THE DEATH OF FACEBOOK

The great thing about being a fiction writer is playing God. And a special delight is killing off characters. There are those characters you really don’t want to off, but for the sake of the story, it must be done. Then you have the real bastards you can’t wait to kill.

For me, that was Facebook. Yes, I killed my Facebook account. After two years, I realized it served no beneficial purpose for my personal or my business life. Yeah, it was great to keep up with family, but considering, that’s more personally done with a phone call or an email. And depending how personal it is, really, would I want it shared on Facebook? I’m sure you’re not at all surprised how personal some people get on Facebook.

Then there’s the other end. You know, really, no offense, but I don’t care what you’ve made for dinner or that your kid got an A on his science project; and I don’t want to see the funny cat You Tube video. I originally created an account for conversation with family and friends. I realized all too quickly there’s no such thing as an intelligent conversation on Facebook.

 I tried the turnaround; tried to market business on Facebook. Not a great success. I personally don’t think anyone gives a rat’s ass about your business on Facebook unless you’re giving something away. No, that’s not a testament of resentment for not creating a great Facebook business page. That’s a testament to the number of friends I lack. No biggie. I’m not trying to sell my business to my friends.

So I killed it. I killed Facebook. No remorse. In fact, it feels great not to have the pressure of posting something fascinating. It takes away the anguish of not wanting to post my photos (didn’t care for Facebook’s terms and conditions regarding photos). The biggest benefit – I’m getting a lot more work done.

Now, all of this doesn’t mean I’ve given up social networking. I’ve just moved on. I still hang around LinkedIn. That, too, has its advantages and disadvantages. I’m there, I keep up, but I’m not playing the collector’s game. If I have something to post, I post it. If I meet someone I’d really like to connect with, I connect.

The other place I’ve been hanging out is Google+. There’s been a lot of flack regarding Google+ and Facebook. Sure, Google+ doesn’t have the same following as Facebook, but it sure has a lot of interesting people. I like the idea that I can connect with people who are sharing relevant information without having to make a request. I like the fact that a lot of photographers and creatives hang out on Google+. I like the circles concept. Yeah, I know, Facebook did something to appear more like the circles, but I didn’t want to get into it. Google+ seems more user friendly. And honestly, I don’t care how many people have me in their circles; no pressure to post if I have nothing to say. I feel like Google+ will become a good SEO tactic (and a quick reminder, I know nothing about SEO and search criteria). I think, in the long run, it may be a better connection to potential clients.

Yeah, I killed Facebook. If for no other reason, for the sake of the story.

BUSINESS MARKETING 101?

Or maybe I should title this TALK TO ME, PLEASE.

This post is a bit off the beaten path of my normal posting. No pictures, no art. It's business.

Lately, it seems that the whole idea behind marketing has been e-marketing. It's crammed down my throat every day, every minute, every second. I go to networking groups, where my intention is to get to know you and your business, while I hope your intentions are to get to know me and my business, but instead I'm basically told the only way I'm going to get business is through e-marketing. Facebook; LinkedIn; Google; Flicker; Picasso; and now, Google+. I have to write blog posts and articles and post them online and cram my name into every web directory that will let me so I can be number one on the all impressive Google search (I don't even use Google to search). I'm supposed to register on Google places and get recommendations on Yelp and every other site that serves the same purpose.

You know, if I had time to do all of this, I wouldn't have time to do any work.

Here's my point, if there is a point to be made. Today was organization day for me. Cleaning out my computer files, backing up, all that good in house stuff that must be done, and while browsing through my client files, it occurred to me that not a single one of them came from my website, my Facebook page or my blog. They all came because I introduced myself and started a conversation or through a referral. Amazing! Good old fashioned marketing.

What every happened to that? Good old fashioned marketing. What ever happened to people talking to people?

The gripe about all of this is when I'm making business decisions, I want to know who I'm making that decision with. I'm not going to get any sort of feel from deciding to use your services based on a website, Facebook page, etc. And while I do grasp the idea that the media out there on the internet is simply an introduction, it's never enough. Now I have to set up an appointment with you to see if you can provide the services I need. Then I have to find others in your industry and set another appointment, do cost comparisons, and there's that all important personal touch that's part of every business transaction. So let me ask you, do I spend all my precious time bogged down with appointment after appointment, or do I call a business associate or two and ask them if they know someone they'd recommend for the job? You better bet it's the latter.

