Marketing Challenges!!!

We have a really exciting new project called "Marketing Challenge".

You will find the details under the Marketing and Sales forum or by simply going to http://www.prophotolearningcenter.com/portal/bb/forumdisplay.php?f=29.

This was such an awesome idea sent to my our very own Eileen Trevino. We are creating teams of 3 and actually creating complete marketing plans for a specific campaign idea. And on top of that, one person from each group will actually conduct the promotion in their own studio!!! I can't wait to see all the things that come out of this! If you are interested please find your group fast so you can keep up with the tasks!

Tomorrow is the LAST Day!!!

Please remember that tomorrow is the last day for our first member drive contest!!!! For each person you refer to the ProPhotoLearningCenter.com website that becomes a full access member, you will earn credit towards prizes. Just check out what you can win!!!

-5 Referrals, you win free registration to the online workshop Residential Studio Business Basics 101 ($99 value)
-10 Referrals, you win a $50 Gift Card to BHPhoto
-20 Referrals, you win an Apple iPod 2Gig MP3 Player! (valued at $150)
-30 Referrals, you win a Digital Photo Frame(valued at $289)
And YES these are stackable. So if you get 30, then you get ALL of the prizes.
The Digital Photo Frame is is awesome for displays!!!

Also tomorrow also ends the BUY 1 YEAR GET 1 YEAR FREE! That's right! When you join the website or for current members who add years to their own membership, you will receive 1 whole year free, when pay for one year at the regular price. DO NOT miss out on this!!

For more details on the prizes check out the original post about this contest. http://prophotolc.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-member-referral-contest.html

Little Black Book of Connections

I just picked up this little black book from Borders the other day. I love to just hang out in book stores and check out all the new business titles and this one just from the look of it drove me in. It does actually look like one of those little black books that we all used to have, you know back in the dark ages? Even has a nice black linen cover with gold foil lettering. Totally brought me back to the 80s!

Anyway, I just got it and I opened it up to the first page and I see the following:

All things being equal, people want to do business with their friends.
All things being not quite so equal, people STILL want to do business with their friends.

This is a philosophy I have lived by for years! I always try my best to become close with my own clients. And I think they appreciate it and continue to want to be clients of mine. So I am excited to introduce this book into our Book Club for the newest book. Check out the Book Club Forum on the ProPhotoLearningCenter website to get in on the discussion.

Oh and don't forget to get your copy!

Saving the best for last

Our final moderator introduction is the firery red head, Amber Schmidt!

My website: www.schmidtstudioandgallery.com

My home town is...Lexington, KY -been here since I was born- guess I will be here until I die!

My all time favorite business resource...The internet

I can't live without my...Blue quilt on my bed- it just smells like me!

My worst craving is...Mexican Food- and its killing me that I am still scared of it after the galbladder incident!

Best book ever written...Memoirs of a Geisha

Pure genious is the person who invented...The portable DVD player- any mom will agree with me!

My favorite shoes are...Old Navy Flip Flops- I have one pair in EVERY color!! And yes I "wear sandals in the snow".

I am most proud of...who i am. I have always said that "one day I will do this and that" and I did it! I will go back to our 10 year class reunion- a mom of three (or 4!), still married to the guy that everyone said wouldn't last, with a sucessful business, a beautiful home, a fancy car... and I will say- BITE ME! They said I couldn't do it- that I would fail- I think I am most proud of the fact that THEY WERE WRONG!

If I could have lunch with anyone alive or dead it would be...Princess Diana... I will never forget watching her funeral and being so sad- and I was only like 10 years old!

Wake Up and Smell the Success

Well this Sunday starts a 2 day workshop "Wake Up and Smell the Success" which is sponsored by the ProPhotoLearningCenter and Simply Canvas. This is going to be such an incredible workshop and I am honored to be presenting with Cristy Nielsen and Kimberly Smoot, 2 other very talented photographers. We are going to be showing you creative branding techniques that will take your studio to new levels of success as well as helping you to develop client incentive programs that will have them shouting your name from the rooftops! We are going to take you through step by step how to build a unique selling position geared towards your target market as well as some of the mistakes and successes we had along the way. All in all, it is going to be VERY informative.

