( or deeper thoughts ) in the comments.

I came across this WordPress / Google Plus tutorial today and I know there are a lot of people on the obsessed front of Google+.  Many people, especially photographers, are getting a little freakishly in love but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to share cool stuff related to the social platform.  Many people LOVE that they can integrate their Twitter updates into their blog but what about their Google+ updates?

If you’re one of those obsessed Google+ photographers, you might not even use Twitter much anymore.  You may have totally jumped ship and deleted your profile. That’s cool, focus on one social platform or dabble [make sure you have a sanctuary...].  Now you’re Twitter feed sits showing on your website broken or displaying something from 2 months ago.  You can change it up with your Google+ updates finally :)

Let me tell you, I sure didn’t come up with this code to display your Google Plus updates in WordPress. Kevin Muldoon from WP Mods shares 2 ways to do it and a 3rd way is simply using a plugin + widget.

View the Google+ Tutorial

Forget the hard work and get the plugin.

Anything to help feed the Google Plus addiction for photographers :)

Oh ya, if you’re not already connected on Google+: Add me to a circle [don't worry I'm cool with being in your weirdo circle]

The biggest thing said that drives me crazy is that you can’t ignore the platform that has 750 million active users.  I hate it.  It drives me freaking crazy.  Marketers make it seem that you better be active on Facebook because of the 750 million users! If you spend more time on Twitter or decide to ditch Facebook for Google+, you’re going to fail. Or you’re simply MAD!  People keep going back to the argument of 750 million users.  But how many of those users do YOU and your photography business actually connect with?

If you’ve never been a fan of the way Facebook works, feel free to promote your photography and your photography business wherever you want.  Perhaps you don’t even participate much in any social media and you’re photography business is going awesome anyways.  If going on Facebook and trying to push people to your “Fan Page” makes you feel drains, lost, or guilty, feel free to experiement on other platforms.  Yes, you may risk the time spent on a new platform, like Google+, but you’ll never know what may have been if you simply stick to the Facebook madness.

Facebook isn’t for everyone and we’re noticing that more and more with Google+.  Google+ circles, the visual streams, segmented sharing, and clean look might help your make much better use within your internet strategy.  Many people are already reporting interesting metrics from Google Plus.

But Facebook has 750 Million Users.

Because Facebook might have 750 million users, it doesn’t mean that you are going to capitalize on those numbers. Are you even using Facebook Ads to try and reach those numbers? The number, 750 million, triggers hope and potential mass volumes of clients flowing into your door (physically or digitally via traffic), but realistically are you making any headway?

You might also win the lottery, right?

Maybe you’ve heard that Google+ only has 10-18 Million users.  I know, you’re probably thinking that user base is much too small for you to promote your photography at this point.  Are you kidding me?  Get in early while you can build awesome connections with other people.  I’ve already made a good number of new connections and it’s freaking awesome.  When the people you’re continually trying to connect with seemingly ignore you, it’s nice to know that people are open to connecting within a newer platform.

Maybe 750 million users is too big. Maybe you don’t want to go to the same grocery store now that it’s lined up out the door and no one knows your name anymore.  That grocery store used to be awesome because it carried really cool items and you always ran into your best friend. That same grocery store is so busy now that you rarely run into your friend and the store has decided to ditch the cool rare products for what the status quo wants and pays for.   How great are your connections on Facebook today compared to 2, 3, and 5 years ago?

Facebook had the monopoly (almost). Twitter is rad but it’s not as feature rich as a Facebook or a Google+.  With a new player in town, what kind of impact can it have on your photography website and business?  If you play tired and whine about “yet another social media site,” perhaps the Facebook madness has seriously taken over your life.

If you’re someone that’s seen massive success with your Facebook Fan page, have you noticed any metric adjustments with Google+ being around for a little bit of time now? I’ve been happy hearing many people mention that they’re glad Facebook has some competition now because they never really enjoyed the Facebook interface and interaction.  A number of Google+ users are reporting that traffic from the new social platform is #1, #2, or #3 in referring the most traffic to their websites.  For me, Google Plus is sitting #62 in websites that have referred traffic to nuwomb.com; however, I’ll be keeping an eye on it for certain.   Point is, if you like traffic to your website, Google+ is a new source for you.

