Imaging USA & Why Patrick Mahomes Needs to Learn How to Throw a Spiral
Yes Patrick Mahomes needs to learn how to throw a spiral.
Stay with me here…
We just returned from 4 days in Louisville for Imaging USA 2024 which is the national convention for photographers sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America, and when I say “we” I mean my wife Ally and I along with Angela and Michelle - our preschool division for our photography studio Frameable Faces Photography. I blogged about it at the Frameable Faces website which you can check out here, but there are a few additional points I want to make that aren’t just targeted towards our Frameable Faces community.
There are a few universal takeaways that are worth sharing here.
We last went to Imaging USA in Nashville in 2010 - it’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years. We were a fledgling studio at the time and we learned a ton at that conference. We’ve always talked about how we should go back but never made the point of doing it until this year.
Not gonna lie, the thought crossed my mind that some of the seminars on digital marketing and content creation for studios would be very basic for me. Stuff I know in my sleep - I could probably teach these without any prep right? They seem clearly targeted towards new studios and that was great for me 14 years ago… But I checked my ego at the door and went anyway thinking what am I doing here if I’m not going to attend the seminars that pertain to my main role at our studio?
I’m glad I did.
Patrick Mahomes Needs To Learn How To Throw A Spiral
The fact is the very best at their craft are the very best because they never stop learning and RE-LEARNING the fundamentals. I guarantee that Patrick Mahomes, despite completing 2386 passes in the NFL and counting, continues to work on his form, his mechanics, his spiral, his ball placement, his vision, his strength, his footwork - all of it. Dude knows how to throw a football I think. But he prepares like he’s constantly learning how to throw a football. The best linemen continue to practice blocking. The best linebackers continue to practice tackling. The moment you think you’ve made it and stray from the fundamentals is the moment you will start to slip.
So I went to seminars called “Building a Better Online Business” with Jeremy Hyler, “Marketing Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated” with Tomayia Colvin and “Elevating Your Photography Game With Artistic Vision” with Dan Frievalt (dude looks like James Hetfield). They all sound relatively basic right?
And yep, I learned a lot.
Sure some (even a lot) of it was stuff I knew, but it was stuff that by hearing it a different way with someone else’s take on it I was able to gain a new perspective on it, and yes - that’s learning.
Tips and Ideas
Okay so how about some actionable tips and ideas I learned?
I’m just going to list some of the notes / thoughts I felt kicked ass.
You know how higher end clients who spend the most seem to complain the least? You know why? Because they’ve come to you because they know quality. They see the VALUE in what you do and they TRUST you to do your thing. They won’t interfere because they get it, they value it, and they’re willing to spend for it. This applies to many different businesses - don’t lose sight of this.
Lots of talk about AI down there... Some tips for using Chat GPT: 1) Ask Chat GPT “What’s another way to say……” 2) Make this post “more friendly” 3) Ask Chat GPT to help you plan a content calendar 4) Ask GPT to interview you and write a bio for you. There is so much you can use AI for, and it doesn’t scare me - AI can never be Doug Cohen. And it can’t be YOU either.
Pull up your website on your desktop, your mobile - is it CLEAR what problem your business will solve? Boy was this an eye opener for me… we need to make some changes for our studio.
Remember to define your objective and the needs of your ideal client. If you’re a photography studio your ideal client’s needs aren’t just “photography.” If you’re a sandwich shop your client’s needs aren’t just “sandwiches.” If you’re a toy store your ideal client doesn’t just need “toys.” Maybe they need learning, focus, a creative outlet, motor skill development… What do YOU offer, why does your ideal client come to YOU? If you’re a hair salon do your clients need “haircuts?” or do they need confidence? Conversation? Routine?
So check your ego. Read a book, attend a seminar - or better yet a convention with multiple seminars and peers in your field. Invest in yourself. Learn. Never STOP learning. Mahomes is the best in the game and he’s not about to stop. So act like YOU are the best too……….by acting like you’re NOT the best.
M10 Social is owned by Doug Cohen in West Bloomfield, MI and provides social media training and digital marketing services from the Frameable Faces Photography studio Doug owns with his wife Ally. He can be reached there at tel:248-790-7317, by mobile at tel:248-346-4121 or via email at mailto:doug@frameablefaces.com. You can follow Doug’s band Vintage Playboy at their Facebook page here. You can also visit our other business Detroit Jerky at the website www.DetroitJerkyLLC.com!
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Tune in to the 📷Doug&Ally📷Morning Show T-F between 8:30 & 11 EST UTC-4 on Heckle by following them on Heckle or Twitter at @frameablefaces! Also check out the Doug & Ally Morning Show podcast at anchor.fm/frameablefaces and everywhere you listen to podcasts! Doug also tweets at @dougcohen10 and @M10Social!