The Tougher the Challenges the Better Your Skill Set Will Become
Marketing Monday by Skip Cohen
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
Racers sailing photo by Bob Coates Photography
It’s an old African proverb, but the more I read it, the more I’m in awe of how much these seven words say. They sure seem to fit everything we learned over the last few years about business.
Think about it. From a challenging economy to keeping up with technology, to social media and increased competition, you’re working harder than you’ve probably ever worked in your life.
What’s exciting to me is the new energy focused on marketing. Years ago we used to laugh because Don Blair would get a thousand people in a posing and lighting program with a few cute models and I’d get ten people in a marketing workshop and five of them were relatives! Today, every marketing, business, and workflow program is packed, and people are taking notes.
One thing I have noticed is those photographers who tell me they’re having a good year. They always add a comment of, “But I’ve never worked so hard in my life.” Further discussion always brings out new things they’re doing regarding diversity in their business, skill set, and the products/services offered.
Scuba diving is a major passion of mine, and I remember a dive when I first started, in horrible water. We had 6-foot swells, and we were in a small boat – I was diving with my buddy, Bob Nunn. The captain looked at us and said, “If you guys can dive in this you can dive in anything!” I came off the boat green, and Bob left breakfast a half mile off the Florida coast, but it did make us better divers. It also gave us something to laugh about.
Well, as an industry we’ve survived a roller coaster of challenges over the years, but the keyword is survived. The proverb says so much that to keep talking about it becomes trite. The point is we’ve all learned to sail in rough water, and as a result, we’re better sailors!
Give yourself a pat on the back – your passion for photography is alive and well, and you’ve got more tools to make this last quarter pretty remarkable. The goal is for you to THRIVE, not just survive!
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.
Bob, I was not aware you had a nautical background! I grew up sailing, and have had various sailing experiences: once on a 50′ yawl from Moorehead City just south of Cape Hataras 10 days to British Virgin Islands! Several years ago I was on a cruise and one of the excursions was a sail on one of the 12 meter Americas Cup boats[ my sister and I went. I forget how many guests, but a few thought we’d be sitting on cushioned seats doing nothing. While the skipper and one crew encouraged participation. We tailed lines from the jib winches. My sister and I were two of the few that took the helm for a time. His brother was skipper on another and they wanted to give a racing experience for all on the two 12 meters! Ive also done bareboat charters in USVI/BVI. My leg needs more healing before I sail again!
George
George, My wife and I lived aboard a 30 foot S2 in the BVI for four years. I worked as crew delivering sailboats from the East Coast to the Virgin Islands half a dozen times. We took the S2 from North Carolina to the VI and there she stayed. I was a windsurf instructor and sailed on my board from St Thomas to Anagada, BVI and back over a seven day period along with other adventures…