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Timeless Advice on Being Likable

Lesson 85 from: How to Start a Photography Business

Pye Jirsa

Timeless Advice on Being Likable

Lesson 85 from: How to Start a Photography Business

Pye Jirsa

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Lesson Info

85. Timeless Advice on Being Likable

How do photographers get clients to like not just their work, but themselves as a person? In this lesson, Pye shares tips on building charisma and starting a relationship with clients.
Summary (Generated from Transcript)

The topic of the lesson is how to start a photography business by being likable. The instructor discusses the importance of being excited and enthusiastic with clients, developing charisma and presence, using body language to show genuine interest, active listening, using clients' names, matching mood and tone, avoiding authority without warmth, and the power of visualization.

Q&A:

  1. What is the first tip for starting a photography business?

    The first tip is to be excited and enthusiastic when interacting with clients, just like a dog greeting its owner.

  2. How can charisma be developed?

    Charisma is a learned skill and can be developed over time. One technique is to focus on being present and giving your full attention to clients.

  3. What are some ways to show genuine interest in clients?

    You can use body language, such as making eye contact and leaning in when speaking to clients. Turning off your phone and giving them your undivided attention is also a clear signal of care.

  4. Why is using clients' names important?

    Using clients' names repeatedly makes them feel important and valued. People love to hear their own names, so remembering and using them can have a positive impact.

  5. How can active posture and active listening improve interactions with clients?

    Active posture, such as standing in front of clients with an open chest, shows that you are engaged and interested. Active listening involves not talking too much and instead allowing clients to speak and express themselves.

  6. What is parroting and how can it help in conversations?

    Parroting is a technique where you pick up the last word or two that the person said and repeat it in the form of a question. It helps to show that you are listening and encourages the person to provide more information.

  7. How can matching mood and tone improve client interactions?

    Matching the mood and tone of your clients helps to create a sense of empathy and understanding. It shows that you are attuned to their emotions and are able to connect with them on a deeper level.

  8. What is the importance of warmth in authority-based charisma?

    Authority-based charisma, such as that of a photographer directing clients, can come off as arrogant if warmth is not conveyed. It is important to balance authority with a friendly and approachable demeanor.

  9. How can visualization be used to improve charisma in client meetings?

    Visualizing the success of a client meeting from start to finish helps to build confidence and a positive mindset. It allows you to anticipate and prepare for different scenarios, leading to a more confident and successful interaction.

  10. What are some tips for using vocal melody in conversations?

    Using a sing-song voice, varying volume, pausing, and stringing together ideas in a melodic way can make you easy to listen to. Monotone is great for putting babies to sleep, but using vocal melody keeps people engaged and interested.

Lessons

Class Trailer
1

Class Introduction

13:12
2

Common Myths & Unknown Truths

11:42
3

The Road Ahead

13:03
4

Find Your Passion

06:06
5

The Lin & Jirsa Journey

13:54
6

Part-time, Full-time, Employed, Partners?

03:51
7

Stop Wasting Time & Money

06:07
8

Your 12 Week Roadmap

04:33
9

Great Plans Still Fail

06:01
10

Strategy Vs. Planning

04:16
11

Mind Mapping

07:25
12

Select a Focus

14:16
13

Competitor Research

09:34
14

S.W.O.T. Analysis

13:54
15

Strategy & Long Term Goals

03:50
16

Values, Vision & Mission

27:49
17

Effectively Managing Your Time

15:05
18

Artistic Development

07:30
19

Create Your Plan

13:12
20

What's Your Product

10:51
21

Luxury vs Consumer Products & Experiences

11:44
22

Quick Break for Econ 101

16:31
23

Your Target Market & Brand Message

21:25
24

What's in a Name

09:20
25

Your Client 'Why'

