The Dark Side of Platform Dependence—What It Is And What To Do About It
In the final article in our month-long series on how photographers can thrive on Instagram, let's consider if Instagram is carrying more of the marketing load in your brand than it should.
Recently, Instagram has been tugging us along on a wild ride, and this month we’ve dedicated time to dig into the struggle that presents to photographers. But more importantly, we’ve offered some real solutions! We’ve shown that, despite dealing in still imagery, you can thrive on a platform increasingly moving toward video. We’ve even given you some starter scripts to do it with ease!
But let’s be honest, these all feel kinda like short-term solutions, don’t they?
I mean, the reason we are even talking about this is that a platform decided to totally shift its attention and strategy—a decision that had major ramifications for your business. All without consulting you. So, who’s to say they won’t do it again next year, next month, or even tomorrow?
While we can ride the wave in the short term, it’s just as important to think long term. To find solutions that won’t always leave you feeling ripped out to sea. Because we believe the final step in truly thriving on Instagram is taking a little of the pressure off! By making it one part of your marketing tool kit, not the whole dang thing, Instagram can be fun again.
So, today let’s talk about the bigger picture. Let’s talk about platform dependence.
Tackling this complex topic could be the thing that allows you to upscale exponentially without prematurely graying as you try to learn the next big thing your preferred platform throws your way. Let’s dive into what platform dependence is, how to spot it, and what to do about it when you do discover it in your own biz.