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Last week's Newsline went out before I had time to finish my piece on National Photo Month.
So here it is in its entirety.
June is 'National Photo Month' or is it May?
The 'official' National Photo Month through PMA is in May however last year the UK put all its emphasis on June in their National Photo Month celebrations.
When is the REAL National Photo Month?
Who cares!!
It doesn't REALLY exist here anyway so we can make it whenever we want.
But we surely should do something to put photography on the agenda nationally and get some focus on local photo suppliers.
The point is we need to start putting things into place now regardless of the month we choose to use. It takes time to build a successful event - the time to start is now.
PMA Australia are running another series of Infotography sessions in June (hosted by yours truly) so it makes sense to piggyback those sessions as part of the educational side of National Photo Month in your store.
What else can you do?
1) Run a photo competition - set weekly themes for people to post on your Facebook page (a great way to keep people connecting with your page)
2) Get some local pros to come in once a week and do an evening photography talk or go even bigger and hire a local hall and put them all on one night.
Charge a few bucks and make a big deal of it. ( I assure you there are a bunch of pros who would just love the chance to show off their knowledge)
3) Deals of the Day - promote a different in store special each day - keep customers watching your business daily for a month!
4) Tip of the Day - make up a window poster that changes daily - a great way to get people stopping as they pass your business.
5) Lab Tour - Invite your customers in to see the behind the scenes operation of your lab and expose them to a whole range of products they may not know you produce.
6) Photo Walk - take your customers on a photo walk around your local area - get them to see their everyday environment with new eyes. It doesn't take much to organise and it doesn't require a lot of photo skill. Just some tips, advice and some laughs.
7) 2 minute tip videos - they don't have to be masterpieces, just get some good sound and good advice. Post them wherever you can to get them noticed.
The point is DO SOMETHING!
It's a long way from June to Christmas - why not jump on any excuse to talk photography to your customers.
A chance to share some knowledge and fun.
Give your customers a chance to hang out with fellow photo enthusiasts.
One of the biggest thrills my customers get is to spend a day with like-minded, passionate people.
So why not become the facilitator of this environment?
Spend a month giving your customers an excuse to stop in and see what's happening.
Sure, national photo month doesn't REALLY exist..... unless we want it to!
What's the worst that can happen? | 