05:43
26

Crafting the Why Experience

24:17
27

Document the Client Experience

08:29
28

Business Administration Basics

27:03
29

Book Keeping Management

06:51
30

Create the Logo & Branding

07:04
31

Portfolio Design

15:11
32

Design Your Services & Packages

18:51
33

Pricing Fears & Myths

08:46
34

Three Pricing Methods

25:39
35

Package Pricing Psychology & Design

06:15
36

Psychology of Numbers

07:29
37

Pricing Q&A

23:51
38

Grass Roots Marketing

09:36
39

The Empty Party

07:03
40

Friends & Family Test Shoots

16:28
41

Join Groups

04:32
42

Second Shooting Etiquette

07:44
43

The Listing & Classified Hustle

14:10
44

Make Instagram Simple

13:55
45

Your Automated Pinterest Plan

08:01
46

Facebook Because You Must

07:37
47

Giveaway & Styled Shoots

12:17
48

Content Marketing & SEO

08:12
49

The Monster: SEO

07:26
50

Selecting Your Keywords

05:45
51

Testing Your Keywords

07:53
52

Grouping Main & Niche Goals

12:39
53

Your Content Road Map

11:47
54

Content Marketing Q&A

10:45
55

Inspiration to Keep Working

07:45
56

How to Craft Your Content

15:03
57

Internal Linking Basics

05:30
58

Back Link Building Basics

04:55
59

Link Value Factos

14:38
60

Measuring Link Value

04:24
61

Link Building Strategy & Plan

06:10
62

Link Building Plan: Vendors & Guest Writing

06:45
63

Link Building Plan: Features, Directories, Comments

03:11
64

Link Building: Shortcuts & One Simple Tool

14:44
65

What is Sales? Show Me!

12:58
66

Your First Massive Failure

05:17
67

The Sales Process

07:31
68

Your Second Massive Failure

05:23
69

Understand Buyer Psychology

10:00
70

Step 0: Building Rapport & Trust

15:14
71

Step 1: Identify Need or Want

15:39
72

Cognitive Dissonance

12:01
73

Steps 2 & 3: Value Proposition & The Solution

14:21
74

Step 4 : Close, Make the Ask

04:32
75

Step 5: Follow Up & Resolve Concerns

06:13
76

Family Photography Hot Seat

12:06
77

Business Example Hot Seat

15:52
78

Boudoir Photography Hot Seat

16:09
79

The Best Sales Person

07:45
80

Your Mindset, Vibrations & Frequency

06:56
81

Always Positive, Always Affirming

11:55
82

The Second Money & Dual Process

07:39
83

Chumming the Price Waters

03:57
84

Creating Want or Scarcity

09:54
85

Timeless Advice on Being Likable

11:53
86

Selling Over The Phone

10:59
87

Forbidden Words in Sales

11:40

Lesson Info

Timeless Advice on Being Likable

Ha, ha, timeless advice on being likable like Gizmo. He's so cute. We're into the second section of refining your sales skills set. This is one of my favorite ones, hence, the picture. Be excited, like a dog. I can't think of a better example. If you have pets, if you have dogs, you know how they greet you. They are so excited to see you, they want to be with you. They want to talk to you, you have their complete attention. And there's no better example, except maybe don't like go clawing your clients and go like like jumping on them. Don't lick them, don't do those kinds of things. That's just weird. But outside of that, if you're just constantly excited to see them and you just love your clients, that's one of the best places to start. The next one I have is charisma. There's a fantastic book by Olivia Fox Cabane called The Charisma Myth. Charisma, just like sales, just like presenting, just like public speaking, just like all these different things, is a learned skill, you learn it ...

