We are excited to announce our partnership with Rachel Procell Photography Marketing Workshops. Next month, Rachel is hosting several classes in the Louisiana area geared towards helping you improve your photography marketing skills.
2012 Photography Marketing Workshop will include classes on:
- Developing your marketing personas
- Packaging your services
- Setting your prices to sell better
- How to get more website traffic
- How to diversify your income
The workshops run from May 7th until June 30th. Registration ends May 6th at noon.
The price only runs $347 for the full 8 weeks.
Click here for more details!
When you see these precious crocheted props, you can’t help but say—ahhhhh!
Deb Williams is the creative designer behind I’ll Be Yarned on Tradeprops.com! She offers a wide range of hand crocheted goodies you are sure to love. We asked her a few quetsions on how she started her business!
What inspires you the most in your creations? There are so many stunning yarns in this world! My hands just itch to try new ones. Give me a new yarn, a set of knitting needles or a crochet hook and I think that I’ve died and gone to heaven 
. My hands NEED to be busy!
What do you enjoy about your business?I LOVE knowing that the unique handcrafted little treasures that I create will bring such joy to families of a blessed new baby. I look forward to the day when my second income is not a necessity. At that time of my life you will find me knitting hats and baby blankets for the hospital and women’s clinic.
Any advice or tips for someone just opening their shop? Don’t be afraid to approach photographers about working trades with you. You provide them your designs for free in exchange for the rights to use their photos on your sites. Strive for amazing, outstanding customer service and a perfect, high quality product.
Find more of her treasures on by clicking here!
Your business name means a lot–especially if you are a small business owner. The right name can make or break your company. Here are a few tips to help you in your search for the perfect name.
1.Make it memorable—You need something that your customers will remember. Also make sure it is easy to spell! If someone is searching for the company online-you don’t’ want to get it confused with another brand!
2.Make sure the name is positive- When you say Huggabeans—you automatically think of “hugging.” I also thing of cute stuffed animals!When picking a name, make sure it makes you feel good! You want people to have a positive impression of your company!
3.Simplicity is the key- A good business name doesn’t have to be short– but it as to be something that your customers can easily remember.Make sure it will fit well on a websites—emails —and business cards!
4.Test Run- Once you have a few names narrowed down—ask a few customers (or friends/family)- to rate the names.What do they think—when they see the names. Is it negative, positive, off topic?
How super cute are these bunny hats!?!
All of these wonderful hats are available on www.TradeProps.com. These cutie bunny beanies are perfect for springtime photography session! How adorable are these rabbit ears!
What other ideas do you have for Spring?
Only $16 at Busy Mommy of 5 Designs TradeProps Shop
Only $24 on NonnaMiaCC TradeProps Shop
Only $20 Diamond Crochet TradeProps Shop
Her work is delicate and extremely detailed– hand crocheted items by Cathy Jacob’s of The Nonna Mia Creative Collection. Cathy is clearly one of the most successful sellers on www.TradeProps.com. She aggressively markets to new clients via social media, grabbing the attention of new buyers with her creative designs.
Cathy hit the ground running at TradeProps.com featuring her items on her own Facebook page—then using the TradeProps.com fan page to promote her one-of-a-kind items. She entered the world of selling after her daughter-in-law started her own photography business. There was an obvious need for creative photo props, so Cathy used her crocheting skills to design dozens of products.
Along with balancing a thriving online business, Cathy works as an Electrical Estimator. Once she finishes her day filled with meetings, deadlines and contracts—she relaxes at home with her crafts. She says crocheting is very therapeutic.
She offers this piece of advice for those looking to sell online– “Never take on more orders or work than you can handle! Do not tell a client you can meet a deadline unless you know for sure that you can meet that deadline. Be honest to your customers!”
When Cathy isn’t creating photography props, newborn hats, or headbands, she spends her time with her three beautiful grand-daughters—the source of her inspiration.
Find her items online at www.tradeprops.com/NonnaMiaCC
Everyday feels like a roller-coaster ride. The twist and turns of motherhood, mixed with the constant speed of business can be difficult for mom-togs. It’s a thrilling adventure that can turn you into a successful business woman if you follow a few simple steps. We sat down with Newborn Photographer Aimee Fuller, who offered a few words of advice on balancing family and photography.
