Marketing is a year round process. It never stops and that’s always hard to think about when you’re busy! It’s important to create a marketing kit whether you’re just starting out, creating new systems or increasing the studio’s profile in your area.

Pounds started Special Promos as a way to keep you thinking about consistent marketing. Every two weeks you get email reminders about great savings on products your clients love. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep up with marketing. In addition to Special Promos we have a wide variety of products designed to keep you in front of your clients.

Without a doubt, you need Business Cards. Think about how often you go through an order of cards. Whatever time-frame that is, three months, six months or a year, set a reminder to place an order so you’re never caught short. The next vital marketing items you need to stock are Gift-Promo Cards. Create them to coordinate with our Special Promos and send them out in advance of each promotion! It’s a very easy way to remind clients you’re always thinking about them and of course they’ll be thinking about you!

There’s going to be a point in your career when you showcase your talents in a trade show or community event. This is a perfect place to have a Banner that will promote your business. It’s easy to create Banners. Simply choose an image and drag it into PROS and we’ll do the rest! You’ll be easy to spot at any event!

Referrals are vital to every photographer’s business. Rep Cards are the perfect size to hand out to clients who will in turn hand them over to friends and increase your business! You can make Rep Cards in PROS. Just upload an image and your referral information on one side and your studio branding on the other.

Promo Templates are another great way to market your studio. These are branded product flyers that allow you to showcase your own product images or you can always use a special set of Pounds Product Images easily downloaded from the catalog page on our website.

Utilizing all of these great marketing tools will keep visibility and recognition factors high and keep you in mind when anyone needs photography in your market! So put your marketing kit together today and let us know how it goes! Check back with us next week when we’ll have more great ideas for you!

Oscar Matlock of Matlock Gutier Signature Portraits in Dallas, Texas won our  “Swing into Success with Pounds” competition at TPPA this year. Not only does Matlock have a sweet swing, he’s got a sharp eye and a kind heart. In business just two years, Matlock and his partner Daniel Gutier were looking for an opportunity to use their photography talent to give back to the community.

Searching out local charities for their annual calendar project, the duo found Safe Kids Dallas. “It looked like a perfect match since we specialize in children’s portraits,” Matlock said. Little did they know Safe Kids Dallas was part of something big.

Founded in 1987 as the National SAFE KIDS Campaign by Children’s National Medical Center, this is a global network of organizations working to protect children and to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability in children under 14.
When Safe Kids Dallas said they wanted to do something magical and enchanting, Matlock and Gutier came up with a great idea. “We decided to photograph the children dressed up as fairies,” Matlock said. The portraits are captivating and look exactly as if they belong in the pages of a storybook.

Over a period of three months, the studio photographed 190 children, donating the session fees to Safe Kids Dallas. “We raised $4,700, then we opened an online voting contest to select the children to be featured in the calendar,” Matlock said. At a dollar a vote, an additional $1,050 was raised. “The calendar was released on October 25th and was featured at Children’s Hospital’s annual Red Balloon Run and Relay. To date, Matlock Gutier has helped raise $23,750. and still has over 1,400 calendars available for sale through the studio and the hospital gift shop. “We are so grateful to be part of this event and help raise money for a great nonprofit organization. We can’t wait to do it again next year,” Matlock said.

Thanks to their dedication and support the project was a great success,” Jesus Aldrete, Safe Kids Injury Prevention Coordinator, said.

Matlock Gutier have decided to help other photographers give back through charitable marketing by creating a complete program they will release in January and feature at Imaging USA at the Virtual Backgrounds booth.  So how about that golf swing? “Beginners luck,” Matlock said. “I’m not a golfer but it was great to win the prize!”

“This is one of the best new products I’ve seen lately,” Jim Tibbetts owner of Creative Image Studios, said. Tibbetts has been a professional photographer for thirty years, so he knows a good product when he sees one! “New products are what separate the professional photographers from the rest,” he said. When Tibbetts saw Pounds Wall Clings, he immediately ordered two 11×14’s, one contour cut and one full image. “I have them in my travel bag and take them everywhere”. When he’s not traveling, Tibbetts keeps the Wall Clings in his Chickasha, Oklahoma studio and shows them at least 3 or 4 times a day.

