Key points:
- outwork 99% of the competition
- master cold calling!
- make contact at least 8 times
- tune out the whiners
- be original
- there is only place to be…on top. be creative, be an artist
- if you’re chasing trends you’ll always be at the back
A Place to Grow
One of my fave books was the bio on Steve Jobs. Steve considered himself “different”.
A rogue, freak and geek…..I can relate. Can you?
I think we’ll agree. And we can all learn a valuable lesson.
People love the Apple brand. They’ll tell you they are well designed and give you reasons why based on the physical virtues and functionality.
However, that’s not the real reason they feel so religiously bonded to this brand.
The real reason is Apple sold them on the idea that they too were different. And because they were different, they used Apple products.
Rogues, freaks and geeks and proud of it.
The first comparable that comes to mind is the Harley motorcycle. These people feel cult like bonded to their brand. Just like the Apple users.
Where else do you see an entire look based on slapping corporate logos over just about every accessory and attachment for their “hogs” and call it bad ass?
(need proof? just go to any coffee shop in the summer where 20 or more Harley owners congregate and count the logos. You’ll get dizzy…)
It’s not the bike. It’s the feeling they get when they own and ride one. Like being in a gang.
I read the best description of a Harley user:
“It’s the only time a 44 yr old accountant can ride down main street and have town folks be afraid of them.”
Years ago when I started in photography I noticed, even in myself, that many people looked up to the gurus du jour.
We wanted to be like them. We mimicked their style and even their marketing.
The truth is, you can’t really give your studio marketing power until you feel deeply connected to it. Until you think different. And become a rogue and a freak.
Everything else is just marketing incest and eventual cannibalism.
We WANT to be different. But getting there isn’t done by swiping wholesale what another photographer does in their marketing.
Owning an Apple or Harley won’t make us so. It’s a vapious lie, of sorts.
But dammit, it sells a lot of computers, ipods and motorcycles. (and motorcycle helmets, jackets, boots….)
Are you throwing darts in a blizzard when it comes to marketing your photography business?
Maybe it’s time to think different.
The first headline I created when I started NoBs PhotoSuccess was… “no whiners, egos, prima donnas…”
I wanted people who thought different.
In order to truly think and act different, you need the right information and a great place where you don’t feel the need to conform.
You get to be yourself.
That, my friend, is one of the founding principles of NoBs Photo Success.
Thankfully, many feel this way. NOT everyone does. Since some leave and look for a place that is more “like them”.
Where it feels safe.
Forget about feeling safe. One never does when one ventures out.
Stay real, stay frosty my friend. Be authentic, be yourself, think different.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
Join us…Content, Coaching & Community
How to brand yourself as artist instead of “photographer” in your market.
Marilyn gave us many insightful and practical ideas on branding and growing a business selling photography based art.
And much more…check it out:
CLICK HERE FOR HER 3 DAY 2017-18 Painter Tutorials OFFER
Yours in success and in photography,
Robert Provencher
I heard of Jeff Lubin from Travis and Paula Gadsby over at SilverLake photo backdrops.
If I were able to bring up long last memories of the many conventions I’ve attended, I’m positive there’s one in there where I saw Jeff speak…years ago.
Jeff is 65 years old. He talks about the struggles and challenges of life, like back operations, cancelled travel plans and a 14 year old son with life threatening cancer and the challenges of starting and running one of the most successful portrait businesses in the country.
Give me all the best photographers today, all the hot shots. the Sandy’s, the Gerrys, the Sarahs, the Harringtons..on and on… wrap em all up into one big super hero photographer…..
…and I’d take Jeff Lubin over them all.
Why?
Jeff mainly shares some of the best information on running a professional photography studio I have ever heard.
Ever. Bar none.
Listen, this is good. Sure, we had some technical issues getting this webinar off the ground. It is far from perfect.
But when you deliver amazing, jaw dropping and priceless information, who cares if it gets delivered in a tattered old pizza box someone pulled from a dumpster.
I say that in case any of you take issue with the aesthetics over the pure 24 K gold delivered.
Cool?
Onwards. Be smart and soak this in.
Jeff shares some of the best information you will ever hear, including:
Enough said….go take it in now….
.
Robert Provencher
Excellent and insightful. Enjoy.
An interview with Kira Derryberry. Some highlights and quotes:
Kira admits there are a million Facebook groups….but she always wanted to start one. In discussion with her she decided to “level up” and get it done.
And so it it.
“Have you ever met a carpenter who only uses a hammer? A chef who only uses a hot plate? As professionals we have a wealth of tools at our disposal to create our art. So why limit ourselves by shooting only in our comfort zones? This group is here to encourage you to keep learning, to experiment, to increase your bag of tricks as a photographer so that it’s not fear that keeps you from taking that assignment that’s outside of your wheelhouse. Why not make it your wheelhouse?…”
Kira’s “Level Up” FaceBook Group HERE
Yours in success and in photography,
Robert Provencher