"If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get started on your journey!"
​Zig Ziglar

by Skip Cohen

The quote above is one my most favorite. I lucked out in finding an illustration in Adobe stock of all green lights. However, the reality is that catching all lights when they're synced is rare. Now and then you have to stop, but that shouldn't change the direction of your journey or the destination.

As I sat down to write a blog post this morning, the quote above popped into my head.  I started thinking about my kick lately to remind readers that procrastination is NOT a marketing strategy.  Too many of us, me included, want everything to be perfect before we launch a new project. We want to do everything we can to guarantee success.

But sadly, when all the lights aren't green, we never start the journey. We make excuses, rationalize our way into justifying our inactivity. When the window of opportunity closes, we convince ourselves that we made the right decision...at least until regret starts to seep in.

Lucille Ball is quoted as saying, "I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done."

And there's my point: it's not a perfect world, but we all have choices as long as we stay focused on our goals. Some of those choices involve compromise —not necessarily on your dreams, but on the path you choose to get there. 

We're living in bizarre times, absent of very many true leaders. That means there are opportunities for you, as artists and small business owners, to demonstrate leadership, accountability, integrity, and even compromise where appropriate. Don't let the insanity of the times get in the way of continuing to pursue your dreams.

Yes, I know it's easy to write about, and everybody's challenges are different. But that doesn't change the fact that EVERYONE can help change the world, at least in your own community. Capturing memories never goes out of style, and the opportunities for photographers to help tell their subjects' stories should be at the very top of your "to-do" list.

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead!

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day and the perfect time to do a quick check on your goals for the rest of the week...and into next week. So many of you spend too much time over-thinking things you need to do to build brand awareness. You're waiting for everything to be perfect, which never happens!
​
We're into the seasonality of the year that most photographers have been waiting for. But if you drag your feet, when your ship comes in, you'll be stuck at the airport! (Okay, it's a little stretch as an analogy, but there's no reason to miss so many opportunities for business in the weeks ahead!)

When you've got something you know you should be working on, it becomes the "monkey on your back." You carry the task around until it's completed, and nothing drains more energy than the stress of getting nothing accomplished. 

I keep sharing much of the same list, but now is the time to:

• Is there new gear you need that buying in 2025 would qualify for a tax break?
• Is the design for your holiday cards done, and are they in the pipeline for printing and mailing in time?
• How's your list of people you want to give an extra special thanks to this year?
• Are there any fundraisers in your community you'd like to be involved in over the holidays?
• Are you writing a personal letter to your clients thanking them for their support while also paving the way for new things you have coming in 2026?
• Got your reservations for PPA, WPPI, or both?
• How about partners for a first-quarter 2026 direct mail piece? Who are they, and have they been contacted?
• Are there specific courses you need to expand your skill set?

The list goes on and on, but my point is: it's Hump Day... and to get over the hump and pave the way for the holiday season, you need to build enough momentum to beat the hands of the clock and the calendar!
​
Stop procrastinating...and if you're stuck and need a little help, you know where to find me!

by Skip Cohen

​​As I sat down to write today's post, I started thinking about what I could possibly write about that I haven't hit hard so many times in the past. While much of this post is from the SCU archives, that doesn't change the importance and potential increase in revenue by the concept I'm writing about: a day-in-the-life shoot.    November and December are the perfect times to capture this kind of story.

Plus, everyone is working hard to increase revenue and customer support this time of year. There are just two months left for 2025. A session like this has so much potential for you to show your skills and build stronger relationships with your clients.

• Storytelling:  Like capturing a wedding, a Day-in-the-Life shoot is event-driven and all about building an album.
• Album Designs: Creating an album to tell the story adds to the season's excitement and anticipation. 
• Your Skills: A session like this utilizes all the skills of the photographer. From portraiture to photojournalism, it brings into play technique, lighting, and composition - everything it takes to tell the story of a family's adventure.
• Standing Out: It's a unique offering and can be an ideal revenue producer. It's also perfect content for social media and blog posts.

Here's the concept: While it's called a Day-in-the-Life, it doesn't have to be for an entire day. It could easily be a 3-4 hour block of time. You're capturing the activity of a family, a child, a pet, or even a business in their environment. It's about the interaction among family members or employees, if it's a business story.

