Evil forces at work in the photographic industry?

I read a flakebook post the other day from a disillusioned wedding photographer who was quitting.

Packing it up and quitting. Done. Finito. No more weddings.
(it completely baffles me why so many people post EVERYTHING about their lives on FB…puzzling….)

He ranted on and on about how the industry has changed. As if there were evil forces at work against him.

I heartlessly commented that he was being a cry baby.

Seriously. The market is supposed to come to him? Nothing is to change? Give it up already.

No amount of justifying the crap storm will justify a twisted sense of entitlement.

Things change, you change. Innovate. Sell. Market. Get with the program or get a job.

What if clients are ONLY asking for digital files? What if you’re getting crappy results from your marketing? What if your selling tactics are getting crap results? What if in the marketplace no one respects you?

These are legit questions.

Here’s what I think are possible areas to look deeper into:

*You work is crappy.
*Your marketing is crappy.
*You sales process is crappy.
*Your market position is crappy.
*Your attitude is crappy and you don’t give a crap

Sorry princess. Want some cry-fries with that waamburger?

No one ever said being in business was easy.

If you don’t matter in your market, they perceive you as someone they don’t respect and/or someone who they don’t want more than files from (which really means they want a super good deal and don’t respect you)…. that is something the business owner has to take responsibility for.
Both in recognizing it, and innovating solutions….

Marketing is the big picture. What are you selling? (offer), to whom (your market)? and how are you delivering that offer to them (message).

The sales process, which is a story, really….reflects something very deep within the core of the business. If that ain’t there, and isn’t properly communicated(sold), then you have a problem. A vacuum; that begs to get filled.

In todays environment, that vacuum is filled by the deal a day cheapo shooters.
Some say the industry is doomed. I say, no.

It’s changed. And we need to change. I, and others I know, are doing very well.
We rarely get asked if we sell files. Why? We’re known as, and we market to something bigger.

There is good news. I think there will be a backlash on the amateurs. Since so many are hiring them, its getting obvious that they delivery crap, for the most part.

But that doesn’t mean you get to be lazy with your marketing.

This is only good news if you deliver, and sell, and market, decent work….

Key words:…that people want.

And master the art of selling and marketing.

Or get a real job.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”