I posted this on Facebook the other day and it deserves a reminder…

“Hey pro photographers in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and Indiana (Mass too) – Okay, so they’re starting out in Boston…but really good events don’t happen in the Midwest very often (Most great speakers must be afraid of the winter, the Great Lakes or corn! LOL) Well, it’s spring and Mitche Graf and Ken Sklute are headed this way and in Columbus on April 26. This is a program virtually guaranteed to give you new ideas on how to build your business and revenue! And at $49 how can you go wrong? (It’s less than a tank of gas lately!) This is definitely a program worth checking out!”

I haven’t seen this new program, but have known both of these guys for a long time – there’s a lot of great stuff bouncing around in those two heads.  And if you go, make it a point to talk to them after the program regarding your own challenges in your business.

“Don’t wait until your ship comes in.  Swim out to it!”

Yes, I’ve finally reached a new point in blogging wisdom and I’m quoting fortune cookies, but as trite as the fortune was, think about it for a second.

Everyone is chasing at least one dream and most of us have several.  Unfortunately, we have some dreams we simply accept will take longer to achieve than others and we become complacent in our pursuit.  Well, what would happen if we were more aggressive in chasing down some of those dreams?

Yesterday I was one of a few thousand people to share with you the launch of the educational revolution in photography thanks to Chase Jarvis, with creativeLIVE.   The concept is incredible, but now think of as it relates to most photographer’s dreams, to become a better photographer; to increase revenue for your business or to increase your client base and brand awareness.  It’s a stretch, but now tie it back to the wisdom of the fortune cookie!

Yesterday Chase Jarvis brought the ship in a whole lot closer to shore and made it easier for you to get there, but you still have to be the one to make the effort.  At the same time I was telling you about creativeLIVE, Scott Bourne and I launched our first episode of GoingPro on iTunes and next month we’ll be talking about branding.  GhostRighters.com also launched this week.  Sandy Puc is on the road with her tour and Mitche Graf and Ken Sklute kick off Right Brain Left Brain in a few weeks.  Dane Sanders launches Escalate Live and Julieanne Kost has joined the team, PDN’s Virtual Wedding Trade Show and webinars are May 24/25 and last but certainly not least, Skip’s Summer School is headed for an incredible program in August.

Everywhere you look there are programs in place to give you the opportunities to bring your ”ship” in earlier than you might have anticipated.   But you’ve got to be the one to take action.

Anderson Cooper is quoted as saying, “I just found it interesting to talk to adults I admired, and to discover that the path they took was never all that clearly defined. It was comforting to me when I figured out that you don’t have to know what you want to do with your life; you just have to take a few steps in one direction, and other opportunities will open up.”

And let’s wrap up with Thomas Edison: Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Yesterday’s Blog:  A big thanks to John Lemen and Barbara Lund Smith who gave me the author I was looking for.  In John’s words:  Most of it was written by Mother Teresa.  (No top dogs line in hers) The final stanza she wrote says “You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God: it was never between you and them anyway.”  Original title “Advice for Living Well”  (or at least that’s what the copy on my office wall says).

Moving on to other topics this morning – sorry, if you like continuity this blog just isn’t the place today!    There are three great programs all coming up starting this week and moving into May:

Sandy Puc’s Family Tour:  Sandy Puc’s last round of US cities are running right now through the end of April.  She’s then in Canada for five programs in August and that’s pretty much it for 2010.  If you have an interest in fine-tuning your skills in the children and family arena this is an incredible program.

Mitche Graf and Ken Sklute:  It’s the Left Brain Right Brain Tour and it kicks off on April 25th in Boston.  When you look at the ad for the program, make sure you scroll to the bottom to see what happens in our digital world when their two faces are combined!   It’s a little scary, but if you really want a wild ride, hit their program and see what happens when you put their concepts together!   They’ve both been personal friends of mine for a lot of years and there’s an incredible about of information bouncing around in those two heads to help you fine tune your marketing and photographic skills.  Mitche and Ken also have done past guest posts here in the blog.

