SALES Archives - Bernie Griffiths

Putting Prices On Your Photography Products

August 9, 2018

Putting Prices On Your Products.

When you get an enquiry for your photography, do you send out a price list?

Is this working?

Do you get a good response?

Capturing leads is critical in keeping your business financially sound.

Talking of prices, one of my clients has the prices on all of her products in her sales room.

Just like a retail shop.

This makes sense to this when you think about it.

Check this out here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbdoDkoPAuI&t=214s

If what you are doing isn’t working it may be time that you came up with an alternative approach.

Creating and running a successful photography business is not about “one size fits all” as some coaches out there would make you believe.

Each photographer is an individual, not only in the way that they photograph, but also in their photography business systems.

Building these business systems and strategies takes time, but you must also realise that if you are building the wrong ones, then you are wasting your time and your business isn’t going to be the success that you may have hoped for.

Make sure you “test and measure” everything that you do and change course when you need to.

Next week I will tell you the 2 critical things that you MUST have to create a successful photography business.

You will be surprised on what these 2 things are.

Bernie Griffiths

World’s Number One Photography Business Coach

https://www.berniegriffiths.com

http://www.aswpp.com.au

info@aswpp.com.au

Rockstar Photographer

July 16, 2018

From Gary Fong’s book. So You Want To Be A Rockstar Photographer.

“The inconvenient truth is that it’s harder than ever to forge success as a professional event photographer.

That’s why it’s critical to learn the real skills and secrets that will help you succeed day to day.

Not the motivational, “Buy a BMW and believe in yourself” stuff, but the hands-on, practical principles that generate business in the real world.

The Rockstar myth is not unique to photography.

In the Internet-driven world we live in, it’s hard to thrive in any field.

Economies are tough and global competition is ruthless. It is tempting to look for easy, sexy shortcuts to success.

Because of that, a huge cottage industry has erupted, filling freelancers and small business people with hopes that if they only take this course or that seminar, they, too, can enjoy six- or seven-figure lifestyles.

Most of the people offering the seminars are not real successes themselves.”

Real Coaching.

My coaching programs are designed to get you RESULTS with unlimited email and phone contact with myself at any time.

This is the only way to FAST TRACK your business!

Regardless of what is on offer, the question is this…is it possible in this very competitive environment to earn a six figure

income from your photography?

I guess the only way to answer that is to ask a photographer who is making a six figure income in their business at this present time.

Amy Cope is one such photographer, who created a photography business that turns over six figures and she created it all on her own.

By the way she has 4 kids and runs her newborn photography business from home.

Watch this short video chat with Amy here………https://youtu.be/XEXLc68bQ64

#photomentor

Bernie Griffiths

Photography Business Coach

https://www.berniegriffiths.com

http://www.aswpp.com.au

bernie@aswpp.com.au

Photographer Going Broke.

July 5, 2017

I found this letter posted on a photographers forum recently. As a photography business coach I find it sad in some ways yet very inspiring and motivational in other ways.

Rebecca Tompkins 20 June at 08:23

” I sit here now still trying to wrap my mind around the decision. I closed my business today. After 2 years of trying, I just can’t do it right now. I am writing this post to acknowledge the many mistakes I made and to hope others will not make the same ones.

I closed my business for multiple reasons. One being no paying clients in over a year and the other being I just got diagnosed with a mess of issues with my back (degenerative disc disease, 2 herniated discs and spinal stenosis in 2 areas of my lumbar spine). It has been very rough lately. I am one of the lucky ones where I did not quit a full time job to start this venture, I was a stay at home mom with a partner who supports me in anything and everything I could ever dream of doing. My disappointment is due to my own personal guilt and feelings of failure.

The mistakes I made are common! Don’t get discouraged by my post but take into consideration as you amazing photographers out there start and continue on this journey!

