How do you get hits on Flickr?

davidbridges

davidbridges

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David Bridges
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Hi all,

The obvious answer to this question is to take stunning photographs. However I was wondering if there is anything else you do to increase the amounts of hits that your photo's receive apart from shameless promotion.

Thanks

David

My Flickr :D
 
Just put comments on others images, they then usually comment back on yours. I roughly get 5 comments on mine for every 10 I make on others.
 
davidbridges said:
Hi all,

The obvious answer to this question is to take stunning photographs.
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Not really, there are plenty of stunning shots that get hardly any hits, conversely plenty of awful, awful photos get hundreds of hits/comments.

If all you want are hits then, post your pic in dozens of "post one comment on ten" groups and include words like "lesbian" "nude" and "oil wrestling" in your tags (no, I'm not kidding).
 
I'm not just going for hits as some sort of a kudos, I actually want to get my photographs seen.
 
davidbridges said:
I'm not just going for hits as some sort of a kudos, I actually want to get my photographs seen.
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True, but increasing your hits through the means above are just going to get you a whole heap of "YOUR PHOTO HAS EARNED ONE GOLD STAR" type posts, not useful comments or criticism.

I'd suggest adding people on TP, I regularly look at the 'recently added by my contacts' bit, and can say something a bit more meaningful than the spam that litters flickr!

But it's up to you, and depends what you want out of the exposure really!

Chris
 
aye, put tags as above: naked lady, boobs, bum, etc etc and your hits will hit the roof!

Apart from that, just make sure you cross-link links from site to site, I have links all over the place to all my arty farty profiles!
 
Develop a network of contacts whose photos are a similar subject or style to yours. Maintain these relationships by viewing their images, and upload your latest work at times when they're (likely to be) online so not only will they be willing to offer a reciprocal view of your work, they'll also get the thumbnail on their homepage or contacts' latest uploads page. Tag your work accurately, using specific and generic terms.

Once you've done that you can expect to rank higher in search results as your image will already have proven 'interestingness'.

IME posting to groups has only negligible impact unless the image is incredibly striking or stunning.

On the other hand, posting your own image into other forums and linking back to the image page (rather than just calling the image) also enhances flickr's interestingness as flickr doesn't know who's posted the image elsewhere but does factor in how many visits that page receives from each link.
 
If you find a group that has regular interactiveness (is that a word..?!) with eachother, for instance, I'm a member of a female self portrait photographers group, and everyone is really supportive and chatty, if you can't find a group your work fits in with, perhaps think about creating one of your own!
 
well - start by joining the TalkPhotography group... :lol:

Then, you can always do a few more things to drive a little traffic your way...

When you post images from your flickr on here, make sure that they're a clicky link back to your account - people will generally click through and then have a browse around i your shots look interesting enough.

There are a couple of epic threads on here - show us yer flickr and Most Popular on Flickr where you can post and pick up a few contacts - I found that as I posted to the "show us" thread, within a day or so i'd gathered maybe 30 contacts, most of which still regularly comment on my entries.

If you do get people making you a contact, return the favour, and make sure you go in there and comment on a couple of their images that catch your eye - shouldn't be difficult, as there are a talented bunch of 'toggers on this forum (and a useless one - me!)

Oh - and you could always get a nice eye-catching signature block link for your flickr from bighugelabs :)
 
Do not criticise photos on flickr or you get blocked...I know I have been there. Some people on Flickr cannot accept any form of criticism even if it is helpful.

I avoid "Kiss my ar$$" award one and get 10:razz: groups. I do find them rather pointless.
 
I agree that the 'Post 1 Comment 4... get a crappy award' groups are pointless. I went down that route when i first started using flickr. It was a total waste of time. In all honesty, i don't get many hits... but i do have a few contacts who post valuable feedback on my images and vice versa. Quality rather than quantity is often better.

Also i don't bother with people who add you as a contact, then you look at their profile and see that they have added a ridiculous amount of people [i'm talking well into the 1000's]. It's impossible to keep up with the photo streams of that amount of people. They're just doing it to boost their own profile & that doesn't wash with me! lol.
 
I don't think my photos are particularly good or interesting compared to some of the stunning stuff you see on here, but some of them appear to be getting views. (in a small way) I believe that the majority of these views are by folks on here, following the link in my sig.
I have even had a couple of positive comments which doesn't half boost the old confidence.
I think if you leave comments on folks' photos on here, some will follow the link in your sig out of curiosity.
 
I don't post a huge amount on flickr, but I once posted a photo or two to the Strobist pool and that sent my views through the roof.
 
I find that getting dirty info on one's friends and relatives, and threatening to expose them if they don't get all their friends to look at the gallery usually works.
 
Give people your thought on their pictures. Maybe they'll take the time to reciprocate. If you're open and honest rather than sycophantical it may increase the chances they'll be honest about yours. It may also increase the chance they'll block you, but hey ho :)
 
Don't think this has been said previously :) The first thing you should do is make sure that the pics have a title and always provide some description to the shot :cool:
 
Pieface said:
Link to as many groups as possible.
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God how I hate this practice. People join ridiculous groups for single pictures to get them promoted. "The best picture of a license plate on a red car" group...
But even though I may not like this practice it does provide hits. And plenty of "awards".

Gaz81 said:
If you use facebook link your photos from there as well.
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I just saw an announcement for a Flickr tab in facebook. Going to add that as well.

Other ways? Put it in your sig. Make business cards. Put the address on a website. Tweet from time to time about it. Tag your photos. Comment on others...and take stunning photos ;)
 
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