
Well, your business is changing all the time, and there are so many different things that require a little attention, especially in the photography business. So many of you have chosen to ignore some of the easiest things to change.
So, I started Fast Food Friday to share ideas on easy things to fix. Some take longer than others to implement, but none of them are rocket science. They take time and need your attention. You know how to focus your camera, but what about everything else?
This is number thirteen in this "blue-plate special" series, but today isn't about fixing a component of your business, it's about adding to your strategy.
As a professional photographer, you have an opportunity with every customer contact to remind your audience you're a photographer. One of the best ways is by using your images in your holiday cards, thank-you notes, and stationery. No photographer should ever be buying store-bought stationery!
As an artist, why would you show somebody else's work?
- Your image is on the front of the card.
- Inside the card is a holiday-themed message.
- On the back, right where the "Hallmark" logo would be, is the name of your business or your name, your email address and a phone number.
And, using your images for thank you notes is exactly the same, but you won't include a preprinted message on the inside. Don't forget your business stationary which can be everything from your logo on some nice paper stock or one of your images lightly screened on the paper.
And, if you're having a hard time putting something together, pick up the phone and call Marathon Press. Yes, they're an SCU partner, but years before this blog, like thousands of photographers in this industry I worked with them on a long list of other projects!
As long as I'm talking about cards and stationery, the card below was created by my good friend Carey Schumacher at Barefoot Memories in San Diego. She spent an afternoon photographing Molly and me in the dog park. Later she surprised me with a set of notecards. It's probably one of the most fun gifts I've ever received. Think about the impact cards like this would have on a client.
Whether you're creating your own stationery or something for a client, holiday cards, and stationery should be an extension of your marketing as well as products/service you offer your clients.