I started business too soon. I was one of those photographers you see everyone bash and hate on social media. I got a nice camera, took a few good shots and listened to everyone around me say “You should start charging for that. You are soo good!” I literally roll my eyes thinking about it now. I offered 25 and 50$ sessions with flash drives included. I just went out and thought I was a professional.
I started my business to recoup the money spend on my hobby. I have troubles due to being a domestic violence survivor with guilt. I felt so guilty about how much everything cost that I wanted to make money to get back what was being spent. This is a horrible reason to go into business.
I lacked confidence. I still to this day do not believe my images are as great as everyone else tries to tell me they are. I can find a flaw anywhere and after shooting consistently for 3 years, I have never, not even once been brave enough to ask for constructive criticism. If I get CC on social media without asking, I will usually delete the image and pretend it didn’t just destroy a small part of me in my head. You must believe in yourself!!! Believe in your work!!!
I never found a niche! I certainly rebranded often enough to have tried them all. I did family, weddings, maternity, documentary, newborn etc. I just never found anything that quite lit my fire the way my own random shoots to bring forth a creative vision did. In a rural area (a town of less than 1,500 people, 10 photographers and no sense of community) a niche was needed. When I did market a niche, one of the more established photographers in my area would market the same thing I was marketing and well no clients came my way.
I did not research enough. This goes back to number 1 and starting a business too soon. I never paid attention to who else was running a business around me, how they marketed, what kind of clients to market too etc. I just wanted to make money and that was it.
I was no good at being a salesperson. How can you sell yourself, your talent and your product, if you don’t think it is any good??? If you cannot talk to someone and take the criticism or believe in your prices, you cannot profit off of your talent.
I did not give myself fully to the business. Somewhere in the back of my head, I never thought it would be a success. So, I allowed myself to put less and less effort into it over time. Every disappointment was an affirmation that I was not good enough. The 5 times I advertised mini session and no one showed, the model calls no one followed up on, the lack of interest in anything other than standard posed images, well it all just added up.

I sit here and type this with tears rolling down my face, not knowing where else to lay it all out there, not having many who genuinely understand the frustration (my back) and sadness (giving up) I am feeling. I want any one of you who reads this to take to heart that running a business is not for the weak. You have to do so much to make it work, I have total confidence that you all will be a success and I wanted to share a few of the do not do’s to help you all along.

I am working through it all in my head and I may try this as a business venture again somewhere far in the distant future. For right now, I am just going to love taking pictures every chance I get and I am going to focus on my creativity and technical flow. The future holds a lot for me outside of a DBA and a tax number. I am and always will be an artist. My heart comes alive with the camera in my hand shooting the things I love. Thank you all for reading!!

Keep on trying everyone! Keep on striving and know that sometimes even if it doesn’t all work out, you are still a photographer and an artist when you go to bed!!!

Much love!

photography business coach photography mentor photography coaching

Wasn’t It Good?

December 29, 2016

Wasn’t It Good?

What an amazing year 2016 has proven to be.

As a Photography Business Coach I haven’t seen so much growth in the photography industry for many years.

So many personal business records were broken with my clients.

One photographer had more turnover for the last six months of the year than the whole of the previous financial year! That is amazing Fi.

Many of my clients recorded at least one record sales month, Kate and John to name a couple, while many achieved record individual portrait sales, the highest being an amazing $30,000? Well done Murielle.

Three clients are creating new studios. One has almost finished converting a stand-alone two storey building that was once a Chinese restaurant, into a striking, contemporary dual studio set up. Very exciting Nick.

Belinda is converting their garage at home into a great studio/sales area facility, while Sandra, who after many years of working out of home, is re-fitting and totally renovating a shop in a vibrant outer Victorian suburb, into her dream studio.

National Family Portrait Month proved to be an amazing success, by not only raising over $30,000 for the nominated charity, but also in creating over 600 photography sessions for participating photographers.

One studio alone created over $40,000 in sales from NFPM sessions. Good work Heath!

Facebook has been the King of Marketing, with hundreds of thousands of turnover created for my clients using my suggested simple Facebook strategies.

This from a UK based studio owner about a Facebook Marketing podcast I did with Photobizx.com.. about being a Photography Business Coach.

Business growth is the name of the game, and that should be the total focus in the upcoming months for your photography busness.

Don’t kid yourself. If your business isn’t growing in some way, shape or form, then it is dying!

Achieving growth takes dedication, time, doing a few things outside of your comfort zone, and knowing what to do.

As a Photography Business Coach I was kept super busy conducting over 750 Skype sessions with photographers, presenting many seminars, and creating thousands of dollars for my photography clients.

