Archive for Business – Page 3

A Photographer’s Diary, Business All Day

By Ruth Bayley
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Last week saw me attending my very first business conference which I really enjoyed. I still do find myself walking around either taking photographs on weekdays or at an event like this and realising that this is what I do now for work and it’s really exciting.

So what did I learn? Well firstly, if I’d gone on the first day there had been a free bar, which considering I’d gone by train would have been ok with me. I turned up early expecting the venue to be heaving yet strangely it was very quiet all day and there were hardly any trade stands there, and of those that were there, very few that had any relevance to me, though I suppose with Healing with Photography I have quite a niche market. Read More→

Categories : Inspiration, Make Better Photographs
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A Photographer’s Diary, Overcoming Fears and Anxieties

By Ruth Bayley
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

This week saw a step further in my integrating Healing with Photography into the local community. I was invited to an open day at a group called Smile; a support organisation for people suffering from postnatal depression, and set up and run by mothers who suffered from it themselves.

For me personally, that I attended, represented a big marker and flag waving moment in how far I’d come in my recovery from depression and low self-esteem. A year or more ago the thought of a room full of strangers who might all want to talk to me would have made me refuse the invitation with a host of excuses as to why I couldn’t attend. That I quite happily drove over and even though I had difficulty find the centre and car parking, it was a real turning point that I didn’t take that as a sign that I wasn’t meant to go. A year ago I’d have turned tail and headed for home full of relief that I didn’t have to speak to lots of people.

As I walked into the room filled without about 25 people many heads swivelled in my direction to greet me with warm smiles. I saw the number of people and hesitated, just long enough to give the lady, strategically placed by the door, selling raffle tickets time to pounce. Lightened of some money it was time to move in and meet some of people with those friendly smiles.

By the end of the meet and greet and refreshments, did I mention lunch was included? Well you know me by now, I do enjoy some sustenance. I had spoken to everyone in the room and left giving myself a big pat on the back. Read More→

Categories : Inspiration, Make Better Photographs
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Marketing Campaigns for Photographers – Email Triggers

By Michael Shilling
Friday, April 6th, 2012

Firstly I’m hoping that you use database management software to organise all of your lovely clients. If not put it at the very top of your shopping list as it will make you more money than any lens, Photoshop action or whatever else has caught your eye at a trade show.

You might only have one client and think its not the right time to invest in software that you’ll not really be using that much for a while. In fact it’s the perfect time as you don’t have to waste hours inputting old data from a spreadsheet and you’ll have time to develop your system and processes.

If you can’t afford much then you can’t go far wrong than the free version of Studio Cloud to start you off. Although the email triggers are a paid upgrade ($30 per month) to the free service but it’s done as a monthly subscription which will certainly make things more affordable.

Marketing your business can be a tiresome affair so it’s a delightful relief when

  1. Things are automated
  2. You don’t have to look for new clients because you already have a database full of them.

One of the best things about photography is that it’s not a one off event. Weddings are arguably one offs but they’ll probably have kids and want pictures of them at some stage. The point is that just because you sold a £1000 wall art to someone last year doesn’t mean they’re not going to want another one this year.

Read More→

Categories : Grow Your Business, Marketing Campaigns
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A Photographer’s Diary, What’s Your Block?

By Ruth Bayley
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

You know I have started putting into each week a slot with a video from a business coach and not only does it kick me out of procrastination, it is helping me to look at things afresh.

Moving on from last week taking five minutes each day to visualise how I want my life to go, I sat down and thought hard when in training with a business coach Jack Canfield he asked, ‘What you could you all day every day for a month that would move your business forward?’ The instant answer was get on the phones and speak to people.

When I was sending out invitations for the presentation I did a few weeks ago, I found that I got a better response from people who I rang and spoke to than those that I simply sent an email of introduction. As busy as we are we still do like that personal touch don’t we? A human rather than a machine. I also discovered that by speaking to people they would quite often say, oh have you thought about trying this person or this company. And I also found one person who did some of my marketing for me by passing on my information to many different departments and organisations.

For me it comes back to, what’s stopping me from picking up the phone and making calls? Am I rejecting myself, with reasons why the courses won’t suit a particular company, before I give them the chance to? And the majority of the time it’s a yes. Though not this week, motivated by a video I watched of Anthony Robbins on Friday which helps you to remove your blocks, (the link to it is at the bottom of the article), I have done his exercises and am inspired to call the list of people that I need to. Read More→

Categories : Inspiration, Make Better Photographs
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Marketing Campaigns for Photographers – The Pinterest Competition

By Michael Shilling
Friday, March 30th, 2012

There’s no denying that in regards to social media, 2012 is all about Pinterest. Everybody seems to be racking their brains to find a way to make it work for them as a marketing tool. There has also been a lot of talk about copyright and the Pinterest terms and conditions so before you sign up you might what to check this article published recently on Mashable –http://mashable.com/2012/03/21/pinterest-copyright-legal-issues/. It is also worth noting that Pinterest have since updated their T&C’s which will go into effect for all users on April 6, 2012

One simple idea that I’ve seen is a competition in which participants aim to create a board in order to win a prize.

The Competition
Create an inspirational Pinterest board (on your own account) that reflects the theme [insert theme]

The board must be named [Your competition title] and finished by [insert end date]

To enter your board share a link [via email/on your Facebook page/in the comments of a blog post]

We will choose the best board that reflects [insert theme] and the winner will receive [insert prize]

What you do
Follow all competition boards and creators.

Comment on pins you like that reflect your style (the theme for the competition should already reflect that anyway).

Share boards on other social media sites and your blog

Read More→

Categories : Grow Your Business, Marketing Campaigns, Social Media Marketing
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A Photographer’s Diary, Five Daily Minutes With the Law of Attraction

By Ruth Bayley
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Springtime

This week I have been doing a mixture of head clearing and focusing on things. Firstly I decided to get my desk organised and have bought myself a new in tray so I have somewhere to dump, sorry slap on the wrist! I mean so I have somewhere to put things that need my attention. This came with a few other things, an index box and best of all some drawers to get my office neat and tidy.

Oh and of course a beautiful notepad, no trip to the stationers is complete without coming home with a nice notepad. And I do need this for seminars! Oh gosh who am I kidding, I love notepads and need no excuses to get a new one.

Just bringing these things into my life has suddenly freed up all the clutter I’ve been holding onto in my mind which has given me room to dream. This last week I have initiated five or more minutes every day where I just close my eyes and see what I want to happen in my life. I see, breathe, smell, feel and taste whatever I’m thinking about. I visualise everything down to the smallest detail. This goes back to seeing the bigger picture that I was talking about a couple of weeks ago.

You know how it works; you do it all the time though maybe not consciously. When you focus on something or someone so much that you eventually pull it into your life, be it good or bad. Well this technique I’m using fully now, the law of attraction, is used by business men and athletes alike, it helps me to see where I am going, more than that; it helps me to let the universe know where I am going and get me into the vibration of success. Read More→

Categories : Inspiration, Make Better Photographs
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