If you have a studio environment, use your studio more effectively. Stop reading this now and take a walk through your studio, is the window, the doorway, the imagery and the atmosphere pulling clients in?

I recently visited a business that needed support and development - one of my first observations was that the business ‘noise’ was not right for the clients they hoped to attract.

By simply switching off the radio it changed the tone in the business - have a nice selection of CDs that create the atmosphere you want your business ‘feel’ to have. 

Create a ‘noise’ that you think will attract the type of customers you want. This is a simple example but it made a big difference for this particular business.

Use this example and apply to other elements of the business, it’s sometimes the small stuff that has an impact on the bigger things!

I have recently returned from the Focus on Imaging photography show where I had the opportunity to meet a great number of photographers. It surprised me that many of those photographers did not have an image on their business card, or even have a business card at all. This is a real business trick being missed - yet not a hard business trick to pull off. Business cards do not have to be expensive, check out Moo.com, Sim 2000 or Freebird all of which are groovy businesses with groovy ideas.

Now the PUSHES, which are a little bit more complicated, this is more about campaigning and marketing in another field. Exhibiting your business whether at bridal shows, country shows or lifestyle events, all push groups of people towards your business and they are definitely worth exploring.

School proms are fashionable, these are an opportunity to push a crowd of young inspirational adults towards your business (who could easily become your clients of the future) and you may draw the parents too. Hunt some of these events out this Spring and Summer and make them part of your business plan as they can be a very effective way of building a business.

Biography

http://www.annabelwilliams.com

Catherine Connor is Annabel Williams' business partner, and MD of Contemporary Photographic Training. Catherine's meteoric rise in the often chaotic, always exciting photographic environment comes from an unusual springboard grounded in the world of international corporate management. Her infectious energy never fails to motivate those around her, and equips her with an organic understanding of market direction, fashion trends and lifestyle management.

Catherine is first and foremost a people person; her unique sense of fun, determination to succeed and boundless commitment to her industry make her a born mentor, allowing her to impart to all delegates a wealth of skills and knowledge pitched perfectly at achieving the vital balance of confident ability and self-worth.

It is Catherine's passion for her subject that makes learning from her a pleasure, which her students can then take forward, and are able to apply so effectively to enhance their skills.

All images in this article © Annabel Williams

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