Certain words and phrases not to be used next years should include “I haven’t got time”, “can’t”, “I can’t afford it”, “I thought that”, “it’s too hard”, and “I assume”.

These should be replaced with “test and measure”, “ok, let’s do it”, “I love doing new things,” “I love the business side of things”, “I love Marketing”, and “I cannot fail if I try my best to grow my business every day.”

My philosophy for business has always been “ If It Is To Be…..Then It Is Up To Me.”

Changing Photographers Lives

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your help this year.

We had another record month for December with 32 sessions booked in for next year.

I also wanted to tell you, I used your suggestion of a baby plan with newborn clients. I charged them $25 to add a 6 month and 1 year session after doing the newborn session. One family today came in and spent $3,090 for the 6 month session, so it is definitely working.” Kate & Chris Beuchner Uber Photography

https://www.berniegriffiths.com Photography Business Coach

Enquiries….info@aswpp.com.au Bernie +61418509228

Photography Business Coach

Choosing The Right Photography Products For Your Business

November 28, 2016

With so many different photography products out in the market place, it can be very hard to know what products you should sell.

Which ones are right for you?

When I talk about products I mean canvas, frames, print boxes, acrylics, albums, USB cases, etc, etc.

The majority of your clients don’t really have any idea of what they want, at least until they have seen their photographs.

They may have some idea of what they think they want, but the reality is, they generally don’t know what is available.

When a potential client asks, “What do you charge for an 8×10?”, or “How much are all the digital files?” they aren’t really asking what you charge for an 8×10, or how cheap your digital files are, but more likely they are telling you that they need more information about your products.

So when asked that question you can introduce them to your product range, and discuss their benefits.

Some clients will want a lot of small prints, some will want acrylic wall prints, some will want framed prints, and some will want canvas, while some will want digital files.

I remember when my studio used to do bucket loads of weddings and I had about ten different album covers on offer. I grew tired of spending so much time in selecting an album cover with couples, so I approached my supplier and asked what album cover colour they sold the most.

I was surprised when they told me it was black, but I changed all my samples to black, and you guessed it, everyone chose it.

I did the same for my frames, and again everyone bought black frames. Alternative colours were available if anyone asked (which they rarely did) but I offered them at a more expensive price, which always led the customers happily back to black.

The first step for a photographer choosing products for their business is to know what products are out there in the marketplace.

The second is to ask a lot of questions of the suppliers about those products, so that they are best able to match their clients’ needs.

Choose products that are in demand, but add your own little branding touches, like wrapping your own personalised ribbon around them, or having your logo embossed in a prominent place.

Keep in mind that your products should suit your positioning in the marketplace.

Choose your products to suit your sales and to maximise your profit and introduce new products regularly and see what your customers like.

Select products that your customers like and buy, rather than what you like.

For more info on products and pricing contact Bernie ….info@aswpp.com.au or https://www.berniegriffiths.com

photographybusinesscoach bernie griffiths

Choosing The Right Photography Products For Your Business

Photographing New Born Babies.

October 31, 2016

Who Doesn’t Love A New Born Baby?

Over the last few years, newborn photography has become the “go to” genre for photographers around the world.

There are a million videos, tutorials, ebooks, guides and books on how to photograph these “slippery little suckers”.

The best one I have found is “Over 100 of the Best Newborn Baby Tutorials”.

Nowhere In all of my research on photographing newborns, do I see any one talk about shooting for maximizing sales.

The focus is always on how to photograph the baby.

Now to maximise our sales, we need to photograph the baby with any siblings, its parents, and its grandparents.

Becoming a proud grandparent myself just six weeks ago, to a beautiful grand daughter, Wendy and I would have loved to have some great professional photographs with the new baby.

We would have loved the photographs to be taken in our home, so that we would not have to had venture out into Melbourne’s freezing weather.

Our son and daughter-in-law would have preferred this also, as new busy parents they would not have had to pack the baby, along with clothes and bottles etc.

How easy for us all to have the photography session in the comfort and warmth of our own home.

We could have supplied any props so the photographer would not need “organically dyed newborn cheesecloth wraps” etc.

