I’m having a lot of fun lately with quotes I’ve found here and there.  I find it amazing that so many quotes can be so easily cross-referenced to virtually any industry, especially photography. 
 
It’s down-time for many of you.  It’s the dreaded, but welcomed first quarter.   Cash flow is down, but you have the time to analyze what worked last year and what didn’t.  It’s a time for reflection and relaxing, but also a time for preparation of the year ahead, analyzing your skill set and putting new plans into action.
 
As you analyze last year, think about what you really need to do better, instead of blaming things on what you think is a boring name, logo or site design, the “frosting”.  Did you not get the traffic to your blog because the logo’s weak or because you didn’t blog at least 2-3 times a week?  Did your phone not ring off the hook because your company name isn’t hot or because you didn’t promote/advertise enough?  Did you not book that last job because your competitor is stealing your business with low-ball pricing or because you didn’t portray the same level of enthusiasm, commitment and confidence?
 
The list goes on and on, but blaming advertising, logos, company names etc. because you believe they’re old, tired and “everybody’s seen them” is your absolute last resort.   Maybe you do need a makeover, but look at your execution of marketing projects, creativity and your skill set before you blame things on your name.  Companies get tired of their look, advertising and tag lines and find the need to reinvent the frosting, often  long before the public is bored. 
 
Lauren Bacall said it all, “It’s not an old movie if you haven’t seen it!”