BetterPhotoJim

BetterPhotoJim's Favorite Photo of the Week - The Escape by Mary Beth Aiello

Enjoy this week's photo. Stunning isn't it?!!

Awesome photo and awesome post-processing, Mary Beth! 

 

Gain the Secrets of Success from Master Photographer Tony Sweet

I have the good fortune of having Tony Sweet on our team of photography instructors at BetterPhoto.com. Recently, I got to talking with Tony about the mindset of the successful, creative artist

Hear what Tony has to say. Listen for clues on how you too can rise to the top of your game when it comes to your creative photography:

Click here to listen to this audio interview with the masterful creative, inspiring photographer Tony Sweet

Tony talks about his drive, his focus on being creative, his music, and his mission and values. 

Enjoy

12 Ways to Make the Most of the New BetterPhoto Ambassador Program

We have had a smashingly successful start to our Ambassador Program! Many of you have emailed me wanting tips on how to get your program up and running. So, here are 12 tips to help you get off to a strong start as a BetterPhoto Ambassador:

1)   First and foremost, simply beat Resistance! Get your banner ads or text links set up today, so you can start earning money. Remember the cardinal rule of photography: “Take your camera with you everywhere you go because, without a camera, it’s kinda difficult to take pictures.” We can apply that saying here: without doing the initial registration and setting up a few links, etc., it’s kinda hard to make your first commission.

2)   When you meet someone and they seem interested, get their contact information and follow up with them. This is much more effective than giving them your own contact information (because it often gets lost or forgotten). Hear that? You don’t even need business cards anymore!

3)   Keep an ear out for when people seem to be conversing about photography, especially learning or sharing photography. That’s the best time to mention the  BetterPhoto Ambassador Program.

4)   Take my upcoming mega-course. More details soon...

5)   Let your passion for BetterPhoto.com and photography in general SHINE!

6)   Tell your story about how you found BetterPhoto.com and how much it has helped you.

7)   Tell one of the stories from the  BetterPhoto Student Testimonials. Here are some examples of what other students have said about their experience at BetterPhoto:

"Never before have I absorbed so much insight and technical information from an instructor in such a short period of time." -Michele A. Katcher

"These courses are very easy to follow; the notes and example of photos provided are invaluable... I have recommended BetterPhoto to my friends and family... Thanks for making my retirement a lot more enjoyable and interesting." -Geoff Butler

"As a professor of education, I am impressed by the approach of the courses at BetterPhoto. The clear lesson presentation, individual feedback and access to other student work provides an excellent way to learn." -Michael J. Keppell

8)   Email people often, and in an efficient way. Have descriptions already written up so you only have to adapt them instead of reinventing the wheel each time you want to tell someone about BetterPhoto. Check into email services like aWeber.com

9)   When you email, keep two all-important rules in mind: a) Give… always give first; and b) Don’t be boring… or shy. Be different… even be outrageous at times. If you’re stuck, let us help! Our Ambassador Program Manager, Celia, will be sending out sample emails and links for email signatures. If you have questions, email Celia anytime at ambassador (at) betterphoto.com and she will help guide you with suggestions.

10)  Kick away the “I’m bugging them” fear. People don’t mind being bugged when you have something that solves their problem in a wonderful, true way. Our team often share stories of how interested people are in our special community. It’s very unique, and a great conversation starter can be “I learned photography online - ask me how...”

11)  Fuel your internal feelings about how you are helping people when you share. You’re doing them a service. In fact, it’s down right rude and selfish for you to NOT share!

12)  List all the reasons why you believe in BetterPhoto.com, and keep these reasons in mind.
As always, feel free to email them to me…I love hearing about how much BetterPhoto rocks!

The point is, I want you to succeed as an Ambassador, so I will do all I can to help. Let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, and whatever else comes to mind. We are in this together, and together we will thrive!

Announcing the BetterPhoto Ambassador Program

It’s officially ON!

Our Ambassador Program is up and running, and we have signed up 100+ people in the first few days! I know that finding an easy way to earn extra money is important to everyone right now, so I encourage you to sign up today for the BetterPhoto Ambassador Program.

We don’t know how to make it any easier. All you need to do is sign up, and place a BetterPhoto banner or text ad on your site. When someone clicks through your site to our site, then buys something... you get a percentage of the sale! Simple as that.

This idea is something I have been working on for two years. I wanted to find a way to give a little something back to our raving fans. You have been the driving force behind the success of BetterPhoto, and I hope you are excited by this new program.

Celia Burkhart will be managing the Ambassador Program. Celia’s a wonderful part of TeamBetterPhoto and she will be happy to help you with any questions you might have. You can reach her via email at ambassador @ betterphoto.com.

As always, I welcome your comments below and will always respond.

