Product Ideas for 2024 Seasonality: There's Still Time!

A goal is just a dream with a deadline!
Drake

by Skip Cohen

After all these years of posting marketing and business ideas, every now and then there's something that merits a repeat performance - especially with seasonality ramping up right now!

Most of us fly by the seat of our pants. We're reactionary and respond accordingly to whatever good ideas and, too often, bad ones come our way. Then when an idea doesn't produce the results we hoped for, we withdraw until we regain the confidence to try again.

Let's go straight to the "brass tacks" of whatever it's going to take to make you smile about your business at the end of the year! Here are four different ideas:

• Holiday Cards: There are two sides to this - first, there are cards for your clients. It starts with you as their photographer planting the seed for the idea. Second, there's your personal card - and to have an impact, get it out early. Use one of your photographs, and on the back of the card, just like the Hallmark logo, share your contact information. (And keep an eye on Marathon Press - they usually do a BOGO offer on holiday cards, which will give you the potential to lower your cost and increase revenue!)

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• Video Cards: It's a great product to offer your clients. A video card should be part of your ongoing services. Here's one of my favorites from Suzette Allen's stash on YouTube. And while it's a little dated, the concept couldn't be more fun or memorable for the clients. "Expecting Teddy" is with a maternity theme and gives you another application outside the holiday theme. I'm just trying to provide ideas - because there's no limit to things you could be doing this year to get your clients excited. Remember what I've quoted numerous times from Bev and Tim Walden - "You're not selling a portrait session, but an experience!"

• Outdoor Metal Prints: All it takes is a call to your lab and one question, "What's new?" The pandemic hasn't slowed down technology, and I've repeatedly written about ​Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal Prints for outdoor display. Also, just because products like canvas prints are old to us doesn't mean a beautiful canvas print isn't going to be cherished by a client. Then there's everything else your lab can do today with new materials, and your target audience knows very little about what's available!

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• Video stories from the past: "My Journey" is an award-winning program offered in the past by the Senior Friendship Centers here in Sarasota. They provide senior citizens the opportunity to record chapters of their lives as a gift for their families. You've got the skillset as a photographer and should be offering a product like this to your clients. It's something I didn't do when my folks were alive, and now, I've got so many regrets for not documenting those special moments. This is a component for this year's holiday package that you can turn into reality. And don't forget the more senior members of your own  family.
  

As a photographer, videographer, and artist you've got the skillset to offer your clients great ideas tying in your skills with their families and friends. It all starts with you, and while I hate the expression, there's none more better than right now when the holiday clock is ticking down..."you snooze you lose." 

And if you're stuck for ideas, you know where to find me!