I've written a lot about Marathon's Marketing Advantage Program, MAP, because it's the only program of its kind in our industry. This coming July for the first time, the annual MAP Getaway is being offered to the industry and I couldn't be more proud to be a speaker along with Suzette Allen and Jon Yoshinaga, Joy Vertz, Chris Wunder and Maria Sampaio. 

This is what I refer to as total emersion education. First, it's in Norfolk, Nebraska and unless you want to watch the cron grow, there are no distractions. Second, the instructors and attendees have a lot of time to interact. There's time to talk about new ideas and build relationships. Third, it's so reasonably priced. The hotel is a great facility and breakfast is included with the hotel, plus three lunches and two dinners included with your registration.

One of the biggest challenges for any photographic business is marketing. Attending the MAP Getaway will give you a chance to meet the members of the MAP team at Marathon. This is an amazing program and gives its members the opportunity to essentially have their own marketing department. Listen to the podcast interview I did a short time ago with Tina Jochum, one of the MAP facilitators.

In a previous post I wrote about MAP:
 
The challenge so many of you have is you're only one person! You don't have the luxury of a support staff to help you market your business. You also don't have the time to stay on track with a consistent timeline for your marketing efforts, let alone the design skills to create great looking brochures and mailers. When you're in the MAP program, you're essentially creating your marketing department, utilizing Marathon's expertise to build your brand and your business.

If you're looking for a great way to expand your skill set and your marketing expertise, join us in Nebraska this summer. It's an excellent program loaded with opportunities to expand your marketing skills and your network.

See you in Nebraska!

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Yesterday in a blog post I talked about the ingredients for success when it comes to a trade show exhibit, and shared some images from one of the leaders in hardware in photography, Panasonic.  Well, this morning I want to share what it takes for success when it comes to software and support.

After  stopping by the Marathon booth every convention for so many years, without question, this year's booth had the most content they've ever introduced at a convention. They were buried the entire opening day and had more traffic on the first day this year than they had in all three days at last year's convention.

The excitement started with Bella Art Albums and their FREE album "test drive". I was a little cautious when I first heard the offer, only because anybody can put pictures together and call it an album. Well, true to Marathon's "we-never-compromise-on-quality reputation", the custom album they're giving away is a showstopper! It's classy, well made and a perfect demonstration of their expansion into this new area of business. 

Then came each of their displays. Every corner of the booth highlighted another aspect of their business. From Bella Art Prints and canvas prints to packaging, their Marketing Advantage Program, Senior Marketing Campaign and printed literature, they presented photographers with so many different tools for success. 

I love the MAP concept. First, I think it's the only program of it's kind in the industry. Second, Marathon walks the talk and gives each member of MAP the support they need for success.

The challenge so many of you have is you're only one person! You don't have the luxury of a support staff to help you market your business. You also don't have the time to stay on track with a consistent timeline for your marketing efforts, let alone the design skills to create great looking brochures and mailers. When you're in the MAP program, you're essentially creating your marketing department, utilizing Marathon's expertise to build your brand and your business.

If you're attending IUSA this week, make it a point to swing by Marathon on this last day of the trade show. And, if you're not here, check out their website and then pick up the phone and talk to them directly. You'll never be disappointed in the support they do their best to provide. 

Marathon will also be exhibiting at both WPPI and ShutterFest in March. Don't miss the opportunity to not only grow your business but your "staff"!

With IUSA kicking off in less than a week, it's the perfect time for you to think about laying out plans for the show, starting with Marathon! Yes, they're an SCU sponsor, but if you've followed me for even the shortest amount of time, then you know I don't promote any company or products I don't believe in and here's exactly why Marathon and their staff need to be in your network!

MAP - Their Marketing Advantage Program is the only one like it in the industry. Most of you are small businesses with limited staff. You don't have the luxury of a marketing department. Most of the time you're flying by the seat of your pants and have a hard enough time just trying to implement one promotion a year let alone an entire marketing schedule. Once you're in MAP, you've got an assigned facilitator who's going to do more than just work with you. Their facilitators take control and with your input keep you on point with regular calls, discussions and then implementation of the support you need to get the word out in your community! And that's only the beginning.

Bella Art Prints - It was a new product last year, and it's created more buzz than just about anything printed in the industry. Here's a chance for you to get affordable fine art quality at a reasonable cost, but you need to see it to truly appreciate it. I did a few of my prints this year as holiday gifts for friends and family as both Bella and framed canvases - I was NEVER disappointed!

​ALL NEW! Albums - Marathon so believes in the quality of this new product line, they're going to be giving away custom album samples. I know it sounds pretty impossible, but that's exactly what Marathon does. They stand behind their products and create quality concepts you can bring into your own business to establish a stronger presence. They also focus on helping you build profitability and build a stronger business model.

Marathon Literature: One of the biggest shortcomings for any studio/business is the quality of their printed material. I took the shot above last year at IUSA of a sampling of the versatility of their literature. From business cards to brochures, holiday cards, engagement announcements, postcards, stationery and even business cards, there's nothing Marathon can't print. But, until you see some great examples, there's no way to appreciate how much they can do to help support your business.

Heres' my point - just put Marathon on your "dance card" and trust me. Make it a point to stop by early on. You won't be disappointed, and I can promise you plenty of ideas to help you raise the bar on ways to reach your target audience, increase your margins with cost-effective products and present your images in a way that exceeds client expectations.

See you in Atlanta!