Welcome to the first episode of the Photo Biz Xposed podcast! I'm totally rapt to finally have the podcast and website up and running, it sure has been a lengthy process to get to this stage.
I've been thinking about and planning this site for a while now and after some searching, I'm convinced there is not only room but hopefully a demand for a resource like this. Well, it will be a resource once things kick into gear and the guests, content and members get into motion.
Not sure what a podcast is?
- What the podcast and website are all about
- Who I'm building this for
- The format of the shows (as I see it at the beginning)
- A brief introduction about me
- Future guests I'm planning to have on the show
- Why have a membership area at all
- Why is the membership area priced so cheaply
- Why will the speakers be sharing what they know and have learnt over the years
If you're further along in your career, I'll wager anything that you too will pick up the odd gold nugget when it comes to marketing, advertising, branding and anything else you might currently do to get “bunks on seats” or clients through the door.
The content providersThere is no way I can bring you all the content that I'm promising… that's why I won't be. I'll be interviewing a different guest each episode to talk about what they do in their business and how it can help you in yours. The guests will range from successful portrait and wedding photographers from around the world to social media, marketing and business experts all delivering content, 100% focused on the business of running a successful photography wedding or portrait photography business.
The podcast format
The format of the show will often have a brief intro from me about local news, happenings and interesting (hopefully) developments in my business. If you want to learn a little more about me, you can check out the about page or you can jump over to the impact images website or blog to see what I've been up to.
The premium membership areaThe membership area is there for a few reasons. The number one priority placed on me by my wife Linda was that if I was to take on another project that would keep me from work and family, it couldn't run at a loss. Seeing as this project will be very time consuming and there are quite a few costs involved like media hosting, website development and hosting I had to add something to at least bring some money in.
The other reason for the premium area, and the one I'm most passionate about, is it'll be a place where like minded, enthusiastic photographers can ask questions, no matter where they are in their career without fear of being ridiculed or publicly be seen to be asking business related questions. I'm very optimistic that we'll build a helpful, nurturing and supportive community where everyone can help each other to grow and prosper through their photography.
Lastly, by having a small fee, I believe the “know it all” wedding and portrait photographers will stay away, leaving a group that really is interested in being successful and living the best lifestyle they can through photography.
Why share the knowledge?When chatting about the idea of this podcast and website, a constant question was why would the photographers and guests being interviewed be interested in sharing their knowledge, the tricks and tips that they've uncovered the hard way. Why share forms, paperwork, contracts and systems they've developed over the years?
That too was a big question for me, a worry even. Then I asked myself, would I share what I know? The answer was, yes. Yes, because I'm comfortable with where I'm at, with what I know and I have my place in the marketplace. Anything that I share is something I already know. I'm already looking at the next thing. I actually enjoy the sharing, teaching and helping.
It turns out, there are lots more people, photographers, experts that feel the same way I do. Almost everyone I've approached so far have offered a definite ‘yes' when asked to come on and share.
Names like Brian Chapman from Family Image Photography, Ben Marden who lives an incredibly nice life on his South Coast property thanks to his photography, Ian Wilkinson from Brisbane – at the forefront of talented Australian wedding photographers, Marcus Bell – sought after world wide to share his views and teach photography, Israel Smith who transformed his wedding photography business to portraits in a matter of 12 months, Ben Newnam a professional wedding photographer for almost 20 years and going as strong as ever.
The information shared by these photographers alone will be amazing! In addition, I have just secured a date to record an interview with Cynthia Sanchez from Oh So Pinteresting, the leading Pinterest blogger from the States who has strategies and answers on how we can incorporate this ‘new' social media platform to our best advantage – an episode not to be missed!
Needless to say, you will get access to incredible content from the most successful and real life photographers and experts from around the world. I really am excited about what's to come! I hope you stick around and enjoy the journey and grow your photography business with me.
Make sure, at the very least, you subscribe to the podcast – it's totally free and see what it's all about.
Still unsure about podcasting and what it is? The next section is for you.
So, what is a podcast?