1. What’s a normal day for you? I hit the ground running every morning. I start my day with a glass of Diet Dr. Pepper! My kids are top priority in my life so I wake up and get them all dressed and ready for their days. After I get my oldest two off to school I come back to the office and I look over my schedule and plan out my day/week in my head. I check my emails, monitor my Facebook Fan page and reply back in the morning to all messages. I return phone calls and inquiries that need to be returned. I edit, I do sessions, I am business woman. Most of my day is spent working and juggling my family. I do have help with the kids during sessions (Thanks Dad!!), which is great! My husband is also very supportive and has a degree in Finance so he’s my “business manager” and does a lot of work for me behind the scenes keeping the business/business aspect of things going strong. Some days I’m not sure how I did everything I do in one day being one person, but somehow I get it done!
2. Any advice for someone starting out? Decide early on what you want to specialize in. I started off taking any photography client that came my way. I knew in my mind that I always wanted to be a “baby photographer”, but I also knew I had to build my business up first so I would take anyone that called me. I wasn’t being true to myself or my passion. I have molded my business into being known in my area as a baby photographer over time, but I should have stayed more true to myself in the beginning and kept my work primarily maternity, newborns and babies. That isn’t an issue for me now because my clients now that I don’t take babies over the age of 2. I do still get calls for weddings (cringe!), seniors and older children and I just refer them to other local area photographers that I support and follow. My advice? Stay true to you and be firm in your passion because you won’t regret it further down the road!
3. What have you learned most about operating your own business? I’m still learning something new every day about my business, but the #1 thing I learned last year was to take two days off for myself and my family. I was working 7 days a week in 2011 (crazy, right?) and I was really getting burned out. I found myself grocery shopping at midnight during the week and staying up until 3 and 4 in the morning editing. I quickly decided that 2012 would be different and I changed my office hours. It’s been great!
Find more of Aimee Fuller’s work at www.aimeefullerphotography.com!
The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” is very true in online selling. The better photographs you have– the more likely you are to make a sale. So when taking pictures of your items, keep these points in mind:
•Good lighting- Pictures will turn out best if taken in daylight
•Use a quality camera- You don’t need to spend hundreds on a camera–but investing in a good quality digital camera is a good idea if you want to take your online selling seriously.
•Think about backdrop- I’ve seen some horrendous pictures that show items spread out on dirty, clutter carpet. Avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds. Use grey fabric/sheets for a backdrop on white-colored items so they stand out.
What are some tips you use to take your pictures?
Cake smash photography has become a big trend in children’s photography. Carrie Ferris shares a few tips she’s learned along the way.
1. Plan the outfit. It’s not all about the cake. Always contact the parents in advance to make sure the entire scene coordinates with the cake. It will likely be the center of the whole color scheme.
2. Age. Stick with the little kiddos for these sessions. Babies up to 12 months are the best for these photos.
3. Plan the perfect cake. If you don’t have time to bake a cake, pick one up at your local bakery. I highly recommend decorations– since it adds color and fun to the photo. I personally love the multi-colored sprinkles!
4. Clean Up Plan. Make sure the child has a change of clothing. Also—baby wipes and towels are “a must!” You don’t want the child to leave the session covered in frosting.
Is there anything she can’t do? Really?
She’s a mom, nurse, student, and the Creative Designer behind WiggleGiggles Tutus. Lela Shaw has somehow “magically” found time balance several jobs, classes and her growing family. A year ago, Lela decided to take a leap of faith and launch her own online shop.
She told TradeProps.com, “I wanted to get into some type of craft and challenge myself. I literally taught myself on how to make everything. I am currently teaching myself on new styles to provide more products for my clients!”
Her craft room is filled with bright array tulle and ribbon, the perfect place for creating her cute little tutus. But when she’s not designing, she’s balancing dozens of other activities. Lela actually starts her day in the middle of the night, working the graveyard shift as a nurse. After 12 hours on the job, she spends quality time with her son, before starting on her orders. After a power nap, she hits the books. She’s currently taking classes to advance her nursing skills.
After selling over 300 tutus, Lela says the key to running a successful shop is keeping a strict schedule. She told TradeProps.com, “You need to be disciplined! I had to learn good time management skills. With having so many other obligations, it’s important to schedule your priorities.”
You can find her fabulous creations at www.TradeProps.com/WiggleGiggles!
If you’re looking for a great deal on some photography props, head over to Sunshine Creations ! They are hosting a huge Fan Appreciation Auction until January 31st!
There are over 100 items–and many with starting bids at just $3!
The store is operated by Jaime Bader a medical student and stay-at-home mom with a beautiful 5 year old daughter!
Check out these cute items! My favorite is the Angry Birds Hat!
Sunshine Creations Fan Auction Link
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