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...
• 5 Reasons You Should Be Doing In-Person Sales
• Are You Interested? End of Year Business Planning Workshop

On My Mind... 

Doug

Well we are moving closer and closer to the holidays and the end of 2015. How has this year been for you? Are you maximizing your sales? In today's feature article, I explain why I think it is important to do in-person sales especially if you are a portrait photographer. Making the leap is not that difficult and the return on the investment for the extra time it takes is exponential, and will definitely increase your bottom line. I would love to hear your comments and concerns regarding doing in-person sales? Send me an email and I will include comments in an upcoming edition.

Are You Interested? END OF YEAR BUSINESS PLANNING WORKSHOP

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. I will host a webinar and we will cover why you need to create an in-house plan for your studio, breakdown how much money you would like, what your expenses are, goals, training needs, etc. 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: 

5 Reasons You Should Be Doing In-Person Sales

One of the first questions I ask a photographer when they inquire about my services is whether or not they are doing in-person sales. The majority are not because they are uncomfortable meeting clients face-to-face or they feel it takes too much time. This is an area I work with them on first and without fail, they see an immediate increase in their average sale when they start doing in-person sales. 

You have to remember that most people today do not have their photographs done on a regular basis, so it is important to treat the whole process as an “event”. From the initial phone call to the final order pickup, they should be getting the “red carpet” treatment and feel like a million dollars when the experience is over. 

So if you are a portrait photographer and want to turbo boost your sales, here are the 5 reasons why you should do in-person sales:

1. You are in control of the sale and can project your images so the client can visualize how it would look appropriately displayed in a frame in their home. This also guarantees that the client will be seeing the images displayed with the right color calibration and density versus risking how they would see them on their own home computer. One of my client’s told me the other day that one of her customers was trying to view their photo session on their iPhone because their home computer was not working properly. You can’t afford to lose control of your work like this and expect to make a good living in photography!
2. Proper viewing of your images increases the energy and excitement in the room. Think about this for a second. What has more impact, watching the movie “Moby Dick” at the theater or viewing it on your iPad or iPhone? Seeing a family portrait displayed as a 40x50 is a whole lot more impressive then seeing it displayed as an image on an online gallery. When the energy and excitement is at its peak, the client will have more of an EMOTIONAL reaction and will purchase more portraits compared to being able to revisit what you have put up on an online gallery whenever they please. I do not recommend putting images up on social media BEFORE the client has viewed them in the studio. If you currently do this, keep in mind that that is the first time they will see the image and depending on what device they are viewing it on, it will not have the same feeling or effect as seeing it projected large in your studio.
3. You can prevent the client from becoming overwhelmed by doing in-person sales. The key here is to limit the amount of images you show them to begin with. You can’t expect to show 100 images and have the client choose their top 5. The sales session will last too long and your client will say, “I have to go home and think about it.” Ideally you want to only show your top 12-20 images and get the client to select the one for the WALL FIRST. Once that decision is made, then you determine how many “gift” portraits (8x10 and smaller) are needed. If you have other products that you would like them to consider, then prepare some ideas to show BEFORE the client comes to the sales session.
4. You are the expert, so use that to your advantage when working with your clients. By the time the client returns to see their images, you have hopefully developed a comfortable, TRUSTING, relationship. Don’t think of this as a sales session but rather a time where you can be of SERVICE to your client. Both of you have put in a lot of time and energy in the planning and creation of these portraits. Use your expertise to help “guide” the process so everyone comes out fulfilled.
5. Creating a sales and presentation system will keep your studio moving forward and will separate you from others who are not willing to do this. Relying on your clients to place a timely order via an online gallery takes away your control as a businessperson. Doing in-person sales will streamline the sales process, provide better customer service and result in higher sales averages. If you would like to talk more about how to start doing in-person sales, send me an email at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com. 

 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".