For example, it's November, and family members are going to get together to make Thanksgiving dinner. It's one of the few holidays when younger family members often get to help create the holiday meal. For example, Mom and Grandma work together to make the menu, and the kids get to help with the preparation. It's a family event, and so often a full day of work comes down to the first thirty minutes of serving. Even setting the table is a special event, which often looks like a war zone once the first slice of turkey is cut! 

Just like a wedding, it deserves its own album. The wedding party is the team of chefs creating dinner. The detail shots cover everything from cooking utensils to the centerpiece to the table settings. The reception is the dinner itself. Throughout the day, it's about capturing the memory of everyone working together on recipes that have often been in the family for generations.

If you haven't offered a Day-in-the-Life shoot before, consider it seriously. Nothing helps to tell a subject's story more than photographing them in their natural environment. It's the location where every subject is likely to be most comfortable. While the holiday season is a natural time for on-location shooting, the concept is perfect for almost any situation. 

Remember, too, if you're not comfortable with the concept initially, start with your own family. Pick a day and a topic, and capture images that tell the story, aiming to create a complete album. It might just be the perfect gift for Grandma this year.

As professional photographers, you're in a word-of-mouth industry. Imagine the reactions as people see an album you've created for a client that captures a complete story. You only need one of these projects to help start building more brand awareness.

Don't forget your goal...to exceed expectations and make yourself habit-forming!

P.S. And if you're looking for some great albums that are both stunning and cost-effective, check out Marathon's Bella Albums...you'll never be disappointed. Click here to see the entire line.

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've written extensively about crafting content for your "About" page, emphasizing the importance of being relevant to your target audience and building trust right from the very beginning. Sadly, there are still many of you who just don't get it...or you've procrastinated your way into thinking it doesn't matter. 

Years ago, an incredible motivational speaker, Ed Foreman, planted this seed of wisdom, which I've modified slightly:  "If I can see the world through my client's eyes, then I can sell my client what my client buys!" It's really that simple, and far more focused than just the old expression of "putting yourself in their shoes." You need to understand what's important to your target audience - what they worry about, what are their needs, what makes them happy, even what needs aren't being fulfilled.  This should guide your thought process for everything you do in marketing and building your business.

• Stop talking about your gear! Most clients don't care what you shoot with. 
• Stop talking about your awards! Unless you won a Pulitzer, talking about print competition awards especially will have little or no impact. Most consumers don't know what PPA, WPPI, and a long list of other associations are!
• Nobody cares how you got started! I know it seems harsh, but the average consumer doesn't care who gave you your first camera.

Remember, women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire most of you. That means "Moms" and brides are the ones looking at your work. When you write about your background for your "About" page, remember your target audience. Here's what they want to hear:

• Talk about why you love being a photographer.
• Share your passion for people and capturing memories.
• Be sappy - this is an opportunity to show your love for the craft.
• Write about your dedication to exceeding client expectations and building relationships.

The biggest question new clients have is whether or not you can be trusted to capture the kind of images they want. Will you be able to meet their mindset?

Last but not least - write it all in the first person and include a signature. (With security issues these days, a facsimile of your signature is fine.) Write your "About" section as more of an artist's statement and stay relevant to what your target audience is looking for. 

Every visit to your website is a potential opportunity to start a new relationship or expand an old one. Exceed consumer expectations right out of the block with great images in your galleries, followed by a strong "About" section! ​

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis

by Skip Cohen

I like to keep it relatively short on Fridays, and the quote above was today's reading from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking...One Day at a Time.

It's particularly fitting this time of year, as many of you are still in a mañana mode with your key marketing ideas for this year's seasonality, which is just around the corner. But you'll continue to procrastinate and let things slide right up until there's virtually no time left for impact.

Lou Mitchell went on to write: ...When we delay action, we find ourselves perpetually stuck in the past, trying to complete tasks that have already become overdue...Think about a task or project you've been putting off. What has prevented you from starting it, and how is it impacting your progress? 

There's really nothing I can add to his point. You don't have to take giant steps to beat procrastination. Taking baby steps in the right direction is all the progress you need to slowly break the habit and get on track for great impact.

Happy Friday!

You may delay, but time will not!
Benjamin Franklin

by Skip Cohen

Whether you're having a good time or not, there are few statements more true than "time flies when you're having a good time!" And as you get older, time seems to fly by even faster. Here's my point in today's post: in 3 1/2 months, 2025 will come to a close. Which means you only have 16 weeks (112 days) to wrap up the year!

