I'm curious to get some feedback from you guys..

I read a blog post the other day by Seth Godin who talked about many entrepreneurs are selfish. They produce the products that THEY want - not what the client wants, and as a result make their job of building a business or getting more clients more difficult.

I think this is a good point to make in the art vs. business debate, but I'm curious about the topic on a more personal level.

I have a blog at www.photographerssolutions.net dealing with a topic that I'm really passionate about: technology and office workflow. Yeah, I know. It's not sexy. It's not a blog about how to create textured photoshop actions or what the best camera in the industry is, but I feel like it's a topic that could be helpful to a lot of photographers; I've found that a lot of photographers want to be more organized or have a better understanding of how to utilize technology to make their office more efficient, but they don't really have anywhere to start.

But that's what I think.

What do you think? Is this just extremely boring? What would make the presentation more interesting? Or is there a similar topic that you feel would be more HELPFUL to you?

I used to send out emails to a group of my industry friends with quotes from books that I was reading. Is something like that more helpful?

Curious about your feedback. Thanks!

I checked out your blog. I like the video demos, especially the tip on adding RSS feeds to Mail. I plan to implement a few feeds to my Mail program tonight.

Great! Is this a blog that you would normally read though? If not, what would make it a blog you would read?

Nathan,

I think your idea is dead-on. We all need some help with organization and business. Unfortunately many of us are way too art-eest intensive and not enough biz savy--at least I know I am.

The videos are a great idea. They are much easier to follow than reading an all text post. So from that regard I wouldn't change a thing.

Actually, there's not much I would change. Just give it time and keep posting and it'll catch on. Maybe if you had "Guest Posters" every now and then--that might help drive some new traffic to you. Maybe?

Other topics that might be helpful: (and I know I'd love to find out more about)

Somewhat unbiased reviews of:
albums
print providers
Tax-Biz Management Software

How / When to add staff

Preparing for tax season

PRICING ! What to do and not to do.

How to implement new products and procedures.


That's just a few things off the top of my head. If I think of more I'll add them.

Stay at it and good luck. I'm bookmarking the blog right now.

~wj

Great feedback! Thanks so much! Keep it coming! I'll definitely be trying to keep most posts video-based if possible!

I like Will's idea about adding reviews. I'd love to see reviews/comparisons on albums. Or how about software applications? There are a lot of photographers selling photoshop actions. It would be great to have one place to see them all to compare.

I added to my blog reader when I get time I will check out more, thanks for the link, looks like a great resource.

some random thoughts for ya
I think everyone wants to do what they can to simplify workflow. Spend less time in front of computer.

I agree have guest posters or feature photographers and that should drive more readers. Like if I was a featured photographer I would post it on my blog that I was and then people would go your blog from mine.

I like the idea of how to implement new pricing and products.

Maybe what photographers should blog aboug.

Workshops in a person's area. Like I would love to know who has what workshop near me. I probably wouldn't know it if one was in my backyard.

Nathan, just look at your traffic. Are you getting lots of traffic on that blog? That will be your answer.

What I'm noticing is that you're wanting a broader range topics than just office workflow and technology? Hmmm... Ok! Keep the ideas coming!

Nathan,

I really enjoyed reading it and I'll definitely be back for more.

Me too bud

I've enjoyed reading it as well. I loved the .info site you had up a while back, and I believe there was another address you had as well. Chris and I loved reading those, and I somehow missed this blog address. I had the others in my yahoo RSS feed, and some of the old post are stored in there. I was actually just going back through some of those posts the other day, Chris down0=loaded objectdock by stardock.com a couple of days ago and we are LOVING it! I know, you switched to mac (lucky, wish we could afford the transition, but we have so much software invested in our PC's) but we love how this give us the user friendly, clean eye candy nature of Mac without having to pay to switch over.

I really enjoy learning how to improve our workflow, tips and tricks to speed up the process, shortcuts etc. And Chris loves all the techy, computer stuff to make our system more efficient.

An idea if you continue to do video pod casts. Maybe add them to itunes? I love the fact that my itunes automatically syncs when I plug it into my computer. It deletes the podcasts (audio & video) that I've already listened to/watched and puts on the new ones. I am in my car often having a 1st grader and kindergartener so I'm at the school 3 times a day not to mention running errands, driving to photo sessions, playdates for my 2 year old etc. etc. I plug my ipod into my car stereo and keep up on all the audio podcasts, then when I get to the school early it's time to sit and watch my video podcasts. I'd love to be able to automatically keep up on your videos as well

I love the current content, and also love the ideas that were shared here. Basically anything that will help me improve my business, inspirational thoughts, ideas tips. New ways of approaching things, good books you've read about marketing, business photography etc.

Keep up the good work!

+ 1 on the podcasting

I think that's a great idea!

Wow! Thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm ready to start investing more time in it now! Look out for a new video tomorrow! And I'm adding to my to-do list to look into doing a pod-cast. Should be fun!

Amber gets up in the middle of the night and hits "refresh"....

-TM

Nathan,

It was SO boring that I subscribed
Good stuff we all need to hear or of which we need to be reminded.
It made me realize that I need to spend an hour in the morning getting MY desk space more clutter free.

I like the idea of quotes from what you're reading. We share those around the office, and I need to consider a few for posting.

Mark