When interviewing a potential consultant (which you should do before investing your time and money) the more self-awareness you have about what kind of pain you’re experiencing, the more likely you’ll get the right help.
Saying “I need more work” is a bit like saying “I don’t feel so good.” Honest information from the “patient” leads to better a diagnosis and treatment plan. The diagnostician needs your openness. You’re interviewing each other. Just like doctors, there are consultants who have experience in some areas, but not in others.
Business-to-business photography markets are very different than the business-to- consumer market. If you’re moving from one market to the other, you need someone who’s got experience in where you want to move to.
When you come in for a diagnosis, a good doctor will tell you if they’re right for your issue or if they need to refer you elsewhere. So will an ethical consultant. You need to find a partner who can relieve your particular pain safely and effectively.
Consider if you had a headache. Taking an aspirin might help (e.g. send out 6 mos. worth of promos). But if the pain’s been going on for a long time and aspirin’s not working, you may need to see a specialist. Seek someone who can provide real expertise and not just an over-the-counter remedy (e.g.,provide an expert edit of your work for your target audience).
Even when seeking an expert, know that there are vast differences among them as well.For example, a podiatrist might not be the best choice for your head pain. Seek an expert for your kind of pain. For lingering and severe headaches, get thee to a neurologist! (i.e., securing a fine art photo exhibition requires a similar but yet very different “treatment plan” than the one for getting a commercial photo shoot).
The more clearly you can answer “Where does it hurt? ” and what pain remedies have you tried, the more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan you’ll get.
That is, what are you most confused about?
- How to effectively market in general?
- What imagery is currently in demand and is your work still viable?
- How to break out of the procrastination/fear cycle?
- How to manage your time so you can fit in marketing?
- Where to focus your efforts for the best R.O.I.?
Finally, you also must have good chemistry with the person that’s going to help you. If you don’t feel comfortable with their personality, the trust won’t be there. And without trust, you won’t surrender control and let them “drive the bus” in devising and implementing your treatment plan (Anyone out there with control and delegation issues?? LOL!.). You need to have patience and the willingness to take your “marketing medicine”. If you do so faithfully and at the recommended “dosage” and frequency (i.e. don’t stop taking it as soon as you start to feel a bit better. Finish the WHOLE dosage!), you can get the relief you want and need.