How many photographers are going through a huge transition in their photography business, or in their personal lives, right now?
I bet just about every hand went up. Or, your nodding your head ‘yup’….
There’s no real reason to ask this question.
I’m just askin’…
Truth is, we’re always in flux. Changing.
And in this industry there has been more change in the last five years than any other industry I know of.
Except maybe the DVD rental industry. Yea, that one went through HUGE transitions.
But we’re not selling an outdated service like DVD’s, are we?
Or, are we?
I’m going to put this out there: YOU might be going through your own major transitions… or you know that you, or your business NEEDS to go through one very soon.
So, how do you jump the chasm over to the other side without falling into the deep, dark abyss?
Here’s how you’re NOT going to do it…
1) You’re not going to do it by picking the wrong battles.
Let me explain.
I know a photographer who insists on selling files only, mainly using online marketing. They are stuck in that mindset. Will-Not-Budge.
So I won’t beat my head against the brick wall trying to help her. She’s trying to play whack-a-mole in a dead end market.
Photographers like her decide to fight what they should have stopped fighting long ago.
Now they’re working ten times harder to get and keep the same number of clients.
With less pay. Ugh!
2) You’re not going to do it by making “main-stream” marketing decisions. IE Getting more equipment, attending another workshop with some big name celeb marquee photographer….Trying some new SEO hack. Getting a new logo design. Attending another trade show or bridal show. bla bla bla….you know what I mean.
You must completely change the way you see your customers and how you serve them.
You must reframe your entire mindset.
You won’t get the strategies you need from reading the most popular
business books or another workshop either.
You need to go deep far deeper. Inside.
3) You’re not going to do it by adding. Or pushing harder when you’re selling DVDs and everyone is running home to watch Netflix.
You must subtract. “Oh hey, I’ve got a new routine. I found a new expert to follow….”
Moving the deck chairs on the Titanic.
You’re just marching harder and faster.
In the wrong direction.
This one may be hard to swallow. And it should be obvious. It’s a scary one.
But you’re not going to succeed in the “new thing” before you stop doing the old thing.
You’ll have to shed baby!
You’ll have to fire.
Mostly, you need to be very, very honest with yourself
You’ll have to swim to the bottom of the lake to kill Grendel’s mother before you can arise as a conqueror.
How, you ask?
I’ve said it a million times. Few listen.
It all starts with you.
I’ve seen it too often. I know it to be rock solid truth. There’s something inside that holds us back.
The solution is hard. For a rare few, it’s easy. But for most, our egos, our pride, and mainly, our fears keep us enslaved in our own creation, our own prisons, or own web…a prison.
I speak from experience. From my own life.
I like listening to people who been there, done that, and know from hard fought battles. I don’t like sugar coating, talking BS or other academic vomit.
Yesterday we had another mastermind with Danny Rabalais. I’ve known this guy for many years. Seen him go from a small time, part time studio owner to someone who during their busy season employ up to 25 employees.
Stories like his open up doors, ideas and inspire.
The replay is in the forum, where members have online access to a thousand+ high quality presentations.
If you want access to me, and other kick-butt teachers and leaders, join us (it’s peanuts).
If you want the Gold version of me, I do have some one-on-one coaching spots available.
Be warned…..Check it out.
To your success in life and in photography,
Rob Provencher
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