Is Your Quest to be a Photographer Leaving You Clueless?

© ChenPG

© denisismagilov

​It's Marketing Monday and while the topic might seem more appropriate for a photographer just getting started, the challenge of "analysis paralysis" hits all of us at different times, and for various reasons! New technology, keeping up with the trends in social media and consumer communication can be just as overwhelming to a veteran in business as they are to a rookie!

There's a growing, incredibly active new Facebook community following the successful launch of ClickCon in Chicago this month. The excitement combined with a perpetual state of "where-the-hell-do-I-start syndrome is definitely bogging a few of you down. In fact, after every conference, people seem to get stressed over how much they need to learn or change.

At the same time, there are a lot of confused artists who simply don't know where to start. And, instead of jumping in with both feet, they're caught in the confusion of what to do next. They procrastinate, and all the excitement of what they learned at the conference gets put in that imaginary shoebox of ideas and kicked under the bed!

It's time to put an end to analysis paralysis and take action. It's not that difficult if you follow my lead:
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• Start by Making a List: Personally, I think every small business owner should have a whiteboard. Yeah, I know I'm challenging all the tech weenies out there who want me to put things on my computer or in my phone. Sorry, I'm a visual guy and having my "to do" list in front of me all day every day in my office is the only way I stay on course! So, however you store the information, make a list of each class you took at the conference and the key things you learned.
• Low-hanging Fruit: by definition, it's fruit that's easy to pick. By business interpretation, it's things you can quickly and easily implement. You've got to isolate short-term and long-term activities.
• Long-term Projects: Everything that's NOT low-hanging fruit is in this category. But even things you need to improve long-term have benefits. So, categorize the long-term items by their benefit to your bottom line and growth.
• Time to Get in the Groove: You're only one person, and you can't do it all at once. Start with the low-hanging fruit that's easiest for you to implement. For example, if you were in any of my programs at ClickCon, maybe it's time to update your headshot, bio or galleries. 
• Develop a Routine: I've got a specific routine I go through every day and it rarely changes. Develop a schedule so you can check email, phone messages etc. first thing and then find time EVERY day to work on your list, one item at a time.

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"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." 
Walt Disney

​Here's my point this morning...stop procrastinating, because the longer you ponder on where you should start, the more you're letting the stress of change build a wall between you and your dreams!

​There is no "Success Fairy" who's going to come in the middle of the night, put a little magic under your pillow, and raise the bar on your skill set. You're the only one who can focus on what steps to take next.

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

When I was asked to speak at ClickCon months ago, I suggested doing something a little different. For everyone who was in any of my programs, I'm doing a follow-up online on September 9 at 8:00 - 9:00 PM CST. How to access will be announced in the "ClickCon Social" forum on Facebook.

​And, if we need to go longer, I'll be there. My goal is to help you stay on point on things you need to do to grow your business, but I'm also going to touch on a new topic - becoming your own publicity machine. Stay tuned to the Facebook ClickCon Social group for information as we get closer.

And, if this goes well and there's interest, we'll looking at opening it up to everyone and expanding on the topic list.