Thanks Jamie, for hosting our quiet little event. It is good to sit in a group where one has to be engaged. It creates a positive intense gathering. Please let me know if the possibilities of being in Renton becomes a reality.

Sounds like a good networking opportunity with some interesting possibilities.

Hi. What a great idea! I am always glad to see events in the area. Many of us in business for ourselves work seven days a week so Sunday and networking sounds like fun to me. Thanks Jamie for hosting this event. It will be the opportunity to share the details of my September Giveaway with new people.

I really like your article, a lot ! I started a campaign to network 22 times in September. I found the guidelines most helpful, you hit the nail on the head about attending networking that are a good fit. I think a lot of people should appreciate the reminder about what networking involves other than being at the event.

Bob Thanks for a very comprehensive event. I think everyone left with a deeper level of comprehension on what blogging entails. Renton Tech College was an excellent venue providing a top notch facility for the presentation.

Dynamic, engaging, strong direction and concise if my presentations have those qualities that abound in your article they will be a great success. Thanks for the reminders Peace

Thanks for the article and the reminder to appreciate what is reality. Big risk can have big rewards or big challenges. I think that is true during prosperity or difficult times. I find it hard to jump off cliffs but as a freelance photographer and artist many task require that of me. I probably waste some energy on these type of decisons but it is who I am.

Brian I really appreciate your article about marketing plans. You hit the mark with the comment about how many of us would rather do than market. I think that many people do not want to talk about marketing plans because it is where we need the most help. I always have to remind myself that anything I can do to raise my visibility will have positive impact. Best regards Tom

Lynn My marketing plan is undefined. But, I truly devoured your ten tips like a hot fudge sundae. The tips were individally good but when you combined them it made up an article that was concise and a true pleasure to read. Thank you for shining some light into the darkness of my marketing.

Timothy I related to the drawer, file holder, box, special card holder with business cards to the greatest degree. You reminded me about all my many stashes I have for them. Please email some more information about the scanner? I have worked in retail sales of paintings at an art gallery. Our business cards were thought of as a last ditch effort to maintain contact. Unfortunately, the reality of success generated by distribution of them was slim to none in this difficult market. The life expectancy of a business card was about three seconds once a client left the gallery. It occurs to me that putting info on the back of them was probably a reminder of the objection to closing a sale. I was thinking about this the other day, while preparing for attending my next biznik event. All this being said, reinforced that a solid, exciting, engaging presentations creates more success than actual business card. I agree that making more contact through use of business cards is a pathway which should be explored. Thanks again for the info and the timely presentation of your article. Tom

Stephanie You have made a very strong argument for reduced rates and even working for free. While I am in the process of relocated from Hawaii and starting up, again it is tough to give services up for free. I agree about the potential benefits being worth the efforts. Thanks for reminding me about documenting the reduction in terms of contracts. I think clients can overlook discounts while they are reaping the benefit.

Bob I agree about people taking advantage of discount rates. I think as small business entrepreneurs that offerring a discount for repeat business is a good policy and one as a custormers we should understand, too. I sometimes give a discount for a client who gave me real (profitable) referrals or the third photo shoot, product or services.

Where there's a will there is a way.. I am here to work not play.

Thanks for keeping focused on what is real

Pamela, Difficult conversations are great to have when a positive attitude is at one's base. I appreciate the steps to guide one through these conversations Although, for me the passion and pride of my photographic creations sometimes are difficult to temper. I recently was accused of being conceited about my product. I had to state that after years of committment to pursuit of excellence that I have real confidence in creating images for products, events and of people. Sometimes these difficult conversations just pop up. I think I will be a little better prepared for when they do after reading your article. I think steps 2,3, and 4 would be great to recall in those moments. Thanks.

Timothy This is a gret article for a start up. I've read a few books on starting a photography business but they all made it complicated. I thank you for sharing and taking the time to give an understandable explanation. I think your survey would work great for a weekly tracker. Best regards

Jamie I think we all have our guards up to a certain degree when meeting new people. Since joining biznik I sometimes use the message format to offer my thoughts rather than post a comment to an article. It seems to be a polite way to make an observation that is specifically for the author. I really agree about there are some people we click with which makes it a whole lot easier.
I also ponder that others are just possibilities. I think just knowing what someone else does and that you can help them or even they maybe able to help you achieve something is enough. I have heard that these type of relationships can be very positive, too.

Tyson, I agree that the image one picks to represent one self is very important. I find your image posted an interesting example. It has great composition, dynamic light and some solid simultaneous contrast. I just changed from to a self portrait head shot from a shot of me and one of my cameras. I am slightly concerned about the sterness of the image but wanted to post a new image.

I found Elizabeth Lee, Seattle another great photoghaphic creation. I get a sense of openess from it. I think that both yours and hers are beautiful artisitic expressions but ponder the marketing concept of identifiable image. Perhaps presenting a true image should be tempered with the ability to communicate visually and recognize the individual.

I work with the individuals to create honest excellent portraits that capture an essence of spirit. I have often heard," You're the photographer what do you think? " I like to reccomend some eye contact to help others recognize the client. I like poses that are non-traditional but believe that body language messages should be considered.

Kirk, It is great to see an article on promotion with this much information. Addressing web, blogging and online sales makes a great "to do" list for those of us starting a new small business. Thank you. I have had a web site for our pastel paintings (http://tomicreations.com) for a couple of years which really hasn't produced. I know that my new photography web page must be more in tune with the realities of today's online marketing. Thanks again, for a lot of very solid information

I am new to biznik and found your article summarizes what I can do to further expand the experience. Thank you. I am blessed with a small amount of attention deficent posting comments online helps me solidify thoughts. Beside, I pick up numerous techniques to achieving ends. That additonal aspect to increase my focus of thoughts is wonderful. That focus makes me feel a lot more relaxed. I think I enjoy my daily challenges of running my own business a lot because I am more relaxed.

Andy Great article, I'm a long time juggler with mental prioritizing. Everytime, I see an approach that I might be able to adapt; I celebrate. 2min to 2hours is decent range for people like me because we often lead ourselves down those paths with out in considering the consequences. I really enjoy days when I accomplish what I thought was a priorty at the beginning of the day. You book Getting Things Done is going on my reading list. Thanks for sharing your concepts

I thought we all love to pretend. Addressing the power of the imagination with work solutions concept in the same article planted a seed of inspriation.. . The next time I have to buckle down and conquer one of those lingering items, I wll probably think about a hike up a Old Raghead. I went on this hike this last summer. The climb up was ardious which will help me to keep going on the project. At the summit, I remember basking in sun with family and friends looking out over the cascading ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I am looking forward to the moment when the project end is in sight to mediating for a few moments about all that beauty at the summit. Thanks for a new creative solution to overcome some of druggery of work.

John Great information one that all the graphic designers, artist, authors, muscians should be aware and completely comprehend. I have a question, when an artist sells a painting are copywright rights relinquished to the buyer. Does that have to do with liscening? Thanks Thomas Best regards