I saw a quote on the back of a truck the other day..
"Luck is preparation meets opportunity"
I have no idea who said it but it's true. I've been a photographer for 20 + years now and its happened to me a lot, turned up early, brought an extra piece of gear that I didn't initially think I would need. Arrive at the job, see an opportunity for something extra, and turn it into a picture or film. Some times on a shoot, you know exactly what you want and how to get it. But then you might step back and see something that your focus didn't allow you to see before, that patch of light in a tucked away corner. You wedding and press photographers will know what I'm talking about.
So hears some rules of thumb... not hard and fast but worth keeping in mind.
So how does all that above relate to my title for this post; "The Right Time, Right Place, The Right Price Point, YES!"
I rang a potential client, an ad agency, and set up a meeting. I was feeling very nervous, in fact a bit intimidated, a big firm here with great work. Felt I wasn't going get any interest from them. However I did my prep (don't under-estimate prep for every and each meeting with your client new or old), and manage to show them what they were looking for, and at a price point that had them sit up in their seat. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't charge less than I normally would, I've calculated my charges so that I make a good liviing for the work I do, and the hours I put in. So I feel very happy about that. As a good friend said to me, don't undercharge to get a job, because as you do that job, you'll end up feeling bad about working for less than you know you're worth. That will lead to poor results. You must be happy in the charge and that flows through to the results.
So, I felt good walking away from the meeting, right time, right place, right presentation, and right price point. No guarantees of anything but I broke the ice with this company in a very positive way. Some times it pays to face up to your fears, try to turn it in to something. Even if you failed, at least you've moved forward.
Good luck and good shooting.
So hears some rules of thumb... not hard and fast but worth keeping in mind.
- Turn up early and leave late - this one is gold. Often been on a job when I got the image that no one else did because they weren't there.
- Even if you don't need it for a job, bring it, and leave it in the car (if it's too big), just in case.
- Since Murphy was an optimist this is always a good one. Lock stuff in the boot of course - out of sight is out of mind. - Have a game plan but keep your eyes open, for that patch of light or chance opportunity. This open minded approach can turn things to gold for you, but you have to be able to see it for it to happen.
So how does all that above relate to my title for this post; "The Right Time, Right Place, The Right Price Point, YES!"
I rang a potential client, an ad agency, and set up a meeting. I was feeling very nervous, in fact a bit intimidated, a big firm here with great work. Felt I wasn't going get any interest from them. However I did my prep (don't under-estimate prep for every and each meeting with your client new or old), and manage to show them what they were looking for, and at a price point that had them sit up in their seat. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't charge less than I normally would, I've calculated my charges so that I make a good liviing for the work I do, and the hours I put in. So I feel very happy about that. As a good friend said to me, don't undercharge to get a job, because as you do that job, you'll end up feeling bad about working for less than you know you're worth. That will lead to poor results. You must be happy in the charge and that flows through to the results.
So, I felt good walking away from the meeting, right time, right place, right presentation, and right price point. No guarantees of anything but I broke the ice with this company in a very positive way. Some times it pays to face up to your fears, try to turn it in to something. Even if you failed, at least you've moved forward.
Good luck and good shooting.
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