Too many of you operate your business on a foundation of "I'll do it mañana!"  So, knowing that, I've put together a basic check-off list to consider for your business:

1. Gear: Are there specific pieces of gear you need to raise the bar on the quality of your images, or to run your business? From camera gear to lighting, printers, computers, and other essential equipment, start making your list now. It's been a strange year at retail, and having time to shop a little will definitely prove beneficial.
2. Promotions: If you're doing any special promotions for this holiday season, is everything set to go? And if you're not doing anything special, at the very least call your lab and just ask, "What's new?" You might be surprised at the creativity out there in new products.
3. Direct mail: If you're doing a snail mail piece before the end of the year, solo or with partnership companies, now is the time to put last-minute touches on the presentation.
4. Email blasts: It's the same urgency as above, but email has a different level of complexity - getting people to open your message. That makes the subject line critical, as does the first paragraph. Again, now is the time to fine-tune what you're going to be sending out.
5. Holiday Gift List: Who are the people who have helped you the most this year? Start putting your list together and consider all the different ways to recognize the support of everyone who watches your back!
6. Holiday Cards: Whether it's your personal card or a product/service you offer a client, it's time to put together your ideas.
7. Conventions, Trade Shows, and Seminars: Whether live or online, start your planning. From registration costs to booking travel, just like the camera and office equipment, there might be some terrific benefits to spending the money now and taking the deductions on your taxes for 2025. Talk to your accountant too, especially on any big purchases.

It's just seven items to check, and if you feel I've missed some, let me know in the comments section, and we'll expand the list.

Just remember, everybody is working against the same clock. Procrastination is NOT a marketing strategy. You snooze, you lose!
​
And if you're stuck for ideas, you know where to find me!

Have goals so big your problems pale in comparison.
Grant Cardone

by Skip Cohen

Years ago, my good buddy Scott Bourne started talking about the importance of owning your zip code. In other words, making sure that all the retailers in your area knew who you were and what you did for a living. It's an easy concept, known to most of us through expressions like pounding the pavement or knocking on doors.

The Adobe Stock image above is Bourbon Street in New Orleans. - It's not even close to being like the stores in most of your neighborhoods, but it's still a great representation of the potential for making sure all the businesses in your area know who you are. Your greatest marketing tool continues to be relationship building. Introducing yourself to the businesses in your community is a great way to start and can lead to some incredibly beneficial relationships.

Knocking on Doors: There are still too many artists who don't see the benefit. For example, wedding photographers will often tell me, "I photograph weddings. I have nothing to offer a real estate office!" Well, how about this...you visit a realtor and say, "I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm a wedding photographer, but I have an incredible network. If I can ever help you with any of your imaging needs, regardless of whether or not you need event coverage, give me a call."  Leave your business card or brochure and move on to the next establishment.

Open Houses: Whether you have a bricks and mortar studio or not, you have access to locations to show off your skills and make a strong introduction to the community. Look for a place with good business frontage that can be rented for an evening. 

Here's the link to the story about an open house Chamira Young did many years ago when moving to a new community in the Detroit area. She rented a place in a local office complex and hosted an event similar to a gallery opening. She had wine and cheese, her brochures, and was set up to take individual portraits of all the attendees. The event was all about relationship building, and it kicked off friendships that are still in place today, years later.

Direct Mail and Partnerships: I've written so much about the importance of not flying solo! You don't need to do everything in marketing on your own. Teaming up with two other partners and sharing the cost of an oversized postcard mailing is an ideal way to own your zip code and then some! Plus, each partner becomes an ambassador for the other two companies involved, and your costs are reduced to a third of what they'd be if you did it all yourself.

Networking Luncheons: I'm a big fan of networking luncheons. First, join the local organizations that host networking events. If you're stuck on where these might be held, contact your local Chamber of Commerce. Second, do one of your own with businesses in your community that share the same target audience. For example, a wedding photographer has access to bridal salons, caterers, tux shops, florists, venues, music promoters, wedding planners, and the list goes on and on.

Find a small restaurant with a private room and an easy menu. You're organizing the event, but everyone covers their own lunch costs. Imagine the strength your network will gain as you get to know the other vendors in your space who also focus on brides.

The Power of Three: Marathon Press offers two different programs for family marketing and high school seniors. They're called The Power of Three because they set you up for three different mailings over several months, each one with a stronger reminder that time never stands still. But the reason I wanted to list it here is because of their program of limited exposure regarding zip codes. From Marathon's website:

The available design for this 3-part mailing is limited to only one studio per marketing area—call (800) 228.0629 to reserve your preferred ZIP Codes. ZIP Codes are protected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This is the perfect time of year to be knocking on doors and building top-of-mind awareness for your business. Kids are back in school, and Mom has time to think about the upcoming holidays. And you're looking towards fourth quarter seasonality and hopefully a terrific holiday season...

