Recently in Business Category

Pilot Imaging is hosting its second Bringing the Value Back to Photography one day seminar on September 15th in Rockville, Marylyand. Titled "BVB Part II - This Time We Mean Business!", the seminar focuses on building and improving your photography business, and features 5 speakers, an advising panel and a full day of networking and education for just $125.

The line up includes PPA's Chief Financial Officer, Scott Kurkian, who will be presenting his program,"It's Your Money - Keep More of It!" For complete details and online registration, click here.

Start a conversation with PPA members about mentoring, and it's hard to decide who's getting the most out of this loveliest example of professional networking. Make the most of your socializing and jumpstart your relationship building with these suggestions from PPA members who have experience with mentoring and being mentored.

"I figured out pretty early on that I learn best in small groups, so mentor relationships provided the best way for me to learn how to improve my photography skills and business," says Heather Smith, Cr.Photog., CPP. "When I picked out who I wanted to learn from, I didn't just choose people because I liked their art. I also looked for business people I could respect--how do they treat others, how do they manage their businesses, how do they teach and give feedback?"

Carol Andrews Jensen, M.Photog.Cr., ABI, says she tells her PPA Studio Management Services (SMS) clients the same. "It's not just about an f-stop. You need mentors in all areas of your life. I wouldn't be where I am today without my mentors, and you need to choose the people you want most to be associated with."

Click here to read the full article.

Sometimes things are just better in layers. You want layers of security for better protection, layers of clothing for more warmth and so on. And according to Allison and Jeff Rodgers of Allison Rodgers Photography, a photography business should also have layers beyond its photography, layers in design, marketing and service.

"People always ask us how we 'do it,'" recalls Allison. "What we say sounds so simple, and it is...if you do it. You have to give the client something to buy."

Giving the client something to buy is more than just producing an image. There are more layers to photography than that. In fact, helping other photographers see how better service and design can help bring better sales is one reason she and Jeff created the He Said/She Said promotional package for photographers that won them a 2009 AN-NE Marketing Award.

Click here to read the full article.  

Business Tip from Imaging USA Instructor David Ziser, M.Photog.Cr.

Three million Apple® iPads™ were sold in 80 days, with about one in five people wanting one. If you are a photographer and don't have an iPad yet, you are missing golden marketing opportunities.

For example, I use my iPad to show my portfolio and wedding album layouts to prospective clients when we meet...even during weddings. It's a great way to sizzle your prospect and turn him or her into a buying customer. But don't stop there.

Here are some more ideas photographers can use to make use of an iPad:

• Load up your iPad with all your portfolios--wedding, family, children, senior, etc.
• If your prospects see something they like, e-mail it to them right on the spot. (Now, you've captured their contact information, allowing you to follow up and not have to wait for them to call you.)
• Add digital images of your favorite products to the iPad to preview for your current clients.
• Upload your job proposals and price lists, making the iPad another easy and fast tool to help in booking the client.

The iPad is the single most important device to come along for photographers since the camera. It's a fast-paced world out there these days, and the new iPad gives you the marketing "rocket fuel" to keep pace.

(Learn more from David Ziser at his Imaging USA class: "Captured by the Light: Composing & Lighting for Dramatic Portraits.")

Dear PPA Member,

I've had my fair share of hairstyles throughout the years. From varying shades of blonde (and a single weekend as a redhead), super short and spiky to long and curly, there wasn't a cut or color I was afraid to try. Once, I even bleached my hair "platinum" and cut it about a half-inch in length. That look wasn't an accident--it took planning with my hairstylist (and multiple confirmations that I did, in fact, want to cut off all my hair). I knew what I wanted and had to make sure that the person with the scissors and bottle of bleach understood me. We both wanted to walk away happy--me with my new look, and my hairstylist with a return client.

While your clients may not be coming to you for a new hairstyle, they are coming to you to capture a moment in time. And a client consultation allows both of you to understand what is expected and what can be provided. By knowing what your clients truly want, you are more likely to provide them with positive experiences and images that they'll treasure. That's the topic of this week's Vital Signs.

My current hairstylist has convinced me to grow my hair longer than a pixie cut, and the "Susan Powter look" has transformed into more natural shades. But you never know... there may be a client consultation in the future where I'll smile and say: "I'm channeling Susan again, so 'let's stop the insanity.'" And because he knows what I want, he'll know exactly what to do--and I'll know what to expect.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. P.S. Want a great way to make yourself stand out during your client consultations? PPA's Merit & Degree Program recognizes you for your dedication and achievements--something both your and your clients can appreciate. Learn more by watching the webinar, 'Get Recognized: PPA's Merit & Degree Program'.

Last week, we looked at two of the cardinal sins photographers often commit: ignoring their numbers--or, more aptly, running away from an encounter with their numbers--and failing to plan. This week, we continue the crusade to help you overcome the "7 Deadly Sins of Financial Management," starting with your state of mind.

