Looking at Alan's “Photobat” website before the interview I knew the conversation could go anywhere. What was supposed to be the main focus, how to host your first photography exhibition, was shelved for the first half of the interview in exchange for other topics when we started discussing his business relocation and marketing in a new area. The podcast title, How to network with photographers AND having your first photography exhibition pretty much covers the focus of this episode.

Alan was running a successful commercial, wedding and portrait photography business in Tasmania before relocating to Melbourne and having to “start over” but with a different business focus – to spend more time at home with his young daughter, Safron and have a better lifestyle. The wanted change came as a result of working too much and a feeling of stagnation or simply running through the motions, day in, day out.

During the interview, Alan explains the fine art of networking, and how it can help your business to grow. If you've ever been afraid or nervous entering a room of strangers that you'd love to know and be a part of, like at a photography workshop or seminar, Alan lays out some step by step tips to have you working the room with confidence and pizzaz. Ok, maybe not the pizzaz to start but you'll actually be able to do this after hearing Alan's advice.

Add to that, his “super” question to kick things off and you will be fitting right in and making an impression.

Here's some more of what we cover:

  • Personal projects and their importance for you as a photographer to grow
  • All about your first photography exhibition and how to get started – including a step by step spreadsheet to guid you along every step
  • Why a cafe just may be the best way to exhibit your photography
  • How to organise an exhibition so that people actually turn up on opening night
  • All the costs involved in putting together an exhibition that you probably haven't considered
  • What you absolutely must have on-hand at your exhibition
  • Who to invite to your photography exhibition and how many
  • Can you get sponsorship and where you can look for it
  • How many photos do you need and what should they include in regard to content
  • What options are available to photographers to exhibit their work
  • What expectations should you have from an exhibition and why you need to think about them before doing anything else
  • What is the best day and time to open your photography exhibition and why
  • Networking and getting known in a new area
  • The best way to overcome your fears when networking
  • How to effectively exit a conversation
  • How to leave a lasting memory with those that you meet at photography workshops and seminars
  • Business Networking International – is it a good organisation for you to get involved in and how it can help your business growth
  • Alan's unique “line” to get a conversation started with anyone, anywhere
  • What it's like to leave a business behind to relocate to a new city and start over
  • Why you should always think of other photographers are your colleagues, not your competition

Following this episode, I'll be surprised if you're not thinking about your very own exhibition, which cafe you should approach, do you have enough images, who will you invite and how will you price your art.

You may even have your sights set higher, and like Alan, be looking at a CBD for your exhibition and national coverage from the biggest newspaper in the country with a Sunday feature on you and your photography.

In the follow up interview with Alan, if he agrees after some arm twisting, I've made a note to question him about having two separate websites and FB pages. About his Safron and other personal projects, about the success (or failure) of his upcoming Behind The Curtain Exhibition plus a whole lot of other things that will probably come up in the chat including the world famous Photo Biz Xposed 10 quick questions.

If you're on Twitter and like to support the show and easily let Alan know you've been listening, click here to populate a tweet: photobizx.com/Alan

Right Click Here and choose “Save As” to download Alan Moyle Photobat Exhibition Workbook Spreadsheet.

Alan Moyle Photo Biz Xposed Podcast Interview

Behind The Curtain

Exactly one week from this episode going live, the official launch of Behind The Curtain is happening at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Everyone is welcome, it's in the Curve Bar so you can grab yourself a drink, listen to some people speak and check out what all Alan's time has been dedicated to.

The Arts Centre Melbourne presents

Behind The Curtain
A photo documentary exhibition by Alan Moyle.

Photographed in the minutes before or just after a performance, this exhibition gives a rare look at where
and how comedians prepare to make you laugh.

Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne, Curve Bar
Dates: 26 March – 21 April
Times: 4:00pm till late
Bookings: Free event

Alan Moyle Photo Biz Xposed Podcast Interview

What's on Offer for Premium Members

After announcing the big changes for all listeners in the last episode, I'm happy to say the changes have been very well accepted, applauded even.

Remember, to hear the full interview with Alan where we cover in detail, everything you need to know about organising and holding a photography exhibition and why you'd even want to, become a premium member and get the full interview every week.

A teething problem that I did hear about was losing the option to listen to the premium and complete interview in the different pod-catcher apps that you may be using. A simple work around is to copy and paste the premium URL directly onto your app.

This works on most apps but won't unfortunately work with the Apple iTunes app or Stitcher Radio at the time of release. Other podcast listening apps like iCatcher, DownCasts, PocketCasts etc, will all work this way and once playing, you have the full functionality of your app.