Tibbetts shoots a wide variety of subjects but has a special place in his heart for photographing seniors and sports. “I get excited when I get behind the camera, almost like a sugar high. I have the ability to do corrections in my mind as I trip the shutter, and then explain to my customer what I have in mind. They get excited, and become more relaxed. When you praise someone for what they have done, (allowing me to take a good photograph of them), it begins a friendship. I see many of the kids I’ve photographed when I’m out shopping around town and a lot of them remember me. We wave and do high fives. It makes me warm inside. You truly have to have a passion for what you do. Passion is not something you learn, it’s something you have, “ he said.

When Tibbetts saw Wall Clings for the first time, he realized immediately that they would be the next “big thing”. “I can see parents decorating the kid’s rooms or the den with a cling.” Clings would also be great on a garage door or for team party decorations. Tibbetts uses an image of a third grade football player to showcase clings. “The clings are very durable, kind of like wallpaper but repositionable, he said. Pounds clings are also tear-resistant, waterproof and won’t damage underlying surfaces.

“I think another great use of clings is as a way to display the family when they can’t all be together for a portrait,” Tibbetts said. “You know new products separate professional photographers from the crowd. I now have over 50 competitors in my area. I stay a step ahead by always offering the latest products and, with great items like Wall Clings, Pounds helps me stay there!”

Leather never goes out of style. It’s classic, timeless and it just took on a new look. Now you can combine the luxury of leather with your favorite photographs. Pounds introduced an extensive line of Leather Accessory Products this year that ranges from key fobs and compact mirrors to bags and iPad cases. There’s something to captivate every client in every price range.

We think these new products have the potential to be an excellent stimulus for your business. Existing clients will be excited to see fresh innovative items that can solve gift giving dilemm as and the leather line will draw new clients into your business who want to deal with a studio that stays on the cutting edge.

“We saw a consumer interest in photo bags and the imaged leather bags,” Chris Oelker, said. Oelker is the head of product development and marketing at Pounds and knows a thing or two about what consumers will purchase. “There was an opportunity to provide a high end quality product that photographers could offer to a wide rage of clients. We thought leather was a perfect addition.”

New Mexico photographer, Patti Hogue agrees. She saw the Weekend Crossbody and Ring Tote and realized they would be just right for her clients. “ The Ring Tote is perfect for football games,” she said. “It’s easy to carry all the things you need as well as a water bottle.” Hogue ordered samples of both bags and carried them with her to the games she photographed. They certainly got noticed and Hogue is posting photos on her Facebook page. She also had a brilliant idea to give a couple of bags away to community leaders.  When people see them they’ll know to turn to Patti Hogue Photography!

Juan Deleon is a wedding and portrait photographer in Houston, Texas. He also shoots a lot of professional sporting events and is always keeping an eye open for products his clients might enjoy.  “I saw an email about the leather products being offered. I’d never seen them anywhere else so I was excited! I immediately got on the website and placed an order.” Deleon ordered the Framed Card Keeper and French Wallet. He realized how often he changes his own wallet and that everyone needs a nice business card holder. The items were practical and beautiful.

“I can’t say enough about these products,” Deleon said. “Clients like the look and I’ve already had requests for purses. In fact I’m going though my photo archives now so I can order more samples. I was so impressed with the clarity and the detail, I posted it on my Facebook page! I have been very impressed. I think leather is going to be big!

So do we Juan!

It’s time to bust out the Santa Hat, crank up  “Jingle Bell Rock” and jump into the holiday groove because we just heard the elves have started polishing the sleigh!

Remember most clients want their cards mailed by Thanksgiving. That means you’re working on an eight-week timetable between mid September and mid November to order samples, create holiday packages, schedule sittings and  orders placed! The holid ays are generally a highly profitable time of year for the industry. It makes sense to be prepared.

Pounds offers one of the most comprehensive selections of holiday greeting cards you’ll find anywhere. There’ s really something to suit every style and taste. Our design team has just added new options for cards and gift tags that you won’t want to miss.

