Success isn't
something that just happens - success is learned, success is practiced and then
it is shared. - Sparky Anderson
The main thing I wanted to talk about is marketing a new
business and a few interesting things I have found. I have a rather “new”
photography business because I recently moved my business from Florida to New
Jersey, which created a whole new set of challenges. This meant, I had to find creative
ways to get my name out to my new community. I’m a little bit of an introvert,
I’d rather stay at home and hang out by myself than go out and with a group of
people. I’m much more comfortable sitting home drinking a craft beer and
playing video games, or surfing the web: this is a very common trap for anyone
who is trying to grow their business. Like most creative people we tend to be introverted which does not translate well into expanding into larger markets. Being
introverted does not have to be a business killer, if you know how to embrace
it and use it to your advantage. Therefore, I always keep in mind: “Take
responsibility for yourself.., because no one's going to take responsibility
for you.” -Tyra Banks
I originally thought I could just grow my business and get
new clients by using social media, my blog, my website, and anything else I can
find online. As photographers we should be using all these outlets to promote
our business but we should not use it as our only form of marketing. Business
is about people and by only using the internet we are limiting our reach.
Subsequently, business is about the owner solving
problems for clients, and getting a financial return for their efforts. If
people trust a business person they will gladly compensate you for your product.
As a photographer my product is my photography and what I can create for the
client. Photographs are my product, and most importantly it is a part
of me, it is my creation. People are hiring me for what I can do; they are hiring me because
they like and trust me. Think about it, if you lined up 100 photographs of different
weddings from 100 different photographers and the photographers weren't allowed
to be in the room with the display. Then, ask a bride to pick a wedding
photographer based solely on the photographs in front of her, what would her
main objection be? I can guarantee you
it would be “well I would really want to talk to the photographer and meet them
before I decide”. So I have to remind myself
to get out of my comfort zone and get out of my house and do some real
marketing. Because it as William James, the father of modern psychology said,
and I paraphrase: one has to run far enough on their first wind to find out if
they have a second wind.”
So as I
close, I want to challenge you to get out there, start meeting people, vendors,
and potential clients alike, then find out their needs and help them. Some
concrete ways of doing so is to be a part of fundraisers and community events. One of our family clients recently had their
little girl diagnosed with leukemia. We did a fundraiser for her and people
loved it, which helped raised money for her treatment. So get off the computer
and get out there and meet people. Find
people on social media and meet up with them, find groups online you can get
involved with then go in person and make connections. Find creative ways to let
people know what you do.
‘The more you do something the easier it gets: “If we did
all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves. -Thomas
Edison
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