As Seasonality Starts to Take Off...

by Skip Cohen

After many years of blogging and writing about the seasonality countdown, there isn't much new to share.  So, I'm digging back through my archives and sharing benchmark reminders of things you should be doing to have a greater impact on making 2025 one of your best years ever!
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• Holiday Cards: From creating cards for your clients to your own holiday card, using images you've captured and created is one of your best holiday marketing tools. Additionally, it helps to plant the seed of brand awareness for your business as you enter the new year. And yes, this is sort of an infomercial, because Marathon Press has the ability to help you every step of the way.
• Thank You Notes: There are two sides to this. First is doing a thank-you promotion to your past clients. At the same time, you're thanking them for their business and giving them a reason to return for an updated family portrait, headshot, or other services. Second, now is the time to think about people you'd like to thank for their support over this past year. Again, you should use your own photograph on your thank-you stationery. ​This is also the time to consider creating a gift basket for those few vendors who went above and beyond in helping you build your business.
• Partnerships: At this late date, you need to be more selective in partners for cross-promoting or a direct mail campaign. There's still time, but go with entirely logical vendors. For example, a florist, salon, or restaurant are all going after the same target audience as a portrait, wedding, or family photographer.
• Third-Party Promotions: I've written extensively about this topic in the past. Here's the short version: Rather than discounting your services directly, consider printing a certificate for a free portrait sitting, for example. The certificates aren't for you to give out but for your realtor to give out to new homeowners. The realtor wins because the gift is from them; the recipient wins because it's a free sitting, and you win, getting new business without eroding the value of your work.
• Day in the Life Shoots: I'm a big fan of these kinds of sessions. It doesn't have to be a full day; just a few hours is sufficient, and it can be conducted in the client's environment. This is perfect for kids, families, and pets. You're going to shoot more journalistically in your style and use your storytelling skills. Additionally, this type of shooting lends itself perfectly to album sales as well.
• Direct Mail Partnerships: The clock is ticking the fastest on this idea because you must identify the partners, pull together the artwork, and get it in the mail. However, on the plus side, this helps raise brand awareness for all three participants as they enter the new year.
• Throwback Thursday: This is one of the easiest ways to remind "Mom" that the kids have grown and it's time for a new family portrait. It's like "Subliminal Man" from the old SNL series. Use social media and/or your blog and share older photographs to plant the seed for an updated family portrait!

You snooze, you lose!  You'll miss out if you keep procrastinating and waiting for the business fairy to sprinkle magic dust on your doorstep! There are no unicorns when it comes to building your business, just hard work and your ability to create top-of-mind awareness with your target audience.

No one blog post can cover all the ideas out there, but it's a great topic for Hump Day, and then pick at least one idea off the above list to implement over the next week. There's still time for you to have an impact on this year's sales.

​I want to help you THRIVE, not just survive!

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