Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer Jen OSullivan » emails

Marketing: Where is Your Message Seen?

Jen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:45:18 +0000

Where is your message seen?

It is said that you or your message needs to be seen or hear 6 times before someone will remember it. However, if your message is poorly written no one will remember it, ever. If your message is sent to the wrong audience, the same is true. No one will ever receive or remember it and all your efforts will be in vain. The environment you choose to throw your message into is equally important as WHO your messenger is and WHAT your message is about. Think in terms of demographics. What are you trying to sell? Who buys what you are trying to sell? Where are those people? It would be odd to sell wedding photography to bankers. Sure a couple may be engaged but that is not a solid resource for you as a wedding photographer.

If you think Facebook is the correct place to market your business, think long and hard before taking that leap. Know your audience (friends). What are they interested in? Will they appreciate your message being shoved down their throat again and again or will they just make you “hidden” in their news feed. This is a very real issue that is causing concern for people who couldn’t fathom being “hidden.” So, is social networking the wave of the marketing future? In some ways yes, and in some ways an emphatic NO. What do people value most today? They value face time. A simple phone call. A chat over coffee or tea. Lunch together. They value the opinion of people they know, like, and trust. This is what will bring you business. Invest in some key people in your industry or people who can help spread the word. I am not talking about training them. I am talking about building a friendship with them. Something that goes beyond marketing. The reason social networking became so popular in the first place. We went from being reclusive, only go out on Friday nights people to “hanging out” all the time (even at work) people on Facebook. The downfall is how filled with marketing tactics it has become. Be careful and be wise when you deal with Facebook.

All in all, Facebook is just one area you can start your “Tipping Point” campaign. It is in building relationships beyond the scope of just your inner circle. You need to think bigger, larger, wider, vaster than you could even imagine. Do it now. Don’t just sit on this information or you will forget it. Make some lists, contact some people, and get moving!

Upcoming Lecture Series: Facebook “The Dos & Don’ts” Contact Jen for more details jen@jenosullivan.com

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Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Marketing: What is Your Message?

Jen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:43:11 +0000

WHAT is your message?

One of the best tag-lines I have seen from a fellow photographer is by Red-Loft Studios “Not Your Mother’s Wedding Photography.” It is fun and not expected and therefore, becomes memorable. It is called the Stickiness Factor or Viral Marketing. Remember “Where’s the beef?” or “Got Milk?” Yes, these companies spent millions on marketing, something we, as small business owners do not have. But you can still make your business memorable with your marketing. Can you hit on an emotion, or team up with a charity? A photographer friend of mine, Johnna Bockover introduced herself to me through a photo contest called Star Shooter whereby entrant fees goes to giving underprivileged kids the opportunity to be photographers themselves through workshops. This is smart marketing that gives back. It takes a lot of time and effort so if you choose to align with a charity, pick something you feel strongly about or start your own.

If charity work is not for you, think in terms of viral. What makes something viral? On Youtube, why do you click on something? The only things I click on are those from people I know, like, and trust. This goes back to the “Who” of your marketing strategy. See how they are all linked? To make your tag-line or marketing campaign memorable follow these guidelines: make it funny, out of the ordinary, unexpected, or grammatically incorrect. Ask yourself: “Why would anyone want to pass on my message?” “Can I include an incentive?” What your message is will make or break you so think long and hard before you speak!

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Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Marketing: Who is Your Messenger?

Jen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:41:16 +0000

Who is your messenger?
This will quite possibly be the most important question you ask yourself when creating a marketing strategy.

Based on a popular novel, “The Tipping Point” I will go over three important types of people to look for in helping you create a successful campaign.

1. Connectors – These are the people who know EVERYONE. They collect people like you might collect stamps (or Facebook friends.) The difference, is they stay in contact with these people, through birthday cards, anniversary cards, simple phone calls. They are extremely talented at keeping up with their people on a simple level. They are acquaintances with everyone but on a different level than most people are with their acquaintances. They have a certain social graciousness that allows them to be a casually strong acquaintance. They are the ones who have connected you to many of your friends. Think about the people in your life and how you know them. If you write out a list of everyone you know (other than family) you will start to see a pattern of a majority of the people connecting back to one person. This is a Connector.

ACTION: Ask yourself “Who are the Connectors in my life?” and get them on board with your campaign.

2. Collectors – These people collect information. They seek out everything and they genuinely love to help. Their goal in life is to keep the world in check. They are the ones who correct the Consumer Reports, contact the Better Business Bureau, and write to the state officials. They are right about any given topic they talk about, however they are honest and unselfish. These people can be extremely powerful in their opinion because of this fact alone: They help because they like to help. That’s it.

ACTION: Make sure your website is up to date and all your info is solid. Collectors will be the ones to thoroughly look at your info before they make a judgment. If you can find one of these people and bring them on board, they can help you tie up any loose ends. They will also be the ones to bring you business once they are sold on your products and services.

3. Convincers – These are your brand ambassadors: the people who can and will sell you anything and everything. They are the salespeople of the world. You know who they are the moment you meet them because they are emotionally contagious. It is like you have known them your whole life and yet just met them. There is something about them that genuinely draws you in and you love them for it. There is only one person I have ever met who is truly this type of person. Joe Buissink. This guy is the most gregarious lover of life and people you will ever meet. The next time you get the chance to see him, make yourself go up and say hello and you will instantly see what I mean.

ACTION: For starting trends within your own business you will need to find the “Convincers” of the youth. I like to call them my “Street Team.” They are my brand ambassadors who are out their telling people about my company. They are a simple group from a diverse background that encompasses all three types of people: Connectors, Collectors, and Convincers. They are my partners. I help them and they help me. We work together to create better businesses, a deeper understanding of our cultures, and an awareness of one another that only comes through partnership. It is simple, really. There are simple but powerful ways in which we all can help each other obtain our goals and by working together we create a synergy that can only be created when people pool their resources. My strengths become your strengths, your strengths become my strengths. Gold! Feel free to contact me about becoming a part of my “Street Team!” jen@jenosullivan.com

Click HERE for “What is Your Message?”

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Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Marketing: Go beyond the traditional

Jen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:39:24 +0000

Traditional marketing is not working! Even what some consider nontraditional marketing is not working. Why? Immunity. Do you remember when you were a kid and you would get a letter in the mail? It was so exciting. Now how do you feel about the mail? Bills, junk mail, bills. The only thing you open first (if you even get one) is a personally addressed envelope that doesn’t look like a form letter. We are immune to the mail, we are immune to the phone (caller ID and answering machines have taken care of telemarketers,) and we are immune to emails. I remember writing emails back and forth to friends when it was first introduced. I was so excited to see if I got even one email in a day, and now I am impressed if I get less than 200. Sadly, we are also becoming immune to Facebook. Is social networking the wave of the marketing future or will it’s epidemic proportions suddenly cease? How do I get my business seen by the most people? How can I turn prospects into clients?

It comes down to three very important questions: WHO is your messenger? WHAT is your message? WHERE is your message seen?

Click HERE to learn “Who is your messenger?”

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547