Morawski & Company Business Development for a Left Brain World Through Social Media

FAMOUS Photog FOUND in the WILDS of England

Famous photographer, Nigel Harniman was recently sighted in the wilds of the English countryside. As the mob of news reporters approached he seemed quite chagrined about all the hoopla. When asked he said, “Yes his new photography rep in the USA was Morawski and Company.”  He went on further to say that, “Mike professed his undying love for my work over many years and that was what launched our whirlwind courtship and signing. We are now settling in, happy together in the hunt for fresh opportunities in the Colonies.” 

 

NIGEL HARNIMAN 2011 SHOW REEL

 

When you look at Nigel’s 2011 Show Reel you can quickly understand my enthusiasm. His award winning work, impish smile, gregarious laugh and quaint English colloquialisms (Colonies, I rest my case) all come together to make working with him a most rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Cheers
Mike Morawski
Chief Instigation Officer

Animoto...more Silliness and Fun

You’re a still shooter, looking for new ways to show the work. You can always put them in a PowerPoint presentation (oops, I think I threw up a little in my mouth at that thought).  iMovie or Studio 14 provide many different ways to present still images. The most notable technique is called the “Ken Burns” effect. Using either of these programs you could combine the stills with music and create a rather compelling presentation. Add video and you’ve kicked it up a notch.

There’s a service I recommend looking at. Animoto is a web based interface that takes stills, video, text and music, adds transitions and effects producing a video presentation in a very unique and compelling visual presentation. Take a look at the video that Don Johnston just did from his Mercedes shoot.

 

Animoto has several advantages. It supports a variety of formats. Utilizing a web based service relieves you of having enough processing power in your computer to accomplish these tricks in a reasonable amount of time. Because you push the “magic button” you can let the software worry about all the timing issues etc. A business account removes any of the Animoto branding. Finally, they also support HD and offer an option to burn the completed video to DVD.

This could be a great added value differentiator or additional income stream. For example, if you’re a portrait or wedding photographer combining selects and casual outtakes tells the story of the entire photo shoot as an event. By capturing candids as well, adding music and transitions putting it on an HD DVD and you have vastly exceeded your client’s expectations.

Exceeding expectations, now that’s something everybody likes.

Mike Morawski

Chief Instigation Officer

Sooner or later you gotta back it up

OK you’re networked. You’ve Facebooked, Tweeted, emailed and LinkedIn your way to a myriad of new friends, prospects and clients. You’ve piqued their interest. Now what?

Like they say, “Now is when the proverbial rubber has to meet the road”. Now is when you deliver.  Give them reasons to consider you. Shooting new tests and experimental work is crucial to developing your talent and vision. Letting people look over your shoulder during the process deepens those new relationships. Watch the video.

 

 
Don Johnston is a photographer. Don’s added another layer to the Social Media mix by giving you a feel for him as a photographer and as an individual. He chose video to let the viewer look behind the curtain and yours truly for the open and close. Any media works though. Just remember that the important thing is…

Let them discover you. Make it personal.

Mike Morawski

Chief Instigation Officer

When all else fails…Pick up the Phone

You’ve tweeted, booked, linked, emailed, blogged, spaced, tubed, flicked, and dug your way into connecting with others. So what’s left? Pick up the phone and call ‘em. It’s only a phone call and the worst thing that will happen is they hang up on you.  

I’ve made thousands of phone calls over the years. Some hot, others cold and several that were real losers. You’d think that after all those calls that I’d be the “Fearless Speed Dialer”. Nope. I still have difficulty at times. When that happens I remind myself to go back to two basic ideas. 

1. The best way to get a person’s attention is the simplest. “Good morning, Mr. Jones”
2. Give the reason for your call. Take the pressure off yourself by remembering the purpose of the phone call is not to sell them something. “The reason I’m calling you today specifically is to set an appointment.”

For in-depth cold-calling tips read Susan Ward’s article at Ask.com, Cold Calling Tips. There also is a great article in the New York Times that will help you tremendously. 

 

The best kind of social interaction is personal. Use the telephone. It doesn’t get much more personal than that.

 

Mike Morawski

Chief Instigation Officer