How Zombies Could Be Destroying Your Photography Business

When you are starting and growing your photography business, you quickly realize you can’t do it alone. With all the different types of tasks that enter your life, it soon becomes apparent that its easier to have people you trust to help you along the way.

Yet some people that are around you that you may be relying on for answers may not be the right people for the job. In fact, some people will help you kill your business much quicker than you can build it up. See if any of these people are currently in your lives and “helping” you build your business.

Raving Fans

These are usually the people you are closest to and support your every endeavor. They think your amazing, incredible, and you can do no wrong.

While it may be nice to hear great things along the way, unconditional praise is anything but helpful. We make mistakes. We get things wrong. And when we do, its important to have people that can step up to the plate and let you know what they really think.

Egomaniacs

While its important to keep the never-ending praise at bay, the opposite end of the spectrum isn’t healthy either. This type of person thinks they can do no wrong, and will fill you up with their great advice. Even though they’ve never started a business themselves or have any experience in running a business, they will be the first to tell you how to do it and what you’re doing wrong. [Read more…]

The Problem With Using Bad Advice

We’ve been marketing businesses online since 1994. So I consider us to be connoisseurs of online marketing. That’s why I’m shocked at what some of the so-called experts promote every day.

For instance, the other day an email came through my inbox that promised the best way to build up your website was through a link exchange, and they would help me get hundreds of links for a monthly fee.

And last week I received a comment from someone who said Flash was the best thing out there, and if smartphones chose to ignore Flash, then you simply shouldn’t use those phones. Go with Androids that can readily accept Flash, and build your sites the way you want them designed.

I’m sure a lot of people listen to these “gurus” and follow their advice. And I’m sure a lot of people fail using their advice as well.

When you take advice from someone, you put your trust into his or her knowledge, education, and background. You trust they know what they are talking about, and rely on them to further your business or your lifestyle. But how do you know when their advice is right? And how do you know when its wrong?

Don’t Fall In Love In 2 Seconds

Sometimes we get caught up in the moment.

Maybe you have a problem in your business, and you suddenly find the solution. You attend a seminar and the speaker is speaking directly to you – she seems to have the perfect answer for your situation. Or someone leads you to a blog post or site that has a wealth of information on what is giving you the most trouble.

Instead of jumping in the minute you find a solution, spend some extra time looking at things through different eyes. Does this solution truly make sense? [Read more…]