This is Part 2 in a 3 part series about my recent road trip and experience at WPPI U in Las Vegas, NV. Stay tuned as more of my experience is published in the days to come.
Picking up from where I left off in Part 1 of my experience at Wedding & Portrait Photographer’s International University (WPPI U), I managed to find a great hotel less than ½ mile from the Las Vegas
Convention Center. The Embassy Suites
had a great room rate at $109 per night with complimentary breakfast (fresh
cooked omelets – YUM!) and Wi-Fi.
This was a huge bargain compared to what WPPI U had reserved at the
neighboring Renaissance Hotel.
The walk from the Embassy Suites to the Las Vegas Convention
Center was brief at less than 10 minutes.
There were a few other Trade Shows (ADS) happening at the same time, so
the Convention Center was packed!
Unfortunately, WPPI U failed to create proper signage outside the
Convention Center, which caused a lot of lost, frustrated, and sweaty
photographers. If you’re reading this
WPPI, you need more location signage!
Check-in was quick, far easier than at the
10,000-photographer WPPI convention in the winter. Just find your name tag in the rows of
approximately 500 other photographers, take a raffle ticket, and take a seat.
A few items I enjoyed at WPPI U were the complimentary
Starbucks coffee and lunches. This meant
I could save more money during the two-day event or I could spend that money on slot machines. Either way,
it was a great inclusion.
The Day 1 lineup of speakers blew my mind. More so after each of them shared life
experiences, photography tips, and advice to becoming a successful photographer
through the 9-hour day. The leading
lineup included senior portrait photographer Blair Phillips, The Boudoir Divas from San Diego, the amazing Sue Bryce, and finally, a very energetic Sal Cincotta. Each of these photographers
have found great success in their fields and each of them were willing to share success tips with the intimate class of 500.
Blair Phillips taught that there are very little things that
separate a successful professional photographer from those who offer similar
services at a lower price point. One
thing we can do to ensure we stand out in the crowd is to have amazing customer
service. Truly amazing customer service
is rarely seen today, but it can get customers to market for you and to become
repeat clients.
Similarly, the Boudoir Divas offered the same advice as
Blair Phillips but in a different context.
Customers should be taken care of and have an amazing experience from
first inquiry to the final thank you note.
Sue Bryce made 500 jaws drop when she announced that she
made $1 million in her first three years of business after setting up a garage
studio on a $3,000 loan from her parents.
The best business development tip Bryce shared with WPPI U was to have a
strict business plan that concentrates on assignment goals, not financial
goals. Use marketing, social media, and client referrals to achieve the number of assignments you crave. The money will flow in after.
To wrap up Day 1, Sal Cincotta shared tips and tricks to get
a Facebook Fan Page working for you, instead of wasting time with it. Cincotta demonstrated the new features of the
Timeline-based Fan Page and how to use the Insights to track your target
audience. Cincotta’s tips were items
that could be implemented instantly (thanks for the free Wi-Fi, Embassy Suites!)
and start generating more buzz around my brand.
Nice view from the Embassy Suites in Las Vegas, about 3 blocks from the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Tune in tomorrow as I share the rest of my experience from WPPI U Las Vegas in this 3 part series. Tomorrow I’ll talk about Day 2 at WPPI U, summarizing my overall experience and whether or not I thought WPPI U was valuable to my business.
Did you attend WPPI U in Las Vegas or any of the other stops on their Road Show? Did you like it, who was the most inspiring speaker, and most of all, will I see you at WPPI in March 2013?
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