#3:  Failing to Think Like What You Are--A Small Business
Salem, Ore., photographer and Studio Management Services (SMS) instructor Eric Anundi calls it the "artist mentality." He says that before he started using managerial financial concepts and planning in his business, he had the mindset of an artist, not a businessperson. 

"Now wait," you say. "What's wrong with thinking like an artist?" It's not that thinking like an artist is wrong; it's failing to realize that your art is a business. As we often say, if you can't make money, your images will look awesome...hanging in your basement.

"Oftentimes, our members don't make direct correlations between the money they're spending and how those expenditures affect the bottom line," says Scott Kurkian, PPA chief financial officer and founder of SMS, PPA's business and financial management practice for photographers. "We spend money on products and equipment because we believe they'll help us make better images--and maybe they will--but you have to plan for those expenditures and ensure that, while they're improving your art, they're not breaking the bank."

Common Sense Business Principles
Anundi says that it might seem obvious, but more often than not, "photographers don't place enough value on common sense business principles."

 

Dear PPA Member,

Legal, schmegal. Who needs the extra hassle of paperwork and signatures? You have clients and you know that they're going to pay you, right? They said they'd pay you, right? They told you the date and where you're supposed to be, right?

Wrong.

Contracts and releases and agreements exist for many reasons, but the main reason you need to have them in your business is to protect...you. I don't think you'd buy or sell a house without having something legally in writing. Buying a house is an investment. Buying your services as a professional photographer is an investment, too, so treat it as such!

This week's Vital Signs will show you what should be in your legal kit. You may not use everything in your kit, but it's worth putting one together...just in case. After all, they said they'd pay you, right?

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Business tip from Carol Andrews Jensen, M.Photog.Cr., ABI (Imaging USA 2011 Instructor)

Working backwards to a goal? If you stop to think, you'll realize that it works! 

Goals are a huge part of reaching our vision and our dreams, and they are so important in creating business models (and life models) that are attainable and achievable. But as small business owners (and creatives), we have to get out of our set patterns to reinvent, refresh, restore and create. Backwards goal-setting is a tool to help us do that.

One of the questions I am asked frequently is how to create a business and marketing calendar. Surprise! Step one is to start at the end. (This "backward" planning method is often used in educational settings, as well as professional training techniques.)

Start at the End
Let's start with the ultimate end goal and think backwards. As always, write down your achievement/goal and your completion date. BE VERY SPECIFIC.

For example, I will have a Valentine's Day promotion, running February 10-14 and featuring mothers and daughters with fresh roses. My goal is 20 sessions at an average of $1,500.00, and the featured product will be a custom album with 10 retouched images.

Dear PPA Member,

Unless you're Daddy Warbucks or Richie Rich, you probably don't have bags of money stacked to the ceiling that you can spend on advertising. So it probably goes without saying, but...don't blow it.

Word-of-mouth advertising is free, but it will only get you so far. Part of an effective business strategy is determining what paid advertising will be best for your studio. We're not talking about holding a "Mad Men" episode where account executives plan a multi-year international campaign or keeping Crispin Porter + Bogusky on speed dial; rather, take some time to think about what type of paid advertising may work for you.

If you are Daddy Warbucks or Richie Rich, give me a call. (I've always wanted to see those bags with the big dollar symbols.) Otherwise, this week's Vital Signs is a great way to help you spend your time--and your money--wisely.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. Have questions about copyright? Look to PPA's 2010 Copyright Kit for answers! This exclusive PPA member benefit has recently been updated to reflect current copyright law, and it also offers advice on how to protect your copyrights.

Florida has a great opportunity that local photographers should consider taking part in: a three-month Tax Amnesty program, signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist. It started July 1, 2010, and will end on September 30. With this amnesty program, Florida taxpayers that owe back taxes can settle their debts with the state at a reduced interest payment...and with no imposed penalties. By participating, delinquent taxpayers can avoid interest, penalties and criminal prosecution.

Why is this of interest to Florida photographers? Well, the government has been targeting photographers (and other business owners) who have not been keeping up to date with their sales and use taxes. So if you are behind, now's the perfect chance to get caught up!

To participate in the program, Florida photographers must do the following:

• File all requisite paperwork, including returns and amended returns.
• Pay the full amount of taxes due.
• Pay the discounted interest rate due.
• Pay the administrative processing fee

Two discounted rates are available for the amnesty program. If you have received a notice, bill or demand for payment, or are under audit or an administrative or judicial proceeding, then you can save 25 percent of the interest due. If you have never received communication from the government, you can save 50 percent, paying only half of applicable interest!

Florida photographers will also have the option of a seven-month payment structure, provided a minimum down payment of 12.5 percent is paid by the end of the amnesty period. Keep in mind, that should you miss a scheduled payment, you will owe all original taxes, interest and penalties.

Again, the Florida Tax Amnesty program ends September 30, 2010, and it applies to sales tax, corporate income tax, use tax and fuel tax, among other. If you have any questions about how the program may affect you or your business, please contact PPA's Studio Management Services (sms@ppa.com, 888.851.0405).