I know it might sound a little sappy, but being part of Marathon's Marketing Advantage Program is so much more than just about marketing. I don't think there's another program like this in the industry. MAP gives you an entire team for support. It's not just you and your facilitator, but the entire creative team at Marathon.

In this podcast with Tina Jochum, one of Marathon's facilitators, she discusses the process and how the facilitators along with the entire Marathon team help photographers build a stronger business plan and implement a consistent series of marketing events all year long.

Enjoy the podcast and then pick up the phone and give Marathon a call. At the very least find out how you can have your own marketing department and get your business to thrive, not just survive!

You don't have time to do it all. Many of you also don't have the creative expertise, in design work for example. And, you're buried in trying to run your business and build your brand. Help is just a phone call away:  800-228-0629

This past summer we had the privilege of attending Marathon's MAP Getaway. It was an amazing experience.  Part of the reason for me being in attendance was to help Marathon by being a moderator in a series of short testimonial videos they wanted to do about MAP. Check out this short video from one of the attendees:

The idea behind MAP is so perfect for so many of you. You're struggling, trying to perfect your skill set as an artist.  You just don't have time to stay on top of the marketing you need to do. Regular promotions, direct mail, ongoing planning and target marketing, just to name a few, are all part of what you need help with.

The MAP Getaway is essentially the frosting on the cake. It's a once a year event giving all the MAP members a chance to get together, exchange ideas, soak up two days of great presentations and network.


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It's an impressive little conference, but here's where the biggest benefits of MAP really are:​
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• Once enrolled in MAP you're assigned a facilitator. Your facilitator is going to help you stay on track all year long through monthly (or as often as needed) phone calls.
• Most of you do all your own marketing and often even design work. MAP gives you access to all of Marathon's staff and discounts on printed materials as well.
• Your facilitator is like having your own marketing department.

How many ideas have you had about increasing the marketing for your business, but time slipped away? It happens to all of us, but with MAP you've got a partner to help you stay on track.

In a post about MAP last summer I wrote:

"The best explanation of the program is the way so many members describe their relationship with Marathon's staff. One member told me, "My facilitator is part of my staff. I don't have the time or discipline to stay on top of marketing and run my business. She keeps me on target."

I don't think there's another program like this in professional photography. Being in the MAP program involves a monthly fee that then gives you access to all of Marathon's creative team, plus substantial discounts on virtually all of Marathon's printed products. From your personal facilitator to design and creative talent to helping you with everything from business cards to promotional offers, brochures, and mailings, everything under the umbrella of marketing is covered."

There's a short podcast with Mark Weber from Marathon which I shared in an early post. Click the link below if you'd like to hear him further explain the program.

Intro by Skip Cohen
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I've read a lot about blogging over the years and also written several posts about the topic. This post, just published recently on the Marathon blog written by Andy Bondurant, hits on several key areas, but I'd like to expand on the terrific points he makes.

First, your website is about what you sell while your blog is about what's in your heart. The two, if done right, can help you build a stronger brand. Your target clients don't care about what awards you've won, how you got started or what gear you use. They want to know why you love photography. They want to know if they can trust you to capture the kinds of images they want of themselves, family or friends. Your blog gives you the perfect opportunity to share what you love most.

Second, I love Andy's comment about consistency: "If you can't commit to consistency...don't start." Here's what happens, a client who checks out your blog wanders into a site that hasn't been updated in months. The first thought will typically be, "I wonder if they're still in business?"

Don't start a blog unless you're going to post consistently. I disagree with Andy, only in that 3-4 times a month isn't enough. Blog twice a week and on the same days. Work to build your readership with consistency along with good content.

Last on the list, build a stash of blog posts in advance. Every post doesn't have to in real time that morning. Take the time to build a stash of 20-30 posts about different topics of interest to your readers. Use one a week to ease the pressure of being consistent. Then, with your other post each week, make that closer to real time, talking about events in your area; sharing techniques you like; sharing images of clients; providing photography tips to your readers, etc.

A great blog combined with solid images on your website can truly help build your reputation and with each new reader you gain a potential new client. Take the time to do it right, or wait until you can make the commitment. A half-baked blog is going to make you look unprofessional and in the end may hurt the growth of your business.

Blogs are becoming more and more popular as the years progress. They are an excellent way to showcase your stunning photographs and a way to engage with current and prospective customers. But where do you begin?
In his article “How to Write a (Better) Photography Blog Post,” Andy Bondurant gives six areas that every new and veteran blogger should focus on. You can read his full article at http://www.phototalk.biz/phototalk/how-to-write-a-better-photography-blog-post-by-andy-bondurant/.