Google+ is a Facebook competitor and we should be thankful of this in social media. At the same time, it doesn’t mean you should substitute Facebook madness for Google+ madness.  I’m not “all in” with Google+ like Chris Brogan, but I sure am spending time there.

Choice FTW  

Connect on Google+ – http://gplus.to/scottwebb

What’s coming our way in the photo-sharing space? The camera app really doesn’t matter at this point (unless something is changed), but the sharing aspect to photography and mobile photography in general is up in the air.  Instagram started us off and opened the door to the new adjacent-possible of mobile photo sharing. Since we’ve entered this door, there is no going back.

Have you heard about an unreleased social photo-sharing experience app known as Photovine? I heard about it, heck I even submitted my email (2x) for an invite and I don’t even know a huge amount about it.  With Instagram being really quiet on the updates,  I was curious about other services and decided to look into what is Photovine!

Interesting to know, PhotoVine is apparently a Google product.  I got a little stumped because of how Google is apparently dropping the Picasa name for photos and another one of their product names.  Perhaps the name doesn’t really matter if Photovine is a creation of a company Google owns called Slide. Either way, a seed has been planted and are you waiting for an invite?

Photovine is?

Unsure why, the support page for http://photovine.com has lost the FAQ that was there.  Lucky for us, Business Insider copied the information and it still exists as we wait for more details and invites.

Photovine is a community that’s about creating fun and unique collections of photos that we call Vines.

The video pretty much shows us how Photovine will work but a description always helps:

In Photovine, vines connect you with people through the ideas and themes expressed in your photos.

A vine is like a constantly growing family of photos connected through a common caption created by you, your friends, and people all over the world.

Some examples of vines could be: “What Weekends Are Made Of”, “Secret Stuffed Animal”, “Party People”, or, “Love of My Life”.

As people add photos to vines, they tell their own stories about the moments, images, and ideas that define our lives in a way that’s social, creative, and fun.

Start a vine by taking a photo and creating a new caption, or add to an existing vine. Other people will see your vine and join in by adding their own photo, showing their own take on the caption.

Instagram has Competition

If you’re not new around here, you’ll know that I have a huge love for Instagram.  However, Instagram doesn’t do everything and there is room for things to be done differently.  Comparing the two photo sharing services right now is difficult with Photovine being unavailable to most of us.

There are people on Instagram that have been trying to create these types of galleries using hashtags.  The hashtag is a very simple way of creating a set of photos with the same caption, subject, location, ect.  The same kind of sets seem to be possible with the “Vines” in Photovine.  The benefit, which is yet to be seen, may come in the form of who can contribute to a Vine.  Hashtags with Instagram are something anyone can tag their photos with and it goes into the stream.

The appeal of the Vines may be located within who you allow to contribute.  With Photovine having a connection to Google, I would love to see an ability to share photos or only allow certain circles to contribute to vines.

Innovative or Not

A number of comments on the YouTube video are negative – Calling the idea a copy of Pictuu or sayingi it’s nothing innovative.  People toss around the “innovative” term way too much.  Instagram opened us up to mobile photo sharing and we’ve now started to see a good rush of copycats.

If Instagram continues to stay in mute mode, how many people will stray?

I would love to get an invite to Photovine to see if I can write about it more, try it out, and eventually invite more people into it as well. I had an idea over a year ago that relates to this app and I’m wondering how close it may actually get.

Your Turn

Are you on the side of many YouTube critics in thinking Photovine is ridiculous?  We want to hear your initial thoughts just from watching the 40 second video and reading about it.  Could it compete with the photo sharing power house that is Instagram?

If interested, visit PhotoVine and request an Invite!

From the follow up post, it may seem as if I was very disappointed with the turnout for the Instameet.  My actual feelings couldn’t be further from the truth.  First, I was really happy that my wife, Marika, was interested in coming out to a social photography meetup. Second, I was very happy that Mike Bourgeault spoke up and said he’d be coming out.  If Mike had not spoken up, I probably would have figured no one was showing and I might not have gone either.  Suddenly, Mike – unknowingly – made me accountable and I couldn’t skip out on it or let my anxiety overtake me.