​Time to start knocking on doors!

by Skip Cohen

​I'm tired of hearing small business owners discuss the increasing costs of doing business, but never exploring ways to collaborate with other companies, including their competitors. I'm not minimizing the challenges today, but there are so many things you can do to neutralize the negatives and reinforce the positives. One of them is partnerships, which I've written about dozens of times over the years.

Besides reducing costs, partnerships create new opportunities to demonstrate your leadership role in your community.  By working together with other businesses to generate promotional excitement this holiday season, you expand your reach dramatically.

Here's a shortlist of potential partners for five different specialties in the portrait/social category: 

• Boudoir Photographers: Lingerie boutiques, spas, makeup artists, salons
• Pet Photographers: Pet food reps, animal shelters, pet boutiques, veterinarians, and doggy daycare and boarding facilities 
• Children's Photographers: Toy stores, summer camps, playgrounds, kids' clothing boutiques, restaurants, pediatricians, or pediatric dentists.
• Family Photographers:  Family restaurants, decorators, parks, and special events 
• Wedding Photographers:  Florists, wedding planners, bakeries, caterers, salons, bridal shops, limo companies, musicians, tux shops, travel agents, and venues. 

And this is only a partial list. Many years ago, while doing a Hasselblad University program in the Cleveland area, a portrait photographer told me how a landscaper approached him to do a landscaped scene behind his studio for family portraiture, complete with a small pond and a walkover bridge. It was like a mini Hollywood set, and at no cost to the photographer if he'd just promote the landscaper's business. Why? Because the landscaper knew, for this artist, there was a high correlation between the families he photographed and homeownership!

In terms of designing an effective promotion, you can do anything from cross-promoting each other's products and services to planning a joint mailing or an open-house, gallery-like event to introduce the community to your businesses. And, as I've mentioned so many times in the past, if you're stuck for ideas, pick up the phone and call Marathon. Their marketing team talks to dozens of photographers and business owners every day. They're a terrific resource when you need help designing a partnership piece for direct mail.

Last but not least - think about partnerships like this - each member of the group becomes an ambassador for each partner's business. Working together reduces costs and increases cash flow. However, if you do it all alone, 100% of the cost is on your shoulders and wallet. ​

​You don't have to be a solo act. Stop thinking you've got to do everything alone!

by Skip Cohen 

We're down to just over 130 days left of 2025. The fourth quarter is six weeks away and brings with it numerous opportunities to get involved in making a difference in the world.  If every photographer got engaged with one more charitable cause or event in the next four months, imagine the impact we could have.

I've written so much about fundraisers, charities, and simply being involved in your community, but there's no such thing as writing too much, ESPECIALLY NOW! This is the time of year when many nonprofits launch their most significant programs. For example, from United Way to the Alzheimer's Walk, to thousands of local nonprofits, now is the time to make sure you're involved.

Jay Conrad Levinson, best known for his expertise in marketing and for coining the phrase "Guerrilla Marketing," lists being involved in your community near the top of his list of 100 things guerrilla marketers need to do.

Why? Because people like buying products and services from companies they perceive as giving back, but it goes a lot deeper. You're looking for your community to be good to you. So, you need to be good to your community.

What amazes me is how many people can't find anything in their community. I've even heard photographers say, "There's really nothing going on around here to be involved with!"

Stuck for ideas? 

• Check out local organizations like Kiwanis, Exchange Club, Rotary, and others.
• Talk to the president of the local PTA, and don't forget there are usually several, with the elementary, middle, junior, and high schools.
• Got a local hospital? They're always looking for help.
• All of the sports teams, from soccer to Little League, the Boosters Clubs always need help. 
• How about talking to the guidance counselors at the high school and finding out about the school paper and yearbook? As a photographer, you can help build their stash of images, but even better is your ability to mentor more student photographers.
• Big Brother, Big Sister, local children's charities can't find enough help, ever!
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out where the greatest needs are in your community.
• Animal and pet shelters always need help.
• Retirement and senior citizen homes have an activity calendar of events that never slows down.
• Then there are all the usual national charities supporting the fight against Alzheimer's, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes – you name it, and there's an organization out there trying to make the world a better place.
• Check out your local food bank, especially in areas impacted by so many recent natural disasters.
• Food kitchens and efforts to help the homeless are abundant in most larger cities.
• Support for our military are everywhere, particularly in the form of photographers helping families with portraits before deployment and upon their return. And with the challenges in the world right now, who knows where or when the next wave of deployment is going to take place?
• Looking for something more photo-centric? Check out Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It's a tough concept and not for everybody, but every artist I've ever spoken with talks about their experience as "life-changing."

