Tuesday morning I opened up my email account, and staring me in the face was over 10,000 new emails.

I calmly hit my “delete” button, and quickly wiped away all 10,000 emails without a care in the world.

As a business owner online, I understand email is a part of doing business. In fact, I’m online and communicate online nearly every day, and honestly can’t imagine life without my email. But I also know email can be a problem as you ask for information, and give your email out to multiple businesses. Let me give you some tips to start your New Year out on a positive note.
Tip 1 – Open up multiple accounts, and direct traffic to different accounts.
I have several Yahoo.com accounts, and several Hotmail.com accounts, in addition to the email addresses I use to run my business. I use these for newsletters and other promotional items. Several of the accounts I use exclusively knowing I will be receiving tons of junk mail – hence my 10,000 emails on Tuesday morning. But it doesn’t bother me, because I know what this account is used for, and I know I’ll never open any of the email up. I simply hit delete. I concentrate on the quality email that comes into my business accounts.

Tip 2 – If you own a business, invest in a professional email address.
Nothing shows professionalism more than using your name and website address as a part of your email address. Plus you can give out your email knowing people will also have your website address at the same time. Check with your webmaster or hosting company; most companies offer you multiple email addresses to correspond with your website. With our websites, we offer an unlimited amount of email addresses with every account. You can forward your email address into your existing email file, making it easy for you to monitor your email regularly.

Tip 3 – Treat your email like you do your phone.
You would never have an unlisted phone number for your business, no one would find you. Likewise, your email address should be readily available to anyone who has the desire to email you. Place your email address on every page of your website, and share it on your business card and other marketing materials. If you’re worried about the security of your email, create it as a graphic rather than a live link. The important thing is to have the access to the information.

Tip 4 – Don’t trust your AOL account.
Even though many people are still using AOL, it’s not an effective way to handle email, especially for a business. AOL has so many s*pam filters attached, it actually stops a great majority of email from flowing in (and out) of your account.

Tip 5 – Avoid using harsh filters on your own business account.
Though s*pam is a problem, you have to think of it as a part of doing business. The last thing you want to do is to frustrate a potential customer because they can’t reach you.

Helping your photography business, how to start a photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Now that you’ve joined Professional Photographer’s of Colorado, are you taking advantage of the many opportunities that await you?  Belonging is more than paying your dues once a year.  It’s more than hanging the certificate on the wall.  It’s about friendship.  It’s about networking with some of the best photographer’s in the state.  And having a good time along the way!

For those of you interested in education, PPC offers three seminars a year from some of the leading photographers in the country.  By taking advantage of these seminars, you will be learning new ideas that may work for your own business.  If you gain and implement one successful new idea per seminar, it was worth its price.  Often I hear attendees state “That’s great, but it wouldn’t work in my market”.  Instead of looking at exactly what the presenter is saying, modify each of their ideas into something that would work for you!  Even a children’s photographer can inspire you to take better wedding photographs by opening your eyes to new and different surroundings.

For those of you interested in degrees and accreditation, PPC offers several ways to work towards these goals.  PPC offers its own Fellowship Awards Program, with three separate degree programs.  PPC offers a Service, Educational and Photographic Degree, each to challenge you and keep you active within the organization itself.  PPC will be awarding photographic merits to its members who compete in the November print and album competition, and will be offering awards to the top honors in several different categories.  In June, PPC will also be offering one PPA educational merit for those of you working towards your PPA Photographic Degrees.  Again, there is a lot of potential to gain recognition amongst your peers, and to show other photographers your talent!

For those of you interested in networking, PPC offers many opportunities to meet your peers, and establish lifelong friendships.  By getting to know other photographers throughout the area, you are expanding your referral base, and are providing yourself with a network of people to call upon when you have questions.  It’s nice to be able to refer a bride to a friend, instead of leaving them to the phone book!  Supporting PPC and taking pride in all that offers is what this industry is all about.

And for those of you who merely want to have fun, join PPC for its yearly trip to Mexico.  Members of PPC have planned this yearly trip for the past couple of years, and have not only enjoyed each other’s company, but have received training from each other.  Who can resist a seminar on photographing on the beach!
Helping your photography business, how to start a photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

If you’re just starting out in photography, what’s the first thing you should do to market your business?

From my point of view:

=> Create a website showcasing your services. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just a few pages to start – but a website provides you with an inexpensive resource to get your information out to people.

=> Create business cards.

=> Write letters and send them to everyone you know, telling them about your business. Be sure to include 2 business cards (1 to keep, 1 to share) and tell everyone to visit your website.

This will get your business off to a great start!
Helping your photography business, how to start a photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

I love trying different things online, and my latest writing excursion has taken me to the site Squidoo.com Check out my latest lens on marketing your photography business. Imagine creating a way for more of your wedding photography clients to locate your studio online. Open avenues toward your photography business and enjoy the ride.

Helping your photography business, how to start a photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.