Photo Success

A Place to Grow

I never let my flaws get in the way of my success….

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“To double your income~triple your investment in self-development.”
~Robin Sharma~

“You’re doing it wrong” But at least you’re doing it.
Once you’re doing it, you have a chance to do it better.
Waiting for perfect means not starting.
~Seth Godin~

I am flawed.
I’ve made some “mistakes” in my life. Some big ones too.

I’ve been in jail, used drugs, stole shit, got into fights, drove while drunk, cheated on girlfriends, cheated on exams, vandalized…you name it.

That was a long time ago.

Today, I’m a procrastinator, addicted to flakebook, cell phones, chocolate, chips, motorcycles….

I’m lazy, a no-filter put-my-foot-in-my-mouth ass, judgemental, arrogant, foulmouthed, doubtful, angry, and a whole bunch more crap that I drag around like old worn out luggage.

My big question is three fold:

  • How can I succeed even though I’m all these things?
  • How do I reconcile the guilt, the anger, the old messages from way back when they come back to haunt me?
  • How do I work through the doubts, the insecurities and old voices from my past that try to inflict damage on my self esteem and confidence?

Easy. Here it is…

  • the past is the past. There is NOTHING, not a single iota of anything I can do to change it. So, fuget-about-it!
  • don’t over analyze. It gets me nowhere
  • work, act and constantly, steadily, never ending progress and effort on self-development
  • attend my monthly Mastermind meetings….where you can by simply showing up make yourself accountable

Did I mention, “never ending”? That’s right.

One my my flaws, and I’m sure many of you can relate, is we want to “graduate”.
To finally reach the plateau where we never had to worry about any of this anymore.

The fact is, it never goes away, so, we need to always embrace and accept our dark side and always, constantly be challenging ourselves, pushing ourselves to be better.

To be better peeps, better photographers, better at everything.
This means, accepting our past and our flaws.

But more than that, to take action and initiative on doing stuff that pushes our fears, shatters our confidence, even though we know it’s best for us.

The goal is not to end up in an enlightened state, but to make peace and push ourselves to be better.

I think because of my past, and because I discovered these ideas, I have a neurotic drive to share it with others.

Whether I do or not matters not. All that really matters is that I keep moving forward, embrace the changes and challenges that are always thrown into my path.

There is no system no blueprint or map that I can give you.

Only you know what you need to do. And ask yourself: “Am I willing to do what I need to do? Am I willing to do what it takes?”

And then do it.
Up to you….

You’ll be better off for it. And a better person, business person, photographer, spouse, parent, community leader…whatever.

Ask yourself, how can I:

  • be more confident?
  • take better (insert photography here…weddings, seniors, babies, families, commercial…whatever style of photography you’re into pursuing, or, have been immersed in for decades but feel it’s time for some change…) photographs
    master lighting, posing, marketing…whatever

It’s important to ask YOURSELF deep probing questions. Not questions like: Why am I such an idiot? Or why do I do this all the time? Or why am I so bad with money?… you get the idea.

Or worse yet, answer those destructive questions with logical answers and lean on that logic for the rest of your days. Ugh.

When you bust through, you get started on the journey that Joseph Campbell meant when he infamously said:
“Follow your bliss.”

And never let your flaws get in the way of your success.

Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

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

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

“You may be shoveling horse manure, but at least you’re in the parade.”

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Everything makes sense when we put it onto perspective.

Every step of the way counts, as long as you’re in the parade.

The guy bringing water to the players will never play in the game. But he’s “in it”.

The third string player may get on the field and play, some day, or not, as he sits there, waiting for his opportunity.

Both are the envy of every fan out there since they have some of the best front row seats in the game.

Perspective.

My sister would tell her three kids, when they started whining…. “hey, we’re not driving you to chemo and I’m not in a wheel chair….”

Having a sense of gratitude takes on many, many faces. Just being grateful to have health and freedom is a great starting point.

In work, being able to work in your chosen field and feeling so grateful to be able to serve others with our talents and skills, even if at that time we’re shoveling manure, counts for a lot. (don’t confuse this with working for free and giving away your pearls).

In photography business, this matters at all stages of the game, young and old. When I was young, I was glad to be working in my field. Still am to this day.

Some old farts like me (I’m 59) start showing their age. For some reason they feel that they’ve “earned” the right to certain privileges.

Sorry. That’s not the way the game is played.

Remember, it’s a business. Always.

And we have to constantly take it as such in order to keep the momentum going.
Let me clarify.

If StarBucks started taking the attitude with their product and service that they didn’t need to deliver a certain level anymore because they have had so many years in the game, well, would coffee drinkers seriously care?

That’s for people who work in unions and where seniority counts.
In business, it doesn’t.

One thing I love about photography is the fact that we are always learning, changing, challenging the status quo.

Why? Because our clients love it. And demand it.

I know another photographer, successful and been around a long, long time who didn’t want to embrace digital. He figured they’d been around for so long that that counted for something.
Not. I explained why.

