Editors Pick: The Spirit of Giving
Fall has arrived, and the spirit of giving fills the air. How can we serve our clients well and treat them during their experience with us? It must be the holidays and sense of community that ignites this, but do you ever feel like as we enter fall, there is a greater sense of how can we do more? Photographers are in their busiest season, and yet it seems that this is when we add to our to-do lists.
As you may know, I am the executive editor for BEC Magazine. As we prepared for the fall issue, the topic, “how to give back through photography” was suggested, and I will not lie, my first thought was, “Most of us are already giving so much. I already have a packed schedule, a firm budget, a busy family life, appointments, etc — How can I possibly give back any more?” I did not think I was the gal for this topic and nudged it off.
A few days went by. I thought, “After all…Fall is our busy season and we are all working overtime. who am I to suggest how to give back more through photography, when I am in the same boat as most? So, I tried nudging this topic once more.
But, I could not get this topic out of my head. It was looming and lurking, telling me, think. Think from abundance, not scarcity. Think from a place of serving. And, that is when it hit me. An epiphany, you may say.
We are overcomplicating the act of giving.
Giving more can simply be sharing gratitude.
Share the gift of time with your clients by hand writing thank you notes. As you say goodbye, you can hand deliver the note with your gratitude.
Giving more can simply be providing a small treat (stickers, candy canes, tiny marshmallows, etc).
This gift is not reinventing the wheel, but it will make an impact with the tiny humans! Cost effective and smile makers, this can be a great treat to end on. And, who said adults wouldn’t enjoy a tasty treat? Giving more does not need to be a financial or time burden. Giving more should come from our heart, and that will look different for each photographer.
Giving more can simply be providing a solution to a problem.
For instance, the last 2 years I have set up a “selfie station” at my Christmas mini events. It’s a very modest set up, that includes a prop kit from Amazon, but it’s FUN! I encourage my clients to arrive early, and so while they’re waiting, they’re now able to create silly selfies as a family or a couple and celebrate the holiday spirit. This set up was in effort to make their waiting time enjoyable and not awkward. This provides instant gratification, and something fun to share with their family and friends before they get my images. Most share their silly selfies on social media, and this simultaneously shares my business. Perhaps, a win-win?
This was a low cost and low energy solution to a problem I had identified (waiting between mini sessions), but also serves as a small thank you. My clients loved the thought and I have been thanked much more than I had expected for this small gesture.
How can you serve your clients better this season?
“Give like the sun and the whole world grows tall.” Atticus Poetry
