Online Solution for Photographers

A Success Series for Modern Day Photographers

Last week we talked about surviving this tough market, specifically through sound business practices such as good marketing and superior customer service.  This week we are going to ask a very important question that might make all the difference between success and failure.  What are you doing that your competitors are too scared to attempt?

Try doing something that makes the competitors think, “That’s way too much work.”  As you know by now, some of your clients, and definitely your competition, have just as new and likely as expensive cameras as you do. Your nice camera does not separate you.  Your portable lighting system and other advanced gear might, but anyone can emulate that.  The following ideas can set you apart from your competition and give your potential customers a great reason to choose you over them…

Portrait Photographers: Use Animoto or ProShow to create a stunning slideshow for use during presentation, then sell it. We recommend showing off what you consider to be the best video you’ve ever done on your website. Only show your clients’ “their video” one time – and make sure it’s in-person. If your client is allowed to watch the video numerous times, it actually becomes less appealing for them to make a purchase.

Sports Photographers: Are you setting up a card table to sell images?  How about rolling up in a custom trailer that can fold out to accommodate 6 or 10 computer stations that people can use to view and order their images ON THE SPOT? That’s impressive, and That’s intimidation.

Wedding Photographers: Brides are looking for something unique.  What do you do that is unique?  How about a Photo Booth add-on?  Mobile Photo Wall takes the photo booth experience and adds a twist.  They have had so much success at events; they expect to sell “kits” for other photographers to add to their offerings as a value-added service.  Because photographers already have most of the equipment needed, it is an easy way to offer more than your competition, and stay on the cutting edge of new hip technology.

Video/Fusion: Most digital cameras these days have some fantastic video capabilities.  Get to know these features along with a simple editing solution (iMovie, Pinnacle, Vegas, etc).  The possibilities are endless.  Your competition is too scared or lazy to do it – are you?

When you are structuring your services, don’t forget about the intimidation factor – you are in a cut throat industry!  The rookies are coming in and stealing the show with cheaper pricing.  Get out there and get tough!  Try new things!  Give us a call to talk to us about more ideas or to share what you are doing that really sets you apart.

Zack Wessels, Director of Sales and Marketing, MorePhotos

A Success Series for Modern Day Photographers

"Survival" Image credit to Liz Noffsinger

Last week we went over how to “look and act the part” you want to occupy in your photography career. Today we are going to again go back to some of the “basics”, good marketing and customer service.

How many times have you heard or thought this; “The amateur photographers are taking over and killing my business!   The soccer moms, the “mama-razzies” anyone with a digital SLR is masquerading as a professional photographer. But wait, don’t despair, there are tactics and behaviors to keep your business alive and even thriving. The key to defeating the amateurs is to not be like them. Being the low cost provider has never been a successful business model in any service business.  The key to getting top money for your photography is to be what you are, a professional in every way.

We’ve talked about looking professional- your personal image, your property image, etc. Now that we have more competition than ever before the key to getting the photography jobs you want and the price you need depends on the level of service you offer. We know that even when the economy was booming the business of most photographers was not so rosy. Now that the country is in an economic downturn the future seems even more daunting.

When asked, most successful photographers say one important thing to ensure their success is good marketing. This means the photographer knows what they are selling, they know who they are selling it to, and they have a plan for getting their message out to their targeted audience. These photographers are persistent and disciplined in implementing their plan.  They have a strong website with portfolios that support their targeted audience. Successful photographers constantly update their website portfolios with new images to keep their message fresh.  Take a look at your portfolio.  Do you have families posed in front of buildings or landmarks that were knocked down or remodeled years ago?  If so, you aren’t relevant to your audience and they won’t hire you!

The same successful photographers keep repeating that the theme responsible for their thriving profits is “Service”. Service cannot be emphasized enough. Top photographers know that offering exemplary service from the first consultation all the way through to delivering the final product, be it an album or portrait, is essential. Do you answer your phone every time?  Do you answer messages immediately with useful information if a question is asked?  Are you early to appointments and have everything you need to have a successful meeting or shoot?   Planning for great service is the best way to make sure you deliver great service.  Flexibility in negotiating prices is also a common thread for a majority of successful studio operations.  But, make sure you know your bottom line, don’t give away your services or your customer will attach no value to them.

Is it a tough environment?  Of course it is, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be successful.  It has never been easy, there have always been low cost competitors and there always will be.  If you remember that you are capable of delivering a better product than the rest and work hard to provide a premium level of service, you will not only survive, but thrive!

Harry Markel, Eastern US Sales, MorePhotos

Mike Smith, COO, MorePhotos

A Success Series for Modern Day Photographers

Last week, we talked about SEO (search engine optimization) for the second time, and in a more advanced way  We covered topics like interlinking, back links, social media and blogging .  Today we are going to review something we already know, but too easily forget, looking and acting the part you want to occupy in your photography career.

We can always improve our techniques to achieve a better look from our photography. But did you know that your appearance and actions can influence the outcome of you photography? If you take the extra effort to look more professional and have your “gear” look better it will spill over to getting better results. We’re not talking getting all dressed up in a tux, although in the really “old school” days, that is just how professional photographers dressed.  Today that extreme isn’t necessary and probably not really a good idea if you’re working in a hot environment and constantly running around.

