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!

Morning Bagel

In This Issue:

On My Mind .... What do you want to accomplish in the next 16 weeks?

Feature Article... Is Price Manipulation Killing Your Studio? 

On My Mind...

I dropped off my daughter at VCU on Saturday. She will be starting her Spring Semester on Tuesday - which got me thinking. In 16 weeks she will be finished with her first year of college. Where do I want to be 16 weeks from now? Where do I want my business to be? How do I want to look physically? What are two or three things I want to accomplish before she comes home at the end of the school year? So I set an intention with her on Saturday.

I told her that I will lose 12 pounds before she comes home and I will host 3 photography workshops and 3 business webinars by the end of May. There I said it. The Universe has my intention. Now it is up to me to accomplish these goals through DIRECT ACTION. So now I ask you, what do you want to accomplish in the next 16 weeks? Wouldn't it be cool if you stated your intention to me and we could become accountability partners? Think about it.... that would be pretty powerful, and we could accomplish something together.  So are you in? Send me an email at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com and let's GO FOR IT! There is no cost for this opportunity! I just think it would be cool to have a few people interested in accomplishing a goal and have others who are wanting to do the same.

Feature Article:

Is Price Manipulation Killing Your Studio?

Many photography studios are reluctant to play the price game, but they do so because they know it is effective. So effective, in fact, that the temptation can sometimes be overwhelming. There are few professional studios that, when faced with an opportunity to land a huge sale, haven’t just dropped their price to make the deal happen. No matter how they rationalized it to themselves or their clients, price is a highly effective manipulation. Drop your prices low enough and people will buy from you. We see it at the end of a retail season when products are “priced to move.” Drop the price low enough and the shelves will very quickly clear to make room for the next season’s products. Makes perfect business sense right?

Playing the price game, however, can come at tremendous cost and can create a significant dilemma for the studio owner. For the photographer, selling your photographs based on a low price can cause a “quick high”. The short-term gain is fantastic, but the more you offer your products below value, the harder it becomes to kick the habit. Once clients get used to paying a lower-than-average price for your images or service, it is hard to get them to pay more. And the studio owner who pushes prices lower and lower in order to compete, find their margins cut slimmer and slimmer. This only drives a need to sell more to compensate. And the quickest way to do that is to reduce prices again. And so the downward spiral of price addiction sets in. This way of doing business based on competing on low price quickly causes what you do to become a commodity. In nearly every circumstance, the studios that are forced to treat their products as commodities brought it upon themselves. I cannot debate that dropping price is not a perfectly legitimate way of driving clients to your studio door; the challenge is staying profitable while you do it.

Price always costs something. The question is - how much are you willing to pay for the money you make


 

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

Doug Mattice, PhotoIf 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".

 

 


Doug Mattice
Doug Mattice Business & Branding Coach