{"id":874,"date":"2011-10-11T17:07:23","date_gmt":"2011-10-11T17:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/morephotos.net\/photoblog\/?p=503"},"modified":"2011-10-11T17:07:23","modified_gmt":"2011-10-11T17:07:23","slug":"back-to-business-series-chapter-12-surviving-this-tough-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/morephotos.com\/back-to-business-series-chapter-12-surviving-this-tough-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to Business Series Chapter 12 ~ \u201cSurviving This Tough Market\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Success Series for Modern Day Photographers<\/span><\/h2>\n
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“Survival” Image credit to Liz Noffsinger<\/p><\/div>\n

Last week we went over how to \u201clook and act the part\u201d you want to occupy in your photography career. Today we are going to again go back to some of the \u201cbasics\u201d, good marketing and customer service.<\/p>\n

How many times have you heard or thought this; \u201cThe amateur photographers are taking over and killing my business!\u00a0\u00a0 The soccer moms, the \u201cmama-razzies\u201d anyone with a digital SLR is masquerading as a professional photographer. But wait, don\u2019t 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.\u00a0 The key to getting top money for your photography is to be what you are, a professional in every way.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Take a look at your portfolio.\u00a0 Do you have families posed in front of buildings or landmarks that were knocked down or remodeled years ago?\u00a0 If so, you aren\u2019t relevant to your audience and they won\u2019t hire you!<\/p>\n

The same successful photographers keep repeating that the theme responsible for their thriving profits is \u201cService\u201d. 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?\u00a0 Do you answer messages immediately with useful information if a question is asked?\u00a0 Are you early to appointments and have everything you need to have a successful meeting or shoot?\u00a0\u00a0 Planning for great service is the best way to make sure you deliver great service.\u00a0 Flexibility in negotiating prices is also a common thread for a majority of successful studio operations. \u00a0But, make sure you know your bottom line, don\u2019t give away your services or your customer will attach no value to them.<\/p>\n

Is it a tough environment?\u00a0 Of course it is, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t be successful.\u00a0 It has never been easy, there have always been low cost competitors and there always will be.\u00a0 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!<\/p>\n

Harry Markel, Eastern US Sales, MorePhotos<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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