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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Excuses for Not Paying Photographers
Kevin Novak, Photographer, Assistant
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 8:52 PM on 12.22.10 |
| ->> Sung to the theme of the 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... |
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Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 8:54 PM on 12.22.10 |
| ->> The reply from Jerry Cargill is hilarious!!! It's about 11 responses down. Whole thing is funny... or not. |
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Radu Rosca, Photographer
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Tirgu Mures | MS | Romania | Posted: 4:53 AM on 12.23.10 |
| ->> The most pathethic excuse i got when i asked money for the shooting i did was "I think you're kidding. If that's how you put the problem, that's fine, don't send them to me. I can manage witouth your pics from now on". |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 1:35 PM on 12.23.10 |
->> I loved this:
I saw one amateur photographer get a compliment on a photo they did. The photog replied, “Thanks but it’s God working through me”
It took all I had to NOT say, “If God took this he would have straightened the horizon and white balanced… “
I've written this before: There is a definite trend towards not valuing the work of others in this society - and it isn't just photgraphy. It's wide-spread.
I recently had some product that we had to clear out so we sold it at cost - but charged the labor to install it. The rate was very reasonable. The customer wanted the product but wanted us to throw in the labor. "It's all I can afford." I pretended to look at the costs and went back to the customer and said "Paul, I'd love to do business with you on this, but I'm afraid this time we'll have to walk. There's just nothing left and the labor charge is more than reasonable."
I then SHUT UP. (I've preached over and over that when you ask for the sale - after you ask you shut up). He paused for a minute and then said "fine - I'll take it."
So, what did I know and why did I do what I did?
1) Consumers have been taught to do this. Whether it's your wife's magazine, the consumer segment on a TV show or whatever, they've been taught to ask. Doesn't mean you have to cave in, does it? (In this case, caving in means losing money... if that was the case, better to own it a bit longer and sell it to someone you won't lose money on)
2) I've often suggested that you build an extra percentage 5% -10% into you pricing for marketing allowances. In this way, you can promote something that's FREE or 10% off or whatever. It also comes in handy if you're in a situation like this. "We just concluded a promotion that had an additional 10% off, it's really too bad we didn't speak earlier.. that would have been perfect, wouldn't it?"
What you do with this is create a feeling of loss.. and in sales, that's a powerful motivator. You pause after saying this, and let them think for a moment.
"You know, if I could back date this order, I could probably get you the extra 10%. You want to do that?" That's a closing question is sales, and that's when you shut up and wait for the response. You'll get one of three responses typically.
Yes - in which case write the contract, get the downpayment and you're good to go.
N0 - In which case, they can go call their cousin with the digital rebel...
Maybe - They may be the decision maker (or not),but they may not want to commit without consulting with another person. You can still offer them the 10% with the understanding that they can change or cancel it.
The big thing is to get the committment.
The other advice is this - you don't have to give them 10% on everything. It can be 10% off a sitting fee, enlargements, whatever. Keep that extra margin handy - you will no doubt need it down the road.
Hope this helps.
Michael |
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Butch Miller, Photographer
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