GENERAL DOS AND DON’TS
Do use your real name.
Do use a recent photo of yourself.
Don’t use one from 10 years ago.
Do keep it updated.
Don’t untag yourself in a picture because you look funky. It is the fun of Facebook and laugh it off.
Do untag yourself if it is a totally inappropriate photo. You may want to contact the person who posted it and kindly ask them to remove it.
Do tag the photos you post with your friends.
Do consider what Facebook is every time you post something. It is SOCIAL.
Don’t friend people you don’t know just because you want more business. Fishing for people may get you socially banned.
Do spend time building your community.
Don’t poke people. It’s lame!
Do update your status often.
Don’t update about mundane activities or that you are on vacation (a thief’s dream!)
Do be careful what you post. Your boss might be watching.
Don’t get hung up on the small stuff such people unfriending you, or friends not pushing the like button, or friends not seeing your post.

UNDER YOUR INFO TAB
Do have a complete profile.
Don’t use your home address
Do join groups and pages and get involved.
Don’t put false information up.
Do include some fun things about yourself such as favorite TV shows or activities you are into.
Don’t or Do include your religion. This is up to you, but I recommend not posting that you are a fanatic about anything. Of course if you are a fanatic, you would want to post your views, and post it everywhere, but if your goal is to make connections to eventually build your business you are better off being sort of neutral. Neutral opinionated. Have a voice, but don’t force anything down anyone’s throat. Hope that makes sense.

UNDER YOUR HOME TAB
Do hit the LIKE button as often as you can.
Do comment on your newsfeed under the Home button.
Do check people’s birthdays and write a Happy Birthday note on their wall.
Don’t leave your website as a signature when you comment on things, that would be like chiming in at a cocktail party and after every conversation forcing your business card into the person’s pocket.

UNDER YOUR WALL TAB
Don’t only post marketing things. Again, think social.
Do send private messages rather than post too personal items on people’s walls.
Don’t feel like you have to be the last person to speak on your wall posts.
Do unfriend people whom you think are misusing Facebook.
Don’t unfriend someone you know just because they are bothering you with their updates.
Do HIDE them. Click to the right of their post and hit “Hide.” To un-hide them go to the bottom of your News Feed page and click on the link “Edit Options.” There you can Add them back in.
Don’t let them know you have hidden them. They will never know.
Do know your audience (friends) and post accordingly.
Do pick a personal area or areas you would like to share and keep it light.
Do update with photos as often as you can. People are drawn to photos.

RULES IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER
Don’t spend too much time playing the Facebook games. It will make you look like you have WAY too much time on your hands. Successful people are not time wasters.
Don’t send people Wall graffiti.
Don’t put “woe is me” status updates on your profile. It’s not good for business.
Do have fun with your time on Facebook and don’t get too crazy with it. It is addicting so BEWARE!!!

These “dos and don’ts” are just a place to start. You may not agree with everything I have said or you may wish to add to this topic so I would love your comments and feedback on this post. I am always interested in other’s opinions.

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Copyright © 2010 by Jen O’Sullivan http://www.jenosullivan.com
Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.
Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

My top three things I always tell potential clients are:

1. Make sure you like the personality of your photographer. They will be the one service provider that will be with you the entire day!
2. Really LOOK at their work. Can you see yourself in their shots? Scrutinize their photography. If you don’t LOVE it, then keep looking. You want your heart to melt when you see their work. And look at an entire days worth of shots, not just the best ones. You would be surprised at how easy it is to get a few good shots and the rest are terrible.
3. Price is important, but remember, these photographs will be your heirloom! If you need to take small amounts from other categories to beef up your photo budget, do so. It will be the only thing you have left after everything is said and done.

Here is something to consider with price:
For coverage only, no albums. This is based on my experience in Los Angeles only, so please no backlash from other states.

$1,500-$2,000
The majority of photographers fall into this budget range. The photographer will be okay and if they are really talented and good, they may not have a bunch of experience: 1-3 years. If they have a bunch of experience, they may be doing 50-100 weddings per year which means you will not get the best personal service before and after the wedding. You can also find very experienced photographers at this rate but they are only charging you for their time and you will have to pay for prints later. These are the more traditional photographers. These are just facts.

$2,500-$3,000
The photographer will be a good solid investment however they may only have 3-5 years of experience. You can find some artists at the $3,000 range. Mostly photojournalists who will shoot and give you the files and that is it.

$4,000-$5,000
More experience and camera understanding and more artists and portrait journalists than traditional photographers. You will get better service as these shooters tend to stay in the under 40 weddings a year range.

$6,000-$8,500
These photographers are a more full service breed. You start to get into artwork that you will want to blow up on huge canvases in your home. These are the word of mouth, better photographers who average 25-35 weddings per year.

$10,000 +
These photographers do only a select number of weddings per year and have a solid following. You will get impeccable service and photography at this rate (at least you SHOULD!)

$25,000-$50,000
These photographers are celebrity wedding shooters. Strictly word of mouth.

There is my 2 cents.
I fall in the $5,000-$7,000 range and the one thing I consistently hear over and over from my clients and their family is “I cannot believe how beautiful everything came out, you and your staff were so great at the wedding, and I am floored at how your attention to detail, even after the wedding, is so high.”
My biggest concern outside of killing myself to get “the shot” is to make sure my clients are enjoying their day. I am known to cry at the ceremony and laugh out loud during the reception all while shooting away trying to capture every definitive moment throughout the time I am there. My clients become my friends and I love every one of them. It is as important that I want to work with you as much as you want to work with me.
If you are looking for someone that will truly take care of you and give you phenomenal wedding photography, make sure your budget is in the $5,000+ range. You will be thankful when all is said and done.

Jen O’Sullivan
Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography
357 South Robertson Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310-494-6547
http://www.jenosullivan.com
jen@jenosullivan.com

Copyright © 2010 by Jen O’Sullivan http://www.jenosullivan.com

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism. She is known for her beautifully captured emotion filled moments, stunning details, and imagery that has a storybook feel.

Jen O’Sullivan, LLC | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547