Embracing the changes, welcoming the future with open arms!

If you are a part of the Facebook community you have probably heard by now that things are changing for businesses that use posts to reach followers and drum up business.

For years it's been a great way for businesses to reach out to local and long distance customers and admirers. I've been a part of that crazy, wild ride that opened up followers and clients all over the world! I am grateful for that opportunity. Being a small business it's not always in the budget to do large scale advertising. Facebook has helped many of us grow and expand.

There have been changes recently that have made it harder and harder to reach our target audience through Facebook. My posts used to reach several hundred followers. It's now dwindled down to about a hundred for each post. That's a huge market that I'm missing now. I know some that have even said their posts reach less than 20. That is a painful and debilitating blow to us small business owners. The changes are still coming. Expect to see less and less of your followers finding you in their news feed!

Having said that, Facebook is still a great resource for small business. I'm not irritated by Facebook's changes and limitations on business pages. It's business, change is inevitable. It's better to roll with the changes than scoff at them and pout about how it 'used to be'.



There are a few ways we can remedy this:

One: Pay for the posts. I know, I know. The idea of PAYING to have your posts viewed feels wrong in so, so many ways. Especially because most of the ones who view it don't come running to you with money in hand to pay for your services/products. But, have you ever ran an ad in the newspaper? Have you ever had flyers or postcards printed? You paid for those. There was no way of telling whether or not your readers or recipients would come to your business. It was marketing. Simple as that. So is paying for a Facebook ad or post. 

Two: Blog! You can blog all you want and no one is going to charge you to increase your views.... right? But, if you choose to blog, how many of your followers on Facebook will take the time to check out your Blog? Keep in mind that many of your 'likes' may not follow you to your blog. But the really, truly interested ones will! Quality over quantity, right? Of course, if you have a very specific audience you can always find ways to get them interested in your business and follow you to your blog. Not to mention, if you blog you have so much more creative control. You can post multiple photos, videos, customize the layout, font, etc. Blogging is definitely more creative that posting. Blogging can take a lot of time and effort. But, clients can tell when you have put effort into something, it shows you value it, therefore they will too!

Three: Email. Yup. Email. In the good 'ol days we only had email. We used to have to send emails to all of our potential clients and communicate directly. *wink wink* All kidding aside, this is a really great way to promote your business and keep contact with clients. I think emailing your latest blog post is one of the best ways to stir up excitement over a new product or offer. If you think this a great way to go but you're more than overwhelmed at the thought of writing, regularly, have no fear! There are pre-made email templates and blogs too! I'm all for the personal touch, but who says you have to stick to the template completely right? The downside to emailing is having to get them on your email list. Not to mention how many people will view your email as spam or junk? We all do it! We see an email from a business we visited in the past and instead of opening the email we just trash it, never knowing what was inside. 

Honestly, they all have pros and cons. I have paid for Facebook ads and had nice results. On the other hand, my blog has yielded nicely as well. Email has been equally successful.

It boils down to what feels right for your business. Finding the right combo and sticking with it can give you the results you need to grow your business and reach your target audience! 

What am I going to do? I am keeping my Facebook business page, but will post a lot less there. I will post when I blog or have specials posted to my website or blog, but, I am not going to focus on Facebook for marketing. The occasional campaign maybe, but not anything regular. My blog will get most of my attention, it certainly needs it, I've neglected it for so long. Of course, I'll be sharing my blog with those on my email list. 

It may take some time to find just the right blog to Facebook ratio, but it can be done!

Pursuit of a dream

No one person starts out ahead of another. We all start from the same point. As artists we all start out with a desire. A desire to create. How we go about satisfying that desire determines how far it will take us.

A post on Facebook this morning by an amazing photographer and business woman got me thinking. Having so many 'newbie's' ask me for help, advice or encouragement, I thought I would share her post and then try my best to encourage all of you who are working toward your dream.

Here is the link to her post:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=342924395719581&set=a.210074142337941.55824.210070485671640&type=1&ref=nf

She quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Every artist was first an amateur"

So what is the difference between an amateur and a professional?

Define "Amateur": A person who engages in a pursuit without pay.

Define "Professional: 'A person engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation / Having or showing the skill appropriate to a professional person / A person competent or skilled in a particular activity'

I picked out some key words PURSUIT/ENGAGED/SHOWING/ACTIVITY

I have several people that have asked me when they can call themselves a professional photographer, whether or not there is a key  point they need to be at or surpass before they can call themselves a pro... this is my opinion, and opinions do vary, but... I think by definition if you are regularly pursuing and engaged in photography, showing your work to friends, family and the community then you are engaged in the activity of professional photography. Skill levels come with time and practice.

