How can you be the best you in what you do so that you can be the best you for clients who trust you?
We’ve long had this negative connotation around the idea of being different – that choosing to be what others aren’t is something that will do us no good towards becoming the best.
Well, let me tell you – that’s not the case in doing business, for what actually sets you apart from the general market is the same thing that will lead you towards success.
Do you want your products and services to be a one-of-a-kind thing, something that people won’t be able to find anywhere else? Do you want to upgrade your whole photography business but have no idea where to start yet?
If you are ready to take the leap, reach great heights, and live a life of success, join us today as we discuss how you can start working on producing something others can’t!
Craig McNeil is a photographer/entrepreneur from Denver, Colorado who has been in the industry of photography for 30 years now through his business, McNeil Designer Portraits. He is exceptional in translating his love of the outdoors and his passion for photography into beautiful family portraits that are cherished for a lifetime. Craig finds his greatest joy in unveiling the final art for the first time and seeing the look of enthusiasm and awe that his photography brings to his clients.
In this episode, Craig talks about the power of being different in the industry of photography as he shares how passion and enthusiasm add to that fuel of authenticity that later on leads to one’s journey towards success.
What you will learn from this episode:
- Understand how powerful being authentic is when doing photography as a business;
- Discover the reason behind passion and enthusiasm being your journey’s ultimate game-changers; and
- Gather tips from an expert about the things you can live by in order to excel at whatever it is that you choose to do and become
“Be better at what it is that you do. There’s this thing I have, that is my philosophy. I have to be the best of me for me before I can be the best of me for you.”
– Craig McNeil
Valuable Free Resource:
Today’s Photography Tips from Craig McNeil
- Don’t copy anybody else. Write down 10 specific things that make you different.
- Don’t try to be everything for everybody. Know where you excel at. Know your style. Focus on that.
- Be confident. Have faith in yourself. Persevere.
- Do not resort to being the cheapest guy on the market. Reflect on these: What products or services do you offer that can help celebrate your style? What is it that you do and how do you present it that allows you to charge more and be justified for it?
- Passion and enthusiasm for what you do is contagious. Love what you do and have a good mindset in relation to it.
- Get a good camera and learn how to use it. That will give you the results that you want.
- Do your research to find what’s going to make you different in a continuously evolving world of technology.
Topics Covered:
01:24 – This is Me: Craig reminds people to be as unique as one can be as he shares the power behind doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing
02:33 – Celebrating One’s Uniqueness: Those who are genuinely authentic are those whom the people want nowadays
06:01 – On Becoming an Expert: Talking about one’s focus alongside the importance of excelling on that specific thing you do best when doing photography
09:04 – Confidence, Faith, and Perseverance: Things to reflect on in order to know how you can be different in the market and avoid many struggles in the business
12:36 – Say No to being the Cheapest: Craig’s challenge for today’s listeners
15:46 – Passion and Enthusiasm are Contagious: Craig shares why loving what you do is a must in your journey towards success, especially when it’s coupled with a good mindset
19:12 – Guild Canvas Co.: What Craig likes about Travis’ business – the thing that makes it different from anybody else
19:51 – A Question for Craig: Where in the business should a photographer put $10,000 that will have the most impact in his journey in photography?
23:34 – Intentional Photography: Craig discusses the importance of research especially on equipment in a world where technology keeps on evolving
25:32 – Piece of Advice from a Mentor: “Be careful of running out and buying the next best thing that just got invented for photography.”
Key Takeaways:
“It’s what makes you different that sets you apart.” – Craig McNeil
“If you really want to know what to do with your business, look at what everybody else is doing and do exactly the opposite.” – Craig McNeil
“In a world in which we live, we’re all looking for that magic bullet that’s gonna get us over the hump. To genuinely be authentic is really what people want in a day of sameness where everything looks the same.” – Craig McNeil
“If you’re on the struggle bus, I think that becomes a matter of confidence, faith in yourself, and being able to persevere to see that through because, in a world in which we live, it’s going to beat you down.” – Craig McNeil
“Passion and enthusiasm for what you do is contagious. Fake it ‘til you make it.” – Craig McNeil
“There are always people out there that want the best, that expect the best, and are willing to pay for the best. If you can develop that kind of a mindset, then you can succeed.” – Craig McNeil
“Get a good camera and learn how to use the camera. That’s going to produce you the results that you want.” – Craig McNeil
“If you’re passionate and you’re enthusiastic, that leads to trust. People do business they know, they like, and they trust.” – Craig McNeil
Connect with Craig Mcneil:
Connect with Tavis and Amy:
