3 Reasons People Are Walking Away From Your Photography Business

What is the one thing each of us wishes we had more of? Time. Because we all have way more to get done each day then we actually have time to accomplish, we start looking for shortcuts that will make things easier. Online banking? Check. Delivery service for everything from dry cleaning to dinner? Check. If we want to spend our money, we want to make sure its giving us something in return, not causing us more work.

Which is why simple messages always work. Look at your favorite products and services. Do you have to think before you buy? Or do they convince you before hand that you will be making the right purchase from someone you can believe in and trust?

Makes sense, right? Yet its amazing how many entrepreneurs manage to confuse what should be a simple process.

1. Problem: Too Many Areas Of Expertise

Having more than one niche you can focus your energy on may seem like a good thing up front. And it does offer you the ability to pick and choose what you want to do each day.

Yet the problem with being good at everything is no one will understand the one thing you are really great at. Instead of being the go-to person for one area of focus, you will be the catch all person that picks up things when no one else comes to mind.

Solution: Niche and segment

Its okay to have more than one love. But if you combine them and try and get your clients to understand your two different niches, it may be a chore. Consider a photographer that loves weddings and product work for catalogs and magazines. Both are photography related and can showcase your creative side. Yet weddings may be considered a bit “frilly” for commercial work. Some executives that would happily hire a seasoned commercial photographer may have a bit of reluctance when they see you compete for weddings on the side. Different mentality. Different areas of expertise. And sometimes the image of what it takes doesn’t cross over from industry to industry.

I would suggest creating more than one website if necessary, allowing each of them to focus on the area you are promoting to each set of clientele. Don’t hide the fact you cater to different industries. Just don’t focus on it where a potential client can spend a lot of time reading about the other niches you cater to. [Read more…]

10 Steps To Delivering The Best Customer Service To Your Clients

What does the term “customer service” mean to you?

According to Wikipedia, the definition is:

The provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase.

That definition is key to understanding why some photography studios are busy, and others aren’t. The difference is in their understanding of what customer service truly is, and how often and when they connect with their loyal customers throughout their business life.

Customer service isn’t just how you handle the customer in a face-to-face conversation. Customer service extends to every point of contact you have with a person, from when they first notice you, until the moment you shut your doors and close down your business.

If you want to move ahead of your competition, make sure you have these 10 steps in place.

1. Have multiple ways to connect with potential customers.

And more importantly, check each source on a regular basis. In today’s world, people can connect with us via phone, email, text, Facebook and Twitter. And that just scratches the surface. While it is important to have multiple ways for a potential customer to connect with you, its even more important that you check each communication source regularly so you can answer questions immediately.

2. Use technology wisely.

If someone leaves you a voice message, let them know what to expect in return. If they send an email, send out an autoresponder message with the details. No matter what tools you use, you have a way of further connecting with your prospects and customers. Use it wisely.

For example, it’s easy to set up different forms and email addresses for different parts of your business. If you have a wedding page, when people fill out the form inquiring about your wedding services, use an autoresponder back to explain your services in more detail, and let them know you’ll be in contact in the next 24 hours to discuss their plans. Easy to do – and puts you one step up on the ladder of professionalism.

3. Show up on time for appointments.

It doesn’t matter how you connect with your prospects and clients, being on time sets the stage for future business. If you set up a phone call, make sure you dial their number on time. If you’re meeting in a coffee shop, be there a few minutes early so you can pick the perfect table, and have your laptop and other materials set up and ready to go. And if you are there for the shoot, be ready to go, camera and ideas in hand at the exact timeframe you selected. [Read more…]