Escalate Live 2010:  The brain child of my great friend and motivator, Dane Sanders, he’s brought together some terrific speakers with Becker, David Jay, Jasmine Star,Jerry Ghionis, Jessica Claire and Jeremy Cowart on May 17 and 18 in the Los Angeles area.   This is a pretty amazing group with Dane speaking as well.  It’s happening at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach starting at 9:00 a.m.

GoingPro2010:  My very good buddy Scott Bourne and I just recently kicked off GoingPro.   Between the two of us we have an incredible base of experience in professional photography and an even more amazing network of friends and associates.   Combine all of that expertise with great enthusiasm and some terrific partners and you’re looking  at an educational program running all year long to help emerging professionals do the job a whole lot better, the way it should be done with professionalism and delivering a quality product with perceived high value.    We’ve also signed a contract for a new book with Random House, GoingPro, which is just part of this amazing project.   Stay tuned to the website and sign up to follow the events of the coming year on facebook at http://twitter.com/goingpro2010.  

Skip’s Summer School:  This week is the last opportunity for the first level early bird discount registration of $199.  April 1st it moves to $249 and then $279 from June 1st to the program.  We’ve got an amazing line-up this year with a faculty that’s just unbeatable.   But best of all – how many programs did you attend at the last big convention where you had to wait in line to get in or worry about even getting a seat?   This year, like last, we “own” the entire third floor of the MGM Conference Center.  I’m guessing, but I think that’s over 80,000 square feet – so everybody has not only a place to sit, but a place at a table – we’ll be setting it up classroom style and we will NOT oversell the space.    You’re going to need a recharge in August, just before going into the fall season – here’s your chance to pick up new ideas on weddings, children’s portraiture, pet photography, marketing, lighting, high school seniors, photojournalism, business and even a little boudoir!     And all while networking and enjoying Las Vegas when the cost is the very lowest of the year (MGM code is SSS005 for the $79/night rate).

Check out the schedule and the speaker line-up.  It’s all on the Skip’s Summer School site!   See you in Vegas!

You’ve heard me talk before about how we don’t have Monday’s in this house – so Happy First Tuesday everybody – make it a great day and a terrific week.

1) Think about what you need most in terms of help with your business.  Do you need more education in marketing and business, a better understanding of photography or more products for providing added value to your customers like frames, canvas prints etc?  Maybe you need a few new focal lengths in your camera bag – maybe you need a new camera bag!   The purpose here is to establish your priorities – at WPPI, for example, there are a few hundred exhibitors and it sure helps to walk in the door focused on where you need the most help.  Otherwise, it’s simply overwhelming, with too many choices to make once you’re there.

2) If you need high ticket equipment – look into leasing if you’re worried about tying up capital.  You’ve got time to establish your credit line with a leasing company before you go, then you know exactly what you’ve been approved for and can work the convention like a pro!

3) Go to print competition judging!  If you’re in early enough for any convention in professional photography with print competition, it’s the best bang for your buck out there!  I went in to observe 10 years ago for half an hour wondering how my own entry was going to do – I stayed all day.  With the comments from the judges, it’s like having class after class in composition, exposure and printing being given by dozens of industry icons!

4) Plan your days in advance.  For example, the WPPI schedule is out and on line.  Think about what classes you want to go to and then be there at least 15-20 minutes early.  Programs fill up fast and you don’t want to be closed out of a program, but if you are, it’s not the end of the world.  Yes, it’s frustrating, but there’s a lot to choose from – so select your programs on where you need the most help, not on the popularity of the speakers.

5) Pay attention to the lineup of speakers at many of the exhibitors.  Here’s a great stop – There are 16 different speakers at the Pictage booth this year!  Every one of them will give you new ideas in creativity and marketing.  Joe Bussink, Kenny Kim, Dane Sanders, Jules Bianchi, David Beckstead, Bob and Dawn Davis, Mike Colon and the list goes on an on – they’ll all be in the Pictage booth.  (It’s easier to just click on that last “Pictage” and see the schedule!)

6) Network, network, network – since you’re there early to get a seat in a program then utilize the time wisely and talk to the people around you.  Try to never have dinner alone or with the same people – bring along a newbie, somebody you’ve just met at the show.  This has always been the coolest part of WPPI for me personally – the friendships you can make just sitting and talking to people.  Remember, everybody is dealing with the same challenges you are – the economy, creativity, growing your business, marketing etc.