over time. And she gives you some really great techniques on how. The one that I want you guys to be here with right now is; because you can pick up most of that charisma. Charisma has nothing to do with the way you look by the way. It can, that can be one of the components. But the best type of charisma and the easiest one to start right now is presence. It's called focused charisma. So, that means Julie, when I step in close to you, and I look directly at you, you feel a sort of kind of intense focus that all my attention is on you, because it is. That's one of those things that it's a very simple trick that you can use to your clients to show them your care. I told you all to make sure its genuine before 'cause I'm gonna tell you how to make it shown now. This is how to make it shown. So, when one of you comes into my studio; Angela you come into the studio. Angela, it is so amazing to meet you, my name is Pye. Nice to meet you. Did you have an appointment with someone? I'd love to go grab somebody to come help you out. Did you have a meeting with somebody? No I haven't. No, if not, have a seat. I'm gonna go grab one of the girls and I'll be right back, okay, and then, I'm gonna step away. So, there's an excitement, there's a focus and there's nothing to do with anything else, and that's gonna stay present throughout our entire conversation. There's easy ways to actually convey this as well. So, if you are like going into a meeting with your clients, with your phone, you take your phone and when they sit down you say, "Give me one second, I want to turn off my phone "so I can give you my full attention." And then you turn it off and you out it in your bag. That's a clear and visual signal to your clients that now, you are 100% focused on them. Easy. Next, we go smile, listen, use names, important, serve. Hey guys, have we been doing this throughout this entire meeting? Through our entire class here? Do you feel like I want you guys to be successful in your businesses? Have I used everyone of your names? Have I been listening to the different objections and the different things that you have brought to me? Do you feel that I am being genuine right now, because I am. But I'm using body language and I'm using all these things to show it. And if I didn't know everyone of your names, you wouldn't feel it. Joe, if I couldn't tell the difference between you and Don and I just said, "Hey you, hey yeah, that's a really good question. "I really like that, good job." You might feel a little bit differently than the fact that I can actually identify you. It makes us feel as though we're important, right?. It makes us feel as though, each one of us; the sound that we love most, is our own names, and if I can say it repeatedly, Sharon, Sharon, Sharon, sorry Shannon. (audience laughing) Shannon, Sharon, Shannon. Shannon, Shannon, so you know how I remembered Sharon? Red hair, Sharon, red, except for right now. (audience giggles) That didn't work right now, Shannon. It feels good to hear our own names does it not? You feel. What? She wouldn't know. That is her name, her name is Shannon. Now. Now, oh give me a break, there's 18 of you. The next thing is active posture. We talked about this. This is literally again the entire classes active posture. Being in front of you, open chest. And then we stop talking. It's hard 'cause I want to demonstrate this to you guys. This is one of the big pieces, but it's hard for me to do that because I have to talk. But at dinner last night, who talked? Did I talk the most at that table? (audience laughing) Goodbye guys, I'm done, I'm out. We all talked. We all talked. Did you feel like I was there taking over and trying to make it about me? Definitely not. Okay, in fact, I think I asked a lot of questions like what's new in your guy's lives, and tell me, what's going on? You do. Okay, do the same thing with your clients. Just stop talking. It's the easiest way to be a good conversationalist is to not talk, is that not the weirdest thing ever? We have a rule, and then we parroting. Leil Lownder talks about parroting. If you ever lose, like your, look all of us do that. Where we think of the next things that we want to say and we lose track of what's being said right? If that happens, and Lee, let's say you said something like, "I'd really love it if you could just capture "that one photograph of the salmon." Okay, and all I heard was, "Ah man, I really want to ask Lee this next thing," and then you said, "Salmon." I said, "Interesting. "Tell me more about that salmon, like what are you looking?" That's parroting, I don't really know what was said. I'm just like, tell me a little more, like what salmon are you kind of talking about? But you picked up the last word, or the last two words, and then you repeat those in a phrase of a question. This is parroting, it works. Don't do it more than once or twice. (audience chuckles) And then we're gonna match their mood right?. So if they come in with a mood that's a little bit more serious, I'm gonna be a little more serious. If they come in, like I'm not gonna be the goof ball, when I have a traditional Jewish mom and dad next to the bride and groom and all four of them are sitting in there, I'm going to be the proper like me. In terms of, that's the mood that they have set and I'm gonna follow suit. It'd be awkward for me to come in and be like; "Hey guys, I'm so excited to see you all, my name is Pye! You're not matching the tone that they're setting and so we want to kind of match that to kind of feel a little more empathetic. All this should be making sense yeah? A few more notes on charisma. It's not born with, it's learned. There's multiple types of charisma. Presence equals Focus Charisma, we talked about this. Authority without warmth. This is where I want you guys to steer clear from. Authority based charisma is like those that are say, police officers, they have a authority, right?. Those that are in a higher position. A boss, a manager, there's an authority charisma that comes along with those position. Now when that authority, which you all have, because guess what you guys are the boss over? (mumbles) What? Cameras? The camera, right, when you have that camera in your hands, you are the boss. You dictate what they should do, how they should pose, what you like, all that. And this is to varying degrees depending on how many of you do a lot of pose work, versus journalism, versus something in between. But you are that boss. And when that's carried without warmth, it comes off as arrogance. And that's a big thing that I see like a lot of shooters going in, is instead of coming across as like, "oh, oh my gosh Shell, I would love to have you, "stand right here next to Julie. "And if you girls just sit up right now, I would love that." But instead it comes into as; "Look I just need you two to stand up." And that comes off as like this really negative arrogance. These are things that are very easy mistakes to make during a shoot. Especially as you see second shooters or anybody else coming and representing your brand. That you need to tell them hey, I need you to convey warmth with all the direction that you give. Likewise in your client meetings, do the same thing. The next thing I'm gonna tell you; One of the biggest things that you guys can immediately improve your charisma with going into a client meeting is to pre-visualize. We talked about visualization right? I'm gonna have you put it to use, write it down. Write it down, visualize the success of that meeting. And I'm not saying that you're like visualizing yeah, I can see the money right now, yep. (audience giggles) No, I mean like visualize from start to end that whole thing. You starting with getting to know them, going through the wave, understanding their needs, their wants, presenting the solution. Visualize every piece of that six step process in your heads before the meeting. And then you'll walk into it with a whole different perspective and a different mind set when it comes to booking and the charisma difference will be noticeable. You'll be noticeably more confident in the way that you present 'cause you already saw it workout. These are weird almost overly simplified tips that seem almost too good to be true until you actually try it. And you're like whoa, this actually works. So again, if you want to read more, it's a fantastic book, The Sing-Sing Voice. This is again, if you want examples of The Sing-Song Voice, just go back thorough any piece of the segment and listen to what I'm talking about right here. This is my; using my voice to kind of move up and down in volume throughout an entire sentence. Pausing, keeping things consolidated and then basically you're piecing together, stringing together, different ideas in almost a melody as we go through. It makes somebody easy to listen to. When people say Pye you're really easy to listen to, it's because I have a Sing-Song voice. Monotone is great for babies. You put them to sleep real quick. It actually does work I got a new born on set. And I'm like, "hey, shhh", I love the newborns. I just love the newborns and they'll fall asleep. My own baby would, I don't do that all the time. So we're gonna connect all words prior to a comma and a period, we're gonna create a vocal melody, and that's really it. And you have plenty of examples there, so I don't really want to hang out here very long. 'Cause that's what we did this whole time.

