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| | I almost messed up 😬Now, you might just be wondering how that could be possible! A client almost didn’t get the stuff I was supplying, designed for the Expo they had spent a small fortune organising. I must say, it’s rare that I let things get to this stage, but things do happen from time to time. So, what lessons can we all learn from this? 1) Allow yourself enough time from client sign-off to get things delivered, with spare time for messing up (couriers, etc). This isn’t always possible, as everyone seems to work towards a tight deadline, but the possibilities for failure should be made clear. This is generally only a problem when you care about your clients and your business, and I think out of the few thousand who receive this email, this will be you because you value what you do! 2) Always create a backup plan before speaking to the client so you are not going to them with just the problems. This is something I did, and I had 3 scenarios ready for action on the next working day if all else failed. This was to make sure the show still went on. Luckily, the delivery arrived as planned; it just so happened that someone else picked it up, thinking that it was their order, but realised their mistake before the end of the day. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when the call came in on the evening with that news, and I thought it was a lesson we could all do with being reminded about. | |
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| | | | Marketing AdviceBeyond the Traditional: Creative Interview Styles for Business Owners
When it comes to interviews, the traditional “look to camera” format can often feel monotonous and uninspiring. For business owners looking to inject some creativity into their interviews, and make a lasting impression, there are several engaging styles to consider. Here are some innovative interview formats that can transform how you present your business and connect with your audience.
1. Walk-and-Talk Interviews
2. Panel Discussions
3. Customer Testimonials and Case Studies
4. Behind-the-Scenes Tours
5. Storytelling Sessions
6. Interactive Webinars 7. Vlog-Style Interviews
Conclusion Breaking away from the conventional interview format can significantly enhance how you communicate your business’s story and values. By exploring these creative interview styles, you can make your content more engaging, authentic, and impactful. Whether through dynamic walk-and-talks, insightful panel discussions, or interactive webinars, each format offers unique opportunities to connect with your audience meaningfully. So next time you plan an interview, think beyond the traditional, and experiment with these styles to see what resonates best with your audience. Your business has a story to tell, and the right interview format can make all the difference. | | | |
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| | | | We made some videos for ‘Hogarths’.Hogarths has 2 amazing hotels, one in Solihull and one in Stone and we created several videos for both. It’s incredible to be somewhere where all the staff have a passion and enjoyment for their job, and really care about what impression people take away from the hotel. Attention to detail is key, from the rooms to the grounds. Oh, and the food is fantastic (we had to try it, just to be sure 😁) | | | |
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| | | | If you’re into your photographyI’ve never bought anything but main branded lenses before as I want the best quality there is when it comes to my glass (I’m a Nikon shooter btw … don’t judge) This lens was given to me to test, and I was amazed by the quality and the price! It has made me re-consider my stance on only buying the most expensive glass 🤔 | | | |
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| | | | A Bit of fun 🤣 It’s NOT just for kids
Lego is not just for little kids, it’s also for big kids.
This was a set I did a few years back when I was feeling like I needed to be creative and make something simple with just my phone …. YES, these were all shot with my mobile phone. I decided to take a little Lego photography character around everywhere with me; he had to do a 'Behind The Scenes’ shot and a finished shot and bring them all together to tell a story. I never imagined that when I did these - a silly little side project- they would become so popular on social media. In the end, I did a series of around 40 before moving on, but these still live on and I thought it would be fun to share them with you. | | | |
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| | | | Rainy Day GuaranteeYes, that’s right. I thought I would put in writing something I have been doing for years - and we’ve just used it a couple of times! | | | |
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| | | | Behind The ScenesJust a few photos from on location so that you can have a peep into my world. | | | |
| | This is using a probe lens which is a macro lens with a light in the end so it can capture the small details (which was perfect for this set) | | | |
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| | Behind The Scenes at Hogarths Stone Manor for the introduction video (which is linked earlier in this newsletter) | | | |
| | Photographing tractor tyres; very clean tractor tyres for Goodyear | | | |
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| | | A bit of macro scene set photography in the studio, sometimes ‘simple' works. | | | |
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| | 6 Quick Stats1. LinkedIn posts with images receive 98% more comments than those without. 2. Videos get shared 20 times more than any other content format on LinkedIn. 3. 90% of people use YouTube to discover new brands and products. 4. 66% of marketers plan on upping their use of YouTube videos as part of their marketing mix (and 59% of executives prefer watching videos to reading text!). 5. 19% of consumers sent DMs to brands on social media. 6. 27% of marketers who didn’t use YouTube last year plan to leverage it in 2024, and short-form video offers the highest ROI of any content format. | |
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| | | | Dame Judi Dench and John Cena to voice Meta AI chatbot
Meta announced celebrity voices like Dame Judi Dench and John Cena for its AI chatbot, along with other stars like Awkwafina. The AI will also offer image recognition and editing capabilities.
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| | | | This month's LandscapeButtermere
The Lake District is a truly beautiful place, and no matter what the weather is, it will always surprise you. Sometimes, though, to get the best shot, you have to take off your shoes and socks and enjoy the freedom of nature. | | | |
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| | | | Oh, this is my favourite product location photo this month as well!This was one of those shoots where it all just comes together: all the cheese you could handle (and a little bit more), glorious location, beautiful weather and a photographer (who likes cheese) and assistant to hold the diffuser over the product setup to capture the ideal scene. | | | |
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| | | | Well, that’s it for this month and I hope there has been something in this which has sparked an interest for you. If there is something you would like to see in future, then just let me know. | | | |
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| | | | “Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell.” Seth Godin
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