If you're new to podcasting or a little unsure what it's all about, here's everything you need to know:
- Podcasts are like radio on demand about topics that you're interested in – think of them as internet radio
- To “subscribe” to a podcast means that you receive each new episode of your chosen podcast automatically to your mp3 player
- Your ,p3 player could be your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, iPod, computer or anything you use to listen to audio mp3 files
- Most people subscribe via iTunes but you can also download a single episode you're interested in, play it straight from this website or use an app like Stitcher radio
- The beauty of a podcast is you can stop, start, pause, fast forward and delete at your leisure
- Any time you want to unsubscribe you simply click a button to do so
- There are no emails, forms, contracts and podcasts are all totally FREE
If you haven't tried them before, podcasts are a great way to get information or audio shows whenever you like. There are a huge range of podcasts available on the Apple iTunes website and once you see how easy it is, I know you'll love it.
To subscribe to the PhotoBizX podcast, use the links below:- Click Here to Subscribe via iTunes
- Click here to subscribe via RSS (non-iTunes feed)
If you have any comments or feedback, use the comments section below or you can email me: andrew@photobizx.com – I'd love to hear anything you have to offer, support, suggestions, criticisms, or to say G'day.
If you're on Google Plus, you can also find me there too: Andrew at Google+
Just a short comments, that I am still enjoying listening to your podcast…
Thanks for sharing your vision with guys like me who need help to survive in the market place…
No worries Walter – thanks for stopping by and great to know you’re listening and enjoying the podcast.
If you think of a photographer or topic you’d like covered that I may be overlooking, let me know.
Speak soon
Andrew
Andrew,
Just recently, I downloaded a few various podcast to keep me entertain on a long trip. Yours was one of them and I downloaded several that I thought would interest me. I started listening and I was hooked !!
As a pro photographer for close to 30 years, in a highly niche/boutique market, I don’t really needed to learn how to take pictures but rather how to improve my business. Well, Andrew, I’m learning a lot thanks to you. Your guests are wonderful and your questions are exactly what I would ask if I was interviewing those guests.
A million thanks for your inspiring and awesome work and please don’t change a thing !
Regards from sunny South Florida, USA
Noel
http://www.noeldechristian.com
Thanks Noel – not only is it great to have you listening, you’ve paid me one of the nicest compliments possible with your comments.
I go into every interview trying to put myself in the shoes and minds of other photographers and ask the questions they’d like to ask. It’s so good to read that’s how you see the interviews.
There has been a recent change to the interview distribution and premium content but the questions and the quality of guests hasn’t and won’t change.
Thanks for adding your comments on episode 1 – I’ll bet I sound nervous, terrible even in the my first recording. 🙂
Hi Andrew,
I just wanted to write and thank you for putting these podcast’s together for us all. My business partner and I have recently entered the LARGE world of wedding photography after shooting editorial and commercial work for over a decade each and are amazed at how different the two facets are in terms of the business side of things. There’s so much to learn. I stumbled across your podcast a week or so ago and now have all the episodes on all of my devices and are quickly getting through them (for the first of many times) I’ll check out your premium content as soon as I’ve exhausted what’s in front of me. Finding the time to act on all this info is going to be the trick though.
Thanks again!
P.S. Keep the Japanese snow thing quiet though, we don’t need to share that with any more Australians 🙂
Hi Stefan
Great to read your comments and you’re absolutely welcome.
It sounds like with your photography background you’ll have a big step up as you enter the wedding industry, I can imagine the marketing side of things will differ.
I know one thing for sure, you’ll be sick of my voice if you try and get through 60+ hours in short time. 🙂
Haha, I think the secret is out in regard to the Aussies and the Japanese snow! I would love to have discovered it earlier myself. I’ll be heading back to Hokkaido in January 2015, will you be there?
Hi Andrew,
Not sick of your voice YET but I’ve still got about 30 podcasts to go 🙂
The japan secret is definitely out, my first trip was 6 years ago now and the difference from then to now is huge! I’m in the midst of planning another trip for the start of Feb (after the kids go back to school) but have to keep revising it due to wedding bookings. I’m going to try and see a bit more of Hokkaido this time and maybe venture back to Hakuba where the mountains are better but the snow less predictable.
http://www.barebranch.com.au
Haha, only 30 odd hours left then 🙂
We used to go in February but with my son being older, I’m only allowed (by my wife) to go in school holidays so January it is.
I haven’t skied Hakuba but have heard it’s quieter, less touristy and very picturesque. It’s difficult to say no to Hirafu, Rusutsu and Moiwa though… The snow is just so good!
BTW, love your logo and your wedding photography package names – very cool!