Communication……….

If there is one thing that people know with certainty about me is that I love ‘keeping in touch’. I write letters, notes and send cards out of the blue. I want the person receiving them to know that it doesn’t have to be an ‘occasion’ for them to hear from me. I may be out somewhere, shopping or at an event and hear a song that reminds of a time when…… or reminds me of something a friend said when……. or just makes me think of that person in general. I constantly buy cards to save for when that moment arrives. I do this because I KNOW how it feels to be on the receiving end of one of these cards/notes/letters.

The reason I write this post is that last night I met with a future bride-to-be and the one thing that stood out to me during our meeting was when she explained that out of all the photographers she had e-mailed over the past two weeks, I was the only one that replied! This was shocking to me. Not one other photographer had even replied with a basic “thanks for contacting us we’ll get back to you”. Way to go get business eh? It takes no time at all to draft up a quick response if you are in the middle of something else so why not do this? Show professionalism and courtesy and interest in your own business! Unless you are naive to think that you don’t ‘need’ the business and that word won’t spread that you are a bad communicator. I know I don’t need that kind of media coverage!

I explain to all my clients whether they are brides, families having a family photoshoot, or whoever they are that communication is key to me and my business and that keeping in touch with them ensures that they are satisfied with all that I am doing and that they know I haven’t forgotten about them. I connect with ideas and plans, and also keep in touch with other vendors involved in their ‘event’. I also tell my clients that I LOVE hearing from them with THEIR ideas and what they expect – it works both ways!

This photograph here?

This is one of the wall boards I have in my office. It is full of cards and letters I have received from clients and is constantly being added to! It reminds me of why I do what I do, why I LOVE what I do, and is also a strong reminder that communication is key.

Communication is only effective if both sides are willing to take part! I’m willing, are you?