He got it. So he packed it in and retired. Not willing to make the changes.

Making changes, rolling with the punches and staying innovative is much easier when we have the right attitude.

The same one I had when I was so young, so long ago. Where I took on every job I could. Didn’t matter if I was shovelling manure. I was in the parade.

That mattered to me more than ANYTHING. And still does to this day.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

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

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

“I messaged you, I will take a spot please!!! My daughters are 3 and 6…”

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My wife gets mad. “Why are they sending us messages through facebook?”

I tell her it’s one of the ways people reach out. One of the ways they let us know they want to spend money with us.

I too was annoyed. A bit. For a while. Then I realized this is the way it is.
Roll with it. Like a ninja.

And take their money. A client is a client is a client. A sale is still a sale.

What’s more important is the THREE exclamation marks after the word PLEASE!!!

See it? See the passion? The desire? It’s one of the reasons I love shooting fairy sessions.

There’s a ton of passion and a big market that is endlessly flowing along like a huge parade.

All we gotta do is pitch em. I don’t care if they respond via phone, facebook, twitter, instagram, linkedIn, email or in person.

It’s the way we all roll nowadays. In the old days, phone. That was it.

Ultimately, the only thing that matters in the end is whether I have a jam packed schedule, and a happy bank account.

More HERE on my fairy days bookings.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

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

The Psychology of Persuasion and How to Use It In Your Photography Business For Maximum Profits

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My biggest collection of books are on marketing.

I have always said I have the heart of a photographer and the soul of a marketer.

I attribute this to a long and (so far) continued success running my own photography business shooting weddings, babies, children and families. Life is good.

One book that always stood out for me was from Robert Cialdini. He studied influence and wrote the definitive guide on that topic titled: “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.”
It is a must read for any serious student of marketing.

Here in a nutshell are the key elements of influence and some quick ideas how they may apply to running a photography studio…..

1. Reciprocity
As humans, we generally aim to return favors, pay back debts, and treat others as they treat us. In our photography studios we can use this in many ways. A free gift, excellent service when they arrive at your studio. It’s a very simple idea, and easily implemented if we pay attention and put it into action.

2. Commitment (and Consistency)
Cialdini says that we have a deep desire to be consistent. For this reason, once we’ve committed to something, we’re then more inclined to go through with it.
This is very easy to implement in our photography marketing. I call it jumping through hoops. Get your clients to jump over one, and then the next, next, next is easy.

Getting your clients to come to the studio for a no obligation portrait planning session is one way to get them to “commit” to the simple action of showing up at your studio.
On fairy day, when we promo mini sessions for only $97.00, pre-paid, we are in effect asking them for a payment commitment. A commitment to showing up and a commitment to paying us. It’s one of the best steps to a larger sale.

3. Social Proof
This principle relies on people’s sense of “safety in numbers.”
This one is easy for photographers. One of the best ways to “sneak” this principle into your marketing and sales could be to show a large wall portrait, and say something like: “We find when most families come in for family portrait session, they…..bla bla…” Talk about whatever….print finish, canvas, clothing ideas….it doesn’t matter. The idea is you are using social proof and showing them an example of what “most families” do….It creates a social proof effect.

4. Liking
Cialdini says that we’re more likely to be influenced by people we like. Likability comes in many forms – people might be similar or familiar to us, they might give us compliments, or we may just simply trust them.
D-uh….does this one get any simpler?
Be someone they like. This doesn’t mean be a pushover or a mushy people pleaser. Don’t get this confused. You create likability by asking questions and listening.
The best read on this topic is How To Win Friends And Influence People

5. Authority
We feel a sense of duty or obligation to people in positions of authority. This is why advertisers of pharmaceutical products employ doctors to front their campaigns.
In our studio we play good cop, bad cop. I get to play artist. My wife gets to play manager. She’s no nonsense and she’s very, very good at it.
Easy for me since I get to be exactly who I am. Fun, childish, creative, outlandish, crazy…..on and on. When it comes to closing the sale, I bring her in. They all respect her authority.

6. Scarcity
This principle says that things are more attractive when their availability is limited, or when we stand to lose the opportunity to acquire them on favorable terms.

We use this all the time on marketing our Fairy Day, babies first year and any studio promotion. All promotions and offer need to have a deadline and a sense of scarcity. Otherwise, your offer will die.

It’s that simple.

I feel that every photographer should and would benefit by learning as much as they can about marketing.

Read something everyday. Keep feeding your mind and watch your photography grow, your profits, your confidence and your creativity.

Many feel the same way I do:
Marketing is EVERYTHING.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

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

Rise and become the dominant star in your industry…

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Yesterday I attended a webinar with Sandy Puc. It was on publicity and gaining market dominance.

Something like that.

And Sandy did not let us down. One thing I always loved about her is her value for the marketing game. She’s one of the few, and one of the only few in my oh so humble opinion that really gets it.

And she plays the game like a star. And shares so many valuable strategies.