Enhance your card orders with our holiday products and create memorable packages that will keep your customers talking! Gift Tags are an essential add-on and our Holiday Funpacks are always a big hit. Holiday Wallet Magnets make absolutely terrific stocking stuffersand are a great client give away. One of the most exciting holiday products is our Pewter Ornament. This is a beautiful, memorable, personal item and it’s durable! Remind your clients that it’s a good idea to order several, so when they’re faced with an unexpected holiday guest they’ve always got a gift solution on hand!

Press Books and Metal Prints are extremely popular seasonal gifts. Contour Metal has just been released and is bound to be a runaway hit!  Be sure to look through our entire novelty line. You’ll find creative gift ideas and great stocking stuffers.

Our new leather line will make holiday shopping even easier with a wide range of products to suit everyone from grandma to the babysitter. If you have not seen these terrific leather items yet, order a sample today. You won’t believe how beautiful they are until you see them!

Pounds offers one stop shopping for your clients and everyone on their Christmas list. Why bother with long lines, crowded parking lots or spending hours online looking for the perfect present? Pounds can solve every gift need. Make this your best season yet, and make it easy on yourself with a little holiday help from Pounds!

Don’t forget the great thing about getting organized and on top of the season is that you’re able to take advantage of the Pounds Holiday Promo that runs until September 30th!

Carl Clark has been leading the sales team at Pounds for 26 years. While his title may be Sales Executive he should really be called Senior Product Mentor or Guru of Big Reveals! Carl gets to show off our products all over the country and he knows more about them than almost anyone you’ re ever likely to meet. If you attend a guild meeting, trade show workshop or convention, you’ll see him, because he’s the man who takes Pounds on the road!

POUNDS What do you like most about your job?
CARL I really enjoy helping photographers solve problems and grow their business. It’s very rewarding to see them implement marketing ideas that work and help them become more successful. Diversity is very important in today’s economy.

POUNDS How much do you travel?
CARL I spend approximately 25% of my time traveling to guild meetings, convention trade shows, and workshops. Most of my travel is in central and south Texas. I do naturally travel out of state for the Imaging USA and the WPPI convention each year.

POUNDS Do you have favorite shows you really look forward to attending?
CARL The WPPI is probably my favorite trade show because it’s the largest and I get to visit with a more diversified group of photographers.  I look forward to hearing ideas from around the world and then sharing those ideas with photographers here in our marketing territory.

POUNDS Do you return from conventions with ideas for products?
CARL We always try to come away from a convention with new ideas. Sometimes the idea comes from a photographer on the other side of the world and sometimes it’s from a photographer right here in the “good ole” USA.

POUNDS What’s the feedback you’re getting about our products this year?
CARL Professional photographers are always looking for new and exciting products that amateur photographers cannot get. That’s one reason Pounds is constantly developing new products.

POUNDS It seems almost as if you really don’t have to “sell” people on Pounds’ products, is that accurate?
CARL Sometimes you’ ll need to explain to a photographer how they can incorporate a product into their packages to help them se ll it.

POUNDS Is there a phrase or a statement you hear pretty consistently when people come to the Pounds booth at a show?
CARL “You guys have the widest variety of products and the quality of your books is great!”

POUNDS How do you keep presentations “fresh” for new and returning clients?
CARL We always present new products at every show that they’ve never seen before.

POUNDS Is there a hands down favorite product that you find photographers comment on at every show?
CARL Wavy Metal. It’s a product that no other lab can duplicate because one of our own employees built the machine to create this very unusual product. We always hear “ This is so neat,” “ I’ve never seen this before,”  “Nobody else has this,” and of course “ I love Wavy Metal”!

POUNDS There is a lot of competition out there. How do you feel Pounds stands out from the crowd ?
CARL We have the most unusual products like Wavy Metal and Story Metal. Our competitors just don’t have these unique products!

As Pounds celebrates our 35th year providing quality products and dedicated customer service, we thought we’d give you a little insight into our own Chris Oelker and a sneak peak at what’s coming up!

Chris hails from Minnesota so of course he’ s a big hockey fan. Although he’d rather figure out how a book is assembled and bound than relax and read it, he’s been known to kick back at the beach with his family and is seriously devoted to the television series Burn Notice. He’s been with the Pounds team for 15 years. When we asked him what his “official” title was, he replied with his usual dry and witty demeanor, “That depends on which day it is and who is looking for me!” Chris oversees product development and marketing, so this week he’s going with the title Director of Product Solutions & Integration.

