FAQs 3

Q. Do you believe that it is difficult to become a successful photographer considering the staggering competition?
A. NO WAY. It does take a lot of time and effort, but what doesn't? A successful photographer plans his work and works his plan. The only competition is with yourself, there's enough business out there, you just have to find it. :) Don't get me wrong, there certainly is a lot of talent out there, but 90% won't last five years. -They have no plan or they have strayed to far from it. If you can persevere for five years then you should be able to keep on going as long as you like! It doesn't mean that you won't hit rough spots -I can guarantee that you will, just know that you CAN get past them, if you choose to. -And, YES, it is your choice.
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Q. What kind of independent work do you do outside of your studio?
A. The majority of my work is outside the studio! Events (businesses, individuals, organizations, holiday [Santa pictures], etc), Weddings, portraits (on-location), and lots more.
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Q. I want to know how the current state of the economy is affecting your business. I know that you face unique challenges as a small business owner. With all the recent talk about the slowing economy and fears of a recession, what are you going to do to help your business through the uncertain times ahead?
A. I sell emotion through the use of a camera. My clients hire me because I desire to understand their relationships, their love, and their emotional attachment to their loved ones. They are not hiring a paper-reseller- I’m not selling paper - they are hiring me because of what I create to put on the paper. A one dollar bill and a one hundred dollar bill are essentially the same - green ink on white paper. It’s not the paper that causes them to be valued differently; it’s what’s on the paper. People are going to continue to get married, they are going to continue to have families, and they are going to continue to be emotionally attached to those they love. The economy has nothing to do with this relationship. Unlike any short-term downturn or upturn in the economy, what I sell is long term, not short term.
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Q. I don't know what to do. I am busy, Between kids, work, school, etc., I have almost no time to do anything photography related (even though I love it) but I know that if I can make some small steps, I can make some money and get things going, I can drop the job (would love to drop the job...) and have the time to do the things I love. Now even more important, I have a limited budget (that's an understatement!). So I want to know, in simple steps, how to get started with marketing. Are there free options available? Oh, and just so you know I bought a classified ad, it has been running for several weeks now -no response what so ever; so I think I might just drop it. What should I do?
A. Definitely drop the classified add -if you needed to hire a photographer would you grab the paper and search through the classifieds?

There are plenty of free ads available on the internet so begin there. example: "Craigslist.com"
Then get on Google, do a search on free ads and go wild!

- Next build a database that includes email addresses of all of you friends and family.
- Then go to "ConstantContact.com" and sign up for the free trial (its free for up to 100 entries in your database - just don't put more in or you will pay for it right off the bat).
- Upload your database.
- Design an email ad and send it out.
- repeat every two weeks

Note: expect little or nothing the first two times you do this. You won't see results until there is some repetition! Many, even if interested, won't respond until the fifth to seventh communication (email, ad, phone, etc)

Next: If you haven't already, BUILD A WEBSITE! Even if its simple, do not put this off. Want a free option? (there are lots) Here's a really easy one: Go to http://www.imodel.com/index.cfm?action=iModel&RefBy=11278 then click on FREE WEBSITE OFFER (you will see it in the list on the left side of the page) -its not the prettiest website, but its SO easy, its free, and you can get a domain name too!

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Note:
This is an extremely brief version of my marketing class (I get excited just talking about it!). -so once this starts making you some money, I want you to take my class so you can really take off! You have what it takes. You will be successful. I would love to be able to use you as a success story. -of course, you would have to take one of my classes before that became possible! :)
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Now once you are done with the above steps, business won't happen immediately, so go and visit some photographers and get some ideas, ask them questions (I know you know how to do that!).

Go to all "top ten" San Antonio Photographers in both Google and Yahoo. Write down the name of each company and their web address, what they do (Weddings, portraits, etc), what you like about what they are doing. Later once you are bringing in some money, you can use the best ideas and "one-up" them. This is the beginning of your web presence marketing plan.

Keep all of your compiled information in ONE place. Categorize it for easy access later. This is a HOME for all of your photography thoughts.

Next, I want you to keep track of EVERY person who contacts you. Build a simple form, call it "Initial Contact Record". Include their name, phone, email, how they heard about you, what they are interested in, etc. This way you can make sure that your leads do not slip through the cracks, and so that you know where the leads came from. That way you will know if one of your ads (or whatever form of marketing) is or isn't working based on real figures, not just the thoughts in your head. There are software programs available for this, but this is simple and the best way for those who are on a budget. :)

If someone says they "will call you back", make a note to yourself to call them back after that period of time that they say. People are busy, they aren't lying when they don't call back. But they sure do appreciate it when they know that you were thinking about them. I have made a lot of sales from people who did not call me back!
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