by Carolyn on March 31, 2009
Last week, start-up company, Pixazza announced their new internet service enabling consumers to simply mouse over web images to learn more and see related products. Turning items in web images into clickable and purchasable content is similar to what Google already does with its AdSense ad platform — except with this tool it sources website images to deliver ads instead of text. The Wall Street Journal reports there’s some serious investment money ($5.75 million) going into this first round of funding; Google has invested and is betting on its success.
I predict that Pixazza, will have an impact on the traditional advertising revenue model–and one that might benefit photographers. Photographers know how to create attention getting images. They’re also used to key-wording their content for stock agencies. It’s a small side-step to become a publisher; they can tag their content and earn some cash. When clients’ sales can be tracked DIRECTLY to how many people clicked and purchased products via images tagged via Pixazza, I suspect that kick-ass images will draw more traffic–and sales–than dull, cheaply-produced images. (I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before the Pixazza’s current iteration–which displays tiny yellow price tags–evolves into something slightly less-intrusive but still relevant to shoppers.)
Forwarding great content is what we all do on a daily basis. Forwarding click-able and money-making image content was going to show up sooner or later. The see-it-on-a-screen-buy-it-immediately consumer product business model has been predicted for years. But now the technology is here.
In the current era where assignment photography seems to be driven more by bottom-line costs than top-line creativity, having sales tracked to a show-stopping image (think of the viral marketing value), may be just the creative game-changer some photographers have been waiting for. [click to continue…]
by Carolyn on March 17, 2009
Yesterday’s article in AdAge “Agencies Duck Liability for Clients’ Production Costs” reported on a growing trend that is placing more of the financial risk of production on the side of photographers and production companies.
Many art buying departments are issuing “heads up” emails to photographers letting them know that the policy of issuing advances on big productions in many cases will cease. Simply put, if the ad agency hires you, but the client they’re working for stiffs them, you have to go after their client to recover your money. Unfortunately, the PO you get from the agency won’t be giving you contact info of the person on the client side to call if you don’t get paid.
While I understand that the ad agency doesn’t want to get left holding the bag if their client (e.g., General Motors or AIG) doesn’t pay them for 120 days–or more– but can you imagine the photographer having to call the GM switchboard asking to speak to the person in A/P at GM who can issue a check for an outstanding $85, 000 unpaid invoice originally submitted to the ad agency who issued them the PO for the assignment?
I think that if photographers are to accept that enormous financial risk, the quid pro quo for accepting those pay terms should be to at the very least have the contact information of the ad agency’s client clearly stated in the Purchase Order.
by Carolyn on March 6, 2009
The Michigan chapter of the ASMP will be hosting my photo marketing talk: “ReBooting Your Business Brain…” In this talk I focus on how the business of photography –particularly as it applies to marketing– has changed for those who grew up in an all-film photo business.
The event will be on Thursday evening 3/19/09 at Foto/Life Studios, 9709 Joseph Campau, Loft #3 (Between Edwin and Evaline, enter via alley)
Hamtramck, MI
View Larger Map
Register here
I’ll be discussing how these changes have particularly affected photographers who’ve been shooting for over 15 years. These photographers are the ones most deeply concerned that in this economy, they can’t afford to “not know what they don’t know.” They suspect that things are different when it comes to promoting their work in the digital age, but are not sure which things they should implement and which things they can ignore.
Nothing changes faster than online promotion. What worked great last year is not what works the best this year. At this event I’ll provide some tips, guidelines and resources, on how to stay current.
[click to continue…]
by Carolyn on February 11, 2009
I’ll be presenting my “ReBooting Your Business Brain…” talk which focuses on the changes and evolution of the photography business–particularly as it applies to marketing— to ASMP NJ on Thursday evening 2/12/09 at Kean University in Union, NJ.
I’ll be discussing how those changes have particularly affected photographers who’ve been shooting for over 15 years on the birthday of two of the biggest names in history connected with change and evolution: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. What a nice bit of synchronicity…..
The event will be held at 7:30pm to 10:00 pm at the Little Theater of University Center – Kean University 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 map Registration info is here.
by Carolyn on February 5, 2009
When seeking help in your career direction, you must first
CLEARLY know where you want to go.
I had a great email exchange with one of the young and
talented photographers I met last Saturday when I was
participating as a reviewer at an APA LA portfolio review day.