Doing a newborn session in new parents homes just makes sense, and has many benefits for the client, and the great benefit for the photographer of course is in maximising the sales.

I have some of the photographers that I am coaching doing this and they are having a lot of success.

So next time you book in a newborn shoot, just encourage the baby’s parents to bring

along the grandparents for part of the shoot.

Your bank account will thank you.

photography business coach https://www.berniegriffiths.com

The Millionaire Photographer

October 7, 2016

The Millionaire Photographer

I am an admirer of Bradford Rowney, known as The Millionaire Photographer.

Like myself he has turned over millions of dollars in his photography studio.

Below is an extract from his recent blog post, all of which I agree with, but I would like to add a couple of things.

After having a successful wedding/portrait studio for over 40 years, and now being a full time Photography Business Coach for over the past five years, there is one thing that I have learned.

Every photographer is different!

They have different backgrounds, different photography skill levels, different everyday lives, different family and friends, different wants and needs, different personalities, they live in different parts of the world, with different cultures, and different communities.

But they do have one thing in common.

They all love photography!

Those wishing to take their business to higher levels, generally don’t like as much the business side of things….Marketing, Selling, Bookwork, Social Media etc.

This is where a Business Coach comes in, to help the photographer to understand, implement, and learn to enjoy the business side of things.

Personally, I have always loved the business side of things more than the photography.

I loved the challenge of having my own photography business and all of the rewards that it has brought me, and now the challenges of being the best Photography Business Coach that I can be.

From Bradley Rowney’s Blog……http://www.milliondollarphotographer.com/dont-hire-a-photography.html

Don’t Hire a Photography Business Coach Until You Do This!

“There is an old saying: “Those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach.”

This certainly isn’t true in every case – there are some amazing teachers out there (for example, Tony Robbins) – but with so many photographers turned teachers, it does make you wonder if this statement is true in at least some cases. In fact, I often get this accusation made against me.

Some say I must be teaching because I can’t make it in my business anymore (I’ll answer that one throughout the article).

Having a business coach is important. One could even say it is essential. Whether it’s Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, virtually every person who has dominated their field has had some form of coaching.

But with all the choices, especially where photographers turned teachers are concerned, how do you decide who will give you the most explosive results for your money and time?

Below are four things you can do to help protect yourself and make sure you are truly getting someone who is an expert at getting results, who actually walks the talk, not someone who is just a well-known name in the industry (which happens all too often).

If you are hiring one of the 17,500 coaches outside the photography industry and they have a proven track record for results, no problem.

If, however, it is someone inside the industry who advertises themselves as having a successful photography business and is using this claim as their credentials for teaching you and sharing their secrets, these steps will help you learn if they are truly running a successful business that also offers teaching, or if they are making most of their money from teaching while merely creating the illusion of a successful business.

Google the photographer/teacher.

What comes up first? Is it their photography studio, or is it all about teaching photographers and educational materials for sale?

If it’s the latter, be careful. If their website is mainly geared to photographers, that is a big hint that they make the majority (if not all) of their money from teaching, not photography.

Again, this is fine if it’s how they represent themselves, but if they represent themselves as having a successful photography business as their credentials for teaching, then be careful.

Ask the photographer/teacher what percentage they make from teaching versus photography.

Ask the photographer/teacher to provide the names of people they have taught who have made significant increases as a result of their teachings.

Experience does not matter. Industry accolades and awards do not matter. The ONLY thing that matters is results!

Hiring a coach may be one of the best business decisions you can make.

The questions above are good ones to ask to make sure you are employing someone who has a proven track record of achieving great results for themselves, and who is able to translate their skills into helping you achieve great results for yourself!”

Put Up Your Hand

If you need help in your Photography Business don’t be afraid to put up your hand and ask for help.

Follow Bradford’s advice, and as he says…… Hiring a coach may be one of the best business decisions you can make.

Put up your hand if you need help. You don’t have to do it alone.

I only Coach “one on one,” and my coaching services start at just $130 a month.

info@berniegriffiths.com

https://www.berniegriffiths.com

http://www.berniegriffithsbusinesscoach.com.au

I Love You….But

September 23, 2016

During my 40 years of owning a studio I had amazing support and understanding from my wife with the long hours I spent in the business, the working on weekends, and the aggravation that I brought home on a regular basis, when business wasn’t going so well.

