Udemy Real World, NO BS, Marketing Strategies for Photographers Udemy
Price: USD 127

    Course details

    NOTE: The first 90 minutes of this class are 100% free. 

    I think the information is vital for photographers who are being marketed to in a constant barrage of "Secrets" and "Easy Methods" and the snake oil of hype and glitz. There are no secrets, nothing this important is easy, and people who try to tell you there is a single way to success are simply full of it... and your money if you buy into the nonsense. Don't be sucked in by the perkiness and the hype, becoming a successful photographer may be one of the most difficult career moves out there. But it can be done, IS being done every day be people who are prepared and willing to work.

    The Real World, NO BS, Marketing Strategies for Photographers.

    The title of this course says it all... this is a real world, no nonsense approach to marketing for the commercial photographer. While this course is fully implementable by photographers of all genres, the approach is for the emerging commercial photographer. Much of the information can be used by wedding and portrait photographers, however the main thrust of it is toward the editorial, corporate and commercial photographer in markets that are difficult to get a foothold in. 

    The class consists of video and worksheets designed to help you forge your own, personal approach to marketing and finding clients.

    [NOTE: Curriculum is being added at approximately two classes per day. The workshop will continue to grow even after the last class is posted. It is my habit, as on the other three classes I have here on UDEMY, to continuously add more to the curriculum. Interviews with other photographers, webinars and Q&A Sessions will follow with one of those per month through 2013 and into 2014 - and beyond.]

    This course is not designed to be done quickly, and I suggest that you take a couple of months to complete it - based on how much outside work you are doing. The worksheets take time to complete and are instrumental in the design of your marketing strategy. Use them to educate yourself, and bring them to the Webinars for some individual discussion if you would like. There will be opportunities for further discussion on these points.

    Video is used for a more narrative approach, and there are the worksheets that have been mentioned. The class is designed to go from beginning to end the first time through, then to be used as a resource for continuing in the specific areas the student is struggling with.

    If you are wanting to create a business out of commercial photography, build a reputation, find and retain clients and have a complete working knowledge of how marketing a small, creative business is done, this course is for you. Whether you want to go full time or make a good part time income, creating and understanding your marketing strategy will save you time, money and heartache.

    As a photographer, designer and marketer for small and medium businesses for forty years, I bring all of my experience and knowledge of this field into easy to understand videos. The work is hard, but the skills needed are presented in a way that make them accessible - and that benefits the busy student in many ways.

    Our Comprehensive Table of Contents:

    The Real World, No BS, 'Take Your Secrets and Shove 'em Approach to Marketing for Photographers

    This Section is Free (90 minutes of video with supporting worksheets)

    Introduction
    Marketing is a Journey Not a Destination
    Marketing Builds Awareness.
    There Are No "Secrets
    Your Story
    Crafting Your Story
    Marketing is Not a Tactic or a Trick
    Marketing is Not Sales
    Why Cookie Cutter Strategies Won't Work
    Preparing to Build Your Strategy
    Goal Setting Worksheet
    Keep It Simple


    End Free Introductory Course

    Creating a Strategy That is Right For You

    Create Your Own Strategy 
    The Building Blocks
    Watch Out for Roadblocks Especially The Ones You Create
    Build a Support Group
    Become Responsible, and Love Being Responsible
    Budget Your Assets for Maximum Reach and Minimal Expense
    Understand Your Market

    Building a Good Foundation

    First BE a photographer.
    What do You Do?
    Why do You Do It?
    A Long Dissertation on Shooting What YOU Love to Shoot.
    Plan the Work and Work the Plan
    Shooting Every Day -- The Goal
    "Shoot Every Gig for a Year - ("Wizwow's Approach to Making Headway
    Shoot at 110% For Every Job You Get
    The Essence of the Self Assignment
    Creating an "Editorial Schedule To Keep The Work Fowing

    The Time Tested, Good Ol' Hardcopy Portfolio.

    Create a strong experience based book.
    What is in it.
    Why you have it.
    Where You Show it.
    Who You Show it to.
    When to Create it.
    Why You Still Need It
    Why iIt Makes a Difference.
    Which Portfolio Style is Best for You

    Portfolio building ideas.

    Folders for Possibilities
    Basic Portfolio Challenges.
    Basic Portfolio Layout.
    How To Decide On Presentation
    Page Size

    What about the Web?

    How the Web Portfolio is Different Than the Hardcopy
    Web Categories
    How Many Categories / How Many Images Per?
    Why Less is More
    Why having a 'Webmaster is a Losing Proposition
    Presentation of the Image
    How Large Should the Images Be?
    How to Create a Faster Loading Image in Photoshop
    Protecting The Image.
    Using a Watermark (that usually looks terrible, unprofessional and silly) VS Not Using A Watermark

    Hard Copy Tools

    Print Materials
    Identity Materials
    Even Business Forms Need ID
    Why Spending a Ton of Money on ID when starting Makes No Sense
    Common Sense Design Trends
    Drop Off Materials Leave Behinds
    Direct Mail Approaches

    The Internet

    The Most Important Two Internet Tools..
    -Your Website
    -Your Blog
    Create a Blog for the 'Right' audience.
    Blog For Clients, Not Other Photographers
    What Kinds of 'Stuff' Should You Blog?
    Social Tools
    Social Sites (Satellite Outliers and the Main Site approach. 
    Why Facebook, G+ and Twitter Will NOT make you rich).
    Why Ignoring Facebook and Twitter (and G+) Is A Problem Or Not Depending.
    Use the Outliers to Build Awareness

    Email Marketing

    Find and Build a List
    Purchase a List
    Monitoring the Effort
    Understand Metrics
    Use Google Analytics
    Creating Additional Content Marketing
    OnLine Magazines
    Content Placement

    Putting it all together:

    Shooting for Free vs Shooting for Access.
    Should You Do Work For "Free?
    What Is The Value of your work?
    Do Beginners Have to Start at "Cheaper Prices?
    Shooting for Growth.
    Live the 'Life'

    The Wrap Up... Keep Shooting

    Resource Guide and Links

    Portfolio Products

    Wordpress Themes

    Wordpress Hosting

    Designers

    Printers

    Updated on 08 November, 2015
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