And for those who are attending, you will not believe the binders you are going home with!!! Filled with all 3 of our most used business forms, price lists, delivery booklets, postcards, business cards, vendor lists, etc. Tons of information!!!!

Can't wait to see everyone there.

www.wakeupandsmellthesuccess.com

Cristy......

Our funkiest moderator, that is for sure! Cristy is a great photographer, a fabulous business person and just an awesome person to have helping to run our website!!!




My website: www.cristynielsen.com

My home town is... hmmm many places - Vienna, Maine, Littleton, Colorado, Santa Rosa, California and currently Oviedo, Florida

My photography can be described as...edgy, I'm a close cropper and I'm all about the eyes.

Piece of equipment I can't live without... my 24-70L lens!

Best seminar I ever went to... Curt Littlecott on Weddings in OrlandoIn the wee hours of the morning I am... curled up nice and snuggly in my bed!

Favorite toothpaste is... Toms of Maine or Kiss My Face

I am most inspired by...visiting other photographers websites for ideas to push me out of my box. There isn't one in particular, my list of inspirations is VERY long!

When there is nothing better to do I... IM with my buds, visit other photographers websites, catch up on my DVR's shows.

The quote I live by is... Amber actually stuck this one in my head... go big or go HOME!

My friends think I am... a complete and total nut!

Late Friday nights you will find me... most likely snuggling up with my hubby.

So glad to have you here Cristy!

Cool Product News

Someone just posted this and I thought it was so cool! This is the The Gorillapod and I must say it is quite unique. I mean seriously how cool can you get? Wrap this baby around a tree branch and snap. Now you don't have to carry around those big honking tripods any longer!

Definitely gets a thumbs up from us!

You can get the Gorrilapod at http://www.photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/gorillapod-original-and-slr-zoom/

Meet Aimee!!!!

Aimee Payne is one of the recent additions to our little moderator family. Aimee is our fantabulous scheduler of chats each week. She will be finding our chat hosts and coming up with some awesome topics!!!!


My website: www.aimeepaynephotography.com

Town I was born in... Looks exactly the same today, as it did WAY back then. I'm still here. ITs dull, its ugly and its extremely boring. I'm so thrilled to still be here after ALL these years. (Keep your fingers crossed for that transfer to Italy!!! I'll let y'all come visit me!)

My photographic style would be classified as... Ecclectic on a good day. I have no idea, I just do it.

If I wasn't a photographer I would definitely be a... A millionaire, that one is not working out for me so well yet, so I'll do this instead!

My favorite piece of software... Photoshop. NO question. I love the internet too b/c I am a bonafied addict.

I love to treat myself to... Hmmm.... yeah I'll have to get back to you on that one. Military hubby w/ two jobs, me w/ 2 little kids and ya know...that little business thing, I have NO room for treats. Never mind the ice cream that TOTALLY ruined my diet day earlier. IF I were to have time though, right now the only things I can think of and they come to mind immediately, are going riding for HOURS and HOURS or a massage!!!

This morning for breakfast I ate...I drank the best darn diet shake ever. EVERY morning. EVERY..... SINGLE..... MORNING.......

Hottest man alive is... My HUSBAND!!!! OOooooh wait, he won't see this right??? Matt LeBlanc! Don't ask me what it is, but that "How you doin" on friends and those eyes...WOW. Not that anyone would have a clue who he is unless you are a rodeo fan, but I have also always thought Stran Smith was HOT HOT HOT!

I love to shop at... GAP and Old Navy. They actually know me by name and have a reserved shopping cart for me at Old Navy. They send us birthday cards and stuff too.I also love love love amazon and ebay!

I can never decide on... ANYTHING!!!! Mark me the most indecisive person on earth. Its why we can't buy a house right now because I can't decide where I want to live!

Most Saturday nights you will find me... Actually, its the ONE night a week I have my hubby home, so probably just hanging out with all my guys. If you see me online, I will be in trouble very shortly, so it won't last long. hahaha