THE BUSINESS BAGEL MORNING NEWSLETTER
Business Building Tips and Strategies
FOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WANT TO
MAKE A PROFIT IN A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE OWNS A CAMERA!
In This Issue:
- A Note From Doug
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Feature Article: Self Confidence and a Power Mindset
- Photography Tip of the Week: Lazy Eyes & Blinkers
A Note From Doug
Hello Doug,
Well we are almost there! Two days until the Memorial Day Weekend! I plan on taking some time on Saturday to learn how to be more efficient in Lightroom, and doing some creative photography. The rest of the weekend will be spent in front of the grill cooking for family and friends and doing yard work around the house.
Take timeout to remember those who have given their lives so you can enjoy this weekend with family and friends. We are very fortunate to live in a country that affords us the freedoms that we have. My son who is in the Marine Corp, recently returned from Afghanistan where he served on the front lines for nine months. It is such a relief to know that he is home safe and is doing well physically and mentally. I hope next year we will be able to enjoy this holiday knowing that ALL of our troops are safely back home!
Enjoy your weekend!
Doug Mattice
Onward to Excellence Coaching
www.o2ecoaching.com
(703) 505-6766
Feature Article
Self-Confidence and a Positive Mindset
The Keys to Improving Your Sales,
Your Photography and Your Bottom Line!
When I work with a photographer to help them grow their business, one of the most common “weaknesses” I encounter in the first month of coaching is an overwhelming lack of self-confidence. This lack of confidence eventually eats away at their positive mindset, and it keeps them from achieving their dreams and purpose.
Without a high level of confidence, you tend to put off the many actions that you MUST take in order to succeed in business. Studies have shown that many creative, artistic people have this personality trait, which is why so many of us feel insecure and have a huge fear of rejection.
If you have a self-confidence problem, or a fear of rejection, it is hurting you in many ways:
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It hurts your photography because it is difficult to be creative when you are stressed and tense.
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It hurts your sales because you may be afraid to ask for the sale or worse, you may sabotage the sale by thinking the client is spending too much so you begin to discount your work.
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It hurts your family because you are never there for them or even if you are, you are spending your time thinking about the business.
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It hurts your overall success as a business owner because potential clients will see that you are insecure or that you lack confidence, hence they will not hire you.
Here are six ways you can improve your confidence
that will lead to a more successful bottom line:
1. Be careful who you spend your time with. Hanging out with the wrong people can ruin your confidence and positive outlook on life. These people are the “naysayers” and are always complaining about the economy, the government and why you can’t succeed in your business. They do not understand that you have a passion and a purpose to create beautiful images for your clients. If you listen too long to these people, you will eventually succumb to having a lack of confidence because you will become like them.
2. Be very careful of how you talk and think about yourself. This inner “self talk” has a tremendous amount of power in how we pursue things that we need to get done. If you constantly tell yourself, “I can’t” or “I will never be able to charge that much for my photography,” then you are just setting yourself up for internal failure. Keep a positive conversation going on in your head at all times. Push through the tough times and keep moving forward.
3. Start using these empowerment principles to keep a positive mindset. Here are a few of my favorites: a. Life offers neither problems nor challenges, only opportunities. This teaches you to make the best out of everything!
b. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. This helps get you over the fear of rejection. Remember, “ask” for the exhibit, “ask” for the sale, “ask” for the design consultation.
c.They are going to love these portraits! Say this over and over again in your head as you wait for your client to arrive for their viewing and sales appointment. This excitement will carry over into your sales conversation and will lead to better sales averages.
You get the idea. Teach yourself to speak ONLY in positive terms and this will increase your self-confidence.
4. Act as if… Act has if you are already self-confident. Feelings follow actions, which means if you act self-confident then you will become self-confident!
5. Begin working every day on YOURSELF and YOUR CONFIDENCE and ATTITUDE. Take control of your thoughts; read positive books and magazine articles and take time to study sales and telephone techniques. Over time you will see a positive change and your business will begin to grow faster than you ever thought was possible. The world today is such a negative place. It is up to you to take control of your attitude and mindset. As they say in the Marine Corps, “No one can do the pushups for you!”
6. Set some goals or intentions and read them to yourself every day. Knowing where you are going puts you ahead of so many other people who are spending their time aimlessly drifting from one day to the next. Having a set direction and a positive mindset will give you the self-confidence to fully succeed in presenting your gift of photography to the world!
To your success and confidence!
Photography Tip of the Week:
When photographing people, you will get into a situation where a person has one eye that is larger than the other or a "lazy" eye. What is the best way to photograph them so the eyes look more even?
You want to photograph into the small eye or lazy eye. To do that, you want to put the smaller eye CLOSER to the camera (by turning the subject) and this will help de-emphasize the difference between the two eyes.
How do you handle someone who constantly blinks in front of your studio flash? I know many photographers who tell their clients to close their eyes then get the photograph as they are opening their eyes again! This is NOT the best way to get good results because most of the time it looks like you have captured a deer in the headlights. Instead try TALKING to your subject and work on getting them to relax. Watch their eyes and take a photograph right after you see that they have blinked. Your images will look more natural and your client will be thrilled with a more relaxed look.
About Doug Mattice
 If you think you can't make money and live life on your terms, I would like you to "think again". I specialize in teaching photographers how to make more money more easily while enjoying a business and lifestyle that they desire.
As a photographer myself, I know all to well that too many photographers today are working themselves to death in order to achieve the business success that's going to allow them to have a comfortable life. That's why I have dedicated myself to helping my clients in the fastest and most strategic methods in business building so they can Be Financially Profitable, Live Fully, and continue to Pursue the Passion they LOVE!
I offer a variety of business development and coaching services to meet your needs. To learn more CLICK HERE to be taken to my website and see how you can quickly grow your photography business! There will be a free gift waiting for you when you do!
Quotes from clients who are moving "Onward to Excellence"
"I have increased my business revenues substantially since I started working with Doug. He has helped me focus and now I am more organized then ever before." Pam D.
"My client load has more than tripled! (not to mention my income!) My life has gone from reaction-based confusion to on purpose creation. Working with you as my coach has made all the difference in the world!" Stacey P.
"Doug has helped me increase my sales in just two sessions..I would highly recommend him to help your business grow." Sharon M.
"I have been doing photography for over 25 years. To be honest, I have had a difficult time remaining profitable since 2008 due to the recession and increased competition. Doug has really helped me get over my barriers and negative mindset. Business is improving and I am regaining my "creative" spirit. I encourage you to give him a try because his coaching really helps!" Gary J.
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