“To Often We seek to inform when we should Inspire”
I used this quote in Marketing class yesterday, but once again the majority of students in the room appeared frustrated with the tasks of developing their business, marketing their services.
With the right tools and information, I find this challenge exhilarating, exciting, and goal to be achieved; rather than a daunting, frustrating, obstacle.
So I’m looking for feedback. How can information and tools for business practices and marketing be better presented to students today to inspire them in their career paths? That’s my goal.
Reward to all intelligent, inspired responses! Thanks. All Good Wishes Ric
Ric,
You said that you find this challenge exhilarating and exciting. I feel that since you have been doing this for a while and marketing yourself for a little while that you know what the challenge is and how to take it on. I’m still so new to the industry that the thought of marketing myself is very scary. Maybe once I’ve been out in the working field it won’t be so daunting but I don’t think there is anything you can say that will make the marketing aspect of photography any less frustrating or scary.
I think that part of the disconnect comes from perspective. When I find something excites me, I want to share it with others. However, my “exciting something” does not always excite others right away, if at all. Perspective. It is similar to our marketing class, the information is daunting from this side of the desk. It does not excite; it terrifies. Again, perspective. I learn more from real-life scenarios because it brings marketing to me. I also would benefit from hearing actual numbers. We are told to create invoices that can compete in the marketplace, but no one shares the numbers with us. Then, we are told that our number guessing is incorrect without clear reasons as to why our numbers are incorrect. It is hard to muster any excitement to go forth when “you’re doing it wrong” is our reward. We want to learn. We want to be excited. We want to be inspired. Please be willing to meet us closer to where we are now, and, one day soon, we will be where you are.
For me your use of youtube videos that you’ve shown in class, has driven the point home of the realities that business practices that all photographers need to take part in if they want to stay active in this medium. Unfortunately i have had to cut my time that should be spent in business and marketing practices, to gain more experience on the technical side. I can only rationalize this move because i’ll need to be proficient technically before i can own my own business.
Last week’s class was fun! It gave marketing strategies real-life applications. It made it more understandable. I really appreciate it!
Ric,
I’m not sure if you are informing us or inspiring us but I do know that you will forever be in my head. I can’t go hardly any where without seeing or hearing something which results in me thinking “huh, that is a great marketing plan.” I’m not sure if that is a good or bad thing but you should know that you are being heard.