This is scary! Even for the social media techies in London, Ontario! The ones that meet up for Geek Dinner every month and other community things they organize for themselves. What’s scary? It is scary to go outside of your social circle. This small community in London wants to change things but they might be afraid to step outside of their social circle they’ve created for themselves.  However, I must reiterate that it was not the turnout that seriously depressed me. What got me down was that no one else in the community was helping to spread the message across social channels.  What to do?

Start our Own Sphere of Influence

In the previous post, I was disappointed in London’s tech, photography, and social media communities for not being interested enough to even pass along the message of an Instagram Meetup.  My thoughts were that maybe someone in their circle was actually interested in talking with other people that adore the Instagram App and photography lifestyle design.   I still am disappointed but I’ve cooled down and I’ve realized a lot thanks to the TEDx talk by Mitch Joel.  Suddenly the social communities of London had become less social – as our web community has the potential to grow, are we seeing it fragment and opt to not support other communities trying to grow?  It happens, nut that’s okay because we’re about starting our own sphere of influence.  Something inherently scary – it’s like sitting by yourself at the lunch table in the cafeteria during high school.

Communities are built one person at a time.  Slowly I see that empty table in the cafeteria filling up with people that have been inspired. Instead of leaving the cafeteria to eat lunch alone in the hallway, more people opt to sit down at that table with you because they find they have the same interests. They were just waiting for that person to start the table.

We’re a community of 3 in this city of roughly 380,000 people.  I actually know that interest in mobile photography is much greater than 3 people and it’s why I cannot seriously upset with the turnout for the meetup.   Next time, I know Mike is bringing his lady with him.  Next time, I might bring another friend and so on. I want people to be inspired to join in the discussion around mobile photography and apps like Instagram for iPhone.

The instagram meetup was just a reason to get people together that believe that there are amazing things happening with photography right now.  Instagram is a part of an amazing revolution happening and whether you’re interested in the iPhone app or not, there is a movement happening.  We’re apart of that movement and believe it can impact our lives in positive ways.

Instagram was one of the first, if not the first, app to turn photography into a social media channel. Many apps are following and just last week we saw the release of Color.  Color is going to be another one of these social networking apps that strongly utilize photography.  Everyone is creating content online as they check-in, shoot a photo, and share it.  You can even earn points with apps like Topguest by taking Instagram photos at the check-in location.  An upcoming site for daily design deals is probably going to be making use of instagram as well – you’ll see soon enough.

Remember the Photowalk London?

Anyone reading this article outside of London, Ontario may be able to relate to their own city or their own efforts of starting photography meetups.  I remember when there were a few questions on Twitter wondering if anyone would show up to a photowalk if one was started.  I remember asking the same a number of times.  But I feel confident that because I spoke up and took a risk to go outside my social circle, the photowalk had a better chance of happening.  I’m not saying that our first London photowalk happened because I said something – that’s clearly not the case from the response to the Instameet.  But I helped to share the message by retweeting and replying on Twitter.  That reply could then be retweeted by another person.  It helps to spread the idea and message of something happening.  This is what I had hoped for when I mentioned the Instagram Meetup.

I went to a bunch of Photowalks over time but each time I felt less and less comfortable.  Probably just my own perception but I felt like the photowalk had become more about the organizers than the photography or social photography – much like the feelings I got with PhotoCamp London.  It became more about seeing your name in lights than it did about making photography a part of your life and becoming a social experience.  Imagine a photowalk with Instagram or the Color app? Imagine being able to see what others are taking photographs of while on the photowalk.  This is the potential.  The way the London Photowalk site is set up, it does not promote a social photography scene for London. Instead it presents a gatekeeper feel to the entire idea.

Is the Future of Photography Social?

