Manage expectations 2

Another recurring lament at the trade shows was what I call "Album Revision #11" (you'll know it better than me):

Revision 1: You design the album (probably the best one).
Revision 2: Bride wants changes.
Revision 3: You redesign the album.
And so on until...

Revision 11: You're glad to see the back of them after they twist your arm to cram 160 images into a book that should've had 80.

Here's the thing. Some photographers have this problem, others don't. Why? Are their customers different? I don't think so.

The secret, again, is managing expectations. Speak confidently, project your expertise. If they signed up to your design, assume it's the "finished product". If they're spoiling the album, work out how to say so.

If they're entitled to a few edits, great (a good idea, and PJ makes it easy). If you charge for edits, no problem: put your charges up front in your price list - and in your conversation.

This takes practice and confidence, but next time see if you can reduce your revisions, and sell the best album you can.

Cheers, Danny

Manage expectations

Danny's suggestion not to spend time on images you haven't sold, some people have a real problem with it. They assume their pictures have to be perfect before anyone sees them.

Who says?

When Heather and I were married, I think our photographer showed us proofs, maybe even contact sheets (yes, it was a while ago!) But we understood we couldn't judge the final prints by the proofs.

I'm not suggesting going back to proofs, but people are spending days enhancing unsold images. Automated procedures sound like a good compromise. Aiming for salable, not perfect.

The key is to set your client's expectations accordingly. These are not finished images, they're "proofs". Your sample albums show them the finished product.

Then you get to go home early. Have a beer. Play with the kids. Catch a movie.

Cheers, Ian

A better return for working less

Hi all - please bear with me while I climb on my soapbox. This is on my mind after a few intense conversations at the trade shows...

[clears throat]

Workflow is a touchy issue, but our philosophy is simple: only work on the shots you get paid for. By which I mean...

Do as little work as possible on your images until you've sold them (for example, included them in an album design). Time you spend on images that you don't sell is time wasted.

PJ lets you export a layered PSD, and you can edit that to your heart's content! Just take care not to decrease your hourly rate too much ;-)

[steps down from soapbox]

I'll call it a day and wait to hear from the people I just offended! If you're reading this by email, please click through to the blog to comment.

Warm regards, Danny

Up to date and good to go

Noticed the little green check mark in the corner of your page layouts after exporting? And the lock symbols on the apertures?

PJ Remix displays the check mark and locks the apertures as a gentle reminder that editing the layout will make your exports out-of-date. You can unlock and edit if you wish, but then you'll need to re-export. The green check mark will change to a red alert until you re-export.

What's the point? We're making sure that your prints will fit the album. Expensive if you get it wrong.

One catch. You can edit the file freely in Photoshop afterwards - but don't change the file size, dpi, or position on the layout or you'll create a mismatch.

HTH, Ian

Home at last

Hi All

We've arrived home from WPPI and are back to work. Some highlights from the show:

- Chats with you guys! I was talking to this person for a while and forgot to check her name badge. As she was walking away I looked down and saw she was a long time support and tester of PJ. Putting faces to names...

- "I love PJ Remix." We gave an extra discount to people who would wear our badge of love around for the day - no one refused. One lovely couple asked for a badge because one of them was named PJ!!!

- Sales. The highest number of sales at any trade show, ever.

- Album Vendors. We have new and exciting album vendors coming on board and some old friends getting up to date with PJ Remix.

Take care for now, talk to you soon.
Danny

On the road again

No sooner back from the UK than we're off again to WPPI. Or at least I am, with Stephen this time. Not to complain, though, I really enjoy the adrenaline rush of a trade show. And we don't often get a chance to chat with clients face to face.

So again, please come and see us!

If you buy at the show you'll get the best subscription price around - just US$150 - and you'll be able to use both Retro and Remix Beta.

We do like listening to your stories (good or bad) so do stop by.

Cheers
Danny

p.s. And if your album vendor doesn't support PJ yet, be sure to tell them while you have the chance.

Very exciting, really

Image © byBrett

So Danny and IanB got to travel to Focus and feel the love, but what about the rest of us? The line at the coffee machine got a bit shorter, that's what. Whoop-di-doo.

As you can imagine, with Remix in beta, it's been pretty hectic for the support team recently. Lots of new people learning the software and an inbox stuffed with emails...

So your Support Stars implemented a new strategy called Inbox Zero. It involves us getting everything out of the inbox by the end of each shift. We have folders for individual team members where we can transfer anything particular that they're dealing with, but people get a bit agitated if you use this to pass the buck! The result has been big gains in efficiency and response time, and I don't get so stressed any more :-)

Cheers,
Ian C
We've been able to reduce Ian's meds - Ed ;-)

I wanna be a Support Star

My first reaction when asked to write a post was No Way! I'm a support person. Luckily I got time to think about it. How hard can it be? Danny and Ian B blog all the time with, umm, flair and finesse. But since Focus they've been hard to live with because, like the Conchords, they have a fan (one).

I wanna be a star too, but my job description calls for "calm and methodical". When did that make you a star? But calm and methodical is a good way to approach Photojunction Remix, especially in the beta phase. Especially if you’re an ‘I hate computers’ or ‘I’m not technical’ type.

Some of us don't like change, and PJ Remix is very different to Retro. Although you'll be amazed how familiar it feels after a while. I find it a pleasure to work with. Okay, it’s still a beta, but the more you use it, the more you’ll find the shortcuts that fit your work flow, and the better and quicker you’ll get.

Here are a few things I like:

You can scale the album layout window to 200%. WOW, so much easier to work with.

QuickTime Slideshow interface - so many more options, and the next release will be as fast as Retro.

The Lab File interface is much clearer (just remember that the aperture size list must be in order, smallest to biggest).

One final piece of advice – make sure you give your album designs logical names, so you don’t end up like me with a dozen different albums all named “Test Album”!

Best wishes from Christine

PS Greetings back to everyone who said Hi at Focus.