We both shared our enthusiasm about the fact that we had
created a “Mission Statement” that guides our career
choices. It’s been such a comfort in this confusing
economy. [click to continue…]
by Carolyn on January 28, 2009
My next event is this Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 in Los Angeles.
I’ve been invited to participate in the APA LA’s portfolio development program. If you’re in the LA area, sign up for a free portfolio review. If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter it’d be great to meet you in person.
More info is available on the APA LA website.
Building a Successful Book: Portfolio & Website Consultations
Saturday January 31, 2009
Registration begins at 8:00am
Reviews begin at 9:00am
Helms DayLight Studio, 3221 Hutchison Ave., Los Angeles 90034
*Parking is Located on the North Side of Venice Ave and Helms Ave.
=======================================================
On Thursday, Feb. 12th, I’ll be presenting the latest version of my talk:
“ReBooting Your Business Brain: 21st-Century Marketing Tips for Photographers Who Weren’t Born Yesterday”
to the New Jersey chapter of the ASMP.
The event will be held at 7:30pm to 10:00 pm at the Little Theater of University Center – Kean University 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 map Registration info is here.
The event sponsors are providing some GREAT door prizes: Agency Access is providing a Tri-State membership to their list service with a retail value of $595 and it is for a full year. LiveBooks is providing an $800 credit towards one of their web site packages. BlinkBid is providing a copy of their estimating software.
I will be doing a limited number of private 1-hour review sessions on the days surrounding the evening event. Invest in your career and find out if your current presentation is helping or hurting you in today’s radically changed assignment market.
Call me directly for details and to take advantage of
a 20% early-bird discount that is available until Feb. 10th.
by Carolyn on November 24, 2008
I’m getting ready to head to New Zealand and Australia!
I’ve been invited to deliver “Rebooting your Business Brain” to the Auckland chapter of the AIPA. Modern marketing practices need to take into account that a visitor can come to one’s site from ANYWHERE in the world. Being more cognizant of local buyers’ preferences and expectations is important when developing a broad vision marketing plan.
I love having the chance to talk to creative image makers in other parts of the world. Both sides of the conversation are immeasurably enriched by sharing what it’s like in our own backyards. We’ll see our differences… but more importantly, we’ll get to see how much we’re all the same; we all share so many similar concerns and aspirations.
I hope to be able to post from the road.
Watch this space!
by Carolyn on November 4, 2008
I’m presenting my newest talk which is filled with updated strategies that you have to have to survive in today’s always-on, short attention span, business environment.
“Re-Booting Your Business Brain:
21st-Century Marketing Tips for Photographers Who Weren’t Born Yesterday”
-on Friday evening Nov. 7th, 2008 to the Charlotte, NC chapter of the APA. The program event will be at Blackbox Studios, 3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 250, Charlotte, NC.
Come and register for your chance to win one of these valuable door prizes :
–Agency Access is giving away a Northeast Membership and 1000 free email credit package valued at $725.
-LiveBooks is giving away an $800 credit toward a LiveBooks site.
I’ll also be offering one-on-one portfolio/web site review sessions. Get a tighter edit of your work or get some valuable advice on your marketing strategy. Early-bird discounts are still available.
Then back to CHICAGO:
-on Wednesday evening, Nov. 12th, 2008 to the Chicago chapter of the ASMP Chicago/Midwest. The event will be held in downtown Chicago at Harrington College of Design, 200 West Madison, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60606
-on Tuesday evening, June 9th, 2009 to the New England chapter of the ASMP. Venue details to be determined.
Generous program sponsorship support is been provided by Agency Access and LiveBooks
I will be available for private portfolio/web site consultations the days surrounding each regional speaking event –as well as during my visit to NYC– for anyone who wants to meet with me, but wasn’t able to snag one of the free sessions.
Appointments can be made by contacting me directly.
by Carolyn on November 4, 2008
If you overcame cynicism, laziness, or an excuse that
you were “too busy with work” to go stand in line to
vote, you’ve already demonstrated some of the skills
necessary to your help your photo business thrive.
Being proactive is essential to any business
success-but it is critical to surviving in a down
economy.
The drama of the November 4th National Election Day
provides a real-world lesson in the value of
pro-activity. Any time it’s easier for you not to act,
and yet you go ahead and take action, you’re actually
build your photo marketing muscles.
