Wednesday Wisdoms

Every Photographer can have that REP MENTALITY mindset, no matter your situation. Your job is to continuously keep your REP (Mentality) excited by actively feeding your marketing supply chain.

What is your “agent mentality” improvement approach to losing a job? 

• What can you learn to do better

• What other skills do you need to add to your wheelhouse

• What are the strategic positives and negatives of how this went down 

• Were there options you wish you had tried

• Did you sell your technical skills properly, mirroring back what the client needed to hear 

• Where does this one fit in your statistical analysis in your overall directional trajectory

New business ideas don’t always need to be specifically calculated; sometimes, we can let them brew just by setting our sights on who we want to be and what we have to offer. New ideas take some time, just by shifting our attitude of openness. Tell us, what is working for you, and where do you want to take this next year in your business?

What’s it like to take a holiday from all those business thoughts we constantly stir around? 

Is it as simple as “taking a holiday”? Sometimes it’s all about knowing when to stop the thoughts and let the business shifts steer themselves. Share with us: what would you like to focus on?

Photographers, don’t let your busy, complicated life in the freelance world get you sidetracked from your pursuit as an A+ level long-term photographer.

Commit yourself to scheduled regular testing to explore and experiment, seeing how far your creative eye can take you. 

Testing is that golden nugget to take yourself to the highest level and make it last.

WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS, as production usually requires us to move quickly. Anyone telling us to send a payment before their finances are no longer pending in our bank account is a risk. The best method is to use an experienced producer instead of image makers handling all the finances if it’s not our specialty.

TOP 10 SECRETS

TO SUCCESS WITH @ASKSTERNREP

1. Create a cohesive body of work with a consistent style
2. Know your niche and know your market. Who are your clients?
3. Market yourself. Consistently and tenaciously, and in a way that is aligned with your brand and goals. 
4. Know what you’re good at and delegate what you’d rather not do.
5. Ask for help. There’s no shame in needing help or asking for it. 
6. Be a good business person. Manage your time with discipline based on your priorities. 
7. TEST outside your box. Be hungry. Hustle. Stay fresh with the times. Your portfolio should not just be the jobs you have shot, it should be the jobs you want to shoot. 
8. Social Media. In these times, as a pro image creator, being on IG is a must, as your 2nd portfolio has its type of library. 
9. Money. Know how to negotiate or have a rep help you.
10. Enjoy it!

What are you thankful for in your work world? What is working/flowing well with your career? Maybe it’s about what ‘is flowing’ that we follow and grow towards in this next stage. Comment here on what you are thankful for in your career these days! 

I heard this years ago and it is more true than ever – have a picture of yourself on your website!

Our business used to have closed doors to anyone not on the upper levels of their career, but these days, doors are open to fresh thinkers. It’s changed, and experience is not the number one requirement anymore; new solutions are the name of the game. Get yourself out there with YOUNG THINKING in our new world!