Who am I to determine whether you are a pro or not? We all have different tastes and different ideas of what art is, so what one person finds enjoyment in as art another may find lacking. Oh, and just because you don't take portraits, doesn't mean your are not a professional photographer. There are so many different aspects of photography, you can't possible limit it to one and say that is the only category that is considered professional.

When you get to that point, YOU know! Don't wait for some great and wonderful event to tell you that you are a pro, sometimes you may miss it, or it may not happen at all, but it doesn't mean that you aren't a pro yet. As long as you are moving forward, continue to work toward your goal, grow, learn.... let your work speak for itself. You don't need anyone else's stamp of approval, trust me!

All of you are doing very well and all of you are artists in your own right! Remember, this post is meant to encourage all to keep going, keep learning, keep shooting! Don't give up just because you are not 'as good' as another photographer you know or admire... you are a completely different person, with a completely different eye. Your style, your art will be yours and yours alone. You are an artist! You are amazing! Don't ever give up and don't ever compare yourself to someone else. Be uniquely you, not someone else.

I told a friend earlier when we were commenting on the post, you don't start out great, you start out hungry and as you feed that hunger you become great in you own way.

Not one of us professionals, (photographer or some other profession), can say that we have achieved the ultimate level of professionalism, we are done, reached the absolute top and there is no possible way to get any better... that's just not realistic. No matter how many paying customers you have, no matter how many years you have done this and no matter how many classes you have taken or conducted, we all have room to grow. There is always something new and different. As with most other professions, photography is constantly changing, with technology and society.

Don't let the term "professional" hold you back. It's just a word. I said it before and I will say it again: Let your work speak for itself. Just keep moving forward.

Keep on snapping,
Bobbie

Lady of the Month Spotlight Interview - August 2011

Well it's past due, but here is my Lady of the Month Spotlight Interview:

Meet Sunny. She a young woman with a passion for health and wellness. She has great credentials and knows what she's talking about. Her business is relatively new, and booming! So, take note and enjoy her interview!!!

1) What kind of business are you in and for how long?

I have an online store that I run from my home where I market healthy fast food for people who are tired of eating fast food and junk and who want to replace it with a daily dose of nutrition like my husband and I did. And I have an acupuncturist and a hair stylist who both sell my products in their offices. I've been doing this for about 3 years.

2) What was it that got you interested in that?

My family and I have been longtime customers of this healthy fast food for 18 years. I liked the idea of having my own business marketing them, but I wasn't sure how to go about actually selling them. My mom started taking classes on online marketing and she started up a website. I still remember when she got her first sale online, we were both so excited and I went to work on my own website right away.

3) What is your must have product that you offer?

The most popular product that I'm selling right now is Fortune Delight Tea which is a healthy drink that boosts energy and work focus and is a replacement for sodas and sugary drinks. My customers love that when they're drinking it, they're actually drinking plants, fruits, and antioxidants.

4) How has owning your own business been challenging to you and how has it been rewarding?

With my online business each day I get to talk to people from all over the U.S and it's so exciting. Sometimes it's hard to stop thinking about my online store. That being said though, now I have a system down that makes it simple and I love that I'm able to do something that really interests me and makes my life fun. And with the money that I make on my online store, I pay for all the vacations and trips that my husband and I take.

5) What are your other interests or hobbies besides work?

My husband and I love to hike, ride our bikes downtown, we spend alot of time working on our house together (we're slowly renovating and almost done!). I also love cooking and trying out new recipes and fun vacations to the beach.

6) If you could give one bit of advice for anyone who is trying or thinking about starting their own business, what would it be?

Don't give up if it's slow-going at first or if you don't see alot of success right away. Just like any business, it takes learning how to do it and time to find customers. My first month I only had $30 in sales. But this month I had $1500 in sales which has been my best month so far. I'm glad I didn't give up that first month.

6. What is your website and how can our readers find you?

My website is www.HealthyFastFoodStore.com.

You can also find me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/SunnyLMT

and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HealthyFastFoodStore.


You can find a link to her page on the left of this blog! I hope you enjoyed meeting my friend, Sunny. Please be sure to stop by her website and get some goodies for you and your family! If you happen to stop by her facebook or twitter, let her know you read her interview here!

Have a great day my friends, and please, keep it snappy and happy!

Getting back on track!

Well, my vacation time is officially over with and now I am getting things back on track! I have a wedding to shoot tomorrow, photo's to finish editing, and orders to fill for headband and ties!!! Next week will be so busy! I love it though, it makes the week go by faster. I am so excited to be involved in some great facebook giveaways, so if you aren't already a fan of my page, be sure to stop by now and you will get first hand info on the great giveaways coming up!!! My facebook page is Snap Happy Photography

Don't forget to check out the awesome new Spa package I am involved with over at Pamper Me Spa Parties!


Keep it Snappy!!