She worked tirelessly, bringing up our two kids, protecting me from anything bad, always having a great meal on the table when I arrived home late from the studio, and was my rock, when I felt like I was having a meltdown.

Running any small business isn’t easy.

We all know that.

Any small business owner needs support to help them through the hard times, and have someone to celebrate successes.

While I was truly blessed with the support I had in my business, as a photography business coach I understand that circumstances are not the same for everyone.

The article below is from a recent Design Aglow posting. http://www.designaglow.com

LETTER FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER: TO MY HUSBAND, BECAUSE I NEED YOUR SUPPORT FOR MY BUSINESS

“To my unsupportive husband,

I know you work so hard every day to support our family and I want you to know that I appreciate it.

I respect you, and your job, but sometimes I feel like I don’t get that same respect back. I know that society has taught us to believe that photography is not a “real job”, so I’m not blaming you for thinking that way.

But I am asking you to change the way you think.

My love of photography may have started out as a hobby, but I’m a professional photographer now.

And even though my job doesn’t require me to put on a suit and go to an office every day, it is a real job.

I value your opinion and as my husband, I need your support. I need you to believe in me.

Running a photography business isn’t easy.

I need to invest in equipment and invest in training.

I need to shoot in the evenings and on weekends sometimes.

I won’t make a lot of money in the beginning.

And I know it feels risky to invest our money in my photography, but I want you to know this isn’t just an expensive hobby that I’m going to get bored with in 6 months.

This is a business.

I know you see me working hard to grow my business.

I’ve learned how to create a website and I’ve learned how to shoot manual and how to pose and work with all sorts of clients, even newborns.

I have set up an efficient workflow, made a business plan and customized legal contracts and policies for my business.

I’m getting paid for my work and even though it’s not a lot of money just yet, I know I’m on the right track.

But when you make sarcastic comments about how I’m better at spending money on photography than making money doing photography, I feel irresponsible.

When you use air quotes when you talk about my “photography business”, I feel humiliated.

When you tell me we shouldn’t spend $700 for me to go to a workshop, I feel ashamed for mentioning it.

When you tell me I should “just cancel that session” so we can make other plans, I feel disrespected.

I work just as hard as you do every day.

Just because my job does not bring home a steady paycheck does not mean that it is any less important than yours.

I know that’s not easy to hear.

But it’s true.

And it’s the root of all our problems involving my new business. I need your respect. I need your trust. I need your support.

Without it, my business will never succeed.

Sincerely,

Your Wife, the professional photographer.

Letters From a Photographer is an original series by Design Aglow. Articles are meant to spark thought and conversation and be shared within our industry.”

I would welcome your comments…info@aswpp.com.au

CHANGING PHOTOGRAPHERS LIVES….FOR THE BETTER.

https://www.berniegriffiths.com

#Photography Business Coach

#Business Coach

9 Things That Are Stalling Your Photography Business

August 8, 2016

In the forty plus years that I had my studio, and in the last few years that I have spent coaching other photographers as a Photography Business Coach, there are certain traits that I have learned hold us back from reaching the success in growing our business.

Below are 9 lessons that I have learned as a Photography Business Coach.

Instant results don’t always come.

Too quickly you think “this is a waste of time, I am not going to do it anymore.” Give new strategies a chance to blossom before you stop doing them. Test and measure for a realistic amount of time. Success is always just around the corner. Be patient, persistent, and give yourself a realistic timeline to achieve the results you want.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

It’s your business, and you can look at others who are much further down the road from you, but don’t compare and wish that you had their business. You only have a perceived value of the success of their business anyway, unless you have access to their profit/loss statements. You shouldn’t feel inadequate, discouraged, or lacking something. Focus instead to where you are now compared to yesterday and, totally focus on where you are going.

Be busy doing the important.

Ok I am guilty. I used to spent too many hours tweaking my website, reading other blogs, and playing with new apps, and “magic wand” software. Hours turned into days, as I sat at my desk appearing very busy but actually doing nothing constructive at all. Eventually I learned what the “right” things were to focus on my business. Are you doing the same?

