Is maintaining an appearance that you are super busy and never letting on that things are slow a good thing for your business ? Should one lie and maintain to everyone that you're swamped with business even though you aren't ? If people see or think that you aren't they might tend to shy away from using your services.
An old friend in the business world recently shared this with me. What are your thoughts ?
Well, it is kind of like the idea of a sale. Having a limited time to take advantage of your services creates a sense of urgency, and requires immediate action.
We have sort of kept the same schedule for meetings and shoots regardless of whether we had jobs or not for a long time, however since things have slowed down during this time of the year, I have been more accommodating and real in order to get more business and it has been a wise decision.
So when an acquaintance in the inudstry, or someone you meet asks you " So, how is business " would you say " Oh it's great, never been busier" or " It's really slow, hope it turns around".
IF you let it be known that things are really crappy, won't people tend to shy away from using you ? Especially in our industry where popularity and "buzz" are an important aspect of what we do ?
A local photographer who had been in the industry for a long time, had a nice studio next to a high end bridal gown shop in town, did close up shop this past year. Word got out that he was having difficulties and was thinking of closing up. It created a negative "buzz" among the hotel coordinators and other wedding vendors who had worked with him for the past 12 years.
He did end up closing down saying that he just wasn't making enough money to sustain the business.
marti.g3 wrote:
So when an acquaintance in the inudstry, or someone you meet asks you " So, how is business " would you say " Oh it's great, never been busier" or " It's really slow, hope it turns around".
IF you let it be known that things are really crappy, won't people tend to shy away from using you ? Especially in our industry where popularity and "buzz" are an important aspect of what we do ?
A local photographer who had been in the industry for a long time, had a nice studio next to a high end bridal gown shop in town, did close up shop this past year. Word got out that he was having difficulties and was thinking of closing up. It created a negative "buzz" among the hotel coordinators and other wedding vendors who had worked with him for the past 12 years.
He did end up closing down saying that he just wasn't making enough money to sustain the business. ...Show more →
Before anyone gets to that point, I think they need to spend some time to figure out why their business in tanking to begin with.
Not to sound biased against "old timers" again, but in my experience hearing them speak, they always blame outside forces (noobies and shoot/burners and people undervaluing the market, etc...) and never think to blame themselves for not keeping up with industry trends.
marti.g3 wrote:
So when an acquaintance in the inudstry, or someone you meet asks you " So, how is business " would you say " Oh it's great, never been busier" or " It's really slow, hope it turns around".
IF you let it be known that things are really crappy, won't people tend to shy away from using you ? Especially in our industry where popularity and "buzz" are an important aspect of what we do ?
A local photographer who had been in the industry for a long time, had a nice studio next to a high end bridal gown shop in town, did close up shop this past year. Word got out that he was having difficulties and was thinking of closing up. It created a negative "buzz" among the hotel coordinators and other wedding vendors who had worked with him for the past 12 years.
He did end up closing down saying that he just wasn't making enough money to sustain the business. ...Show more →
I am sure there are reasons why his business did not survive and even if that word had not "gotten around" it is possible that the results might have been the same. It's not much different that I see other local businesses like restaurants open and close.
Inku Yo wrote:
Before anyone gets to that point, I think they need to spend some time to figure out why their business in tanking to begin with.
Not to sound biased against "old timers" again, but in my experience hearing them speak, they always blame outside forces (noobies and shoot/burners and people undervaluing the market, etc...) and never think to blame themselves for not keeping up with industry trends.
I totally agree with this. In any industry, keeping up with the latest trends, wants and needs is what makes a business viable and desired by customers.
unfortunately, some people just don't have the ability or knowledge or skills or creative edge to keep up. I try to. But I know that weddings are mainly a young persons industry.
I will say this though. I booked a wedding last night, Couple in their late forties, second marriage. Great couple. Their exact words............" We didnt 'want some noobie who doesn't even know how to dress appropriately to be our photographer. We wanted someone with experience around adults who could give us great work and fit in".