POUNDS What do you enjoy most about working at Pounds?
CHRIS The dedication of our team and the pride they take in their work to make Pounds successful. Contributing to that is what really keeps me going. We have a great team here and that always makes for a better day. Every day brings different challenges and opportunities in a photo lab, it keeps you on your toes!

POUNDS How do you think Pounds differs from other labs?
CHRIS We offer a competitive portfolio of quality products and our customer service is top notch. We aren’t a monster lab and we aren’t small either. I like to think we’re “just right” and the photographers who partner with us know what I mean. Pounds Labs is More Than A  Print! We’re celebrating the 35th anniversary of Pounds Labs this year. Many of us have been around here for a while and we’re very much like a big family. There is a sense that we are personally vested in our business and we treat our customers like they are family. When they are successful, then we experience success. It’s a true partnership that is cultivated at Pounds.

POUNDS Photography is an ever-changing industry so what does Pounds do to stay on the cutting edge?
CHRIS Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times! We keep our eye on the technology and cultural trends and listen to what our customers want and need. Besides doing our own research, our vendors do a great job of providing us with guidance and supplying us with the tools and materials needed to provide innovative hot products.

POUNDS Have you seen the client base change over the years?
CHRIS Ten years ago in a film-dominated industry, our customer base was primarily regional. Now our base and potential customers exist wherever there is an Internet connection. With the onset of digital photography, there are a lot more players in the game. The accessibility of digital equipment has saturated the wedding and studio portrait market with photographers. We’ve gone from a traditionally male dominated market to 67% female base. Our customers in the 18-45-age range make up 65% of our customers.

POUNDS What is new in product development and how do you try to figure out the “next cool thing”?
CHRIS When it comes to developing new products, ultimately the photographer’s client is our target. It’s very important to listen to our photographers because they are on the front lines and know what is and isn’t going to sell. We have to offer them products that they can sell and that will appeal to their clients. Sometimes they’re trendy and sometimes they’re very traditional. We also offer products that help photographers market their business and that can be used as selling tools. We generally look at what we’re currently providing and determine a few things that we can enhance then we put those on the project list. However, most new products arise from customer and team member suggestions. Influences from other industries, media and technology all play a role. I’ve even been known to think of a few on my long car rides between Austin and Dallas each week! Often we’ll look at what we have on hand and twist and tweak it until we find we have something unique and desirable. W avy Metal is a good example of that. No one offers Wavy Metal except Pounds right now.

POUNDS There is a strong component of education at Pounds. Tell me how that developed and where you hope to see it go in the future.
CHRIS The big push for offering education stemmed from the need to educate customers about digital shooting.  Years ago, when customers first started sending us digital files, some of the output wasn’t looking too good.  At first we thought we were having internal equipment problems, some prints looked great and some looked horrendous.  We quickly realized that it was some of the new digital photographers who needed a little help.  Image sensors do not at all have the latitude of the two stops of forgiveness built into Kodak Portra film. Around 2003-2004 it seemed like we were holding workshops three or four times a week that basically covered how to custom white balance digital cameras, explained color space, and recommended image file sizes and naming conventions.  Those classes eventually evolved into more technical concepts and studio workflow.  As more people jumped into the digital photography business, there was a need for some business management instruction.  Now we support workshops that focus on photography, studio workflow, business management and marketing.  We also have online go-to-meeting sessions just about every day to help our customers become familiar with various products and processes offered at Pounds.  We plan to do more to take advantage of easily accessible social media outlets like YouTube and post short instructional and informational videos.

POUNDS Customer communication is another important feature at Pounds. Pounds stays in touch with customers via email, newsletter, social media. Do you think Pounds has been a leader in this area and where do you see customer communication going in the future ?
CHRIS Getting the word out about Pounds’ great products and services is an important part of our business. Our strategy is to go where the customers are. We do that pretty well and are very conscientious about not spamming our customers with pontifications. We want to engage photographers and provide relevant and timely information. Using Facebook and Twitter allows us to get information out there quickly for the people that follow us. So of course, people need to follow us! Our emails and newsletters are specifically geared toward our customers for our “big “announcements and promotions. The Tip of the Week in PROS and Snap targets our customers as 90% of incoming orders come through  these two software-ordering options. We’ll be pursuing more video that is easily accessed on mobile devices and of course we cannot rule out telepathy as the next big customer communications movement!