The list goes on, with numerous opportunities for you to get involved. Most important of all, your camera doesn't need to be part of the equation in terms of people to learn that you believe in giving back. Sometimes it's fun to leave your photography skills out of the picture initially, bringing them into play when there's something to document or a project that you can help create, encompassing all aspects of imaging.

And when you do get involved, don't be embarrassed to crow a little! Utilize social media, whether through your blog or sharing on Facebook or Instagram, and become an ambassador for the causes you believe in most.

“I respect generosity in people, and I respect it in companies too.
I don’t look at it as philanthropy;
I see it as in investment in the community.”
Paul Newman

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and I try to keep my mid-week posts relatively short and to the point. When the quote above, from Shark Tank's Daymond John, came up on LinkedIn, it hit me pretty hard.

We all know too many photographers owners who have done everything they can to learn the craft in terms of their skill set, but then kick back and wait for clients to flock to their door, but nobody showed up.  They never really hustled. They didn't market themselves, get involved in their community, or build relationships.

No need for me to write anymore this morning, Daymond John said it all.

Happy Hump Day!

* iushakovsky from Adobe Stock

​by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday. But today I want to share a very different kind of throwback. I shared parts of this post a few years back. The summer is rapidly coming to a close and it's the perfect time for those of you procrastinators to get more aggressive with your marketing. Even those of you who have been actively marketing, might find some new ideas below.

Here's the short backstory, going back twenty-one years!

In 2004, I met Vicki and Jed Taufer for the first time. They were on vacation in California, and we had lunch together. That was when I was introduced to her calendar for memory-making. She showed me her holiday card for the previous year, 2003 - it was an accordion-style calendar with special themed events she had created for the entire year for photographing children. (I've included two of the pages in the four-panel card below) She even included a section about her travel in 2004, planting the seed for additional portrait sessions while she was on the road.  ​ ​

​​Our industry has always relied on the natural seasonality of demand, especially during the fall and winter holidays, which begin in October and extend into the new year. But everything has changed - for the better! Thanks in part to social media, you can create your own seasonality. With just a little creativity and organization, you can boost the demand for your services - all on your own.
​

• Legacy Events: The renewed sense of family that came out of the pandemic is alive and well, all these years later. My suggestion is to put together a package that includes a portrait session with a video piece to capture Grandma and Grandpa's backstories. Those stories will become a family's most cherished memories, but nothing happens if you don't plant the seed for the idea.
• Summer Memories: In many communities kids are back in school next week, so the concept of capturing summer memories is rapidly coming to a close. But the reality is that nothing can slow down how fast kids grow. You've got to remind Mom that her kids are a day older and changing every morning - they're growing up. It's time for a new family portrait, or at the very least a back-to-school session.
• Furry Friends: Are you offering pet portraits? The pet industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry. I know from my own household that Lucy and Belle are with us 24/7 and are important members of the family. We're convinced they know and understand just about everything we say. That's why pets are number three behind brides and babies when it comes to why people hire a professional photographer. From Google: Approximately 94 million households in the U.S. own at least one pet. This represents about 71% of all    U.S. households, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

• Food Photography and Restaurant Decor: The pandemic years, mostly from 2020 to the end of 2022, put every restaurant on notice that they needed high-quality photographs of their food, especially for their websites and carry-out services. And if they were serving outdoors, when they were only set up for indoor dining, they needed help decorating the side of the building where tables were now set up. The pandemic is behind us, but nothing has changed in the demand for food photography. 
• Throwback Thursday: I rarely miss a Thursday post sharing old throwbacks, mostly about friends in the industry. But for you, it's an opportunity to remind your clients that time never stands still. It's like the old SNL routine of Subliminal Man. You need to plant seeds with your clients to inspire ideas for capturing memory-making events. Whether in a blog post or just shared on your Facebook page, use Thursdays to turn back the clock and remind your clients that it's always time for a new portrait.
• Headshots: The market is enormous. Everyone in business needs to be seen in the very best light...pun intended. This is where owning your zip code comes into play. Get out and introduce yourself to every business in the community! They need to know you're the local expert regarding imaging. More to the point about headshots - how's your own headshot? There are few things sadder than professional photographers with headshots on their websites that look like kids set them up!