1. Blocks of Time:
   “Blogging done well needs a block of time devoted to it.”
2. Determination:
   “You must determine to write no matter what is happening that week. You must fight through apathy, writers block, fear or anything else thrown your way.”
3. Consistency:
   “You MUST update your blog. Ideally, this would be 2-3 times per week. At the least it should be 3-4 times per month. If you can’t commit to consistency…don’t start.”
4. System and Structure:
   “There are multiple different types of blog post structures you can create. I encourage you to choose one to be very good at, and occasionally add another in for spice.”
   Here are 5 different post structures you can model: Story
, List
, Tutorial
, Opinion
, Big Thoughts
5. Voice:
   “Your blog will be at it’s best when you allow your personality to shine. It starts with being open, authentic and honest (while being careful to not share too much). This is your writing voice. The more you refine and define your voice, the better your blog will be.”

With these 5 tips in your tool belt, you can rest assured that you are on you way to blogging success! As you begin your new blog be sure to check out the blogging services Marathon Press offers. Our team of talented web designers can help you create the perfect blog to fit with your business’s style. For more information check out http://www.marathonpress.com/blog/.

Intro by Skip Cohen
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Wandering through the archives of Marathon's blog, I found this post from a few years back. The concept is even more relevant today because of the noise in everyone's life. We're all bombarded with email, snail mail, social media, television/radio ads and the list goes on and on. We text while on the run as multi-tasking becomes a lifestyle. A hand-written note is virtually unheard of as we seem to move to a communication level that's more and more impersonal. 

But there's also something very cool going on and new opportunities to make yourself different abound. For photographers who stay up close and personal, they're making themselves more memorable. They're building relationships, the key to success in marketing today and your chance to make yourself unique.

In this post, Marathon even writes the thank-you notes for you. It's all common sense and right back to exceeding client expectations and making yourself habit-forming. It's not rocket science. You just have to be nice and make people feel appreciated.

Marathon is loaded with products designed to help you build stronger relationships and keep creating top of mind awareness with your potential and active clients. Added to the effort are dozens of terrific articles on their blog every week.  Just click the link below and start following Marathon, their staff and a pretty terrific group of industry educators and writers.

You hear a lot of talk these days about the importance of marketing “buzz.” But what exactly does it take to create that buzz? It takes more than just a quality product; it requires a concerted effort to show clients how much you appreciate their business.

It’s the little things you do — some of them unexpected — that get clients buzzing about your business to their friends and family, and it’s more important than ever to be on top of your client-appreciation game. Here are some of those “little things” that pay big dividends in client satisfaction.

1. Make it easy for clients to find you. Send an attractive “welcome” card to clients which includes directions to your studio and the date and time of their session. Yes, you could accomplish the same thing by email, but it’s more impressive and easier for the client if you take this extra step to insure your effort doesn’t get caught in a spam filter.

2. Be welcoming. Let clients know you really are pleased to see them by getting up from whatever you are doing, walking toward them and extending your hand as you use warm, welcoming phrases such as “I’m so pleased to welcome you to our studio,” or “Welcome to our studio; we’re so glad you’re here!”

3. Offer appropriate refreshments such as coffee, tea, soda, or bottled water, as this gesture of hospitality helps to establish a relaxed atmosphere. Clients are more likely to say yes to refreshments if you ask “Would you like to join me in a cup of tea or coffee?”

4. Send hand-written thank you notes. It doesn’t take much time to pay attention to your client during the portrait or wedding process by saying:

• Just wanted to let you know that I am thrilled with the results of your session, and I can’t wait to show the portraits to you next Wednesday at 2:00!
• The images of Ashley are priceless! Can’t wait for you to see them next Wednesday at 2:00.
• It was great fun seeing you last Wednesday, and I’m so happy you are as pleased with Ashley’s portraits as I am. I’m certain that you will love them even more when the finishing touches are completed and they are on display in your home! Thank you again for allowing us to create these special portraits for you.
• As your big day approaches, I just wanted to let you and Rob know how much I’m looking forward to photographing your wedding! Rest assured that I’ll do everything I can to record the beauty and joy of your special day.

5. Provide a little “something extra.” When clients arrive to pick up their finished portraits or albums, it really pays to surprise and delight them with something unexpected. It can be an item as simple as an extra gift-size portrait or a set of wallets. Another possibility is to surprise clients with a set of personalized press-printed note cards or mini-calendars that include one or more images from the portrait session or event.