Just Say No – Marketing Monday Post

by Skip Cohen

Bringing Back Nancy Regan’s “Just Say No” Campaign

NO!No graphic by Bob Coates Photography

Many of you aren’t old enough to remember Nancy Regan’s “Just Say No” campaign, but I ran across a reference to her recently and started thinking about the simplicity of that statement. Well, it seems like the perfect way to have some fun thinking about a few new ground rules for professional photographers:

Just say no to thinking, “I’ll fix it in the computer later!”

Just say no to companies who make promises to deliver on time and then don’t come through.

Just say no to lowering your pricing before you’ve exhausted every idea you have available to add value!

From an old post from Cliff Mautner: “In order to combat the apprehension of my wedding clients, I felt the need to add a bit of value to their collection in lieu of reducing my pricing – which I was dead set against. An added hour here, a flexible payment plan there, and things fell into place nicely.” 

Just say no to putting off that mailing you need to do to all your previous brides who are now starting families.

Just say no to those “trolls” in your life who drain energy instead of creating it!

Just say no to giving up the fight to be creative in attacking the market and developing a program of diversification in your business.

Just say no to negative people in your life. They don’t have to love your dreams, just respect them!

Okay, who wants to add a few more?

skip cohen headshot

Skip Cohen has been involved in the photographic industry his entire career and previously served as President of Rangefinder/WPPI and earlier, Hasselblad USA. He founded SkipCohenUniversity.com in 2013. Skip is a co-host for “Mind Your Own Business” and “Beyond Technique,” webcasts through Photofocus.com, writes for several publications including Shutter Magazine and is actively involved in several advisory boards for non-profit organizations.