Focus on your strengths first
You need some wins.
We impatient, self-flagellating human beings tend to want to change completely all at once. We go cold turkey. We don't wean off carbs, we swear them off. We don't start at the gym for 10 minutes, we go for two hours (then can't move for a week). We don't commit to feeling a little better, we set the goal of a summer swimsuit body in 30 days.
Wins build on wins. Mojo, baby.
But the human brain is built of deep-cut neural pathways. Your sugar addiction is a superhighway. Your dream habit of meal prep and lifting heavy at the gym is a bike trail. And your new goal of eating and acting healthy is like trying to divert rush hour traffic down that dirt path.
Likely to end in a wreck.
But...(and this is a good but, for once)
Superhighways start out as wagon trails.
Rough country evolves into wagon trails, trails into paved roads, paved roads into two-lanes into eight-lane cross-country interstates.
Takes time. Takes purposeful effort. Takes some vision, and a commitment to the vision.
How do you evolve your artistic and professional skills into the top 5% of your peers?
Focus on your strengths first.
When I coach a struggling photographer, some of the first assessments and exercises we do are to identify superpowers both known and hidden.
(Do you love reading books and blogs about business and/or photography? Did you know that's a superpower? Most companies with thousands of employees can barely get their people to do mandatory continuing education, much less study independently and passionately to grow their skills.)
This has two purposes:
1. To break the self-destructive obsession with weaknesses.
2. To rediscover the personal foundation of strength upon which that photographer can uniquely build their art and business.
Weaknesses can be shored up later.
Some of those weaknesses will turn out to be powerful differentiators, and surprising strengths when reframed.
But focusing on your strengths first lets you grab low-hanging fruit. It makes your wins come easier and faster. Aren't you tired of feeling stuck and frustrated and discouraged?
Hit the reset button and start over working from the foundation of your unique strengths.
What frustrating, slow, energy-draining work are you doing right now that's leaving you feeling inept and frustrated? E-mail me at james@banderaoutlaw.com and let me know.
James Michael Taylor
www.parttimephoto.com
Updating Design
Pardon the minimalist look around here - I'm making long-overdue updates to the PTP site design.
I want to make sure you've got easy access to all the content here on the site, that Google can find it and share it, and that it looks good enough (on desktop and mobile) it doesn't give you a headache trying to find and read what you want to know.
What excuse do your clients have to be photographed?
A big sale.
A smart promotion.
A themed mini-shoot.
A tight niche.
A charitable event.
A fun social experience.
A feeling of family.
A feeling of fun.
A feeling of beauty.
What are the GREAT excuses you are giving your potential clients to say YES to a photo shoot with you?
Different clients have different wants, need, interests, pains, desires.
How are you varying your marketing efforts to give each of those clients - all within your tight, targeted niche - to say YES to a photo shoot?
Which of the triggers of sales influence - scarcity, reciprocity, social proof, etc. - are you employing to compassionately help the RIGHT people say YES to a photo shoot that would bless them?
If your answer is “I’m not,” or “I don’t know,” drop me an e-mail at james@banderaoutlaw.com and let me know where you’re struggling.
Fair warning: my first question in response will probably be, “Why is that?”
Within your answer to that question is probably the solution you’re looking for.
James Michael Taylor
www.parttimephoto.com
A photo party makes a great consolation prize
Reader Emma recently hosted a giveaway contest to grow her e-mail newsletter list (a great idea!). But she wasn't sure what to offer as a thank-you to those who didn't win:
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I also want to send a welcome/thank you email to all the people who subscribed to newsletter to enter the giveaway contest, but not sure what to include in it yet (was thinking I’d offer the discount but now not...)
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She and I talked a bit about discounting before. I'm not a fan of devaluing your work, but definitely a fan of creative barter, such as for video testimonials or introductions to referrals.
For a consolation prize, a photo party is not a bad idea:
* One hour
* Location of your choosing (the park, or wherever you have good light)
* Serve some light refreshments (bonus if homemade)
* Make mini-shoot portraits of everyone who attends (if they entered your giveaway, they're hot leads, right?)
* Do it all for free. They only have to RSVP.
Then send reminders out the week and day before the party.
