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A studio that manages to increase and sometimes double their sales each year?

Did we get your attention? Want to learn one way to increase your own sales...from the folks behind that studio? Well, here's one of their "secrets" to higher sales: product design. But it's not just any product design that works...it has to be a design that helps your client decide what to do with his/her images.

Think of the product design skill in these terms: Clients want internal "permission" to buy something. You can give that permission by showing them how and where the photographic products can be used on their own walls and in their own settings. Make it tangible. Make it easy to envision.

Such design skills have helped turned Jeff and Allison Rodgers into the duo behind one of the most profitable studios in the U.S. And you can learn how they leverage product design to sell more products by joining their webinar, "Push Higher Sales with Product Design," tomorrow (March 3) at noon EST.

They'll show you how they listen to their clients' needs and wants in order to present them with product designs that work in their spaces. Multi-image pieces, wall designs, name art, books and press products are all items that clients want--and you'll learn how you can translate "want" into "gotta have."

Whether you're an emerging new business or a studio that's been in the industry for years, let Jeff and Allison guide you through the creative and profitable process of product design.

Push Higher Sales with Product Design
March 3, 12pm ET
with Jeff & Allison Rodgers
$39 for PPA Members

Dear PPA Member,

Knowing when to ask for help is probably not one of my strong suits. You know those situations where someone should have asked for a helping hand, but didn't? Well, I've been guilty of that a couple of times...like when I wanted popcorn (we won't mention how old I was) and thought I could make it on my own. I found out rather quickly that plastic colanders and microwaves don't go well together. (I'm sorry, Dad.)

Keeping with the theme, this week's Vital Signs covers some tax topics that are easier to handle with the assistance of a financial advisor. Taxes are not an easy road to navigate, but thankfully, there are people out there who know how to help. Clients come to you because you're a professional, so why wouldn't you turn to a professional for tax issues? I highly recommend that you take advantage of that help--it will help save you time and headaches (and maybe even the microwave). (Again Dad, I'm really, really sorry.)

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. United Funding, a PPA Affinity Partner, has created a new online payment calculator to accommodate the financing of equipment under the standard $5,000. Use the Special Payment Calculator to determine your potential payment options on the equipment you need for your business.

Indemnification Trust: What You Need to Know
February 24, 2010 at 4pm ET
Stephen Morris, Lead Attorney for the Indemnification Trust at Meadows & Macie, P.C.
Maria Matthews, PPA Copyright and Government Affairs Manager
Click here to register.

The Indemnification Trust is unique to PPA and a highly ranked member-benefit by PPA members. Find out exactly what the Indemnification Trust is and how it can protect you and your studio. Maria Matthews, PPA Copyright and Government Affairs Manager, and Stephen Morris, Lead Attorney for the Indemnification Trust at Meadows & Macie, P.C., address how to use the Trust, what issues are eligible for coverage, and the steps you need to take to take advantage of this valued benefit.

Dear PPA Member,

There are words that have the ability to make people cringe. Take, for example, "root canal." What about "taxes"? I cringed when I wrote it, and I knew it was coming! For most of us, taxes are one of the necessities of life that we would much rather not think about--at least not until April 15th, and even then... Unfortunately, taxes are not optional (at least not if you want the IRS to leave you alone).

When you become a business owner, your tax responsibilities expand beyond your personal taxes to include business-related taxes. That means more tax forms, more information and more time dedicated to the filing process. This week's Vital Signs kicks around some ideas on how you can better prepare yourself for this tax season. Hopefully, you won't have to cringe as much when someone mentions taxes. (Sadly, I can't help with your reaction to root canals.)

Cheers,
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. PPA will be doing some computer maintenance on Saturday, February 27 from 9:00am to noon ET. During that time, some web services (like meeting registration and merit reports) will be offline. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. Please remember: PPA members will not be able to register for meetings or see their merits online while we are working on the system.

Dear PPA Member,

Growing up, what was your favorite thing about school? Maybe it was the field trips you got to take (I could give you a tour of the Boston Museum of Science--I swear my school took us there every year!) or learning about your favorite subject (foreign languages always fascinated me).

I loved school, but I must admit that I also loved that stretch of time called "summer break" when I didn't have to go to school. No homework, no waking up early, and time to do whatever I wanted. (Or what my parents wanted, which was to send me to summer camp...which I think was their "summer break.")

