Ongoing Marketing Efforts

Thursday, June 25th I sent out my last email marketing promotion. In the past I've spoken about never sending out promotions via email or mail to arrive on Thursday's or Friday's. It is still my belief that this is true. At times I've broken the rules and always suffer the consequence of my actions. My last efforts were delayed by my agent and miscommunication but the problem won't happen again. I wanted to get the promo out before July and as it turned out the promo did average. I never want to be average but marketing efforts are not just a one time thing. When it comes to marketing don't be like Mike, be like Coke!

My next email promotion will not go out in August, as this month is a heavy vacation month. September is my next target for promotion via email, but I have other efforts happening as well. I've just returned from my trip to Japan and I'll share those images and stories soon, but while on the long plane ride I had time to re-read one of my favorite books, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I try to read this book once a year to remind myself of all the important things I need to work on. Building personal relationships is the best thing you can do to promote yourself and your work. During my trip to Japan I took photographs everywhere and I am going to print my favorite image and send a signed print to all my clients along with set of beautifully crafted chopsticks I picked up for all my clients in Japan. Before you send another second on marketing do yourself a favor and read, or re-read, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Always Dream Big!

Japan

This morning I am off to Japan. I'm looking forward to a short get away to refresh the batteries and open my photographic eye in a new way. Last year this time I was in Japan as well and traveled to Sapporo, Kyoto and Osaka. This year I will spend all my time in Sapporo and travel around Hokkaido.

My first trip to Japan was ten years ago and I took the kitchen sink with me in terms of photograph gear. Last year I traveled light and took only one lens, which I really regretted. This year I am taking my Sony A900 and a few lens, but I've added my new HD video camera as well. I'm starting to shoot more video footage on all my shoots and hope this will lead to new and exciting things in the future. The first image in this post is from a shoot this week exploring new age Geisha's, but all other images are from my trip to Japan last year.

Here are a few images from last years trip filled with amazing uni, blowfish (something I would only eat in Osaka), and wonderful memories both personal and photographic. Now that I've experienced Hokkaido once before I want to really explore it photographically this time around. Last year it rained a lot while I was in Hokkaido and by looking at the weather it looks like I'm in for more of the same, but this too is part of the beauty.

Enjoy the summer, shoot only what you love and always dream big!

Email Campaign Results

Promotion and marketing are always key elements in getting work, but even more so when there is any downturn in the economy. I've never experienced what we are currently going through but I still believe we must push harder when times are hard.

I sent an email marketing promotion of my new work on the morning of June 25th, 2009. My timing couldn't have been worse. Three hour's after my email promotion went out, Michael Jackson passed away and the entire world seemed to freeze. I viewed my stats from the email promotion and they were average, not good but not bad according to my service. 8.35 % opened my email but only 4.83% actually clicked through. The email promotion is only once aspect of promotion and now I'll go on to the other aspects of the marketing and promotion. I won't do anymore promotion during July and August as these months are hard with summer activities, vacations, etc. My next push will be the start of September when all my clients and potential clients have work fully on their minds.

Even though my email campaign was not really what I hoped for I still managed to get a few calls and I have an advertising assignment coming up the end of this month just after I return from Japan. Think of your promotions the same way Coke does. We all know the beverage Coke, but we always see ad's all the time and we must do the same thing as photographers. Constantly keeping our names out in front of our audience is key to success. I've had a slower year than ever but even as I write this entry I am reminded by Coke how I must always push to keep my name out there in every way.

Always Dream Big!

Michael Jackson_King of Pop

Rest in Peace Michael!

Thank you for helping us all dream big!

Always Dream Big,

Matthew Jordan Smith