Spring is Auction Season for our studio…the time when private schools, organizations and charities have their big galas and raise money for their cause.  Photography always does well at these events…it is easy for people to justify bidding on photography because they know they are overdue for a family portrait vs. the selfish bid on laser hair removal…not to say I’ve never done such a thing!

There are several tricks we’ve learned over the years…so here’s few

Make sure you have a Contract.  They are asking you for something so it is only fair for them to do some things for you.  Request that they must pick up the items and return all before the gift certificate is valid.  We no longer “lose” our displays.

Have a Display.  It doesn’t have to be exactly what you are giving away.  Maybe a family portrait if it’s for a private school…keep in mind who the event is benefitting and who might be attending then create your display accordingly.

We once had a client ask us for something to give for the Downs Syndrome Association.  We used an image of her child who had Downs Syndrome…can you image the attention our display received at the benefit?

Get the Winner’s Info. As part of our contract we request the name and address of the winner.  Also, what they paid.  We actually mail the real gift certificate to the winner with a nice Welcome Letter…nothing is worse than gettting something at an aution and never using it!

Keep an Auction Notebook. Keep a listing of all the auctions and contacts.  It is really amazing to see how many groups in the community you can impact.  Then you can start to pick and choose what events you want to participate in.

So, where do you start?  Ask your client’s if their child’s school has any fundraisers or benefits with silent auctions coming up.  If so, let them know you would be happy to donate…they will be thrilled!  Also, as you are looking through community publications, take special notice of events that are promoted…you can always contact them to offer something for their auction…I promise they won’t say no!

Auctions are a great way to build up your business.  Think of what you are donating as “Marketing Expenses”.  The return will be huge!

Please share any of your experiences with Auctions so others can benefit!

Here’s an idea for you!  Try Custom Rubber Stamps!

At my studio I was tired of have the old gold stickers printed to use as seals and as labels for presentation boxes and the back of frames.  In addtion, I wanted my logo foil stamped on folios, but there was not only the cost but also knowing how many vertical vs. horizontal ones to do.  OMG!!!  Too many issues!

We needed a solution!

That’s when we wondered if we could just use an ink stamp.  That way we could control where and how it looked!  We could get all sorts of pretty colored inks, too!

Thanks to Mr. Google, we actually found a company that will create custom rubber stamps using your own designs…and it is not expensive at all!

Now we have a sorts of custom stamps we use on everything…the back of frames, in folios, on our handmade custom cards…the possibilities are endless!

So don’t ftrett any longer.  Go to www.RubberStamps.com and you are all set!

Also, be sure to share with me what you used your rubber stamp for…here’s some of mine!

So, many of you are now back from IUSA and trying to get back in the swing of things…I can totally relate!  I just went thru all of my “stuff” and started to put things into piles!

One thing I mentioned in my talk that I had done after my first IUSA was to take time to download!  This conference is so amazing, but can be very overwelming, too! So here’s my suggestion…

Go to a quite place…away from all the normal distractions…try a Starbucks or Barnes & Noble…or even your local library.

Go thru all of your papers and notes and start to put them into areas (or piles)…these can be very broad or specific.  Maybe…MARKETING…STUDIO…BUSINESS…PRODUCTS…LIGHTING…SALES  or PROMOTIONS…BOOKS TO READ…LABS…etc

You can physically make stacks…or make lists under the headings…kind of a “to do list” or “wish list”

Now here’s the important part…

After you have downloaded all the great ideas and info…look for the Low Lying Fruit…the things that you can do TODAY that will have the most impact on your business!

Now this is what you are going to focus on!  Do not go back and look at your lists again until these things are done.  I promise that this will have a tremendous effect on your motivation and success.

I just tried to find my sheets after I did this at a Starbucks after my first Imaging…I know they are somewhere!  Anyway, I remember the first thing I did.  I made a projection room in my studio so I could show videos of my client’s images.  This was a huge project which involved getting the space next to me, adding furniture and of course researching and finding the best audio and projection system.  If I wasn’t focused on this venture, it would have taken me so much longer to get it done and thus delay the return on the effort AND investment!

So go get cha some fruit!  Share with me what you are going to do!

Wendy

So snap out of it!

According to the National Retail Federation (NFR), Cupid is going to be very busy this year!

The ubiquitous, pudgy winged icon is expected to elicit over $14 billion in consumer spending this Valentine’s Day.

That works out to approximately $103.00 on average per person for traditional Valentine’s Day purchases.  Why should we let Hallmark get it all!

Here’s a simple idea…

Send out an email blast with unique gift ideas for this special day!

I am going to showcase  Valentine Greeting Bookmarks and Calendar Mini Books…these will be sure to get my client’s all excited!  Your client’s can schedule a quick session or just use those great images you already have from the fall and holiday!    We found these great templates at Jamie Schultz Designs (www.jamieschultzdesigns.com)  - here’s a code for $10 off a $60 purchase CODE: imaging2011 – don’t tell!

We are “in process” with our email design, but if you are interested in the Design Template, please let me know and I’ll post it in our store THE GOODS.

So, help your client’s stay thin by replacing the chocolate with beautiful images of their loved ones!  and make some needed HRM income!

One thing we have discovered is that the girls LOVE being treated like a Supermodel!  They have a blast getting all dressed up, dancing to rockin music & letting themselves just relax and let go!  And what does every supermodel need more of?  Yes, you got it!  BLING!!!  Of course we tell the girls to bring their own jewelry, but just like when you used to play in your mother’s jewelry box (well maybe not all of you did that), it adds a little extra something to be wearing something special and different…especially when it adds to the styling and attitude of the outfit AND model!

Create a space where you can display and make readily available all kinds of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces…sometimes the bigger & more sparkly  the better!  Now for you true Bling experts…this is not the real stuff…it is nice Bling Ding…the fake stuff!

Now I know it can be difficult to find these items…especially when it needs to look nice, appeal to the girls and not cost a small fortune.  So here’s what we’ve done…

Introducing the Bag of Bling!

We have put together an assortment of our favorite pieces.  These are the items we have used in our own studio that the girls just love!

Click Here to go to The Store

My head is full of so many ideas and things I want to do in my business.  On top top of that, PPA’s Imagining USA is fast approaching which means exposure to even more input and ideas!!!  Sometimes I think my brain is going to explode!

My hope is to use The Protog Exchange as a place to “download” my new ideas and to share things that have worked for me over the last 10 years!  It’s the perfect place for Professional Photographers!

Come visit on Mondays for some “Ideas & Inspiration”.  I will be sharing marketing tips, product ideas and so much more.  Kick off your week with something that will make a difference in your business.

Wednesdays are reserved for my “Fab Finds”.  I am always looking for great items and services.  Most of what I will share is what we use in the studio everyday!  I won’t only share it with you, but I will also show you where to get it and how to use it.  In most cases, I will offer “extras” for you to grab for yourself!  simply….Fabulous!

Take a break on Friday and experience a little “Serendipity”.  Now I always think of this as a southern word…I live in Atlanta…but it is a word we need to hope for in our daily grind!  For those of you unfamiliar or just slept thru English class..

ser·en·dip·i·ty  [ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]

n. ~ an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

Now who can complain about that!

So, bookmark this blog and come visit often…there’s so much more to come!