Cultivating a Client-Centered Approach

I visited the hardware store the other day to pick up a few items.

I wandered around the aisles with my son, looking for what I needed. Many store associates passed me by, but none asked if I needed help.

After finding the 4 or 5 items I wanted, I went to the line to pay. The young lady at the register had a visibly disturbed look on her face, and moved in slow motion as she unenthusiastically scanned my items. One item was a large bucket, which was next to the other smaller items. She did not offer me a bag nor did she offer to even toss the smaller items into the bucket. She just stared at me blankly as I put them in myself and left.

This led to a discussion with my son about being a business owner and going the extra mile.

In many ways, entrepreneurship is difficult, and not for the faint of heart. But, it’s also supremely easy to win as a business owner because so, so many businesses shoot for the middle. Every day, we are surrounded by mediocrity, and if we, as photographers, simply give 110 percent, and go the extra mile for our clients, we’re already winning.

So, think about whether you are giving your all for your clients, and how you might improve and make yourself stand out from the crowd. From booking, to their session, to delivery, and everything in between, are you treating your client like they are the star of the show? If not, now’s the time to start!

My clients often talk about their “experience” working with me. Of course, I want them to absolutely love the photos (and they do!), but when they comment on their experience working with me, I know I’m doing good and giving them 110 percent!