Facebook Self-Evaluation

Facebook Final Evaluation

Through the many courses I have attended at Dixie State, self-evaluations have become an expected assignment in the class curriculum. It is one of the harder tasks for me to complete because I have trouble being objective to my own work; work that I believe is some of my best. However, over the years I have become better at doing so and accepting positive criticism in hopes of becoming better and improving on all of my skills.

As I sat down to type this self-evaluation, which pertains to my Facebook page that I created earlier in the semester, MLA-Photography I became worried. I realized had not followed up with my Facebook plan, which I posted earlier on this blog. I have been paying close attention to my Facebook page, but I lost sight of what my particular target market was, or perhaps it changed?

As I continued reading, my Facebook plan I came across the personas I created for my page. Immediately I began to rethink the direction in photography I had taken. Most of the personas I had written were dead on with the type of customers I have had and the type of photographs I have been taking.  However, I was disappointed, in myself, to find I had not met one of the specific personas I had created, the outdoor enthusiasts.

As I developed my mission statement, I began to think of what set me apart from other photographers; better yet, photographers in Southern Utah. Instantly I recognized the lifestyle that I live, and how I could pull my photography skills into that setting in order to develop original pictures. As an outdoor enthusiast: avid rock climber, mountain biker, Jeep driver, motocross rider, and hiker. I realized I go many places other people don’t go, and those that do, aren’t willing to pack along a 3k+ camera and equipment. This gave me the upper hand in these departments and broadened my horizons in customer selection.

Overall, I failed my attempt at hitting the market where my photography could have taken off most. A disappointment, yes, but it’s not too late to continue my ventures and start conversing with people who enjoy outdoor recreation like myself; capturing them in an environment they love so they can continue to hold on to the memories for years to come.

In conclusion, MLA-Photography has become a great side business and something I have enjoyed doing over the past few months. I’ve upgraded some of my equipment and purchased business cards in the process which continues to help get the word out. Also, a huge shout out to Facebook, the king of social media in my book. Without you, I would have not been able to get my work out and share it with the people who enjoy seeing it most.  With all failures aside MLA-Photography will become a great success if I continue to develop my marketing technique and engage users with the content I am posting.

To all the other Facebook page owning, photo taking, photo editing, camera users out there: I look forward to your competition.