So…I thought I’d share it with you, because most people…including myself have fallen into this trap.

Here’s the email she wrote and the advice I gave her.

=====================================

Hi Scott, my name is Bec,

I have bought and am using many of your backgrounds and am about to begin a party plan business using them. I will purchase many more from you in the future for this business.

Scott, I need some very quick advice please. I am currently charging $60 for a creation fee and in that the customer was getting 6 photos onto 6 different backgrounds of there choice + 6 small photos.

The problem I had with my first party was that everyone took the 6 free photos with the intention to scan them, so therefor I had not even 1 sale, an in fact was in debt from that party.

Do you have any suggestions please?

Bec
==============================================
==================================================
Hi Bec,

First let me say…congrats on Taking Action! That’s the very first step and most people don’t even get that far.

Now…I would suggest tweaking and testing different ways to present your portraits. You could have a follow up party or meet with each person again to show them their portraits. Then you could sell additional items and possibly set up a future private session.

***It’s Not Always About Making The Sale!***

The other thing you need to keep in mind is that the portrait party is not all about making the sale. Yes…you can make some money, but it’s all about getting your name out there and setting up appointments for your full sessions.

You should be collecting their email, mailing address and phone numbers. That’s The TRUE Gold Here!

Then you can follow up with them to let them know of your upcoming Specials, Facebook updates, Blog updates….and Build The Relationship!

***Building Relationships….Is HUGE***

I can’t stress this enough. Building a relationship is HUGE for long business success. These people will become fans and promote you and your business for YEARS!

I know you said this may have cost you money…but it’s a much better way to spend money on advertising than just throwing an Ad in the newspaper. You actually met with people who are in your targeted market. You should have received their contact information for future follow ups.

So…if it cost you $25 to create these images, I would say that’s money well spent. Yes…you spent your time, but that’s business. If you want to be successful, you need to put in the work and the time.

I hope this helps to show how it’s not always about getting the sale. It goes much deeper and the price on a potential client and their contact information….is HUGE!

Keep your chin up and focus on creating beautiful images that Make People Happy and you’ll do FINE!

It’s all part of the journey. But…if you have a passion for photography and love making people happy by creating portraits, you have to keep pushing. The only one that can get in the way of your success…is you.

Here’s to your success!

Scott

==================================

I hope you can see there’s that there’s so much more than just the initial sale and just because you didn’t get the sale today…you may receive one tomorrow.

Click the “LIKE” button below and share some Love

***********************************************************

Resources:

Create Unique portraits month after month – Digital Creation’s Club

NPB Pro The Inner Circle – Photography Business Community

I’ll reveal (2) important mistakes that photography businesses make and how you can avoid them. Plus…I’ll show you (2) methods so you can get new clients and more sales…without having to do a lot more work. That’s pretty COOL

In this lesson I’ll show you a real life example from (Karen) one of our NPB Pro Inner Circle Members. She did everything right and now proved to herself that this stuff really works. As long as you use what I show you in this lesson…your business can grow leaps and bounds.

This is all about using the resources you already have and Taking Action! I’ll explain everything in this short 9 minute video.

Click the play button below.

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

…and Click the “LIKE” button and show a little love to our Facebook friends

These are people who already paid you and have their credit cards out wanting to buy more stuff. But…they can only buy what you show them. This is a very important lesson and you should take notes on this one. Most business owners fail to offer more items for clients to invest in….and that could mean a lot of money that you’re leaving on the table. Enjoy the Podcast!

Check Out NPB Pro The Inner Circle Our New Photography Community

I wanted to share it with the WORLD and post it on the blog

So…make sure you listen and leave any comments below. This story will help a Beginner or a Pro…it’s a Powerful Message. Enjoy

This was a small clip of what NPB Pro offers it’s members. Click Here to check out MORE!

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this from Photography Business Owners. We as humans want results….NOW! We think if we try something once and it doesn’t work, than it doesn’t work. We expect if we send out a postcard to people one time, they should respond.

WRONG!

The truth is that it can take 5-7 times (sometimes more) for people to see you and then respond. Sometimes the time isn’t right for the individual or maybe they just don’t know you or trust you. Maybe they are happy with their photographer at the moment.

But…who knows if they will 6 months from now. Things change as we all know…Right?

I wanted to shoot a video and explain why marketing is a lot like fishing or playing sports. I want you to see that you need to be persistent and willing to keep trying in order to be successful. If it was so easy…everyone would be successful.

I also wanted to remind you that the clients that you already have or get in the future, will be your best advertising tool…EVER! So many people want to find new clients, but don’t use their past clients to help promote them. This is the BIG picture. Finding clients and having those clients promote you with word of mouth advertising. Period!

Remember…it takes persistence and a desire to be successful. You can do it

Watch the video below!

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

=

Click the “Like” button and show some love

Click Here to Check Out BizControl Marketing Course

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The thing is, you can receive 100 great responses or feedback from people, but the 1 negative message seems to take control over your thoughts a lot more than the positive ones. Trust me…I know this from experience and it has happened to me too!