Always take action.

Are you a list and plan maker? You spent a lot of time planning and then don’t act on anything to bring those plans to reality? Any action may be imperfect, but it will be much more useful than all your lists and plans, without any action. In fact your actions may change all the plans you made in the first place, so spend most of your time on acting, not planning, if you want to progress your business.

Don’t ask yourself the wrong questions.

You spend your time and energy wondering if you are doing the right thing. Why not change these uncertainties in your head to how, who and what, in relation to actions. Get help me and spend your energy finding answers to the right questions, that will ultimately help you take increasing steps closer to success.

The right time is now.

Do you procrastinate and keep putting something off because you don’t feel that you are ready? Maybe you tell yourself that you need to make a few changes, wait until the kids have grown, or leave it until next year when you have more time. Your mind is playing delay tactics and it is winning. Start now! Do something! If you start you will quickly discover what else needs to be done, and you will progress toward your dreams much sooner.

You really are worthy.

You may think that you are lacking in some way, and that maybe you should not try too hard to set too high an expectation, in case you fail. So you aim a little lower or even try something easier. Don’t let your head play tricks on you. Everything gets easier the more you do it. Be persistent and you will discover that this is one of the secrets to success. Work at it and stick to it, and you will find the success you were looking for will come to you. You are indeed worthy.

Listen to your heart.

If you are new at something and you want to learn how to be better, don’t you think that you should seek advice? Unfortunately you assume everyone you speak to knows what they’re talking about. Sometimes though the problem is that the wrong advice can take you in so many different directions that you’re mind gets confused, and that confusion stops you from taking any actions. Listen to the voices within. Let them guide you.

You need professional help.

Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It is more a sign of sensibility. Yes you have this grand idea that you want to succeed on your own. But the reality is that we all can do better if you get the right help. Reaching out and getting experienced guidance can skyrocket your photography business. It surprises a lot of people when they learn that I have a business coach to guide me in my own business. It is the best value money that I spend. It is an investment for my future. Without my coach, I know that my business will not reach its full potential.

Making Money With Facebook

Don’t worry we recorded the webinar “Facebook For Photographers”, with Social Media expert Loren Bartley, owner of Imactiv8……http://www.impactiv8.com.au

Here is the link….. https://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hstSEVr0eC8

Everything that you have been told about how to grow your photography business is WRONG http://www.createaphotographybusiness.com

Photography Business Coach

Is Your Portrait Photography Booming?

June 13, 2016

What a fantastic time to have a portrait photography business.

Each and every week my clients tell me of their successses with great sales and large amounts of bookings.

This email from a client last week…………

“Hi Bernie,

Here’s a number……we have 52 paid $50 bookings in the diary taking us into August.

I have taken 6 bookings today and I have been on the phone all day except for entering shoots into Light Blue.

Thank you,

John – aipp member”

John has worked hard on his Marketing over the past few weeks and now is starting to see the results of his hard work.

The $50 refers to the confirmation deposit that I get my clients to charge whenever they make a portrait photography session, that has come through Marketing channels.

If you are a portrait photographer your Marketing goal should be to have at least 20 bookings in your diary.

If you are a wedding photographer, your goal should be to have at least 20 weddings booked, and in the diary.

If this is not the case you should put your feet down hard on the Marketing accelerator.

Having bookings in advance is one of the keys to a continuing successful photography business.

Bernie’s Soft Selling System

It took me many years in my own photography businessto realise that people love to buy, but hate to be sold.

Over the years I have read numerous books on selling portraits, but they never gave a specific step by step of the process.

After doing hundreds of portrait sales where I sensed the customers and myself felt a bit of pressure in the room, I tested a new way of selling.

From the very first sales sessions that I did with this new way, my sales went up and the customers and I concluded the sale feeling relaxed and pressure free.

So here it is…..”The Portrait Photography Soft Sell Success Guide”.

It is powerful, and it may appear too simple for your brain to accept, but believe me it is based on my specific experience over thousands of portrait sales, that have put hundreds of thousands of dollars into my bank account.

My “soft sell” system gave me a very high average sale.

It changed my mindset.

It will change yours if you let it.

Don’t fight it, simply try it. Test it.