#TravelTuesday has come around again and I, Dave Williams, am here as always! My departure date is getting closer and closer and I’m busy preparing and testing for my mission in Kofifernweh. I’ve been making minor adjustments and I’m happy to report that the turbocharger is now fully operational again. But that’s not what I’m here for – I’m here to talk pixels. More specifically, gifting them!
With a special time of year approaching it’s time for us to get thinking about what to do in the way of gifts. A random gift from Amazon may solve the issue of being empty-handed, however we can use our skills as photographers and artists to give a gift that really has meaning instead.
A portrait photographer can gift a portrait, a landscape photographer can gift a landscape, and a photographer with too many to choose from can gift a calendar. We have so many fans amongst our family and close friends that offer constant praise and act as personal cheerleaders to our growing photography skills that we could think smart and offer something bespoke that they would really love.
Having seen the headline of this post you could have very easily guessed what it was about and you’ve just read it, so surely there can’t be a lot left to say. Well, here comes the curveball!
Gifting photos to promote our business and to open doors is very, very effective. I’ve told the story of how I shot inside St Pauls Catherdal in London with a tripod – a feat only ever achieved by the BBC when they record and broadcast ceremonies – and it was all down to the promise of a print.
I got in touch with the marketing manager (who is always a good person to start with) and ensured I addressed them personally, by name. I asked very nicely what I wanted to ask without beating around the bush or wasting their time, offering a brief explanation of the circumstances, the intended result, and who I was. At the end as well as the usual line of ‘you can have copies of the images’ I added, ‘and I would love to print one for your office.’
That offer of a print, or the surprise gift of a print, is a fantastic way to market ourselves, make ourselves memorable, and form a lasting relationship. It’s also the best tool for leverage!
Short but sweet, but valuable, that’s todays post. Honestly worth its weight in gold!
Much love
Dave