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.

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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
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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

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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

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Resources:

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

NPB Pro The Inner Circle – Photography Business Community

This video is a Must See!

This video will show you how one of our NPB Pro students creates AMAZING portraits with a super simple set up. Try to say that 3 times fast

Honestly…you’ll be surprised how simple it is and you’ll be able to start creating these Amazing Portraits Too!

Click Play to watch the short video

After you watch the video…leave a comment below!

…and click the “LIKE” button and share the LOVE

We discuss Posing, Composition, Cropping and Framing the shot…so it can BE GREAT!

Enjoy the lesson and get out there and use this stuff

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Share some LOVE and click the “LIKE” button below!

Here’s the thread from the Inner Circle:

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So…I hope by sharing this that it can help you as well. I would print this out like Fancy said and refer back to this from time to time and remind yourself what it takes to be a good photographer.

If you would like to learn more about our NPB Pro Inner Circle…Click Here!

Remember to share this with others by clicking the “Like” button

First let me say, thanks for all the comments and feedback everyone posted. It just goes to show that we all experience negative feedback…usually one time or another, but we need to learn how to channel it.

Today’s video I wanted to talk about Deadlines and the power of using them in your business. I wanted to share a Deadline that has me running to the store TODAY with my son. If I don’t…Guess What’s Going To Happen? I’ll tell you in the video

Bottom Line: They got me…but you know what? I need that kick in the butt sometimes to get me moving. Sometimes you have to give your clients a kick in the butt too!

Press Play To Watch

Leave a comment and let me hear your thoughts!

Click the “LIKE” button if you want to spread the love.

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

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.
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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
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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.

(Press Play Below)

This video is a recording of a “Live” Webinar Joe Marshall and I recently  did were we answered Photography Business questions that were submitted from some of our NPB students and subscribers.

We did this Photography Webinar to answer these questions, so not just one, but many people could benefit from them.

Here’s some of the questions that were submitted and we answered on the Photography Business Webinar.

• 1. How do I get my black background to not look washed out?
• 2.I use a light meter, but my pictures are still coming out under or over exposed.
• 3. What size studio do I need? Do I need one?
• 4. How do I get more clients on a budget?
• 5. How to get a clear shot if my model is moving?
• 6.What Photography Niche Is best to create a business around?
• 7. Do I need to change my custom white balance in the studio if I change lenses?

If you enjoyed this “Webinar”, leave us a comment below and let us know what you learned from it.

Make sure to click the “LIKE” button below and show us a little love

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.

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

The email subject line she sent to me was: FEARLESS ???

I opened it immediately and answered her personally. I gave her some advice on what to do next and figure out what she needed to do first. Sometimes we just need to be reminded how to focus on what will move us forward in our photography.

Whether it’s  business marketing stuff or figuring out what manual settings to use. We are all at different places and get get stuck and never move forward.

So…I decided to try a new video style!

I wanted to try something new and teach using a white board to illustrate and dig deeper into these type of questions. I’m going to try and continue this style of teaching so I can reach more photographers who will benefit from them.

WARNING: Before you watch the video, let me just say that I’m not an Artist

The video will explain what to focus on in you’re own personal business so you GET RESULTS!

I also talk about being “Frustrated” is the key to being successful. You just don’t want to be “Disappointed“. I’ll explain in the video.

After you watch the video, submit a comment below and let us know where you are. Maybe we can create a video lesson for you.

Click Play below to watch this lesson.

If you have a question or a comment…Post It Below!

If you enjoyed the video and want to show a little LOVE…just click the “LIKE” button below.

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