PPA is excited to announce a fantastic new resource for photographers: our very own photography podcast! This marks an awesome step in the evolution of our Education Department. The first episode of the Professional Photographer podcast just dropped today and is available wherever you listen to your podcasts! Now, PPA members can enjoy incredible educational content at their leisure and share important episodes with anyone, including non-PPA members.

The Professional Photographer podcast has been created with one objective in mind: helping you build a better business. Each week, Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community, brings you invaluable insights from successful photographers and business leaders. 

As a self-described idea coach with over 22 years of experience as an on-air broadcaster, Miller is a uniquely qualified podcast host, eager to explore everything from effective marketing strategies for photographers to the nitty-gritty aspects of the photography industry. We spoke with him in a short interview, which we’re excited to share with you.

Before you read, be sure to like and subscribe to the Professional Photographer podcast and look out for our weekly episode to drop every Tuesday! Now, here’s our short Q&A interview with Pat Miller.

PPA: 
You've accomplished a TON in your professional career, what is it about the Professional Photographer podcast that excites you the most and how does it compare to your other experiences in radio?
Pat Miller:
Podcasting offers the opportunity to create targeted discussions that can entertain, engage and educate the listener or viewer. Since they're not shared in real time, podcasts can be searched and shared when the information in that show is truly needed. Questions like: how DO I raise my rates, how CAN I improve my marketing, what DO I do when I need to pivot the business... All of these questions can be answered by experts and they're waiting to be discovered by PPA members and photographers. 
Searchable, on-demand content is so much more accessible than live radio and it truly offers an unmatched utility to serve people. For the podcast, I'm faming each episode around a specific challenge or opportunity that our listeners or viewers might be facing. This way, they can find the information they need in a relevant and helpful context.

PPA:
What are some ways one can manage anxiety when starting a business? In these unprecedented times, how do you foster optimism and hope while launching a challenging venture like a photography business? 

Pat Miller:
Earning a living isn't optional — HOW you earn a living is. I'm firmly of the belief that life is too short to build other people's dreams. In fact, I did my TEDx talk on that subject. If you agree, why would you spend a minute working for someone else? With that frame on small business, the anxiety somewhat melts away. You're putting in the time and effort to build your vision and if you're driven and willing to do what it takes you can unlock a lifestyle and rewards that far surpass being someone's employee. As for the times we're in, I'm incredibly bullish on the opportunity to build right now. We have more resources at our fingertips than ever before. Any photographer who does good work and is willing to focus and sell could build a business that succeeds.

PPA:
What type of photographers do you think will benefit most from this podcast? What character traits and habits do you think make a person more likely to succeed when it comes to small business ownership?

Pat Miller:
This podcast is built to give you what you need to grow your business. But, like all resources and coaching it's meaningless if you're not going to put in the work! The hard work, the work that nobody notices but you KNOW if you're glossing over. It could be building real relationships or super serving a client or reading a book to improve your technique or following up with a lead for the 10th time to finally get the sale. If you're putting in the work you're going to love this show. As for the character traits, I subscribe to this manta for small business: get clear, work hard and NEVER QUIT. 

PPA:
What common pitfalls do small business owners, regardless of their specialty, often encounter?

Pat Miller:
They don't mind their money, they get lost in imposter syndrome, and they think they're competing with everyone. You need to know where your money is going to the penny, you must be constantly aware of your sales cycle and you must have supportive people around you to keep you moving forward. Just like the tagline of the Small Business Owners Community that I founded: It's Your Dream, Don't Grow it Alone®.

Be sure to share an episode of the podcast with your photographer friends and subscribe to the Professional Photographer podcast wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a show!