by successfulbob | photography education, photography marketing, success education
As a photographer you need to be front and center in your town.
The best ways are through referrals and gentle reminders like staying on the pages of your local paper through press releases. As you know you can’t be featured in a press release too often, but you can be featured if you are willing to give back by spending time and sharing your knowledge. Here’s a case in point. I am now writing a monthly column for the newspaper called ‘Photographers Corner’. Here’s the first article.
Article by Bob Coates (hey that’s me!) appeared in The Villager September 1st.
The article will talk about ways a non-photographer may make better images. “Why would you want to tell people how to do your job Bob?” I’m not. I’m helping people who are going to make images better for themselves. These will not be professional photos. When they need professional images they will remember that I was helpful and I have their best interest at heart. Sales trainer and professional speaker Zig Ziglar said that when you help people get what they want you will create a good living for yourself.
The articles will help people and people will remember me when it is time to have professional images made. A win-win-win. “Wait a minute Bob. I only count two wins in your blog post.” Ah the third win is for the newspaper who receive articles to add interest to their pages without having to pay a writer. My payment is exposure and the bio at the end highlighting where people can see some of my work.
I also do a monthly radio show but that’s for a different day… Stay in front of your community there are lots of ways… This is just one.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | marketing, photography education, success education
You need to stay in front of the people in your community. One of the ways to keep out there is by sending out press releases. You know I’m a fan of this piece of the marketing puzzle and I want to make you one also. Here’s another article that appeared in Sedona’s local entertainment newspaper/magazine to show you that it works…
Kudos article on Bob Coates Photography & AZPPA Convention Competition Results
This particular article is about some success in imaging competition. I am a huge fan of entering competition at the local, state, region and National levels especially when you have access to viewing the competitions and getting critiques of your work. It pushes you to take your work to the next level. And that’s a huge benefit for you and your clients. Learn more about image competition at PPA.
When we pursue this press release avenue it is a win/win/win situation. It’s a win for the newspaper or magazine because they get well written content that doesn’t cost them a lot of time or money to use. It’s a win for your community because they get to learn about you and your skills. And, it’s a win for you because you are kept front of mind in your community in a positive way that you really can’t pay for… Learn more about writing and sending press releases by checking in here.
If you need some help with your marketing give me a call. Coaching rates are very reasonable. The first hour is no charge if you don’t think I’ve been a help to you… then you don’t pay – No hard feelings.
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | marketing, photography, photography education
“Bob that press release stuff doesn’t work!”
I hear this all the time when I try to share with fellow photographers one way to get your business name out there. Press releases can, and do, work. But, you have to work at it. You need to write the release in the correct form for the media in which you are trying to get placement. You need to know where to send the release, because the proper person who makes the decisions needs to see it. And, send it to more than one outlet. And, send them out on a regular basis because not every release is printed. Add artwork like your head-shot, illustrative images and captions.
How about getting to know your local editors? Inviting them to lunch? Asking how you might be of help to them? If someone knows you personally there’s a better chance your release will be printed
Here’s an example of how the press release worked so far… from this release
Image of Kudos newspaper printing of press release for Bob Coates’ receiving PPA’s Elite Plus Award 2014
Online printing of Press Release in PhotoClique
I will take the published versions of my work and share them in my studio, republish them on the Internet and make copies to use to help let clients know they have made a good choice in selecting me as their photographer. FYI, any images that appear in an article I recreate for distribution because scans from newsprint and magazines are a bit icky. Also after a scan I will add a curves layer and make the whites whiter and blacks blacker. This helps with the bleed through from the porous paper and makes look better and easier to read.
There’s no free lunch. You do have to work to build relationships. Get your writing skills up to par. Follow through. I feel the effort is more than worth it because when the articles appear in print, even if you penned the info, the result is name recognition you can’t get through a paid advertisement.
If you need some help finding reasons to generate press releases fro your photography business, writing them, finding how to distribute them or need some general business help contact me about some coaching opportunities at great rates.
Yours in photography… Bob
by successfulbob | photography, photography education, success education
The stallion’s ebony mane flew like feathers in the breeze created by the speed of his flight across the desert plain. It’s the quintessential image of freedom. Witness to the energy of one ‘horsepower’ moving with grace I felt a charge welling up inside… And I was moved. Almost lost the shot I was so entwined in the moment. But, I didn’t. Slowly I squeezed the shutter and captured the moment to share with you in the hope you get a taste and feel what I feel when viewing this power.
Horse galloping in a Monument Valley box canyon.
I’ve always had an interest in the power of equine movement. Now, I’m starting to learn how to share the experience through the written word, as well as the visual, so others can understand my emotion in the moment. You can learn to share in an engaging way too.
If you want to make money in your business you need to entertain your customers. Writing in an emotional and visual manner will move people to sales because they read your message and understand.
Here’s some help for you. I ran into Jenika via her blog ‘Psychology for Photographers and Other Creatives’. I bought her ‘Irresistible Words’ class & I feel my writing is now encouraging my guests to hang around and really understand what I am trying to share.
You can get in on the good words too. Save fifty bucks if you order Irresistible Words between late Thanksgiving evening through Cyber Monday.
Or if you want to get the Irresistible Website, normally $159, it will be $109 Save fifty bucks
Or you can go for ‘The Business Library Pack, which includes both for $299 – Save OVER one hundred bucks off regular retail price for both items!
The cool part about Jenika’s deals is this… You get 30 days to check out the material.
Why? Because sometimes it’s hard to decide what education to invest in, because you can’t be sure beforehand whether the education will help in the way it says it will help. Jenika is insanely dedicated to making sure that this information helps as many people as possible, so try it risk-free. Check out her web site to see how she will happily refund your money.
by successfulbob | marketing, photography education, success education
“Hey! What does your bill say??!! I’m not sure I read mine correctly…”
That was the cry when our checks were presented. Smiles passed from face to face around the table as each person read the message in the presentation folder…….
Have a great night…
You could feel spirits lift as everyone tried to figure out what was going on. We had requested separate checks. So we each got one. Even the person who had taken the waiter aside and asked to pick up the tab had an extra smile on his face because of all the laughter washing around the table.
The smooth move by our waiter cost him only the time to jot the extra notes and pass out the fraudulent checks to the group.
Which begs this question… What small thing can you do that would delight your clients in a big way that would have them sharing YOUR story?? As evidenced by this savvy server you don’t have to give away the store to bring a smile to your customers.
Got some ideas to share?