The new Color App is pretty much banking 41 million on photography being social. With Instagram, PicPlz, Color, More and more aspects of our lifestyles are being integrated with mobile photography.  If Apple integrates an 8 megapixel camera with the iPhone 5, it’s not that lower than my Nikon D300.  My Nikon D300 will actually feel far less superior because I can’t even share images or quickly modify them using a mobile workflow.  This is going to become increasingly apparent as we move forward each day. The faster I can shoot, edit, and share photography the more social it becomes.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t care about our traditional forms of photography, but I am very interested to see where we’re heading.  We understand that not everyone is going to be interested yet.  We’re making our own tribe that believes in the ability to integrate photography into our life. I chose to walk through the door that Instagram opened to the adjacent possible – and it would be silly to walk back now.

The future of photography and the future of a social web depend on us to step outside of the social circles we create for ourselves on a regular basis.  I mention this advice because I need it the most too.  I’m not an exception. By writing this I am calling myself out to more things in the city.  I just want to feel comfortable when I’m at these events and not uncomfortable like I have in the past. If I’m willing to go out to something alone, I hope someone else is willing to break away from their social group and help to make people feel comfortable.  However, I have resigned any desire to try and shout.

I’ve been open to a number of different communities in London.  I’ll still support them as I mentioned earlier.  I hope that our sphere does grow, but I won’t be concerned if it doesn’t.  I assume people will want to connect though because it’s about everyone having the ability to be their own photographer today.  Mobile devices are turning photography into a truly mobile and social opportunity – finally. Our discussion at the Instameet actually brought up something awesome we may pursue around this movement of democratized photographers and Instagram.

Question for you

Will DSLR cameras become increasingly cumbersome? Will mobile devices surpass the digital camera industry sooner than later and provide a social future for photography? This is something we’d love to discuss as we happily explore creativity and create content with our iPhones, Androids and mobile devices.  Or do you think all of this “photography with our phone”, and an app like Instagram, is just another fad [like HDR photography]?

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Oh, and here’s the Mitch Joel TEDx Talk to watch:

The photograph above was shot with my iPhone 3Gs.  The picture isn’t perfect and I didn’t spend a half hour in Photoshop to make it look pretty.  I could even create 13 looks in just a few seconds while playing within iPhone App Instagram.  Within a few moments, I’m able to share this type of image, from my iPhone, with the world.

It’s been said that the French Quarter begins in the lobby of the Hotel Monteleone.

Since then, I’ve been sharing more and more of my iPhone photography from New Orleans.  The other week, The Hotel Monteleone asked if they could use one of the images as their Facebook Profile Picture and Twitter avatar.

Who knows how long The Hotel Monteleone will continue to use my photography but I am still very honored.

We were super happy with our stay at the hotel, but this situation turned me into a serious promoter.  If anyone asked where to stay while in New Orleans, I would instantly say The Hotel Monteleone.   The only thing I hope the hotel changes in the future is their Wi-Fi situation.  A free and simple Wi-Fi would have been awesome and helpful instead of a pay option.  With such a great presence within social media, I am sure that they may make that change.

Can other hotels, or businesses for that matter, take anything away here?

The Hotel Monteleone’s engagement with me through social media is fascinating. They didn’t just say “oh hey another picture” and  let the tweet roll by. They are listening and that’s a huge way to stand out today.   Can your business benefit from the creativity of your customers?  Or are you making them feel isolated or like you don’t care?

Photography is playing a larger and large part in marketing and PR. Just sharing the images your clientele create can turn them from a satisfied customer into a raving fan.

PS. Should I have asked for a monetary gift for their usage of the image? This is something I struggle with and any future advice would be awesomely appreciated.

]]> http://www.nuwomb.com/social-media-iphone-photography-and-the-hotel-monteleone/feed/ 0 http://www.nuwomb.com/facebook-as-a-gateway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=facebook-as-a-gateway http://www.nuwomb.com/facebook-as-a-gateway/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:12:37 +0000 Scott Webb http://www.nuwomb.com/?p=2892

If you’re like me, you’ve had a love and hate relationship with Facebook. I started out loving it, moved into hating it, and coming out loving it again. Right now, I am trying to look at Facebook as a very positive opportunity. I look at it as a gateway to live a lifestyle based on your passion in life.  The internet opens that world up, but Facebook becoming the gateway to that new space for our Moms and Dads!

