Strictly Business Blog

The belief that social media is a waste of time is one of the biggest objections I hear when talking to people about the subject. Social media is a communication platform.  A cell-phone is also a communication tool.  I can assure you my teenager doesn’t use it very efficiently, but this doesn’t diminish the fact that it’s an important part of my business. Social media Web sites are the training wheels for how we will…

The other day, our architect comes over and starts talking about social media. He has a website but now he’s thinking he should start a Blog, join Facebook or use Twitter. When I asked him why, he said “Oh, I don’t know, it just seems like everyone’s talking about these things so I figured I should do them.” Huh? Like any other significant investment that you make in your business, Social Media has to provide…

Want to be remembered by the potential client with whom you’ve just had an unsuccessful negotiation?  Take the time to send a “Thank You” card.  That’s right, a snail-mail Thank You card.  Create a one off, nice looking card on your color printer on nice paper, and hand write a note, something like, “Thank you for the opportunity to provide an estimate for your upcoming project.  Although we couldn’t work together this time, please keep…

Awhile back, I e-mailed a business query to a good friend who runs a highly successful web development firm. She replied and then, several weeks later when she hadn’t heard from me, she followed up to make sure I’d gotten her e-mail. I was wowed – talk about customer service! I immediately asked “How’d you track that?” Here’s what she replied: Ok here is the system, and it’s free. Keep open ended issues in the…

Call and email to try to get portfolio shows. Offer to bring food (lunch?) and make it an “event” not just a one-on-one.

Take a moment to appreciate your monitor. It sits there quietly on your desk or on your lap, helping you make image corrections, send correspondence with clients and connects you with the world via the Web. Of all the devices in your digital photography workflow, your monitor is the most important. It’s even more important than a fast computer, a sexy new printer or even the latest, greatest camera body. Your monitor is your window…