Seriously, what ever happened to the art of communication? (Ah, there's my third title for this post.) I really hope it's not dead. While I do believe that the internet serves a purpose for business, it's an aid to marketing, not a solution.

I don't need to know how to e-market. My clients take themselves seriously and they take their business decisions seriously and without communication...personally, I'd have to rethink my business tactics.

Is it just me? Does the business world still market itself via human contact? Is e-marketing the do all, end all of the business marketing?

I'd really love to hear some input on this.

DR. JEKYLL & MS. HYDE MEET TWEAK

So, now that I've taken the studio to a new level, went completely business and all, well, business and art, but mostly business while the art stays ever present in the background, I'm having conflicts. Kind of feel like a I have a split personality. There's Kerri the artist/photographer (we'll call that one Ms. Hyde) and Kerri the business woman (and we'll call that one Dr. Jekyll). And while Kerri the business woman was always there, Kerri the artist/photographer was the presence behind the business. Thing is, it's more than fine art these days. It's commercial with an art twang. Transferring things to the business side, let's just say Dr. Jekyll's been busy, but Ms. Hyde wants to come out and play.

And with that, I want to introduce you to Tweak and discuss the etiquette of common courtesy. Yeah, that's right, common courtesy.

MEET TWEAK

As I said, Dr. Jelyll's been busy and a lot of that busy has been networking. I attached my camera to my side on the last networking outing because it took place by the water, docks and boats and all that, along with the occasional passing Amtrak train across the railroad bridge. And if you've every looked at my shots, you know I love shooting railroad bridges.

OCCASIONAL PASSING AMTRAK

I was lingering on one of the docks taking this shot of the red and blue boats...

RED & BLUE BOATS

...when I spotted this guy walking around with a small dog in a front pack carrier (okay, I really don't know what they're called - but according to the label, Outward Hound). So I made my way across the dock, keeping my eye on his movement, cause I wanted to get a shot of this twosome. When I came upon him, I introduced myself, handed him a business card (it was a business event) and asked him if I could take a picture of the two of them. I mean, you have to understand - here's this cute little chihuahua with goggles over his dark brown eyes so patiently hanging out with dad. Dad was very obliging and I kindly asked him if he could lean up against the rail so I could get the angle I wanted.

TWEAK & DAD

Quick notes on Tweak: He actually did ride in on a motorcycle (and I thought my dog was spoiled). He was fine with the goggles and never had any problems with them once he realized they protected his eyes. This is the kind of information you get when  you take the time to talk to someone when you want to get their photo. Oh, and according to dad, Tweak got his name because he's always "tweaking".

Continue reading...

Now, this is where the courtesy (or lack thereof) comes into play. At that moment, I swear three to five camera phones swooped in and took over. Cut right in front of the shot. Dr. Jekyll was not happy (and Ms. Hyde wasn't too thrilled either). So I stepped back and waited for these inconsiderate phone photographers to finish their "gonna post this on Facebook" snaps (and who never once considered asking the twosome if they could take the shot) and started working with dad again. Patience paid off as I got the whole Tweak family. It's a Life (family) Portrait.

THE FAMILY TWEAK

This is where the conflict plays out. You see, Dr. Jekyll, as a professional business woman, would never complain about the inconsiderate behavior of others. But you know, Ms. Hyde, the artist/photographer, has no gripes about it at all. Don't get me wrong, Dr. Jekyll will always be the professional on every level of business (as in asking a complete stranger if you can take their photograph), but Ms. Hyde must always capture the art (and complain about the process).

And a big thanks to Tweak and his humans for allowing me to capture these great shots.

RESOLUTION

It's that time, you know, when we make all those decisions to change ourselves, to upgrade our lives, to become the person we think we should be. Happy New Year!

I'm not one to make resolutions. It seems pointless to make changes at the beginning of each year because we can. When I decide on change, that change happens with the decision, not with a date. And with that, though it is the beginning of the year, I have made some changes.

This was a tough decision I've been working with for several months. I've dumped the Magpi Studio Facebook page. At some point, the decision had to be made on how I was going to balance my time and where I was going to focus my business, and with that, I've decided the focus is not on social networking, but rather on the website, the blog, shows and plain old simple networking.

Photos will still be available on the blog, and the blog will be available through the website and my personal Facebook page. Bottom line, if you really want to know who I am and what's going on in my life, friend me. If you want to look at the photos, RSS the blog. If you need services, go to the website and email or call. It's all a real basic process.

And to all my Facebook fans, thank you for your support.