How I Took On COVID 19 And Survived
Blog entry
29th June
Once COVID-19 hit and isolation began, I did ask myself… what am I going to do?
I have not been in business for a year yet, will it all fall apart now? The worry and concern began to kick in, but I reached out to other photographers that I had spoken to and they had been really supportive at the start of my new business venture. This is a wonderful man called Charles Ward and he included me in a WhatsApp group with other fellow photography & creative companies.
I also have a friend that I have known for over 10 years called Rick O’Donnell, CEO & Founder of RJDM Studios and #SuccessLeavesClues. He has been a lifesaver to me and many other companies. As a business owner himself, he had his own concerns and stresses, but he decided to share his knowledge and experience with others. By starting a digital brew session, where I meet some other wonderful and supportive people, who I have to connect with and I am now part of a WhatsApp group with many other companies who are coached by none other than Emmerson Patton. He has also offered kindness by letting me network and attending his Mastermind events during the lockdown.
From attending the digital brew each day I have learnt many techniques to consider when communicating with clients, par example ‘Ricky’ introduced video messaging and explained how effective when communicating and standing out. I have learnt about pricing and considering the services that I offer. I have been introduced to CRM systems so that I can keep up to date with clients and make sure that I have a set amount of touches to keep to as I connect with each client. This process will both help a lead form a sale and build a relationship with each client rather than trying to sell at the starting point.
THANK YOU, TO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT HAVE BEEN APPRECIATED
While on lockdown you have time to think and reflect! Well, I have considered how I wish to be as a business owner. I would like to be approachable, kind, and supportive and to continue to give each client excellent service. I also wish to build upon relationships with current and prospective clients, by showing support for the future, if this is one thing that I have learnt is as a business you need relationships. These can be networking, partnerships, support and eventually, you will form a friendship with your clients. As a photographer, I have also made the most connection via referral or by talking and connecting, so I will make sure that I do this.
Okay! SO WHAT HAVE I LEARNT?
Well, I have learnt a lot about designing and forming moving imagery, via photoshop, adobe stark, canvas and Imovie. During the lockdown, I have moved more towards using ‘YouTube’ & ‘TikTok’
I have researched and learnt about creating your own ‘YouTube channel, forming videos to upload to this channel and developing your style to be noticed. This is still a working process for the content of my videos, as I am trained in Adobe Premiere Pro but I have not had access to this program via lockdown and have been using IMovie, Vimeo, Photoshop and screengrab recordings to form the content that I have uploaded to this channel.
While using ‘YouTube’ and receiving advice from the Digital Brew group I have moved from being behind the camera, to in front, by recording myself speaking and by taking my headshots. I decided to photograph myself for two reasons, 1 to expand upon my branding portfolio & 2 to use these images for my thumbnail designs.
I have learnt about a more effective structure when designing your own ‘YouTube’ thumbnail and this is to follow these set goals:
Attract an audience
Portray content in the video
Excite the audience
Draw attention to your videos
I am sure that you are aware that people relate to people and this is why as a company we attend networking meetings and most companies work upon referrals and customer relationship-building methods. As a photographer I am selling myself as well as what I can offer. So my researching further into branding, and the set tactics used for the thumbnail designs I took close-up photographs of myself giving the audience eye contact, as humans communicate by reading emotional cues on the face.
Here are a couple of my Thumbnail front page designs.
I have kept to my branding colours of pink and green
Used three-worded title descriptions per video.
Included my company branding
Kept designs per playlist consistent
For the promotional video I have used a picture of myself and for the screengrab, and editing video I have used images of what the editing process will form.
TIKTOK
I have started to learn the process of using TikTok, the content I wish to form that relates to my company and what will gain likes and followers. I like creating a short video, that shows the behind-the-scenes with an edited version at the end and I have created process clips, which have gained more interest.
INSTAGRAM IGTV
Another way to show moving videos via social media is through the Instagram IGTV section. This means you can upload a video to your story, as a post or simple to this channel. When you take a moment to watch this channel you will see that many people are using this option and once you start to form a video for both ‘YouTube’ and TikTok you can use an amended version for this option at the set dimensions. You can design a thumbnail per video for each upload to attract more views. You can upload to this via your computer or you can download the IGTV app. There is one restriction and this is the length of the video, as videos must be at least one minute long. The maximum length of your video can be is 15 minutes when uploading from a mobile device & 60 minutes when uploading via the web.
REMOTE EDITING
I started to offer this as a service so that I can re-edit clients’ images or new images.
This also developed editing screengrab tutorials for ‘YouTube’ and I learnt how to show a before and after image via my website and using screen recording on my phone so that I could upload an animation that moved from one image to the next for my Instagram stories.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Over the isolation period, one way to help and support others was to show them my process and so I turned my living room into a home studio and I started to record my process. I then moved this forward by starting to try different ways to explain my process, so that others could learn themselves. I do feel that now I will continue this process as this is a great way to promote myself as a photographer and clients like to see what or how you have produced their images. I will share this via TIKTOK, IGTV & Youtube videos
Here are some examples of my behind the scene clips via TikTiok & IGTV
After this journey through isolation, I have developed my moving images skills and started to realise that for customers to connect I need to show myself more. I have learnt different ways to improve how I promote each social media avenue. That I enjoy writing about photography, as I have kept up with a weekly blog during isolation and each blog has referred to photography techniques and skills. I have started to multi-purpose my content to save time and show consistency. I plan on still working on my TikTok presence and the quality of my ‘YouTube video tutorials.
I wish to develop my writing skills and share my written blogs via photography sites or magazines to promote my knowledge and teaching aspect, which I enjoy and I feel this will help me share my passions for this subject.
I will continue to network with others, and form partnerships and collaborative projects with other professionals or charities.
If you would like to work with me then continue reading and see what I can offer your company.
Are you looking to have an updated headshot or feel that you require some updated photographs across your website that show who you are?
I also specialise in both Fitness & Property Photography
Are you a gym or a fitness professional? I can take photographs of the interior of your gym or studio. I can shoot you, and your outside classes, when required, and now that studios are open can organize a photographic studio and photograph you for your business branding.
Property is the last photographic option that I offer and this can be on your business premises.
Food photography is a set photographic specialism that I enjoy, as I can eat the food afterwards and now I have the option to offer home studio shoots or on-location.
I do offer menu & styled food shoots for set dishes for either your pub, cafe or restaurant. You may also decide to have some food, property and staff headshots with my restaurant deals.
The last area that I cover is opening up the options to regular clients to have support upon forming content for social media avenues or signing up for a monthly or yearly photographic subscription service.
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
Social link & Business Subscription link
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