I love getting out and about in our community. Nothing like rubbing elbows with all the big wigs and muckeemucks.
Plus, I know it’s good for business. Very good. BUT…and this is a BIG but….
Don’t go to events, meetings and local affiliations with your agenda.
Forget your agenda. If you start jamming your agenda you’ll lose more than you will gain.
Try to help others. Listen to them. Connect. Play nice. Listen.
Getting out in your community is by far one of the best ways to crack open
a few doors.
And open they will, I promise. Unless of course you’re a fumbling moron or excessively shy like I was. In that case, a little self honesty and a step back is in order.
Hey, at least you’ll know where you stand. And knowing it good. Sure helped me.
But for now, let’s assume you have a pleasant disposition and are somewhat likable.
And you have an established studio in town.
Meeting one on one, in the right places, right events, will start the ball rolling big time.
And it isn’t that expensive.
I used to be paralyzingly shy in my youth and twenties. Shy, insecure, shame filled,
bumbling and awkward.
Now I’m just awkward. Often in a foot in my mouth kinda way.
I know it sounds corny as hell, but it’s true.
(and photographers are not immune)…:
“My net worth is my network.”
Where should you go? My thoughts….:
* fundraising events….especially ones where your target audience chillz. For me, the symphony, theatre, cancer society, rotary, chamber of commerce…
* local trade shows, events where you can display….often these are low cost…and you will meet a lot of people….A lot!
Especially any event in your area where you target audience and/or past clients hang out.
You want to be seen. You want to connect. It’s very hard to quantify, I know.
But, you just gotta do it. Get out there. Connect. It’s more, much more than advertising.
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher
If you want more, much more info on every aspect of marketing and growing a
wonderful profitable community based portrait and wedding photography business.
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