7) Diversify – I’ve already written several blogs on the importance of staying diverse, but here’s your chance to really start to learn a new skill set.  Find at least one program to attend that’s completely out of your element – the one that might scare you the most!

8)  Need help with marketing and business?  Check out the Business Institute.  I started it five years ago and thanks to help from Mitche Graf this year, it continues to be the largest and my guess the most fun, business and marketing program in our industry.  And, if you’ve got an interest in school photography, attend All About Schools - you won’t be disappointed.

9) “Working the trade show” is no easy endeavor, but since you’re there, at least do it right.  You don’t need to go straight to that one company you want to see the most – because your tunnel vision will result in missing everybody you walk by on the way.  Literally work the rooms one aisle at a time and do your best to see EVERYBODY.  Yeah, I did just suggest that over three days you need to visit every company there – that’s the whole benefit of the show – there’s so much to choose from.  For example, you might not even be thinking about bringing in some new products, but walking by the GNP booth you’ll see dozens of terrific looking frames you could be offering your clients for that one image that’s so special it deserves that spot of honor over the fireplace!  Your client will be ecstatic, because they’ll think you’re going to do all the work and you can be ecstatic because GNP is going to make it easy for you – they’ll do all the work and you’ll be the hero!

10) Bring some of your own images!  I never understand photographers who come to a convention with access to every icon in the industry as well as every manufacturer and leave all their work at home!  You don’t need to carry around a 16×20 portfolio case, just a book of a dozen or so of your favorite images, or your promotional piece or even a few images in your iphone – but be careful of boring somebody with too many images on your iphone!   This is where I really like paper prints at a convention.  If I’m in a booth and busy, I don’t have time to have somebody try and direct my focus to their i-phone, but leaving me a couple of 5×7’s in a folder with a business card and more information will stay in my memory a lot longer.

11) Take a camera with you!!!!  I’m not talking about the gear you shoot with for your business, but a decent point and shoot.  Get a few shots of yourself at the show interacting with vendors and other photographers.   Do a press release when you get back to the local paper, Chamber of Commerce, post it on your blog or facebook page – nobody is watching out for you but you!  And if you’re stuck on what to write – here’s a free template – all yours to use.

Your city, Today’s Date 

Area Photographer Attends International Photographic Event

In (his/her) continued efforts to expand the broad selection of cutting edge photographic services, (your name) recently attended the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Convention, an intense educational event for professional photographers. 

“There’s never been a more exciting time to be a professional photographer or, to have images created by a professional.  Digital technology is changing all the time and I want to make sure I’m offering my clients the very best!” said (Your Name).

(Your Name) is the founder of (your studio) and is located at (address).  The studio offers a full range of (commercial portrait,wedding,childrens, etc.) services.    Or, _________ plans on continuing as a freelance photographer…etc.

And if you need more help on what to do with the release, just read the blog it originally appeared in on January 27th.

12) Take advantage of evening programming and special events.  Sure, it’s important to have a good time, but take advantage of the various presentations.  One of my favorites, good buddy Scott Bourne, is doing a program on Social Media and how to turn it into your most valuable marketing tool!  He’s on Tuesday night from 8:00 – 10:00. 

13) Don’t be afraid to talk to your favorite speakers.  Everybody is approachable and everybody is there because they believe in education and sharing.  But, I can’t bring this blog to a close without a few words of caution – show some courtesy.  I know it seems basic and maybe even insulting to some of you, but when you see one of your favorites stay away from the storm trooper approach, especially if they’re already in a conversation.  You might have to wait a few minutes for an opening or you might even need to catch them later, but the toughest thing is being involved in a conversation and having somebody just jump in and interrupt – you’ll never get anyone’s attention or the respect you want and deserve.

Last but not least – have fun!  Seriously, it’s one of those words that’s lost in business today – you’re going to a great convention.  You’re going to see old friends and make new ones.   It’s okay to work hard and party hard!  

Safe travels everybody – see you in Vegas!