For whoever shows up (whether that's one person or a dozen), give them the red carpet treatment for that hour. Laugh, ask questions, be curious, get to know them, make it social and fun and light, no sales pitch; just a really nice, good experience for all.
That way you're not lowering the value of your work - you're giving a red carpet VIP experience, and getting invaluable face time with people who could be your next ideal clients.
Are you booked solid for the next 13 weeks with a waiting list forming? If not, drop me an e-mail at james@banderaoutlaw.com and let's talk about ideas.
James Michael Taylor
www.parttimephoto.com
Here's how to get your Next Step done (finally!)
That thing you know you need to get done…
The thing you need to put a Check Mark next to so you can move on to the Next Step in your progress…
When are you going to do it?
Go ahead, get your calendar out, and schedule the time. Schedule multiple time blocks (15-90 minute chunks) if you’ll need them. Figure half-as-much-again time as you think you’ll need.
Give yourself space, and eustress (positive pressure, ala a deadline), to do the work.
This photography dream is worth it, right?
Prove it.
Committing? Good. E-mail me at james@banderaoutlaw.com and let me know your Next Step, and when you’ll have it finished.
James Michael Taylor
www.parttimephoto.com
Your feelings probably aren’t helping you win as a photographer
When you look in the mirror, how do you feel?
What do you think?
Who do you see?
If you’re like most people, you’re self-critical: you see imperfections, flaws, mistakes, regrets, things that need to be changed, things you feel powerless to change.
Now, flip the script:
When your best friend looks at you, who do they see?
What do they think?
How do you make them feel?
The mirror is two-dimensional, and often, so is our negative impression of ourselves.
But the people who love us see us fully, in three dimensions - both literally and figuratively. They see our wonderful depth: our wit, our caring, our kindness, our compassion, our intelligence, our humor, our passion, our curiosity, our creativity, our beauty much deeper and richer and more robust than the superficial.
How we as artists see our photography is often the same:
We are eternally unsatisfied, even sometimes disgusted, by the art we make. We see only two dimensions: our art compared to the best art we’ve ever seen.
Again, flip the script:
When your best clients look at your art, what do they see? How do they feel? How does it make them feel?
You will always be your own worst critic.
The Superpower here is (as usual) self-awareness: Know that you are ambitious and thus self-critical, but also that your lens isn’t true.
How you feel about your photography is not how your best clients and potential clients feel. You do no one any favors, you share no blessings with the world, when you hide your work (and your self) from those who would be most blessed by it.
Balance these - ambition and awareness - and give yourself permission to stop feeling so damn bad about yourself as an artist and professional.
Do you struggle with self-defeating negativity? E-mail me at james@banderaoutlaw.com and let me know your story.
James Michael Taylor
www.parttimephoto.com
What to ask your photography clients for a great testimonial
Let this percolate in your imagination...and then go do it:
[After your in-person sales / proofing session...]
Listen [name], I really, really enjoyed working with you / your family on this photo shoot. I love your [personality trait, etc.], and I'd love to work with more clients like you...
Would you mind if I do a quick 'interview' with you for a testimonial?
Would you mind if I record the interview for later when I compile my notes?
Would you mind if I share the recording with other people? People love video, and it makes for the best testimonials. [many will say 'no thank you' to this, and that's okay - not many folks like being on video, but the few who say yes will be powerful social proof for you]
How do you feel about the photos we made together?
Which photo was your favorite, and why?
What did you enjoy about your experience with me as your photographer?
Would you recommend me to your friends? Why?
What could I have done to make your experience better?
Will you use me again for your professional photography needs? Why?
Can we go ahead and book your next shoot? Do you want to shoot again in three months, six months, or a year?
Who do you know who would be blessed with a photo shoot like yours? Could you share their contact information with me? Would you be willing to introduce me to your friend over lunch or coffee, my treat? Could we tentatively set that up now?
[protip: ask your client to sign a model release, so there's never any question whether or not you have permission to use their photos, name, and testimonial]
Harvesting and deploying social capital is one of the catalysts to success as a professional photographer. Don't be afraid to ask your client to spend a few minutes after the sale to help you reach more people like them and bless them with your art.
Need some help with your process to harvest social capital like this? Drop me an e-mail at james@banderaoutlaw.com and let me know what's holding you back.
- James Michael