Last Wednesday night was the first ever “Shoot Network & Play” event. One of my many crazy ideas. Some ideas come to life, and some get stuffed far far way. I think any creative person can relate.
I’m SOOO excited to share with yall beautiful images and headshots from this event! I’m really happy with how it went and the results. Most importantly, I’m THIRLLED with the amazing ladies who attended, and the connections that have already been made. But first I want to share some of the struggles I had putting it together and lessons learned and how that will influence the next one.
I have been taught over and over….We can’t market to EVERYONE.
I envisioned an event for “anyone.” I had a feeling this would be a difficult part for promoting this event. I wanted to center the event around networking, so I really wanted DIVERSE industries. I knew this was a challenge, and I actually knew it would make it harder to sell. But I pushed through that, I kinda ignored my knowledge on how important niching down can be. I was being stubborn (as usual).
So many of us in this creative entrepreneur space want to educate and teach to “all creatives”…. but in fact that is SUPER hard. It is way easier to market/sell/educate when we niche down to say only photographers etc. But if you know me, then you know how much I love networking outside of my industry. Gah, the struggle! Any business coach will teach how important niching down is and selling to and small and specific market. It makes more sense solve a very specific problem than it does to solve EVERYONE’s problem. Here is an example…. I know two women who sell the exact same things on Etsy… Custom T-shirts. One shop struggles because she’s selling ALL types of shirts… the “I’ll make whatever you want shop”… the other shop is selling out because she sells mostly Harry Potter themed shirts. The products, quality, etc is the same…but it is a much more specific market. She’s solving a more specific problem.
Add the fact that this is a new event, unlike anything that has been offered before, I was really climbing a hill. But I didn’t let myself give up…. Holly (thank goodness) saw my vision perfectly and kept me focused and excited.
Despite smaller numbers than anticipated, the event WAS a huge success. And honestly an amazing reminder of how awesome my little community is! The BIGGEST compliment I could ever get is that most of these attendees have been to MORE THAN ONE of our events before. They believe in me and they keep coming back. They invest in the things I offer!!! (crazy right) That makes my heart more full than I can even put into words. That is more rewarding than any amount of profit or number of fans. They are my people and I love them!
We had the best time, took beautiful images, and I’m obsessed with these pretty ladies! Take a peek!! And I’m announcing the next Shoot Network & Play date at the bottom! Whoop Whoop!
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to
A few of the girls emailed me some images to share with y’all today! Let’s take a peek!
Here are some of Amanda’s images! You can follow her photography account on IG here.
Heather Papineau Photography, one of my long time pals!!! Gosh I can share some belly laughs with her!
And Erin Ammons Photography always pulling though with some fun BTS!!!
So what are my “take aways” from the event? Should I push through and continue to open it up to everyone or narrow it down to just photographers? I’m torn! You tell me! I would love to hear your feedback.
But for now I do have some pretty cool ideas brewing so we are opening up registration for the next one.
CAN’T WAIT!
The NEXT Shoot Network & Play event will be September 12th!
Photographers sign up now! Limited Seats!
Creatives who want to collaborate I would love to hear from you, shoot me an email. 😉
ElizabethHensonPhotos@gmail.com