The Gateway – A new road is built

With technology comes confusion, fear and change. Young people, who’ve grown up surrounded by computers and the internet, have embraced surfing the internet. Do you remember being encouraged to get off the computer and go to bed? Do you remember your parents being concerned that the internet is negative and you’re wasting so much time on it? If you do, I think that’s pretty normal. Except there is a shift. Slowly, parents were more and more introduced to the use of the internet. I don’t know if it was through work or not, but there was a strong shift.

As I reflect on my own life, I started to notice my parents using the computer more and more as I was leaving High School and starting University. E-mail helped with communication and it may have been curiosity that engaged the ‘surfing the web.’

Although I noticed an increase in use of the computer, it was still primitive. The internet is still primitive in the eyes of many experts. Now, I am probably going out on a pretty big limb here, but I would not imagine many people looking to start websites. Teens were building websites on places like Geocities for fun and learning, but I don’t recall any adults in my world starting websites.

Fast Forward to right now and your Mom is probably on Facebook ( Maybe even your Dad ). Even if you parents are not active on Facebook daily, they’re exposed to a new social world. After a few conversations over the phone with family, your parents have spread word that they’ve joined Facebook. Suddenly, uncles and aunts are finding you as well. The family reunion isn’t the only time you’re connecting with extended family anymore.

I recently heard Erik Qualman mention that the fastest growing demographic on Facebook now is the 55-65 year old woman. Mothers and Grand Mothers want to connect with their Daughter and Grand Daughters. The more they show up, the more you’re exposing them killer web content.

Your parents and family are now being exposed to your extended web surfing. The more amazing websites and bits of information you share with Facebook, shares them with your Mom, Dad, Aunt, Cousin. They’re interested in knowing more about you and seeing what you found. Amazingly, this simply conditioning another generation to what we’ve loved for so long.

Why I am Excited about this?

I am excited for a shift in Lifestyle.  I gain excitement because my Mom is going to jump into her passion. She got on Facebook, and is now ready to start her own website and blog centered about an alliance for feral cats.  Yes, she is going to seriously pursue passion for helping feral cats! Looking back a few years ago, we would never think it could be possible.  I am so excited to help her with her project and be involved with her helping give feral cats some TLC.  If you asked my girlfriend Marika about my mom, she would tell you how much my mom adores and cares for cats.  Not that she worked in insurance for many years and will give you a quote.  What is a big part of your life? What has true meaning for you? That’s what this is about.

Moms, parents, and family in general are being exposed to others getting involved in their passions.  These are parents that have been so frustrated with their careers for years!

It’s our job to say that it’s not too late;  it’s time to branch out from just using Facebook and build yourself up online.  I want everyone that I know on Linkedin (here is my profile: Scott Webb) as well.  Twitter may be a harder sell, but I plan to incorporate it into my moms’ website.  Even if she doesn’t use it, it’s going to broadcast her updates automatically.

Soft Conclusion on Facebook as a Gateway

Facebook is awesome because of it’s social ability to share online greatness with a mass audience that may not be as engaged online.   Over time, we expose parents and elders into the wonder and power of internet.   Remember that it will take time and I think it is your responsibility to share as much content in your stream that interests you.  It’s going to strengthen relationships, and show them a way to live authentically.

Eventually, branching out and experiencing your own space online and other social media sites will need to happen.  I hope that more baby boomers branch out (of course still utilizing facebook) to experience Linkedin, Twitter, and Blogging on their own Domain.  You don’t have to have a work persona, weekend persona, and secret closed door persona anymore.  Being authentic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week starts with Facebook and branches out from there.

Don’t forget to join the Nuwomb Creative Fan page on Facebook!

Garden State. In Garden State, the characters come across a massive hole in the ground. It’s discussed and named the Infinite Abyss. If you were to throw something down it, it would simply fall forever.

Forever. Lost, falling into the Abyss. You might catch a short glimpse of the image(s) before you can’t see them anymore. And this is how I am starting to look at Facebook Photo Albums: As an Infinite Abyss.

I love photography. I enjoy looking at many photography websites, photoblogs and portfolios. But I tend to stay away from the Abyss that is Facebook and Photography.

