Posts Tagged ‘reputation’

Happy customers do not have the answers

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Why don’t people buy from you?  Does your industry have a negative reputation? If so, why?  What is the No. 1 complaint you hear from your customers?

These questions hold the answers to improving your business and separating yourself from the pack.

People often tell me that when it comes to photography they don’t want to pay for work they can do themselves.

Digital technology makes it easy for a beginner to pick up a basic SLR camera and create images with sharp focus and proper exposure.

This means you as the professional photographer have to work harder.

Maybe you’re in a different creative industry.  Chances are your business has been affected by technology, too.  It doesn’t always take the new technology to improve a business model hurt by current technology.  Sometimes the ability to deliver quickly and on time will set you apart.

Don’t fall for the lowest price trap.  Everyone wants a lower price. Lower prices will quickly drive you out of business. It is often better to add value before reducing prices.

The answers are found in other industries, too. What have those sectors done to add value to their products and services?

The solutions are all around you, but you won’t hear them from your happy customers. Satisfied customers already are sold on you. They are not the key to rising above your competition.

Your marketing filter

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Before you begin marketing your company,  I recommend you run your ideas as well as your company philosophy through the marketing filter checklist below:

1. Why are you in business?

2.  What does your customer get out of the relationship?

3. What do you want your reputation to be?

4. What is your story?

5.  How will people benefit from associating with you?

6. Would you buy your product or service?

7.   Why would someone refer you?

8.  What makes you unique?

9.  If your competition cuts their price tomorrow, will it matter?

10. What is your brand’s cause?

I think the last item on the list might confuse some people.  I don’t mean to what charity does your company contribute. I want to know if your fans would proudly display your logo or brag about you.  Apple, Starbucks and Southwest Airlines are causes.  Apple is about individuality and the latest in cool technology. Starbucks is a lifestyle more than it’s a cup of coffee. Southwest  Airlines is about affordable air transportation.  Fans love to share these stories. I’ve read them in just about every business book I’ve picked up lately.

Run your business and marketing through the above filter.  Make sure you have a story, a cause, and understand why you are in business.  Make sure your business is about serving your customers.  Don’t let the quick-buck mentality ruin the opportunity for a growing business or career.

Once you understand the answers to the above questions you will have an easier time creating effective marketing materials, headlines and campaigns to attract new customers.

I use three of the  10 filter questions every time I consult on a marketing campaign.  I’m not going to tell which three, but the secret sauce is in there.

Rosh

What don’t you do?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Have you thought of making money from what you don’t do?

Photographers who specialize in wedding photography may not want to bother with product photography.  Chances are, with the label photographer attached to your name, you will be asked from time to time to photograph outside  your specialty niche.

Unfortunately, many photographers try to take on subjects that they don’t have interest or skill in to please a client.  Often, the  result is a set of images that fail to meet the client’s expectations, thus hurting the photographer’s reputation.

Make note of the types of photography you have no interest in and look for trusted networking partners.  Chances are a product photographer is asked for wedding photography referrals on a regular basis.  Trading referrals can be an extremely lucrative and win-win arrangement.

In the mind 1990s, my focus was on newspaper photography.  Although I regularly received opportunities for commercial photography, I had no interest in it.  Eventually I decided to expand my business by representing and networking with commercial photographers.  I continued to follow my photojournalism career path while making 25 percent on commercial jobs that I didn’t want or have the skill to photograph.

Photographers can informally trade leads or set up joint ventures offering 10 to 25 percent commission on completed projects.

Designers, Web site developers, illustrators or any business that works closely with yours can be a networking partner.

If you see a trend, don’t leave money on the table; profit from your connections.

Rosh