Or, Cowboy Up and Get Some Damn Self-confidence.
This is going to be one of my ‘beat you up a little bit first ” pep talks. Fair warning.
I was chatting with a new client yesterday and we got to talking about how many wedding vendors are so afraid of having their work displayed along side the work of their competitors. Why? don’t you think you are better than (or at least on a par with) them? Aren’t you proud of your work? If you really seriously think that your work won’t hold up to the other vendors in your market at your price point you shouldn’t be in business!
Seriously.
You do what you do (hopefully) because you believe that you have talent and skills, right? So why should you be afraid to show off your talent in the company of other talented, skilled practitioners?
This seems to be most prevalent among photographers but applies to most creatives. “Oh I don’t what them coping my style” Please, if they can copy it, then it isn’t a style its a formula.
“I don’t want them copying my poses.” Newsflash, they are going to do that anyway. That is why you have to be the innovator, constantly creating new and different to stay ahead of the pack. Rather than worrying about someone copying you, start delighting in having them wonder just what the heck you are going to do next. If they are so busy watching you they don’t have time left to develop their own style.
“Oh, I would rather they don’t explore my competitors.” Second newsflash. Trust me, your brides are online and have already seen them.
If you don’t think your work will stand up in a head to head viewing than you have a lot of work to do. You either have to bring your work up to the level needed or work on your self-confidence. I’m betting it’s the later.
Let’s talk about that for a moment. Would you for one minute consider displaying something that you didn’t think was your best work? Of course not; so don’t doubt yourself.
I was taught along time ago the when we look at others we see only their shiny side and we then compare it to our dark and wrinkled side. Stop that!
I know that to this day, when I look at a shot of one of my cakes, all I can see are the flaws. I focus on what I could have done better or maybe done differently. Yet when I look at a cake in a magazine or someones portfolio all I see is the cake and the skill needed to create it. I’ll bet that you are guilty of doing the same thing.
One of the first things to remember in marketing is to believe in the product. Doubly so since this is your product. As creatives, every time we display our work we are displaying a piece of ourselves and that’s scary. Be proud of who you are and what you create.
I’ll tell you a little secret, every time I hit publish on one of these articles it scares the bejezzes out of me. Not as much as it used to, mind you. Do you know why that is? Because of you and all the positive feedback I have received from my readers over the years.I have begun to see the shiny side. You need to do the same.
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