Make More This Holiday: Win Mentoring or 1 Year Subscription to Photo Business Tools
This season, why not try a few extra things to add a little more fun and revenue to your photography business? Here Photo Business Tools shares 4 quick ways photographers can increase their photography income during the holidays.
- Offer new and creative sessions to your clients. We are all doing mini sessions already, but why not try offering Santa Sessions or Pajama Sessions through the month of December where you come and snap a couple of priceless memories of your clients kids around their Christmas tree?
- Offer Gift Certificates! This is a great one for the guys! Contact the men in your circle of friends, family and clientele, and help them do their Holiday shopping with gift certificates for photography with you. If he’s smart, he’ll know it’s a much better gift than electronics!
- In addition to offering Holiday cards, add a few Holiday products to your sales. Maybe personalized jewelry, or accordion books. You could even sell personalized iphone skin covers, calendars or books. Choose something that you love, be sure that your pricing includes your time and profit, and share it with everyone!
- Create fun contests on your blog through the next few months and share on Facebook to increase your exposure. Why not do a cutest pajama contest, or best cookie contest. Design it so that your fans can enter through your blog and then they can have extra entries by sharing with friends through Facebook. This is a great way to use inbound marketing and get your images in front of more people at the same time!
Could you get excited about having access to free contracts, forms and even templates to help you grow your photography business? Would you love some help boosting your business with marketing and sales education? PBT is giving 2 photographers their choice of either a year long subscription to the Photo Business Tools site, or 1 hour of business mentorship and we want you to win!!
Here is how you can enter:
- Leave a comment on this blog post, (not on Facebook Wall or Notes section). In the comment share one “hiccup” that you are having in your business that you would like a little advice with, and one part of business that your great at.
For extra entries:
- Spread the word through Social Media. Post about this contest in any social media site like Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Stumble Upon, Pinterest, Google+, etc. For each social media site that you share on, come back and leave one separate comment (up to 5 extra entries), with a link sharing where you did this. You may use this statement; “I hope I win the @photobusinesstools giveaway on @mcpactions blog!”
- Please like us on Facebook. Make sure to “like” MCP Actions and Photo Business Tools on Facebook.
- Add the MCP Actions banner (or a text link to our site) on your blog. Please use the text “Photoshop actions for photographers” and link to our site. For the banner, grab the code from the sidebar. Once you add this, leave a comment and let us know you did.
Rules and deadlines:
- Winners will be picked at random by random.org tomorrow (Tues., Nov. 22nd) morning and announced on this blog.
- To increase chances of winning, participate in the “extra” entries.
- This contest is sponsored by MCP Actions and Photo Business Tools.
- No purchase necessary.
- Good Luck! We hope your a winner!!
Amy Fraughton and Amy Swaner are the founders of Photo Business Tools, an online site offering business resources and education for photographers through blog posts, podcasts and downloadable forms.
Next Post: Winners for the Photo Business Give Away!
Oh, I would love to win this!
Hiccup: Ready to start but I have no idea where to begin other than to just shoot pictures.
I am great at doing pics of children and just letting them be theirselves to get the shot that shows just who they are.
Thanks for the contest.
I just started my new photography business so anything right now would help. I have package and prices put together along with a somewhat decent website but still need some major help! This would help tremendously!
I tweeted!
I mentioned it on facebook http://www.facebook.com/KiaBishop.
Forgot to leave the link for the tweet…https://twitter.com/KiaBishop
Mentioned on my FB page http://www.facebook.com/KiaBishopPhotography
I like Photo Business Tools on Facebook
i am just a novice…i need this!!!!!!
My biggest challenge is staying on top of things. I went back to school when I had no business to improve my skills as soon as I did that I’ve been booking 3-5 sessions a month. Also not letting my friends and family take advantage and stretch out their ordering or get stuff for free. I atleast need to be compensated for my time. On the other hand, I’m starting to get clients to see beyond the 5×7 and 8×10 mindset and go with larger wall art or atleast a wall of prints.
Hiccup: Is working a full time job and doing photography full time also. All of my free time (and late night time) is tied up in editing. AND – posing! gah I am a bad poser.
I am good at: Photographing children.
Hiccup: I need help in the area of marketing year ’round.
Good: I think I have good people skills and make friends with my clients.
E.
My hiccup is my own lack of imagination. I love coming in to find ideas from other photographers and mosying around the internet for creative settings.
My biggest challenge is keeping up with the organization of everything from paperwork to form and finding the best most time efficient way for it all. The other challenge i struggle with is wording things simply, straight to the point. Oftentimes, i get too wordy on explanations to the point it is drawn out.
Hiccup is editing. It takes me forever to get it done.
I am great a taking the photos (sometimes i take too many)
Oh my word, which hiccup do you want to hear about?
I am learning in all areas. I enjoy shooting older kids. I like to try and bring out their true personalities.
Hiccup: pricing… we have changed our pricing like 3 times in a year and we are still struggling to get clients to pay what we are worth.