Class Materials

Bonus Materials with Purchase

How to Launch a Photography Business Workbook
Experience Pricing Example

Ratings and Reviews

Armstrong Su
 

This class and materials are to the point and eye-opening on the business side of photography. Pye Jirsa is an amazing and fun teacher as well! Most photographers need more business classes offered to bring us who love to create art back to reality for a more successful business that makes a living on it's own. This course will definately get you started in the right direction and so cheap too! Great investment! armstrong outdoor tv case outdoortvcase Pye Jirsa is one of the best instructors that I have the pleasure to learn from. He and his team have given me so much more than they'll ever realize. Knowledge, wisdom, training, friendship, mentoring, inspiration, joy... I cannot thank Pye enough for changing my life for the better. I owe them more than they'll ever realize. Thank you, Pye Jirsa!!!

Angela Sanchez
 

This class has been an eye opener for me; a point of change in my vision as photographer. Pye is and AMAZING, INSPIRING, GENEROUS instructor, with an, authentic desire to help people and to share with them the best of his knowledge. I will not have enough words to say thanks to Pye Jirsa, as a teacher and as a human being, and thanks to Creative Live who allows us to benefit from the experience of such a knowledgeable, educated, well-versed photographer and instructor. 1000% recommended!

Yenith LianTy
 

Been following this guy forever. Pye Jirsa may be well known in the wedding & portrait photography world and if there is something that this guy knows it is how to create a business, a sustainable one. The workbook he provided is comprehensive, and I honestly wish I had this when I first started out as a photographer! I love that he talks about his failures, keeping it real and honest for anyone starting out. He is definitely one of the best instructors around, super humble, down to earth and with a sense of humor to boot. The course is worth it! THE WORKBOOK is AMAZING! SUPER DETAILED!

Student Work

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