POUNDS Customer service is another strong component of the Pounds structure. Are there any new features in this area we can look forward to?
CHRIS Our customer service team knocks it out of the park every day. Darren, Erin, Vicky, Jim, Cheryl and Georgina, they rock! We really concentrate on keeping a personal touch in customer service. Call us if you ever have a question about our products or need a little guidance using our programs. Of course we can be reached via email and will respond just as quickly. Our service centers in the Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin labs are great resources for a little extra training and you can always get your hands on physical product if you are out and about and want to visit with one of our friendly reps. If you contact us on Facebook or Twitter, we’ll get you in touch with the best people to help you.

POUNDS What can you reveal about plans/products you are working on for the future?
CHRIS We have some imaged fine leather accessory products that are just about to launch and we’ll be coming out with some new ChromaLuxe™ metal options that are imaged metal panels floated on larger imaged metal panels in an assortment of composited positions. We’re also at work on improvements for our undergraduate school ordering, additional ordering user interfaces and some new press product options. Of course there is always something on the drawing board so keep an eye on your inbox, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and you’ll be the first to know!

Nick Tsakiris has a knack for multitasking. He’s a photographer, a husband, a father to three kids (and two dogs!), a teacher and an entrepreneur. He’s also the Lightroom Dude!

Pounds How long h ave you been a photographer?
Nick Although I’ve played around with shooting for years, I shot my first wedding in 2006. I got serious a year later and have been in the business “officially” a little over four years.

Pounds Why did you become a photographer?
Nick I just loved the idea of being able to look at something, freeze that moment in time and take it to another level. Creative freedom is a powerful thing. I fell in love with photography, the sense of excitement it offers and being able to be creative in camera and on screen. I’m also a people person and enjoy meeting people from all walks of life, so it’s a perfect fit.

Pounds Why did you choose wedding photography?
Nick There was so much going on the first time I shot a wedding. I realized I was able to keep up with all of the action and the inherent challenges of a wedding. Never knowing what is really going to happen on the wedding day keeps me on my toes. There is always the unknown element that makes it even more exciting.

Photos by Nick Tsakiris, Protography Studios

Pounds You’ve taken on another life as “The Lightroom Dude.” How did that come about?
Nick Well, it was not because I walked into a phone booth, took off glasses and put on a colorful outfit! I’ ve been using Lightroom since the first release. I saw the endless possibilities of the software. Attending workshops and seminars, I would hear people talk about how hard it was to use, but I saw the perfect opportunity to ease workflow and creativity. I came to the conclusion that it was just different and sometimes we fear change! Lightroom, to this day, has proven to be the photographer’s friend. I found that you could do more than the help file might show. The unseen possibilities became my incentive to make the program do cool things.

Pounds How did the workshops begin?
Nick Pounds asked me to do a workshop in Houston. I was pretty nervous! The excitement of teaching was awesome. However, the thought that people would be listening to my advice and possibly using it in their business was really nerve wracking! Fortunately, it all turned out great!

Pounds A star was born!
Nick I was asked to speak at SWPPA, then IMAGING USA and we packed the Pounds Booth at both shows. I saw a crowd that stayed and listened and at times would say, “OK, show me that again!” Then more workshops developed across Texas. Now I’ll be speaking at a pretty good number of the Guilds in Texas. I was also invited to speak in Kerrville.

Pounds This sounds like a challenge! How do you handle wearing all the different “hats”?
Nick It has taken off quickly! I had to figure out how to separate the teaching side of the business from the photography side. It was perplexing. Then while I was watching an episode of Photoshop TV, Matt Kloskowski mentioned that you could find him on Facebook under the title of “The Photoshop Guy.” A light bulb turned on above my head in a matter of seconds…”The Lightroom Dude.” So I used the name Lightroom of course and since everyone knows that one of the words I use the most is “Dude” well, it just sounded cool!