If you’re not thinking and acting like the dominant star of your industry,
your performance will never rise to match that expectation.

If you do not have goals, a vision and the DESIRE to truly rise above and beyond the norm, there is a very high likely hood that you won’t.

Your photography skills, your success in your photography marketing and ultimately your overall financial and prosperity are, for the most part, dependent on your ability to THINK and on how you ACT.

This is NOT an ego trip. It’s much more. No matter what level you shoot at, high end, low volume…high volume, mass produced…or somewhere in between. It’s best to stand out and simply be the best in YOUR category. Or shoot for dominance.

Too many photographers get distracted do achieve success for the wrong reasons. And they stay stuck in those reasons. The key is to keep growing, keep thinking, keep expanding and challenging yourself.

NO matter your age or station in your photographic adventure.

History is littered with has-beens and almost made-its.

If you’re not convinced that you can achieve massive dreams, your behavior will never be sufficient to get giant goals done.

It’s that simple really. And it all starts with YOU.

I somehow always knew and understood this at some level. If even in a vague subconscious way.
(must have been all those self-help business books I read over the years…)

Yet, we have to dream the impossible. Or else the impossible will never, ever become possible.

If you’re not thinking like someone who’s the rockstar in his or her field, financially free, healthy as an athlete and happier than you could ever imagine, then there’s no way you’ll get there.

Why? Because your outcomes always reflect your self-identity.

Your psychology.

It’s called: “the power of your self-fulfilling prophecy”.

Bottom line: your psychology and expectations for your performance determine your results.

You absolutely have to learn to think like the very best do to experience the rewards and lifestyle that the VERY best have.

Most photographers won’t do this. Most people in any business won’t do this.

We get trapped in whatever success we may already have.
(I call this the golden handcuffs syndrome)

Or we simply don’t feel we can do it. We stay Stuck.

Want to get “unstuck”? JOIN ME HERE

Whatever the reasons are, it doesn’t MATTER.

The only thing that does matter are your thoughts and your actions
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

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

How you find the time to do so much writing?

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Peg writes:
“Morning Rob, I just want to send you a quick note of thanks for your
email blasts, which generally arrive just as I need a shot in the arm and are so full of practical advice and common sense.

I don’t know how you find the time to do so much writing, but it is much appreciated. And I love how you promote all kinds of styles and photographers – I found Kirsten Lewis through you, and I find her work so inspiring…..”

Thanks. Your comments are appreciated. I’m blushing.

I get enough positive emails from photographers like you who get it. Yea, sure. I get some hate mail. Not much. I mostly ignore it.

But for those like minded people, I write.

And here’s how I find the “time”.

And how you can, and should find the time to do the things
that are super important in your life.

(Everyone has heard the saying…’when you want something done, ask a busy person’…it’s all about productivity…)

First off, I have the desire. Everything starts there. Desire. Pure and simple.

Secondly, I make a commitment. How simple is that?

I have a regiment, a plan, a goal, a purpose….and I commit to it.

Does it get any simpler?

I also have rules. Like, no teevee. None. Nada. Zilch….

Yes, I watch movies. But only on weekends. And not always.

The rest of the time I am committed to my goals and personal growth.

Seriously, that’s all there is to it.
Ain’t no more.

Get serious, get committed, have some rules that you will never break and be ruthlessly committed.

By the way, Peg mentioned Kirsten Lewis, who I had the privilege of running a four part series with a while back….truly epic stuff.

Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

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

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

When education doesn’t work…

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I have what I consider to be about the equivalent of a Phd in photography and marketing.

Or so I think. It feels that way sometimes. My brain is full.

I ain’t bragging. Just making a point that reflects my passion for learning. And the countless weeks, and years of teaching at live workshops, manuals created, blog posts written, and webinars hosted or presented in.

Getting a Phd, legit or not, doesn’t matter to me. It’s a by-product in a sense.

If it were a real Phd with real letters by my name, it still wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans mostly because I don’t give a rats ass about letters beside my name.

Having a great education is meaningless unless I can put what I know to work.

Let me spell this out: Will it help my business grow? Will it make money? This is not a hobby my friend. It’s a business.

I do love learning however.

And the more I teach, the more I learn…so to speak.

Tonight I share it all in the Marketing Mastermind meeting. All of it real, legit, marketing strategies that actually sell.

For members.

Not a member?

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

You can’t dabble your way to success.

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You can’t dabble your way to success. You can dabble with a lot of things, but not success.

Realizing your goals and dreams, and making it all a reality is more about showing up early and staying later than anyone else.

Dabblers are average. Dabblers are uncommitted. Dabbling is for people with weak goals.

Winners don’t dabble. They commit 110%.

They make a conscious decision to MOVE FORWARD.

Many fail because they are dabblers…

Because I want you to quit your dabbling and start winning.

No dabbling.

HERE

Your pain in the butt butt-kicking coach who calls it the way he sees it.
No bull. No nonsense. No mothering or spoon feeding.

Robert Provencher

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