One thing we were good at: photographing seniors!
Shared the link on FB
Oh and the good would be location scouting. on of my favorite parts
Hiccup: Trying to figure out a price structures for different shoots, I have a very hard time with this!
I’m Good at: Communicating and getting kids to have fun while getting their pictures taken, from little kids to High School Seniors!
My biggest challenge is pricing and being firm when it comes time to collect the payment! My heart breaks for a story and I’m quicker to discount than I am to collect
And then I am left feeling resentful and broke but still continue to do it. I need a firm business plan that will help me to feel morally good about what I’m doing and still make a little bit to be comfortable!
The “Hiccup” would be my attempts in marketing and getting the name out there. I’ve tried but just cannot get the call backs from people.
My photography work I am pretty happy with, and having 20 years experience dealing with people and the public has helped especially with the irate.. =)
I have liked “MCP Actions and Photo Business Tools on Facebook”
I shared on my FB for my sunshineandpolkadots.com page
Oh…the things I need help with.
I would say right now I need help in the marketing department. The phone just isn’t ringing enough!
I think I am good at photographing newborns. Now if I could just get my hands on some.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Trying to work a full time job and do photography too….
Currently working through another photographer, but would love to have more of the actual business knowledge so when the time comes I could go out on my own. I shoot a lot of landscapes/nature shots, but don’t know if there’s any money in that. I hope so because that’s my passion.
My biggest challenge is getting clientele. I have a facebook page and some likes, but it seems as though there are more people out there who are cheaper than I am. I think the part of business I’m good with is taking the photos and dealing with my existing clients.
My biggest hiccup is getting people through the door in the present financial climate! I have had three boudoir shoots this week (which is the first time Ive done them, but my “Bellies to Babies” is not going anywhere!
Im loving photography and its what I do, but sometimes its such a struggle that it sometimes feels like it would be easier to give up!
When I saw this contest I wasn’t really interested. But then when I read the article I realized that it was just what I needed! I am just getting off the ground with my business. Next year I will be pushing my business hard and being able to have this source would be SO helpful!
I am not good at ALL with numbers… I have a hard time calculating pricing and let me just say that filing taxes scare me to the point of not even wanting to start up a business!
I feel like I am good with getting to know my clients and making them feel comfortable. I feel like I find the right angle and shot. I love taking pictures.
My big hiccup is getting my business started up over the next 12 months, figuring out a name, branding, marketing. On the plus side, I have a good sense of the client I want to reach and the area in which I want to specialize (seniors). I just need to get all the functional aspects in place to get there.
Hiccup: trying to set fair pricing that people will be willing to pay, but also makes it worth my time
Good: catching everyday moments and making them look special
I was already a fan of MCP and have now liked Photo Business Tools as well
I have also shared this on my facebook page, both personal and my photography pages. http://www.facebook.com/memoriesbylindag I’ve also pinned it on my pinterest account 
My biggest problem is getting paying customers! I need portfolio building, but when I offer a free session (with editing) the people (moms mostly) want all the images on a CD so they can print them at Walmart. I do post them on Smugmug for pro printing, but the people say that they don’t want to pay that much for photos. Now I know that these people are the clients I want. But sheesh – It has me bumbed out! I am great at “seeing” portraits and what I want. I just need to be more creative. I so want to get better at the business part of it . . . .
My biggest hiccup is finding locations and knowing how to seek permission to use it. I see so many great places but don’t know how to begin finding out who I can ask for permission! On the other side, I think that I work well with clients and am extremely organized considering I work full time and do photography in addition to that. Plus I’m a mommy to two little kids!
Congrats Elizabeth, your a winner!
Contact us at TheAmys@photobusinesstools.com
Sorry.. it’s early.. Just read the whole thing again.. I’ve shared it on my facebook pages.
Also shared on my pinterest account.
Just what I need to move forward!
Need help reaching new clients. Really good at connecting with my clients and repeat business.
I don’t know how to sell myself or really generate extra interest in my blog. I guess marketing and pricing are my weakest points. I love bringing out the best, most flattering angles in my clients. I love photographing woman, and teens and showcasing the unique beauty each one is. I feel these are my strengths.
My biggest hiccup is just knowing how I get started!!!
I’m unusual in that I want to keep my business small and part-time, but I also want it to be efficient and professional. I need all the help I can get.
My business is just starting out and I would have to say my biggest hiccup is getting everything legal figured out!!! =S
My Hiccup: Trying to get into the Miami wedding market
What I’m good at: Taking the photos my client’s want and love
Hi, I would LOVE to win this!!!!
My Hiccup is not knowing how to generate business year round, I get busy for the holidays & then…crickets…
I am very customer service oriented having been in that field for over 10 yrs & will do a lot to make my customers happy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Like” ya’ll on facebook!:)
Would Love to win this. I’m having a tough time trying to figure out how to work my plan for clients. I need to figure out best vendors for proofing,printing,products for clients. I need to figure out how I should run my pricing and packages for my prints and also best way to market myself. So basically getting started with my business. My favorite parties shooting and using that creative side to myself again. I feel likea new person when I’m behind my camera again!!!