No one post could cover all the potential business out there, but it's a you-snooze-you-lose scenario. We're headed towards the biggest seasonality of the year, and you have the skillset to make it even stronger. But nothing happens if all your plans are for mañana! 

Like the old Nike tagline..."Just do it!"

By adding a side quest to your day, you create space for curiosity, exploration, and playfulness
and could discover something amazing and totally unexpected along the way.
Ali Abdaal

by Skip Cohen

The quote above is another gem from Lou Mitchell for today's "365 Daily Handpicked Reflections." It's the perfect thought for the day before the weekend. He went on to write:

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the routine and focus solely on our main objectives. However, adding a 'side quest' — a small, enjoyable activity outside of our regular tasks — can spark curiosity and lead to unexpected discoveries. These side quests can revitalize our minds and bring fresh perspectives, often unveiling hidden talents or passions.

But I want to take his thoughts a step further into our world of photography.

Tony Corbell, back in the film days, used to suggest to every photographer to save the last couple of frames of every roll of film and do something completely different from the way you usually shoot. His point was to make it a habit to think outside the box, or better yet, think like there was no box. And as Don Blair used to say, "Once you know all the rules, you can break them!" 

From exposure, to composition, to lighting in the studio, even posing - mix it up.

The same applies to your specialty. For example, most of you shy away from macro photography, but there's a whole world out there that most of us miss, simply because we never look close enough. Don Komarechka is one of the most recognized macro artists in the world, and he's built a career out of photographing things we never see, yet they're around us all the time.

So, to the point of this post...Take the time today or over the weekend and come up with your own side quest adventure into some aspect of life you've never visited. Growth only occurs outside your comfort zone, and there's no telling where your new quest might take you.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

And when it comes to mixing things up a little...
​
Don't let old "maps" limit your journey!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

​Over the years, I've written a lot about the importance of reaching out to your target audience. For most of you, there's no such thing as too much contact. So, I jumped into Google and asked: How often do you need to reach your target audience for consumer recall?

Back in my Polaroid days in the 80s, that number was 2-3 times for any campaign. But ramp up the noise in our lives to today, and the number is substantially higher! Here's what Google A.I. shared:

The reality of the challenge is that most small business owners don't have the time or the resources to ramp up to 3-5 impressions a week via email or "snail" mail blasts. But those are only two of the tools you have, and there's plenty of help out there if you know where to look.

The recipe for success is a combination of direct mail, email blasts, and several components from the target on the right. This is where community involvement, editorial, advertising, publicity, and social media, just to name a few all play a role.

Marathon's "Power of Three" marketing programs: Whether your target audience is high school seniors or family portraiture, Marathon's got support for photographers down to a science.

Family Marketing: Most of you involved in family portraiture typically operate as one-person businesses. You're working hard to capture and create beautiful portraits, but you're spread too thin to complete everything. You're doing as much as you can find the time for, but getting the word out to your target audience isn't always strong enough. Well, Marathon has the answer for you - their Family Marketing program.

They give you three mailings to your target audience with an optional fourth. They'll help you design an effective marketing piece, ranging from accordion-style to gift cards to postcards. They'll work with you to set the dates for each mailing. They'll even help you fine-tune the mailing list and mail each series of marketing pieces for you.  With the 1st Mailing: Create Awareness, 2nd Mailing: Present Your Offer, 3rd Mailing: Book Now, and the optional 4th mailing: Last Chance reminder.

These 3-part promotions (with the optional fourth) are limited to only one studio per marketing area, so call (800) 228.0629 NOW to make sure your preferred ZIP Codes are available! ZIP Codes are protected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Senior Marketing: They follow the same formula with high school seniors and their "Power of Three" program. And again, you have exclusivity within your marketing area! You've nothing to lose by making a phone call to Marathon for more information and an opportunity to expand your reach and raise the bar on your marketing efforts.

Over and over, I've seen photographers discuss how hard they're working to elevate their skill set. They've got the passion to capture and create stunning family portraits - but so often, they're missing the traffic at their door! Combine Marathon's expertise with your own ability to increase brand awareness through targeted marketing and enhanced consumer recall!