So you see, there's two sides to every coin. Younger brides sometimes go with someone they FEEL is more in tune with their lives. And as I said, this is a young persons industry. I was once there.
sherijohnson wrote:
I am sure there are reasons why his business did not survive and even if that word had not "gotten around" it is possible that the results might have been the same. It's not much different that I see other local businesses like restaurants open and close.
What was interesting in this case, was that he was very well liked, referred a lot by venues over other photographers and did great work. Personally, I think he just wasn't making the level of money that was being made 15 years ago in our area and just decided to hang it up....it wasn't worth the hassle.
Chris Fawkes wrote:
Why old timers Inku. Those excuses are not limited to older shooters at all.
Chris, I don't think he was really meaning a person's age. I think he was referring to an "old timer" as someone resistant to change, someone trying to stick to what he or she has done in the past, even if it's no longer marketable.
So here's my personal take on appearances. I get busy sometimes but I always try to make it seem like I'm not busy at all and want to take on projects. Appearance isn't just about time, it's about everything else in your business. So when people say that appearances matter, it's going to be a statement about your business cards, your presentation attitude, your demeanor in public, your marketing materials, your signage, your place of business, and your pride in your business. By making yourself seem busy all the time limits the amount of business you can get. I wear t-shirt and jeans to meetings and also to weddings because I constantly want to push the envelope of photography during the wedding. Guests, coordinators, the bride, the groom, and everyone at the wedding sees me hustle constantly during their wedding. I'm not loud and obnoxious but I'll climb on things and crawl on the floor to get my photos. It's a statement of what I'll do for my clients. It's the same reason why I will go laser cut and acid etch my business cards because I believe there is value in a good card. Granted, I'm using Moo cards for intermediate cards but everything has a specific design and purpose. It's a constant game of keeping up with industry trends and customer expectations. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail but that's what makes it a business. You won't succeed in everything that you do or try.
friscoron wrote:
Chris, I don't think he was really meaning a person's age. I think he was referring to an "old timer" as someone resistant to change, someone trying to stick to what he or she has done in the past, even if it's no longer marketable.
Lol..now that was a nice politically correct interpretation..
whtrbt7 wrote:
So here's my personal take on appearances. I get busy sometimes but I always try to make it seem like I'm not busy at all and want to take on projects. Appearance isn't just about time, it's about everything else in your business. So when people say that appearances matter, it's going to be a statement about your business cards, your presentation attitude, your demeanor in public, your marketing materials, your signage, your place of business, and your pride in your business. By making yourself seem busy all the time limits the amount of business you can get. I wear t-shirt and jeans to meetings and also to weddings because I constantly want to push the envelope of photography during the wedding. Guests, coordinators, the bride, the groom, and everyone at the wedding sees me hustle constantly during their wedding. I'm not loud and obnoxious but I'll climb on things and crawl on the floor to get my photos. It's a statement of what I'll do for my clients. It's the same reason why I will go laser cut and acid etch my business cards because I believe there is value in a good card. Granted, I'm using Moo cards for intermediate cards but everything has a specific design and purpose. It's a constant game of keeping up with industry trends and customer expectations. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail but that's what makes it a business. You won't succeed in everything that you do or try....Show more →
Oh.........i was just wondering if you say business is great or business is lousy...that's all.
marti.g3 wrote:
Lol..now that was a nice politically correct interpretation..
Well, I would view the term "old timers" the same as Inku...because, honestly....most of the older shooters that I know that are NOT whining about newbies, etc are still killing it with their business (or at least paying the bills)
We have worked to attract a specific type of client. It has taken time but now find that our clients align with what with the work that we like to do. I'm not sure if perception is the right word or if brand development may fit in better here. How much time have you put into developing an experience or expectation of the work you do or want to do?
tdurnan wrote:
We have worked to attract a specific type of client. It has taken time but now find that our clients align with what with the work that we like to do. I'm not sure if perception is the right word or if brand development may fit in better here. How much time have you put into developing an experience or expectation of the work you do or want to do?
The original question was......is the appearance that you are super busy or slow, regardless of the truth, a good or bad thing. Should you lie even if you are not busy just to appear that you are. .