Actually…that’s what motivated me to create this video and blog post.

I received an email the other day that almost made me fall into this Mental Trap. But, I knew what I had to do…to make sure I didn’t loose site of all of the good things I am doing and positive comments I’ve received. I’ll explain more details in the video and it will make more sense.

If you struggle with confidence in yourself or your business, than you need to watch this and remember to focus on the good.

Press play to watch the video below and I’ll explain everything

Oh…I almost forgot to mention…I shot this on the Nikon D90 and I’m still working out the kinks.

As always…leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

Click the “Like” button and spread the love TOO

Question #1 - I can’t get people to pay higher prices for more services. Why?

Short Answer: This is where I use the ipad example of how a strong “Desire”  is a huge driver for your marketing and you need to use it every chance you get. Don’t worry…it will make more sense in the podcast.

Question #2 – I’m in the market for a new studio lighting kit. Do I want Continuous or Strobes to use with my SB-600 and SB-900 flashes?

Short Answer: You should always use the same light source in your photography whenever possible. Joe breaks down exactly why this is important and what he would recommend for a simple set up.

Click the play button below to listen to the podcast.

• Download for iPhone – (Right Click and “Save As” to computer)

• Download Mp3 – (Right Click and “Save As” to computer)

As always…leave a comment below and let us know what you think about this post.

Click the “LIKE” button and help us spread the word about these Podcasts.

Listen to the short 4 minute audio recording below and I’ll explain about this trap that most new Photographers fall into. Then read the post to see a clear visual of how this works.

I received an email a few weeks ago from Sharron, who’s an NewPortraitBiz subscriber asking “How To Compete With The Big Dog Photography Studios“.

I get asked this a lot and the fact is that most people who are Starting a Photography Business worry about competing with the Walmart type Photography Studios and they really shouldn’t.

After Sharron read my email I sent IMMEDIATELY, a few weeks later she wrote me back and said…”Thank You!”

Here’s the email I received giving me the UPDATE.
============================

Hi Scott – You probably don’t remember me but I emailed you last month in a panic regarding these studios offering unbelievable deals and asked how could I compete.  You said “DON’T”.  “Treat your client’s well and move forward”

Thank you!

Since then I’ve done a huge family project, have been invited to bid on a county youth lacrosse league to shoot teams and individual players, invited to bid on shooting an open house for a large insurance agency (posed and candid shots), a wedding and two family sittings.

Not bragging – just wanted to tell you I’m so glad I had the sense to listen to you and to share my progress.

Thanks!

Sharron Key
==================================

So What Did I Tell Her?

I emailed Sharron back immediately and told her that she shouldn’t worry about this type of competition. What she should focus on is how to separate herself from the crowd and “Treat Her Client’s Well” and move on.

We all tend to focus on what we can’t change and not focus on what we can change. Here’s a few ways to make yourself standout from the Big Dogs.

I want you to read that again…”We all tend to focus on what we can’t change and not focus on what we can change.” That’s a BIg One!

So…here’s the basic idea how to do it.

1. Develop A Relationship (Your Control)
Learn about them and their families and take the time to focus on what they need and want. Having patience to get that perfect shot when the Walmart Photographer, just says next. You’ll stand out and the clients will tell their friends and family how you took the time to get the shot.

2. Over Deliver (Your Control)
Give them something they weren’t expecting. If they ordered a large package…throw in an extra 8×10 just to say thanks. Sometimes spending a little extra time could be considered over delivering.

3. Great Communications (Your Control)
This one a lot of people drop the ball on. If a client calls to book an appointment, make sure you follow up ASAP. If they have an issue with an order…fix it FAST!

You have complete control over your clients experience and that’s what you should be focusing on.

This is just 3 things that you can do to stand out from the crowd. Plus…people will talk about you and how Awesome you are…and that’s what you want.

So, basically what I told Sharron was…”Treat Your Clients Well…And Move On“….and she did!

Yes, there will always be people looking for the best deal in town, but we don’t really want to focus on these people. We want to focus on people that want great portraits and a Great Experience. That’s what you Deliver!

If you focus on these 3 things…the rest will take care of itself. Trust in yourself and so will others.

Here’s to your Success

Leave a comment down below and let me know your thoughts or if you’ve fallen into this trap.

If you liked this post…send me a little LOVE and Click the “Like” button below.

I’ve been driving by this sign everyday for about 3 weeks and the kids always say “I Spy Something Green” and we laugh every single time. The point is that we noticed it and we became engaged.

The first thing we need to do as Marketers is get the Attention. Then we can show them what we have to offer.

That’s Right…you’re a Marketer if you like it or not

I shot this on my iPhone and recorded a short Audio explaining why this is Soooo cool.  You should think about how you can do something similar in your Photography Marketing.

Remember…you’re a Photographer, but if you want business…you need to be a Marketer.

Enjoy!

Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

-

Do me a favor…hit the “Like“ button and show some LOVE!