Many of my clients told me they stood in line–some
for hours– to cast their ballots because they were
emotionally involved in this presidential race. They
overcame the gravitational pull of staying comfortably
inside and watching others do the work of civic duty.
Those who don’t usually vote in every election voted
this time because of an emotional involvement in
the outcome. Some are voting because they imagine, and
want to help usher in, a brighter future. Some are
voting because they’re afraid of what might happen if
too many people also fail to vote. Hope and fear are
powerful tools used to make someone act.
You’ve watched the politicians use this technique to
get out the vote. Why not use the same technique on
yourself?
Recognize the power of emotion to overcome inertia.
Use the energy of emotion to jump start your marketing
plans: imagine where you’d be this time next year if
you only market when the mood strikes or when you’re
slow. Not a rosy picture? Now imagine the result in
your business if you spent a year engaging in small,
but daily, marketing actions. Overcome your doubts,
confusion, hesitation and sheer procrastination by
whichever emotion motivates you the most. My personal
preference is to use hope, but “your mileage may
vary.”
Even though some voters recognize that one
vote might not make that much of a difference, a larger part of
them argues “yes… but many small actions (votes) DO
add up to a result that I’d like to see happen.” So
they take action.
That same belief is an essential part of any
successful business. It’s easy to stay at home and
just react to what other people’s votes create. Opt
out of acting long enough and regularly enough and
pretty soon your life is being created for you–
instead of you participating in its creation.
If you regularly choose action over reaction, you’re in a much
better position to get new business when the economic
cycles rebound. Take time now to actively engage in
building your marketing muscles. Keep your brand in
front of your clients.
Just like the vote you cast today contributes to a
change our presidential leadership, small actions
added together create a completely different business
result than inaction. Commit to do one action each day
that you’d always slacked off on before.
Need a suggestion? Here are some powerful actions you
can take to create positive change in your business’s
bottom line: clean-up and update your mailing list,
reconnect with clients you’ve not spoken to in months,
update your web site; update your search engine
optimization strategies; research new client’s contact
info; build and data enter that information into a
database to effectively track your marketing calls and
the results; etc., etc.
I hope today you’ll use the power of taking
action: first by voting and then by strengthening your
marketing habits.
All the Best,
Carolyn
P.S. Note to my subscribers in the Charlotte, NC
area: In case you’ve not already heard, on
Friday, Nov. 7th, I’m presenting my latest
marketing talk: “Rebooting your Business Brain:
21st-century Marketing Strategies for
photographers who weren’t born yesterday” to the
local chapter of the APA. I’ll also be offering
portfolio reviews. Info is posted in the “UPCOMING EVENTS”
by Carolyn on October 4, 2008
I’m headed to NYC on 10/22/08 to attend PhotoPlusExpo which is being held Oct. 23-25, 2008 in NYC in the Javits Center.
If you’re curious about what it’s like to work with a consultant, a number of other photo consultants and I will be doing a limited number of FREE portfolio reviews on the trade show floor.
My free sessions will be held:
- Thursday morning from 11:00 a.m. to noon on Oct. 23rd at the LiveBooks booth #554 and again
-Friday, Oct. 24th from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the LiveBooks booth#554
-Saturday Oct. 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30pm at the ASMP booth #2113
I’m also giving a keynote speech at 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 25th at the ASMP National Members meeting which will be held at at Splashlight Studios in NYC.
I’m presenting my newest talk: “Re-Booting Your Business Brain: 21st-Century Marketing Tips for Photographers Who Weren’t Born Yesterday”
-on Friday evening Nov. 7th, 2008 to the Charlotte, NC chapter of the APA. The program event will be at Blackbox Studios, 3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 250, Charlotte, NC.
-on Wednesday evening, Nov. 12th, 2008 to the Chicago chapter of the ASMP Chicago. The event will be held in downtown Chicago at Harrington College of Design, 200 West Madison, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60606
-on Tuesday evening, June 9th, 2009 to the Boston chapter of the ASMP. Venue details to be determined.
Generous program sponsorship support is been provided by Agency Access and LiveBooks
I will be available for private porfolio/web site consultations the day before, the morning of, and the day after each regional speaking event as well as during PhotoPlus Expo for anyone who wants to meet with me but wasn’t able to snag one of the free session.
Appointments can be made by contacting me directly.