Your personal appearance should be pleasing and non-offensive. A clean white shirt and black dress slacks or a modest length dress or skirt are fine for the majority of photography assignments. If you are shooting a formal wedding that tux or full length gown will still come in handy.  You never want to “stand out” from the crowd because of your personal dress code.  Keeping a pack of gum or a supply of mints in your pocket will ensure your breath is fresh!  If you look sloppy or your breath knocks your subjects over, this will convey that your photography is sloppy even if you produce a clean style of recording the event.

Tuning up you photo gear to perform its best is always a great place to start producing better photography. Any DSLR can accept an external flash on the hotshoe but a good camera/flash bracket will provide better light and avoid “redeye” by getting the flash up above the camera. This rig also looks a lot more solid and creates that sense of professionalism you may be missing on your shoots. Many styles of camera/flash brackets are available today and the best brackets are those that allow the camera to rotate 90 degrees so your flash/strobe is always above the camera for either a vertical or horizontal shot. If you can provide a second flash it’s a very good idea to avoid flash or power cords that could pose a tripping risk to not only you but the guests at the event.  Use remote radio or IR flash triggers!  Again, the more “professional” equipment you use, the more professional you look.

Finally, remember your attitudes and actions act reflect on how you are perceived, especially by any potential customers that are watching you work.  Too often we forget that we are recording the events in front of us, we are NOT a part of them and generally the last thing we should do is affect them.  Treat your customers, their guests and the event with all of the dignity and respect you can and it deserves.  The highest compliment I think any photographer can receive is that at the end of it all, no one remembers they were there and yet the event was captured in a memorable way.  Even though it seems counter-intuitive, you will get more referrals this way than any other.  So tune up yourself, your gear and your attitude and watch your bottom line get tuned up!

Harry Markel, MorePhotos Eastern Sales Director

Mike Smith, MorePhotos COO

A Success Series for Modern Day Photographers

When we first talked about SEO (search engine optimization) for photographers a couple of weeks ago, we touched on the basics.  We talked about (Meta) page titles, keywords and descriptions.  This week we want to get a little bit more specific in regard to SEO, and cover some things you can do within your site pages (the content, or meat & potatoes of your site if you will), that can greatly help to increase your online visibility.

1)    Interlinking – This is simply providing links in the content of your site pages to other pages on YOUR website.  When you do this, it’s important that you use “anchor text” that coincides with the keyword phrases you’ve chosen to title the specific landing page you’re linking to.  Anchor text is “naming a link”.  Instead of saying, “to check out our photography forum, click here”, you’d say “check out our photography forum and enjoy all of the benefits of being a member”.  Then that link would go to the page that you have previously titled, “photography forum”.  Make sense?  That anchor text actually reinforces and raises the organic (non-paid) rankings of your target terms.

2)    Back Links – Similar in concept to interlinking, only the links come from others’ websites to yours.  How do you do this?  Well, if you know the website owner, you can simply ask.  If you don’t, then you can comment on blog posts with links in your comments, and you can submit your site to online directories, and write articles on platforms like Articlebase, Ezine Articles, Hubspot and Gather.  There are dozens of other sites where you can submit original work, you just have to look.  Again, anchor text is always a bonus in your links.

3)    Social Media – Do any of you live on Facebook?  Well, you’re not alone.  Having a balanced presence on social media platforms can be very beneficial provided you do it with limitations, eventually have a way to monetize your efforts, and send traffic back to your website and blog.  “Tagging” is something that many photographers are taking advantage of.  When you “tag” a client in a photo (with their permission of course), you’re essentially opening up your work to all of their friends, which are likely of the same demographic make-up, and perhaps the same stage in their life (think marriage, babies, senior photos etc.).  Example of a news feed post:  “John Doe was tagged in Drew Warner Photography’s Album” (shows photo).

4)    Blogging – This can be of huge importance to the keyword ranking of your website, so if you have time – try to do it.  The search engines see sites with fresh content as being more relevant in their respective industries.  The idea of a blog (or Web Log) is that you are updating followers of your business on the latest news, photo shoots, specials and promotions and more.   A good rule of thumb might be to start with 2 posts a month. Having a blog also gives you the ability to point links back to your website on a regular basis.

5)    Creating Web Pages Around Relevant Industry Partners – Let’s say that you’re a wedding or event photographer.  Do you have a favorite venue?  An organization or company that you do consistent work for, or someone that is happy to refer you to prospective clients?  A nice technique is to create web pages about some of the locations and organizations you work with regularly.  If you title the page accordingly in your meta-data, and include some good content, there’s a good chance that people searching for information on these venues online will find that web page of yours in the listing of results.  Bonus for you!  Remember, getting a link from this partner is valuable as well so don’t be afraid to ask.

There’s a lot more to it than what I’ve covered above, but go ahead and get your feet wet – and feel free to reach out if you need any help.

Drew Warner | MorePhotos SEO Specialist