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How Attractive Can Your Photography Marketing Be?

May 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

[by Colleen Wainwright]

When it comes to building a great mailing list, size doesn’t matter–engagement does. I should know–last summer, my little list of 2,500 devoted newsletter readers helped me to raise (well) over $50,000 in 50 days, without my ever asking them for a dime.

The open secret to engagement is two-fold: (1) provide the people you want to reach with the content they want to consume; and (2) offer it to them, rather than foisting it upon them.

The first part of the equation means you may have to scale back the “me me me!” talk and concentrate on listening. What problems does your desired audience have? What do you know about that you can share to help them solve these problems? Rather than natter on about this or that fabulous shoot you did, think about sharing some of the problems you helped your clients solve–or better yet, a success they enjoyed as a result of your work.

The second part is often harder, because it involves patience. While the CAN-SPAM Act against unsolicited email does allow you to contact customers, the best lists grow organically, when people come to you for more content because of what they’ve seen or heard from you elsewhere, whether that’s via social media, an article, or an actual in-person interaction.

Be patient, provide awesome content your Right People need, and you’ll attract the audience you really want: engaged, no matter what the size.

via Strictly Business.

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Inspired by Creativity

May 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

[by Selina Maitreya]

Creativity of all types inspires me. My love for art of all kind started when I was quite young. When I was a little girl my grandparents lived in NYC. We ‘d travel in monthly to see them and often my mother had a trip to a museum planned.

While we went to the Museum of The City of New York many times, and to The Natural History Museum countless times, it was The Museum of Modern Art that truly spoke to my mother. She loved all art, but modern art, graphic, bold and colorful work (sometimes not so colorful ) was what she loved most. It was at MOMA that I first felt inspired by creativity.

I was around 7 or 8 when my mother walked me into a gallery at MOMA and stood me across the room from a huge floor to ceiling painting that looked entirely black. She told me to stand there and just look. She was ooohhing and aaahing and could hardly contain her excitement. I had no idea why my mom was making such a big deal out of what looked like to me, to be nothing more then a big, black, boring painting.

Then she told me to very slowly walk toward the painting making sure to not take my eyes off of the canvas. I had learned at any earlier age not to argue with my mother so I followed her words to a T and began to move very slowly toward the painting, keeping my focus on the art.

As I moved closer I began to see that what I thought was one big black square was indeed many, many, individual squares all in different shades of black. It was truly amazing to see that my perception of what was real ,was not. I suddenly laughed and laughed. I was totally blown away by both the concept and the amazing execution. “Where did this idea come from?” I wondered. “How did this artist even begin to think of creating a piece like that?” I asked myself.

And these are questions that I still ask every day when I look at photographs I Iove or see paintings that connect or read great stories that move me or listen to slam poets who totally slay me. Creativity – true, real originality – is totally inspirational to me.

via Strictly Business.

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Biography Videos for Prospects

May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Biography Videos

[by Rosh Sillars]

A biography video is a great resource for prospects and to share in the social media.

A biography video should be less than a minute long and should contain more than your portfolio. Make sure you create a personality clip in which you describe your work, experiences and philosophy.

Behind-the-scenes footage is a helpful way for potential photography buyers to get a sense of who you are and what it would be like to work with you.

Post the video on YouTube. Embed it on your website. Keep a link handy to share when someone asks for more information about your services.

via Biography Videos at Strictly Business.

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Building a Good Mailing List – DIY is the Best Way

May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

[by Gail Mooney]

I’ve been building mailing lists since the very start of my career, over 30 years ago. I’ve bought lists, subscribed to lists and built my own over the years. How I target potential clients has changed as technology has enabled other means of accessing information as well as how you reach people, but the underlying principles of building a list, are the same.

Some things I’ve learned:

1. It’s great to buy lists or subscribe to a service like Agency Access, but that is just a start. Remember, you aren’t the only one to have access to these names, your competition has access as well – so don’t stop there.

2. Do your homework – don’t shotgun your promotions to anyone and everyone – you’re wasting time and resources – both yours and potential customers.

3. Determine target markets that your work is a good fit for. If you feel your work is a good fit for non-profits – then do your own research in finding the right ones. It’s easy to find information these days with search engines like Google paving the way.

4. Write a blog or set up a newsletter. Share information that your potential clients may like to have. Get them to subscribe to your blog and/or newsletter so that they “opt in”. Those are your best leads.

5. Go to places where your potential clients will be at and gather names and information. When I speak at events, I always take sign up sheets with me and pass them around. Again, these are great leads.

6. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither a good mailing lists – they accrue over time and they also change as people change positions and jobs. You’ll never be finished with a list – so don’t wait for that day to come. You can start promoting yourself right away and let your list build simultaneously.

7. When building an email list and sending an emailer – never spam folks. Always give them a way to “opt out”.

8. Use your lists – not just for selling – but for sharing. This actually allows your list to grow virally because new people who hear about you come and sign up.

9. Lists are never finished but they do get old – refresh them at least 3 times a year.

10. Try and have some fun. I always try to fantasize on making that “big connection” and how it will play out in my head.

via Strictly Business.

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Why Take Formal Lessons in Digital Photography?

April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

When you are equipped with a digital camera, the only thing that you need to go through is learn digital photography through formal lessons. What is the use of that camera when you do not know how to handle it properly on the first place? How will you enjoy the benefits it can give you when you are ignorant as to what it can do? Experience may teach you a lot in taking pictures but there is a big difference when you have stock knowledge about the particular techniques and methods of handling digital photography. Besides, with the competitive ambience we have in our society today, being an expert in the said field gives you an edge.

Why do you have to take formal lessons about digital photography? Take note on the first place that the camera you have in your hands today is still a machine or a gadget without a mind of its own. The primary duty that you have acquired after having it is how to care for it to avoid any damage or misfortune to befall. Even if you have your own manual, often, they are too technical and hard to understand. A clear and proper explanation as well as an actual demonstration on how it can be preserved will allow your camera to have a longer life.

Secondly, it is also necessary that you will know the potential of your digital camera. Maybe you know how to take a picture but there are other things that the camera can actually give you, only that you do not know they exist. A lesson on digital photography helps you explore and utilize all the buttons and possibilities that you and your camera can produce together.

Thirdly, as already mentioned, although you may be a photographer for many years already, there is a big difference when you get updated with the new techniques and methods of digital photography. Through the lessons which you will learn, you will be able to apply and produce more beautiful and artistic pictures. Angling, using the light and distance in shooting a landscape, a person or a thing are matters which are slowly changing from time to time in accordance with the additional features of the camera. Learning digital photography can also help you correct common mistakes you have been practicing in taking pictures. A common mistake about photographers is that even basic matters like how to handle a camera are often done in a wrong way.

Lastly, enrolling in schools that teach digital photography gives you a higher chance of getting a professional career. There you will be exposed to different worldwide exhibits. You can also meet famous people indulged in the same field. Furthermore, you can learn how to manage the pictures in your computer for more improvements. You can establish ties and thus can make digital photography a mere work but more of an intense passion.

However, if you think you cannot afford enrolling in schools of photography, then you can satisfy yourself with books and other reading materials. You can also use online resources in learning the different principles and methods of digital photography.

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