Eventually, we all grow up and move from school towards our careers. While most careers don't usually feature 3-month summer breaks, some of you may encounter times of the year when business slows down. This week's Vital Signs is about that time of the year and how you can make the most of it. Just because you don't have clients booked every day doesn't mean you have to sit around and do nothing. You can still be productive and, I promise, no camp songs or mosquitoes will be involved.

Cheers!

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

As a professional photographer, your job allows you to meet and interact with people every time you book a job--especially if they are the subject of the images! Pursuing that interaction and forming a relationship is a large part of your success. It gives people a reason to come back to you the next time they need pictures, instead of the photographer down the street. Think about it this way: it would be pretty difficult for you to do your job if you didn't interact with other people (well, maybe unless you are a landscape photographer).

This week's New Year's resolution is to be more active in the photography sphere. Just as you need to interact with your clients, you also need to interact with fellow photographers. Such activity gives you the opportunity to make connections and share ideas. This is where PPA Affiliates come into play. Maybe you've heard of them and maybe you haven't, but becoming a member of a PPA Affiliate is the perfect place to start forming successful business relationships with other photographers in your area.

Now, get out there and get active!

Cheers!

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

In case you haven't heard, we just wrapped up our largest, most-attended Imaging USA ever. The classes were a success, the tradeshow was packed, and the parties were rockin'! If you were able to make it out to Nashville, I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did. If you didn't have the chance to join us, start planning for next year's show--San Antonio, here we come!

And speaking of planning, this week's Vital Signs is about planning to actually use New Year's resolutions, like streamlining your business. If you're anything like me, your trip to Imaging USA left you with a lot of information and even more goodies from the tradeshow. Don't let it all go to waste! Use what you gained in Nashville to help improve your business. Sometimes we all need a little push to get those resolutions in gear!

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

This is the first Vital Signs of 2010...and what better way to ring in the new year than to talk about new ways to communicate with your clients? In a recent Vital Signs, I referenced my father's love of texting. In addition to texting, my father's social media resume also includes a Facebook page and a Twitter account. I make this point to show the incredible reach you can achieve by expanding the way you communicate.

In case you've missed the past month or two of Vital Signs, online communications and social media have exploded as ways for companies to interact with their clients. It's becoming more and more common for the general population to utilize these resources (see above paragraph for reference). By taking advantage of these tools, you not only communicate more effectively and reach more people, but you also save money in the process--how can you turn that down? Read this week's Vital Signs here.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

Pop quiz: What did you do the second week of February this year?

Are you having trouble remembering? Don't worry...I had the same problem, too. With our lives as busy as they are, it's no wonder we forget things. Trying to remember work appointments, the grocery list, and your neighbor's birthday can wreak havoc on your memory.

To help ease the burden, we decided to do a recap of all the new benefits that PPA has added over the past year. We're constantly trying to add value to your membership, and in 2009 we added everything from new business discounts to expanded educational resources. If you've used some of these new benefits, great! If not, take a moment to look them over. It's never too late to start using a benefit!

Happy Holidays!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. Don't forget about the Imaging USA Rockstar Giveaway. We're counting down the days to Imaging USA in Nashville by giving away cool stuff-- $10,000 worth of items that photographic rockstars (like you) want! Find out the daily giveaway and how to enter by following Imaging USA on Twitter or joining as a fan on the Imaging USA Facebook page.

Dear PPA Member,

It's already the end of December, and the holidays are here (if you haven't noticed). If you're anything like us, you are wondering where the year went! It feels like we were just in Phoenix for Imaging USA 2009...but in a few short weeks, we will be in Nashville for Imaging USA 2010.

Even though we associate this time of year with Imaging USA preparation, we like to remember that it is also the holiday season. It's a time for friends and families to gather together. To continue that holiday spirit, we have gathered together a list of Vital Signs articles that we feel represents the best of the year. Take a look at the topics and see what articles spark your interest. It never hurts to refresh business advice and ideas, and they can be a great read on your trip to Nashville!

Happy Holidays!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. Have you heard about the Imaging USA Rockstar Giveaway? We're counting down the days to Imaging USA in Nashville by giving away cool stuff! Find out the daily giveaway and how to enter by following Imaging USA on Twitter or joining as a fan on the Imaging USA Facebook page. We're giving away over $10,000 worth of items that Photographic Rockstars (like you) want. Come rock with us!