The Business Bagel "Morning Break" Newsletter

Business Building Tips and Strategies

For Professional Photographers who want to shift their thinking from being "just a photographer" to becoming the CEO of a highly successful company!

In This Issue:

• On My Mind...
• How to embrace and breakthrough FEAR!
• Are You Interested? End of Year Business Planning Workshop

On My Mind...

FEAR... We just wrapped up Halloween and the candy is almost gone. The evening of scary creatures and horror movies is over, but FEAR lingers in our hearts as service-based entrepreneurs. I have to admit, trying to grow my readership and client base of photographers has been a scary process. I deal with fear on a daily basis... "Can I really help photographers improve their business?"; "Will you like reading my articles on business and mindset?", "What if everyone unsubscribes or worse yet, doesn't hire me to help them in their business?"

Here is some GREAT NEWS! When I talk to ALL business people, they ALSO are dealing with FEAR on a regular basis. So I hope today's feature article helps you deal with YOUR FEARS!

Are You Interested?

The year is quickly coming to an end and before long it will be January 2016. I am considering putting together a BUSINESS PLANNING WORKSHOP that you can do in December so you are all ready to go in the New Year. If you think you would be interested in participating in this, please send me an email at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com  - Thanks

Have you downloaded my SPECIAL REPORT: The "Magic Keys" to Becoming Profitable In A World Where Everyone Owns A Camera! This report is loaded with successful business tips and secrets. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT!

What's Keeping You Up At Night?

Please continue to let me know what topics you are interested in learning more about so I can address them in upcoming articles. What is keeping you up at night? What is holding you back? Where do you want to be one year from now? Let me know. By letting me know your needs, I can write articles, and blog posts that can address them. Send me an email at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com 

Lets work together. Take this journey with me and let's see where it leads!

Doug Mattice

Visit my website: www.o2ecoaching.com

Feature Article:

How To Embrace and Breakthrough Fear  

Having a positive mindset is a key factor when running a photography business. 

Remember when you first started your business and were determined to do great things, and were really jazzed by it? You were feeling anxious and excited at the same time – and you were ready to take action, but fear was holding you back.

Was it because you were:

• Comparing yourself to other photographers?
• Telling yourself that it might not work?
• Not confident about your photography or business skills?
• Afraid of what other people would think or say after seeing your photography? 

Are you able to relate to this?

Every single one of these thoughts and feelings is driven by FEAR – your mindset around fear – and your mindset is something you can shift if you are willing to dedicate time and energy to breaking through that fear. 

What’s interesting is most people struggle with the feeling of fear on a regular basis. Instead of shying away from it (which many of us do), successful people EMBRACE fear in order to breakthrough it.

3 Ways to embrace fear 

1. Get involved in a supportive community. Surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference in the world when running your business.

Being in an organization like your local or national PPA can provide you with the support you need when you are developing your business. Many of the people in these organizations have already experienced what you are going through and can offer some great mentoring advice. Seek them out. People love to help others especially if asked. 

2. Start small. Sometimes we set ourselves up for failure by looking at what it is we want to accomplish as something that is unattainable. For example - I am not comfortable lighting large groups, so I can’t do weddings or family portraits. Or I don’t like selling so I will just put my images online and hope my client’s will buy them.

We make excuses because we fear we won’t be able to accomplish these tasks. But if we begin to look at our end goal as something we can accomplish through a series of small steps, then suddenly its not so scary.

Instead of a huge leap of lighting large groups, start by taking a class on flash photography and get comfortable with incorporating flash into your photography. To become better at sales, read a book or ask another photographer if you could observe how they sell to their clients. Take lots of notes, study, practice and before you know it, the fear will be gone. 

3. Focus with the END IN MIND. We all have a little voice inside us that says, “I’m not good enough; I don’t know enough to do this yet; what if I FAIL?”

Instead of focusing inward, think about how you will feel when YOU DO know what you need to be successful. Base your thoughts on this question: “If I learned this skill, how much will it make me and my business grow?”

When you allow fear to control your actions, it holds you back from serving you and your clients in the best way possible.

Breakthrough

So do you see how embracing fear can actually help you breakthrough it?

Yes, we will all still FEEL fear – that isn’t going away. But when we find ways to embrace it, we start to realize that we’re capable of so much; we are capable of breaking through it in order to make the impact we want to make. 

Your mindset has to remain positive if you are going to succeed in today’s marketplace. You can’t let FEAR prevent you from creating and selling your beautiful photography! You have been put on this earth for a reason. Go out and EMBRACE your fear so you can CREATE, CREATE and CREATE!

Need help on a project? Would you like someone to partner with and hold you accountable?

I can help you break through the barriers that are keeping you from achieving the success that you want in your photography business. Whether you need assistance on a particular project - like pricing, how to handle client objections, sales tips, design ideas, copywriting, etc. or want help becoming a better business person, I can assist you!

Send me an email at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com or call me (703) 505-6766 and I will be happy to give you a proposal. My rates are very affordable, and the results you will get will be life changing!

Think about this question:

What is it costing you by NOT doing what needs to be done?

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 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 learn the 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 support 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! I also encourage you to download my special report for FREE when you arrive there.

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 purpose creation. Working with you as my coach and trusted advisor 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 in 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 thinking. Business is improving and I am regaining my "creative" spirit.  I encourage you to give him a try because his support really helps!" - Gary J.

Let Me Help...

There is no better time than NOW to begin growing your photography business. You work too hard to let your dream of creating beautiful photographs DIE because you couldn't effectively manage your business. I am here to help you in whatever way I can.

Reach out to me today at - dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com so you can start your journey "Onward to Excellence".