Also how to do all these things inexpensively without breaking the bank before I even get my feet running.
I have been in business for 4.5 years, trying to handle this business and working full time in such a challenge! So that would be my hiccup! I would love to learn more about budget and marketing. I think my strongest or what I feel I am good with is making a relationship with my customers and the pictures fitting their type of style or personality.
Hiccup: time management skills SUCK! My lack of organization is appalling!
I do well: Design and treating each customer uniquely.
Our biggest challenge is closing the deal – we get more inquiries than bookings and would like to even up this number! What we’re good at: customer service! We work as a team and are always available to our clients.
I’m great with the clients, photography & post production of shoots. My hiccup is in the BUSINESS SIDE of the business: marketing and selling my services at high-end prices.
I’ll start with the positive – I am good at knowing what I want my business to be. I know my target client, I know the type of services and style I want to have. The hiccup I’m experiencing is sort of related to pricing/marketing myself. I’ve started on the lower end (at least what I feel is lower end) of the scale in my area, and I’m encountering some people who feel that it’s still too much. I also have a hard time with “selling” myself or closing the deal so to speak. I hate feeling like a pushy salesperson. Whew! That came out longer than I expected!
I’m just starting my photography business and could use the photo business tools to do better in everything, but I could really use advice on posing people and pricing.
I’m creative and have a good sense of composition and design.
Oooh! Pick me!!
Being a great photographer has been my dream for about 7 years, but I can’t seem to get out of the “random” picture zone. I really need help learning to turn my hobby into a business.
thanks for the giveaway! Only one hiccup… well I guess the biggest one right now is figuring out my branding..I’m alittle indecisive.
I Like MCP Actions and Photo Business Tools on FB.
My hiccup is getting into the wedding market!
I’ve already “liked” MCP on FB.
I “Liked” Photo Business Tools on Facebook.
What a great offer!
What a nice and helpful gift! Happy Thanksgiving!
Let’s start with the good. I am really good at working with people and I always give 110%. I love people, have patience and can always make people smile. But with the good comes the bad…I know I need to work on marketing and getting my name out there. I started under a year ago and I have LOTS to learn.
My hiccup is marketing. Even after many years in business that is my weak point.
My positive is that when my clients view my images they have a difficult time narrowing their choices down because, to use their words, “the photos were all SO GOOD we couldn’t decide! We want them all!”
Really valuable information for me as a beginner in photography business! I’d just LOVE to win this great giveaway! And I also like MCP and Photo Business Tools on Facebook
hiccup: trying to get my name out there and drum up business.
good at: customer service. I do what it takes to make the customer happy.
Oh, how fun to win this! My hiccup is that I don’t have a website!! My one thing good is I am doing well in the portfolio building stage!
I like you on Facebook.
I posted about your giveaway on Facebook!
I would SO love to win this!! My biggest hiccup is my pricing! I feel like I’m working for pennies an hour, but the area I live in looks for these prices. My one good thing would be that I am really good at getting my clients to relax and enjoy the experience.
I am a long time MCP fan, and am now a Photo Business Tools fan, under Southern Graces Photography!
My one area needing assistance would be marketing my abilities. The area I am best in is photographing performances. I seem to have a great ability in capturing stellar moments of the show. Thanks for the chance to win.
I REALLY need this!
Hiccup: I have no clue how to get people to hire me to photograph them!
I am great at editing and child photography, I am also very personable.
hiccup: I’m ready to start but not quite sure how to begin, since I need to continue my day job to pay the bills until I have enough business built up.
great: The products I offer and the style of shoots I do is unique to my area.
I would love to win!
Hiccup: Closing the deals! I meet with the couples, they seem very happy, but I haven manage to close deals?
I am good at Portraits, plus I like people!
My little hiccup is trying to advertise. I am trying to get my business to grow, but don’t really know how to expand my market. I would LOVE help with that!!
I need good advices and I am good at taking photos.
Would love to win this! I am only in the beginning stages of trying to start my business and so my hiccup would be not knowing where to start! It’s all so new to me I’m not sure what to do first. Any advice would be hugely helpful.
I would love to win! I have a hard time selling!
THIS WOULD BE SO COOL TO WIN I’M LEARNING SO MUCH..
Hiccup: What lab to use and print pricing.
Great: I manage to attract business although I’m not marketing as I should.
I like both of you on Facebook.
I’m just starting out and need help figuring out pricing!!!
Hiccup: Setting up a good file system and numbering system
Good at: Making customers happy
I’m presently using a trial version of Lightroom 3 and would like to win a copy for continued use. I have yet to use any MCP presets or other products. I currently receive Facebook posts from MCP since I have “liked” you in the past.