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How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market

October 31, 2019

When we experience frustration in our marketing, it’s easy to blame the “oversaturated market” and every “mom-with-a-camera.” And I get it… I remember feeling the exact same way and it is a fact that photography is a saturated market!

But the truth is… it is still possible to stand out!

Why Your Photography Business Needs a Blog and How to Get Started | Marketing for Photographers with Ariel Dilworth

The truth is, we aren’t the ONLY saturated market out there. Hairstylists, restaurants, and nail salons probably feel the same way. But before you can stand out there is a mindset shift that needs to take place.

Stop trying to be different and be you… THE BEST you! I remember how defeated I felt everytime someone would inquire and end up booking with someone cheaper. But THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE SHOULD GIVE UP!

It just means that we need to do a better job communicating our value to potential clients.

People don’t care as much as they use to about technical perfection in your photographs or professionalism in your business. Science has proven that people base their purchasing decisions based on trust. And the best way to earn trust is through vulnerability and authenticity.

Whether its because people have been bombarded with messages their whole life that sound too much like advertising, or because the new generations coming in care more about people than businesses and making a difference than helping someone make money. Marketers everywhere agree that Authenticity and focusing on earning the trust of our potential clients is the new way to market our businesses.

So in order to earn their trust… you have to convey authenticity with your brand. How do you do that?

1.) Find your Why

Your why is going to be your purpose for getting out of bed in the morning. And while it doesn’t have anything to do with your job… it does directly affect your job. Because if you can’t tell me why you do what you do and why it matters to your ideal client, then people will not care.

Need some help finding your why? Click HERE.

2.) Tell stories

Storytelling is hands-down the markets most influential method of convey messages these days. When you tell stories and be vulnerable, honesty and authenticity just happen. Giving people a look into your life, the failures and not just the successes. Actually gives credibility to your brand and encourages loyalty.

To learn about your brand story and the other stories you should be telling in your marketing. Join me for my “More than Marketing” course.

3.) Build a identifiable brand

I’m not talking colors and logos. If you want to stand out in a saturated market, you must build a brand and not a business. Your brand should have its own personality, its own tone, it’s own word usage, it’s own beliefs and values. You want your brand messaging to be SO identifiable that if someone was to see one of your blogs, your social media posts, or your photos… they would know it was yours.

4.) Follow through

Don’t focus so much on the clients you don’t have and instead focus on the ones you do. If we as photographers focus on turning the clients we have into RAVING FANS then we won’t even have to worry about things like “standing out in a saturated market.” Because your happy clients will be spreading your name to everyone they know and literally screaming it from the social media rooftops.

I hope this was an encouragement to you! I know that if I was able to do this… you can do this! I’m so glad I didn’t give up because the life I have now is literally more than I could’ve ever dreamed of! Keep working hard on making your dreams a reality but also have enough courage and self-awareness to take an honest look at how you’re marketing your business and blame yourself… not the saturated market… if you’re not booking. Because as long as you believe that someone else can control whether or not you succeed, you will be limited. But as soon as you realize that your success is up to you and you’re willing to make necessary sacrifices to make it happen… THAT is when you will find success and fulfillment and not just in your photography business but in your life.

If you think I can help with that, I’d love to come alongside you, have you join my upcoming course, and help you get there. But either way, I hope this is an encouragement. Because I believe that you have something unique to offer the world. A message that only you can give. I believe that you CAN build and sustain a successful business in a saturated market. I know because I’ve done it, and my students are doing it too! Cheering you on, friend!

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