I never watch TeeVee….ever.
My wife neither.
I can`t stand it. Never really could, even when I was young.
I think it was the lame ass content and the commercials….
We don`t have cable. We prefer renting a good movie once in a while or watching one on Netflix, which we do have. (mostly for the documentaries and stand up comedians…and oh, no commercials…)
Occasionally someone would sell us on trying to watch a series. We tried watching a few series on Netflix….nothing stuck….
Until Breaking Bad came available and we got hooked. Like so many others. (it’s considered to be the best series….ever…)
You cant simply watch one episode. Its like two or three at a time.
The ‘crack cocaine’ of teevee…
It took us no time to catch up and jump in the boat with everyone else in anticipation of the last season and final episode.
Which, for the record, I was somewhat disappointed with. But that`s another story.
I did find it fascinating that the creator had a plan for this series.
A start and end. And quality underscored the entire production. He shot the series using top notch cinematic techniques and he shot it on 70MM film.
The plot was epic….his idea was clear….the transformation of a protagonist to antagonist.
Interesting. Simple. Clear.
And you sympathize with the guy the whole way through. Even when he was doing some evil stuff.
But the most interesting aspect, and I wish they would have played this up even more, was the persona that the lead role created.
You know him.
Go ahead, say his name….
Heisenberg.
He managed to create a reputation that was so powerful and impactive that the mere mention was enough.
We can all learn, without turning to evil deeds.
How? Simple…..Here’s my list of strategies we can learn from Heisenberg:
- Create the best ‘meth’ in your market. Walter White created Blue Sky…..99.41% pure. Unheard of! Epic and worth talking about. What do YOU need to do in your photography to create the equal product? If you do, you’ll have something to brag about. Sadly, many, many photographers miss the boat here and compromise. It all starts with the product. This is where you create the ‘message’ and offers.
- Capture the marketplace. Walters’ product was enough to create demand. Distribution was the next step. For us, it’s very, very simple. Yet sadly missed. Build an audience and stay in contact with them….emails, facebook, mailed newsletters (yes, old fashioned spit glued stamps delivered in your mailbox like grandma mails…), phone and association through affiliations…your relationship with your past and present clients is the MOST valuable asset you have. Work it.
- Publicity….yes, this is BIG. This is where you really get to ramp up your reputation and play up the fact that you’re the Heisenberg of photographers. It’s a broad and deep topic which starts from the very basics of word of mouth all the way up to big media…..radio, teevee, newsprint, events, displays, promotions affiliations….etc etc…. Do this right and you will cement your reputation for a long, long, time. And when they ‘say your name’, it will resonate and send waves of positive feelings (VS waves of fear, the desired effect for a dude like ‘Heisenberg’). With publicity done a la Heisenberg, you get to also create a persona that is larger than life….and that my friend is the goal.
This all involves a system and a long term outlook. Not a flash in the pan ‘get the product made and sell it fast’ short term vision.
THINK BIG. Have goals. Create a vision for you.
Heisenberg did. So should you. You need a system like Walter White created (To be clear, I am not saying start a meth lab and sell drugs…:):)……)
Once you do have a working SYSTEM, a whole new world opens up for you.
A world without constant financial pressure. A world without stressing about money. And, a world without doubt and fear.
A world of possibilities.
In fact, your competitors will fear you. So to speak.
You will be THE danger. :):) (work with me folks….get the point and leave the tongue in cheek be…)
That means they will STAY out of your territory.
And, they will SAY your name whenever they are asked about what they are most afraid of in their business.
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher
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