So what are you waiting for? Slay that dragon of perfectionism - check it out, sign up, and get started today!

http://www.betterphoto.com/affiliatewiz/join.aspx

9 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success on Twitter

Whether you're just about to take the plunge and start tweeting, or you've been on Twitter for some time, you'll find at least one of the following tips helpful: 

1. Reserve your username by signing up today. If your first choice is likely taken, get creative.
2. Choose followers with mini-portraits, tweets you like, and a growing following.
3. Don’t do the step where Twitter asks you if you want to auto-invite all your Gmail or Yahoo friends that are not on Twitter yet. Twitter would love that but your friends may not.
4. Add your website to the “More Info URL” and your location.
5. In your bio, say a few professional things followed by something fun and less formal.
6. Don’t check the “Protect My Tweets” unless you want to keep your account totally private.
7. When you upload your portrait, have it be a close-up picture of you, smiling at the camera.
8. Get a background and unique design as soon as you can. But don't wait for that to happen before you start. Get started tweeting today; make it pretty when you can.
9. Have fun!

BetterPhotoJim's Favorite Photo of the Week - Beautiful Baby (Reef1) by Tricia Ann Roy

Wow! Need I say more... Wow!

Anyone who has done this kind of photography can appreciate this beautiful photo (and beautiful baby)!

Way to go, Tricia!

Discover the Secrets of Success from Master Photographer Jan LeCocq

Recently, I had the great pleasure of interviewing another of my favorite photographers - Jan LeCocq.

Jan is an amazing photographer in my Masterpiece Membership program at BetterPhoto, as well as a equestrian, business owner, and all around awesome woman.

Listen for truths that will help you get to the next level in your own creative photography:

Click here to listen to this audio interview with photographer-writer Jan LeCocq 

Jan reveals her many secrets about the psychology and mindset of successful creative photography. You'll identify with much of what she shares... and learn great tips and techniques along the way.

Enjoy!

Why People are Tweeting and What You Should Tweet About

Tweet, tweet, tweet! Everyone says, "You should Tweet." So, why haven't you? Don't let Resistance hold you back. To be honest, there isn't much to it, and besides, it's fun!

Here's a quick video on the basics of why people Tweet, and what YOU should Tweet about.

As you saw in the video, it really is all about having fun. Just set up your account, start Tweeting, and make sure to follow people. Start conversations and follow conversations... that's the deal.

You can start by following me @betterphotojim, and make sure to check out Denise's  blog, ScribbleMania.com.

Let me know how it goes, and whether or not this video was helpful.

Our Small Way of Saying Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Over the past 14 years, BetterPhoto members have told me two things again and again and again:

1. They love BetterPhoto and have so much fun in the courses and in our awesome community of like-minded enthusiasts.
2. They desperately need to find a way to offset some of the high costs of photography.

Finally... two years ago... we came up with a way to give our raving fans both. In August of 2008, my team installed an affiliate program but then got distracted. Recently, we rolled up our sleeves, got to work, and powered through the creation of the BetterPhoto Ambassador Program... 

We’re now in final testing stages...  Expect to see a great new opportunity within the next few days...

This is our way of saying THANK YOU for all the love and support you've given BetterPhoto. Your participation, enthusiasm, and feedback alone have been awe-inspiring... it's what keeps us going strong!

By earning commissions for each customer you refer to BetterPhoto, you will be able to get additional income, enjoy more free time for your photography, and have a better way to share BetterPhoto member. 

Let me know if this is something that interests you... your feedback, as always, is super valuable to me. 

Comment below if you like this idea.

Thanks again!

Behind the Scenes in Jim's Garage Photography / Video Studio

Whether you want to make photos or record video, you don't need the most expensive equipment, a commercial studio (complete with an expensive lease and lots of overhead), or even a tidy garage. You don't even need a lot of the gear you'll see here. 

The following is a behind-the-scenes look at how Jason and I will be producing upcoming videos on business, marketing, photography,silencing negative self-talk , and more. The studio is currently set up to film video tips but the principles are similar when I set up to shoot stills. 

Warning: this is THE low-budget way to do pro quality studio photography and videography. If you don't like to see the raw underbelly of creativity in action, don't watch the video

See inside my garage where I have a Canon 5D Mark II digital SLR camera (that records beautiful HD video), a couple of mics, an audio mixer, and a teleprompter set on a tripod. Two video lights illuminate the high-end, fancy "stage" (a piece of white seamless paper). 

If I'm really well-behaved, Jason might let us go do the video filming out in the backyard from time to time. But this studio provides a great controlled environment for those (frequent) times when it rains up here in Seattle. It's also much quieter - which is essential when doing video.

And a bonus of watching the video - you'll get to meet Bob, someone I punch, kick and chop every morning. Poor guy.

Before I show the video, one quick reminder: There are only a few hours left...

At my upcoming Creative Confidence workshops, you'll gain the proven skills to eliminate negative self talk and overcome insecurity. Do you want to say goodbye to second guessing? The price is only $499 (instead of $1499) until tonight at midnight. If this is the kind of thing that you've been looking for - feeling totally on top of your photography - you might want to sign up tonight. And I guarantee the event - you'll get your money back with a smile if you're not totally thrilled.

Okay commercial over... here's our pre-video series sneak peek: