Following twenty plus years as a photographer, DJ has stepped back to square one with his move. On one hand he has no existing clients, no recognisable brand and little cash for a big advertising and marketing splash. On the other hand, he has built up an incredible amount of experience and knowledge on how this industry works and has a strategy in place to get things going.
Here's some more of what we cover:
I love what DJ shares in this interview, his openness and willingness to share real numbers and not some glossy view on how good things are following his move and just how difficult the road ahead will be. The beauty of what is shared is just how relevant the content is to any photographer starting out in business.
DJ has put himself in that very same position with the bonus of 20 years experience. Wouldn't every photographer love to start with that same knowledge…
What's on Offer for Premium Members
If you're a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more implementable content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, 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 was shared? 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 DJ your thanks, and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically let him know you're listening: https://photobizx.com/tweet
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.
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. This week I was blown away to see five fantastic reviews! Thanks you so much to: Chris Gillham of All Reasons Photography in QLD Australia Sammi Jo from the USA Sincerely, thanks so much for your ratings and reviews, I appreciate the time you've taken and it's a big help for the show. 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!
Price Rise for NEW Premium Memberships
In the last episode I mentioned the price for Premium Membership will be doubling this month… that’s right DOUBLING to a massive (sarcasm) $20 per month. The good news is that for existing members, they will continue to stay at the existing rate of $10 per month – that will not change. So… if you’ve been thinking about a Membership, now is the time to check it out. Get in at the existing and soon to be old and existing rate of $10 per month. Why the change? Primarily, the content is worth it. I’ve received email after email form members that have seen just incredible results after implementing what they’ve been hearing in the interviews. Secondly, the “back catalogue” has grown to be a terrific resource that new members instantly get full access to the minute they start their membership. The price will be going up before the end of the month – September 2014.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
The Black Market Network (BMNET) – where you'll find DJ's Photography Podcast
DJ Paine on Twitter DJ Paine on Google+
Darryn Lyons (Geelong Mayor) – https://twitter.com/DarrynLyons
Corey Sleap – http://www.coreysleapphoto.com/
Zack Arias – http://zackarias.com/
Emma Hack – http://www.emmahackartist.com.au/
Paul Atkins – htp://www.atkins.com.au/
Steve Saporito – http://intuitiontosucceed.academy/
David Watson – http://strategypoint.com.au/
The course will be on sale from Sept 17th – 28th and the course will begin on Sept 29th. Click the logo above to register your interest.
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 – it could be in a Facebook Group you're a part of, a photography forum, with a photographer friend or on twitter.
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Thanks and speak soon Andrew
Hi Andrew, I really enjoyed this interview, some great tips and insights on the little details that go into marketing strategys. DJ’s comments on ‘disrupting’ the industry really caught my attention too, I would love to hear a follow up on that subject 🙂 Andrew you are doing a great job and I’m getting good value from the priemium membership.
Hi Heath – great to hear from you, hope you’re well!
I’m looking forward to how DJ disrupts the industry too. I’ll definitely chase him up for an update.
Love that you’re enjoying the interviews and the premium membership, thanks mate.
Speak soon
Andrew
If you’ve watched the ‘Narrative Wedding Photography’ by Jim Garner on Creative Live he has a business model that sounds like it could fit what DJ was saying in this episode. Jim’s studio doesn’t really have an ala carte price list, they price their coverage by negotiation because they taylor the coverage for each client. For example sometimes he’ll shoot on the day after as well as the wedding day and deliver multi volume albums.
Hi Eric – I haven’t seen that episode of Creative Live, I imaging DJ will be keen to check it out!
I remember in the interview with Fer Juaristi, he offered the couples a shoot the following day if he felt (or they did) that he didn’t get the time, photos or conditions on the wedding day. His reasons were more for the couples piece of mind than a business “plan” but there may be some merit there as a wedding option?
I’d be interested to know how Jim handles his enquiries and wedding consults not having a price list and how his clients cope with that.
I think he might have a price list but each job becomes a custom quote so the price list might not matter so much in the end. I have only watched it once so I might have it wrong but I get that the general idea is that the quoting people know the cost for all products so when they draw up the quote they know how much they need to spend for the quote.
That sounds doable for sure – like having a basic price and a list of possible inclusions that clients can add.
I guess the beauty of this approach is one simple and easy to understand price list as opposed to a bunch of “packages” that can be confusing.
Andrew and DJ:
Do they not do High School Senior portraits as a tradition in Australia?
Pardon the question, but we Americans live in a bubble up here and just assume everyone else does what we do.
‘Merica!
Joey Joiner
Hey Joey – no, no Senior Portraits happening in Australia unfortunately! When I say none, I’m sure some photographers are trying to market to that demographic but “senior portraits” are not something that Australian families think about.
That’s definitely one part of your “bubble” or pie that the Aussie photographers would like to share.
Andrew – have you used competition boxes? Did they work for you? If so, did you use them in jewelry stores?
Thanks,
Nick
Hi Nicholas – I haven’t used competition boxes myself… yet. I plan to try them after this interview.
Another listener to the podcast, Andrew Szopory, has just set up a 3rd party marketing promotion with a local jeweller for couples purchasing an engagement ring. He’s obviously targeting weddings and using the gift voucher approach instead of the competition box.
There’s no reason why a competition box wouldn’t work but I think you’ll have to have a reason for your prospective jeweller as to why they should have you competition box in their store… What’s in it for them? If you’re doing some head or promo shots for them in exchange, I reckon they’s jump in board. You’ll need to think of something you and they are happy with.
With Andrew’s approach, the jeweller is looking like a great guy by giving away a complimentary photo shoot to the value of $$$ when a couple purchase a ring.
Love to hear how you get on if you pursue this.
I do like the idea of 3rd party marketing. I will start looking for jewellers that I like and respect.
Nick