Please don’t confuse that statement as me saying that I don’t agree with any photos being uploaded to Facebook. I fully believe that everyone should share their photographs within the Facebook Community. Now here is the problem and why I see it as an “infinite abyss” – People upload a memory card worth of photographs at once. Go on a vacation recently? Might as well upload all 200 photos! I even catch a glimpse of some that need rotating still. I’ve tried to look at pictures and find I can’t keep clicking next after the first few.

So what do we do about this?

Most people will probably do nothing. Most people will continue to barf photographs up for no other reason than the fact that they can. But, you? Hopefully you’ll take a moment and think about the photographs you’re going to share.

Take a moment and really consider which are the best photographs. Show you’re favourite images; images that you took a few extra moments to clean up and show you care about them. I know that not everyone has Adobe Photoshop, but there are programs now that you can take a few moments to improve the image. I’ve seen commercials on TV with 4 year olds doing it. You spend a paycheck on that digital camera and I really believe that you’ll be adding value to Facebook if you only upload the images you care about. You don’t add just ANY photograph to a tangible photo album, so pick the best.

If you want to go a step further, step out of Facebook for your images. If the images are of you doing something you’d regret someday, don’t show it. Remember the quote I used from Chris Brogan about not everything stays in Vegas. Your Online Presence is important! Even if you’ve “protected” your Facebook profile, I am sure there is still away for an image to be leaked.

Consider Uniqueness, Personality, and Creativity

What I mean by stepping out of Facebook is to create a photoblog. Creating a photoblog allows you to have a bit more control and you can link your photoblog to Facebook, so that when you show some photographs off, your Feed will be updated. I do it now and I find it way better than uploading to my photo albums.

I strongly suggest people consider this option because who knows if Facebook will be around forever. Having control over your images online, gives you a way to truly display your photographs like they deserve. Facebook is notorious for degrading images of mine. The benefits go on and on for using a photoblog instead of Facebook for housing your photos. A big one is RSS Subscription or E-mail Subscription. Whenever the photoblog would be updated, you’d get an e-mail with the images. Pretty simple to keep in touch.

Creativity and uniqueness has become priceless these days.  I would hope if you’re adding photos to a photo album for your living room, you’re going to try and find something you can personally stand seeing everyday on your coffee table.  You want something unique, interesting, and with personality to hold your treasured memories.  This is how I view a photoblog online as well. Consider the photo below. What a freaking cool photo album!

Rise above the status quo and look at ways to show off your photography, your family, and the great experiences you have in your life. Give yourself permission to take control of your online presence.  My Online photo albums are getting a makeover next week and I’ve never been so excited.

This article is intended to raise your creative awareness. There are so many tools, and ways to enhance your experience online. I know Facebook is great for some things and social sharing, but you can still do that but gaining greater artistic freedom through a blog or photoblog.

What are your thoughts? Is Facebook just a place to contribute to the noise? Upload and spew as many things out as you can? Or become selective?

Students! Create or Get A Cushy Job using a Blog!

• Weather you’re in 1st year, 4th year, or within a Graduate Program, Why not Start building authority now.  Don’t wait until you’re finished school to start persuing opportunities.   By blogging about your industry or subject, you’re becoming far more involved than an above average person.   You’re showing your passion, initiative and drive.  This guide to building a better blog in 31 days could be looked at in a light that is related to your program – apply these ideas and steps to a blog or to your learning and you’ll be taking off!  What else is going to help you stand out right now? I am promoting one means of standing out here and I’m sure there are more.  Get over Facebook, start your own hosted blog with your own domain and build your online presence/brand. It’s the cheapest way to start. It takes time to build the authority so the sooner you start, the bigger benefit come graduation.

Capture Inspiration for your Field of Study

• Use all or part of your blog as a way to capture inspiration in your field of Study.  For example, if you’re studying photography or architecture, a blog would be a killer way to post images for inspiration to you and others interested in the subject.  Other classmates may start looking at what you’re up to and notice you as strong competition.  Of course, you need to be doing your school work as well.  It would be busy, but it’s very, very possible.  As you research and scratch for ideas, you are able to share.  This type of mentality is one of abundance instead of keeping things to yourself and a selfish mindset.  You may notice more classmates sharing interesting things they find with you to post on your blog.

