Working & planning during COVID-19

So we are all stuck at home. Unfortunately we don’t know how long this lockdown is going to be around for. The current rules have come as a shock to many of us and it seems that most people are choosing one of two ways to handle it. You could binge on Netflix, video games, sleeping in and watching TV. Or…. you could plan what your strategy will be once these restrictions are lifted. One thing is for sure, working from home may become the norm as everyone works out the technical issues and gets used to this new way of working. Once the restrictions are lifted, some people will continue working this way. This means that things may not go back to normal.

Because of this, we need to come up with some strategies that will address this change in the way we do business. There is going to be a lot more digital content around. Without the option of meeting people face to face, digital connections and digital content will become more important than at any other time.

So what are you going to do to stand out. We are working hard on new products and services to offer our customers. From corporate headshots, digital marketing, copywriting, website design and management to video. All of this things are going to become extremely important to the survival of our business and we want to be ready to help everyone we can.

So let us know if there are any problems or issues that we might be able to help you with, let’s start talking now so that we can hit the ground running when these restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, stay safe.

A message about COVID-19

A message regarding COVID-19.

We know that you have been bombarded with information so we want to qualify you from having to read the following.

If you are cancelling events, training or presentations, the following, may be of assistance.  We have the ability to prepare presentations and training material online for your staff to view in a safe environment.  We are taking extreme measures to produce your content and taking every available step to reduce the risk as much as possible.

 COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on most of us.  Unfortunately, this is likely to continue for at least the next few months so, I wanted to update you on what we are doing to try to support others by explaining the changes we have made to the services we offer.  We have been working hard putting solutions in place to address some of the needs of our clients and work around the limitations being imposed.

 Seminars & Workshops

The majority of seminars and workshops are being cancelled due to the risk of having large numbers of people in one room.  To get around this problem we have put together video production solutions that allow you to record the session and present it online for your attendees to view in a safe environment.  These seminar presentations can be recorded with only the presenter and a small video crew present and can even be streamed live for real-time interaction with attendees including Q&As.

 Headshot photography

We have put in place a new process that limits exposure by shooting tethered.  This means that we provide the client with their own screen that they can preview images limiting the contact and proximity to the production crew.  In fact, there is no contact with the photographer, and by using specialised, longer lenses we maintain a considerable distance from the client.

We are also giving or clients the option of shooting outside.  We have locations where people don’t frequent that are ideal for an environmental headshot and they look fantastic.

 Online portfolios

Reviewing images now takes place online.  We provide a link to the gallery and all feedback, editing, and delivery is done online.

 Hair and Makeup

We have put together easy to follow guides on preparing your hair and makeup.  This reduces the risk if you do not want to have someone else doing this for you.

 We come to you

We know that in these instances, people prefer to not have to travel especially if it requires public transport.  For this reason, we bring our equipment to you and photograph or film at your premises.

 Sanitation

All our equipment is wiped down and disinfected after every job to ensure the most sanitised environment possible.

We believe that by doing our part in helping business to continue their activities whilst still being responsible.

Your online presence has just become more important than ever.

The world is heading into uncharted territory. The coronavirus is throwing uncertainty into all business and everyone is trying to work out how to react. One thing is for certain, as more people are encouraged to self-isolate we are going to see a slowdown in some areas. In situations where a client would visit a store, attend a seminar or meet with a client, you may find that they will choose to conduct these activities online. Some businesses are well-positioned to respond. These are the ones that will benefit from the number of prospective clients looking to change their behaviour in how they conduct business. Having a strong online presence is now more important than ever. But what makes a good online presence? Below are my recommendations that you should take into account to make sure you don’t go unnoticed in a sea of content.

WEBSITE

Having a good and clear website is essential. Your website must be optimised for SEO. This means that it will be found in a google search. Navigation should be clear and it should load up fast. It should also look good on both a PC and a phone. Most content is now consumed on a mobile device so you need to take this into account.

SOCIAL MEDIA

I still meet people that refuse to accept social media as a serious platform to conduct business. The fact is that the majority of your clients are participating in social media so why would you not be taking part in it. Social media should be treated as a business tool. Only post things that are going to support your business and make sure that it is a professional-looking profile. It is a great platform to show off your products, services and professionalism.

CONTENT

You are going to see a large increase in the amount of content published in the next few months. As people are forced to stay away from others and spend time in isolation, they will go online and look for content. This leads to brand awareness and establishment of trust with specific brands. The more you participate, the bigger the piece of the pie you will get back.

E-COMMERCE

If you sell a product online, have a great site with amazing photography and videos, if you are a trainer, get your training recorded and produced and upload it online as a product if you offer your consulting services, how can you deliver it online? Others are already doing this and the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus will force people down a different engagement method that they have not used before. Delivering valuable content both free and paid will be more important than ever.

BUT I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO ANY OF THIS!

Get help. There is an abundance of professionals that can help you with this. We can help in creating all this for you to make sure you are well-positioned in the market. But even if you don’t choose us, you should look for assistance in doing this correctly. Even if you don’t choose us to do this for you we are happy to steer you in the right direction.

THIS IS JUST TEMPORARY

They say it takes just 21 days to form a new habit. Coronavirus is going to be a problem for us for a lot longer than that. This means that a percentage of people that start doing business online for the first time will continue to do so after this has gone away. Some changes will be permanent so make sure you are well placed to compete in this space.

How will you be engaging with your clients online?

Why would they pick you?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? Step into the shoes of your potential customer and imagine why they would pick you? What is so different about your product or the service you offer? Most often, just like in social life, people like to blend in and adapt to their environment and the people they associate with. This is a natural human condition that served us well hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Being part of a tribe was safe. Conform to what everyone else is doing and you will survive.

However, in business, conforming will get you on a trajectory to the bottom. You do what everyone is doing and you provide the best possible price. You are now part of this large group of business and individuals that provide the same service. What we sometimes fail to see is that when all else is the same the client will almost always make a decision based on price. This means undercutting your competitors to the point where you make very little profit if any.

The key to solving this problem is based on your USP (Unique Selling Proposition or Unique Selling Point). Why would you spend so much more on a MacBook when you can get a similar laptop from another brand at nearly half the price? Because you can’t get a MacBook from anyone other than Apple. They are the only ones that make them so if you want one you need to buy if from them.

We should all identify or develop a USP. It could be as simple as having a "Never give up” attitude at work. This makes you the go-to person when it needs to be done right. This could be your USP.

If you are looking for a job it could be a fantastic, and rare qualification that nobody else has. It could be a professionally written CV, or a professional headshot to represent you and help you stand out.

If you are a business it could be your 100% Money back guarantee that nobody else offers, or your incredible support structure with a call centre based in Australia, or maybe, that amazing product that you have exclusive rights to. Whatever it is, this is the reason they will hire you, book you or purchase from you.

Whatever your USP, it needs to be the reason someone picks you.

In my instance, I provide my clients with imagery that they cannot get anywhere else. I know I won’t be outworked and my style is just that…… my style.

So why would they pick you?

Learn more at www.dancanteroheadshots.com.au