Pounds What do you love most about teaching?
Nick This one has a simple answer! I love to show people how to do things that will help them increase their knowledge and their business. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world!

Pounds How often are you able to schedule workshops?
Nick As often as possible. In May alone, I am in Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio and McAllen! I think Lightroom is just now getting the recognition it deserves. We haven’t seen it hit full force yet, so there is a perfect scenario for me to go out and teach. There are users who have stepped away from the program because they feel the learning curve is too much. Lightroom at first glance, can be intimidating. However, once you know how to use it, the possibilities are endless. I am always ready to conduct workshops. If you’re ready, then let me know and I’ll be there!

Pounds Where do you see yourself in five years?
Nick I plan to travel more and teach worldwide. I’ll have a larger studio and I see my photography pushing the limits and being a part of something bigger than just shooting.

Pounds What advice do you have for a photographer entering the business today?
Nick Learn your tools and be yourself! Remember that everything happens for a rea son, so live and learn!

It isn’t hard to define the role of someone in customer service. They have to be a good listener. They can’ t make assump tions but have to anticipate needs. Resourcefulness and the ability to problem solve are essential. The bottom line is they really have to like people and want to help them. Darren Hanson fits every part of the customer service definition. He’s been with the Pounds team for thirteen years. “It’s the daily communication I enjoy,” Hanson said. “That and the friendly work environment, of course!”

Hanson spends most of his time in the office working with customers but once in a while he’s able to attend an event like Imaging USA and WPPI and get face-to-face feedback from clients. “It’s always a surprise and it’s always a pleasure to put a face with a name,” he said.  “I’ve worked with most people for years and when I finally get a chance to meet them in person, I feel like I already know them.

Going above and beyond is a daily occurrence for Hanson. He solves problems; juggles an array of client needs and manages to ensure no balls get dropped regardless of the circumstances.

A great example of this was recounted in a letter we recently received from a new client. This past winter, snowstorms halted a lot of business. Shipping schedules were disrupted and carriers were scrambling to catch up on deliveries. “An order placed a week and a half earlier had still not made it and had been promised to a client for Valentine’s Day,” photographer Jim Presley of Presley Photography wrote. “When I called, the gentleman I spoke with urgently reprinted the portion of my order promised for that Monday, had it shipped overnight for Saturday delivery and literally saved my client for me. I regret to say I did not take down the names of the people who made this happen but I get the idea that your company is packed full of good-hearted and generous people that know what customer service is all about.”

You guessed it, our own Darren Hanson was that gentleman and the Pounds team earned another loyal customer for going above and beyond, something that is simply second nature for Hanson and for Pounds!

The Pounds team headed to Las Vegas in February for the annual WPPI convention and trade show. Chris Oelker reveals all!

POUNDS: How was the turnout this year?
CHRIS: I haven’t seen final numbers, but the estimate is over 15,000 attendees, 80 platform speakers, and more than 300 exhibitors!

POUNDS: Were there a lot of new face s?
CHRIS: Yes, new photographers seemed to be in the majority. We spoke with a lot of people who were just starting out or had been in business for only one or two years. I think that really contributed to the atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement this year.

POUNDS: What Pounds products and services stole the show?
CHRIS: Our metal prints, especially the unique wavy metal, were a tremendous hit.  Pounds has been dubbed “the wavy metal lab.” We heard this everywhere, even on the plane ride home!  Of course Pounds is a full service lab with a 35-year history! Other big hits were our press products, especially our Coil Bound Press Booklets and the Accordion Books with metal covers.

POUNDS: What was the feeling about business for 2011 ?
CHRIS: I’d have to say optimism was prevalent. Many photographers are already seeing an increase in their bookings over last year.

POUNDS: Why is WPPI so important for our industry?
CHRIS: WPPI provides photographers a full range of resources to help establish and grow their business.  It exposes photographers to educational opportunities, equipment vendors, workflow and business strategy solutions, and of course product providers like Pounds!

When a photographer chooses a lab, they are entering into an important partnership.  Each is dependent on the other in order to be successful. A lab converts the photographer’s artistic vision and image manipulation into a tangible product such as wall portraits or coffee table books for the end client.  WPPI helps facilitate that introduction to quality resources that are required to be successful.