Build Relationships Off and Online During School

• Build relationships on and offline while in school – become a Trust Agent for your class and subject.  People in your industry may stumble upon your blog, browse your blog at the time of application and see the time and work you put into everything.  This is something you cannot even begin to see from looking at a portfolio.  You may not even know who may be watching and listening to you until they contact you.

Any Arts or Design Students should Build Interest with a Blog

• Your blog can become your portfolio – I love this for Photography and Art.  As great as a simple portforlio with finalized projects can be, people love to see how you work and how your think.   Your blog would be a way to discuss thought processes, show progress images on projects.  While in school, you can build interest and early fans of your work.  You may even be able to earn extra cash while in school and help make it a more comfortable experience.

• Get opinions of others when you’ve received projects or reports back from grading.  Every student within an artistic program should be purchasing The Unconventional Guide to Art and Money.  This is information you may never learn from your old school professor.  A blog can be used as your virtual studio and everything you do online takes people towards your blog. Everything you do within any social media website can promote your brand and blog.  This is very important for 21st century success.  Imagine noting your blog analytics [traffic/impressions/alexa ranking/page rank] on your resume.

Improve Your Grades by Starting to Blog

• Improve your writing skills.  I am not the best writer; however, I am hoping to improve as this blog continues on.  I remember a radio station talking with an HR representitive, where the HR Rep was discussing one of the largest issues with applicants just out of school:  Horrible Spelling.  Writing within a blog is much different than writing instant messages.  You’re required to form sentences, write more, and improve.  This helps when it comes time to write your reports.  It also gets you into the habit of writing on a regular basis.
• You could use your blog as a way to write your reports.  I actually recommend using a GTD (get things done approach that Dragos Roua brought to my attention via his own blog – it involves Mac Journal).  You could set your report to be released on your blog on the due date.  Your report could be later sold as an ebook! This is very interesting and leads to my next point.

Use a Blog to Generate Income while In School

Monetization  of your blog while in school! There are so many ways to make an income online.  Hard work is involved, and since you’re working hard in school, all you need to do is translate just part of what you’re learning to a blog to gain traction.  These are a few ways you could start to possibly earn an income from a blog:

• Tutoring or Coaching – Students that are not confident in certain areas or students in years below you may come to you for tutoring or coaching sessions while in school.
• Ebooks – Write about your design process, how you get your creative juices flowing, publish your projects as bodies of work for interested people.  You don’t have to give away everything about you, but you’re becoming transparent and people can really appreciate someone that is such a team player and interested in building relationships.
• Membership – create a members only part of your blog or forum that is for the top people within your class.  Only open it up to a certain number of people or a cost per term.
• Services- Proof Reading service for reading over reports for students in years below you, or critiques the day before the due date or presentation date for other students.
• Art / Print Sales – list your art, prints, or jewelry on your blog as you create and move through school to earn that extra money.
• Adsense – add adsense to your blog and see what happens! There are a lot of people earning income from this and it could pay for an extra book or pay for a celebration after a project is done.

Are Students Blogging Already?

I have no doubt there are a great number of student bloggers. I used to blog (I guess it was called a journal) while in school, but there was a problem at that point for me.  I would mainly use my “journal” as a place to complain. A lot of people seemed to do that. Or the blog was used for trivial affairs, like how hungover I was that day or whatever.  It was not focused on a topic or dream.  If I was in school now, I would be blogging constantly around my subject.  I would probably be doing exactly what I’m doing right now, perhaps I’d be exposed to situations that would help create new ideas for titles though.  It’s interesting to think about what my schooling would have been like today.  Take advantage of how easy it is to start a blog and build your personal brand as early as possible.  If you want to start a blog but you’re unsure how to go about it, Caroline Middlebrook has an amazing resource for getting it all moving.   If you need me to start your blog and install WordPress (a blogging software on your own domain) then visit my to get going quick.

Do you think this is possible for students? Is it too much and would blogging seriously impact studies in a negative way?  Or do you think there is something that could help them more?  Could blogging become the student part time job of the 21st century?

You tell me.