A teething problem that I did hear about was losing the option to listen to the premium and complete interview in the different pod-catcher apps that you may be using. A simple work around is to copy and paste the premium URL directly onto your app.

This works on most apps but won't unfortunately work with the Apple iTunes app or Stitcher Radio at the time of release. Other podcast listening apps like iCatcher, Downcast and Pocket Casts, will all work this way and once playing, you have the full functionality of your app.

Here are more details about the recommended apps and where you can find them:

iCatcher – costs $1.99 – click here to check it out in the iTunes store

Downcast – costs $2.99 – click here to check it out in the iTunes store

Pocket Casts – $4.49 – click here to check it out in the iTunes store

If you install and use one of these apps, you'll get all the functionality of the Apple Podcast App plus more features. I know it's a pain to have change but I know you'll love any of these apps if you gee them a go.

I hope to see you as a premium member if you're not already there and if you have any questions before joining, email me; andrew@photobizx.com

Alan Moyle Photo Biz Xposed Podcast Interview

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview with Alan, I'd love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you'd like to implement or learnt from what he had to share? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you'd like to ask or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.

If you'd like an easy way to show the guys your thanks, and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically and let them know you're listening: https://photobizx.com/Alan

The Resources Page

Remember the ever expanding resources page that has a listing of products, programs, hardware, books and directories mentioned in each episode of the show. If you’re looking for something that a guest has mentioned on a previous episode but just can’t remember who or what it was – you’ll find it listed in order on the resources page.

Alan Moyle Photo Biz Xposed Podcast Interview

iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs

Each week before recording the podcast I check iTunes for any reviews and each week I'm excited to see what you've had to say about the podcast and am usually blown away by the comments and reviews.

If you have the time, it's a big help for the show if you leave a rating and review. It's these iTunes reviews that make a big difference to the podcast being ranked well and found in the iTunes store. If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes.

Don't feel your comments have to be long, involved or gushy, an honest opinion is all I ask. Don't be shy about leaving your business name in the review either – that way I can add a link in the show-notes and show my appreciation with a proper thanks and a Google loving back-link to your website.

Get in Touch or Leave a Voicemail Message

If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I'd love to hear from you!

Alan Moyle Photo Biz Xposed Podcast Interview

Voicemails

There are two voicemails I'm so happy to share with you in this episode. One from Tibor of Camden Photography centre who lists some of the things he's implemented in his business as a result of the podcast and the changes he's seen in his business.

Also from Brian Chapman of Family Image Photography and The Business of Photography workshops who left a message to make a suggestion for another easy way to access the premium membership content and some thoughts on the podcast so far. I interviewed Brian for the Photo Biz Xposed podcast in episode 21 where he talks about how you can achieve $2500 plus sales fro every family portrait shoot, just like he does.

If you'd like to leave a voicemail for me or to be played on the podcast, simply click on the “leave a voicemail” tab on this page or email me a .mp3 file.

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

The Photobat Website

Alan Moyle Wedding Photography

The Saffron Photo a Day Project

Alan on Facebook

Photobat on Facebook

Alan on Twitter

For more information about Alan's Behind The Curtain Exhibition

Download Alan's spreadsheet to help you plan your own photography exhibition – right click here and choose “Save As”

Business Networking International (Australian Division)

Business Networking International (United States Division)

Business Networking International (UK Division)

Blurb – to publish your own book

The Tasmanian Devil

ProSelect

AIPP

Send Out Cards

Australia Post – Postcard App

Sprouting Photographer –  a new website and podcast from Bryan Caporicci and Robert Nowell focussing on the business of photography

Brian Chapman's upcoming 1 Day WORKSHOP – How to Sell Nicely but still get great sales figures.

During the interview, Alan mentions 3rd party marketing as being one of his best promotions for booking portraits. If you have a premium membership, I interviewed Israel Smith in episode 4 of the podcast and in the premium area he explains exactly how to put one of these promotions together and just how good they are for his business – from memory, he described 3rd party marketing as a tap that he simply turns on when he needs more work… it's that good!

You can find that premium episode here: https://photobizx.com/premium-content/3rd-party-marketing-to-book-more-portrait-clients/

Alan Moyle Photo Biz Xposed Podcast Interview

That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

If you've been enjoying the podcast, I'd love for you to tell another photographer about it via Facebook, a Group you're a part of, a photography forum, with a photographer friend or on twitter.

If you do have a twitter account, simply click here: https://photobizx.com/tweet or use the share buttons below.

Thanks and speak soon

Andrew