We are so excited to introduce you to Joyce Smith of WordSmith for Photographers. Joyce, an English professor turned photographer, has created the ideal product to make your life as a portrait photographer just a bit easier. Focusing on the marketing aspect of one’s photography business and the communication that is vital between you and your client, Joyce created WordSmith. WordSmith for Photographers is a template company that offers a variety of documents to help you communicate better with your clients and relieve you from the daunting task of writing. Think how great it would be to have readymade documents prepared to send off to your inquiring client with out having to focus on what to say or even how to write it. From “What to Wear” to “What to Write,” these documents are grammatically correct with detailed information that you may use “as is” or adjust to your personal taste.

Noting that you are an English Professor turned photographer; what areas have you noticed photographers need the most help with when it comes to the writing aspect of the business?
I’ve definitely noticed that both understanding what the client is asking as well as communicating effectively in response to the client is imperative and it is an area in which almost everyone–photographers included–needs improvement.  I’ve always noticed this “disconnect” in communication–not so much when I was working with other English teachers (ha!), but certainly in other jobs that I held over the years.  Believe it or not, I especially noticed this disconnect on photography forums I frequented. Feathers would get ruffled not from a truly offensive sentiment, but from a misguided reaction after someone had misunderstood the original poster’s intent.  Finally, as a consumer myself I find it unbelievably aggravating when I ask, say, five questions and receive a “selective” response to two.  Obviously this type of miscommunication is pervasive and it only stands to reason that those of us who are more visually-oriented might struggle with it as well.

What’s so great about this product is that it gives photographers the chance to focus on photography, yet still provide necessary information to their clients. What kind of feedback have you received in terms of how much it has helped them?
The positive feedback I’ve received over the years has been incredibly gratifying and humbling.  When a photographer writes to say how invaluable the guides have been, how sales have risen, or how time has been saved and offers a heartfelt “thank you” to me, all I can think is “Thank YOU for supporting WordSmith!”  The thought that someone would take time out of his or her day to thank me after purchasing a WordSmith product just floors me. Here are just a few of the many comments I have received:

“Just a quick note to thank you once again for all of your experience and advice that you share in your guides.  I just received another portrait order for a baby session and it was over $2000!” –Erin S.

“Just a quick and BIG thanks for your wonderful Wordsmith products. I’ve been a huge fan for a long time, and really appreciate your ability to cut to the chase for other photographer moms (and twin photographer moms like me!) who run into themselves coming and going. Where does the time go?!?” –Dian L.

“I purchased your “How to Sell” guide and it has worked perfectly!! Thank you again for a wonderful product.” –Thom R.

“One of the best investments I’ve ever made. Thank you so much!” –Alan L.

“I just wanted to write and thank you.  I purchased the “How to Sell” and “What to Write” guides and implemented your way of selling recently.  I had my first order come in last night using this new system and it was my biggest order to date ($1500)!!!!  Thank you so much for sharing your way of selling.  It fits my business, personality and life perfectly.  Just wanted to share how you’ve helped out another fellow photographer.” –Yvonne N.

“I had to write to tell you how very much I love all of your goodies! I originally purchased the “how to sell”. I read through it in one sitting and it was exactly what I needed! I then went back to the store and purchased the “what to write” guide. I again read through it as soon as I could. Today I had to get the “what to wear guide”.  For anyone on the fence about whether to purchase your products I would say, they are worth every single penny and more. I thank you so much and cannot wait  to let you know how my next sale goes with implementation of your strategies. Thanks again.” –Geralyn H.

Do you see any correlation between a certain type of photographer and the product they choose?
Not exactly.  I’ve certainly noticed that newer photographers who are also busy moms or who perhaps work another full-time job gravitate toward time-saving guides like {what to write}.  Those who are established and who normally offer in-person sales but who wish to maximize those times when they must sell online enjoy {how to sell}, while photographers who are ever-hopeful that their clients will make excellent wardrobe choices must have the {what to wear} guides.  With that said, I’ve been surprised at the wide audience WordSmith has found–newer photographers, established photographers, men, women, senior photographers, wedding photographers wishing to move into family portraiture, etc. are all represented.

Are you currently working on any new templates to release?
Yes, yes, and yes!  Those who follow WordSmith are shaking their heads now, as am I, because I have been promising new WordSmith products for an embarrassingly long time.  I was *positive* that the latest and greatest would hit the shop in October and they are still patiently waiting.  There absolutely will be new products–between five and ten new products, actually–in the shop this winter.  If I had a large staff (or, um, any staff?) in my portrait business I know that I could dedicate more time to WordSmith, but as it stands now it can be difficult to create and polish all of the ideas I have, especially in the crazy fall portrait season.  November was the highest grossing month for my portrait business ever–and I say this not to boast but as a mea culpa and evidence to faithful and patient WordSmith fans that I have been truly busy but have not forgotten about them.  As the portrait season winds down and only the newborns are left on my schedule (aahhh!!), I’m looking forward to a long snow-covered Pennsylvania winter of happily typing away at the computer and bringing many of the 20+ ideas in my WordSmith inspiration notebook to fruition! 

With everything from “What to Write” to “What to Wear,” which templates have you found to be your best sellers?
Among the WordSmith offerings, the top sellers are definitely {what to wear} (the original children and family guide), {what to write}, and {how to sell}. I think that {what to write} is the victor among them all, once again confirming what I’ve always known–the vast majority of people absolutely hate to write!  Even writers (myself included) often loathe the act of putting pen to paper, hoping and praying for inspiration to strike.  In the stiff competition to be the most tortured of all artists, I think that writers win hands down.  :)

Where do you find inspiration to create the WordSmith templates? How have you come to understand what photographers need and are looking for?
Quite honestly, I think about what I would like to purchase, what I would have LOVED to purchase when I was just starting out, or what might still inspire me now.  All of this informs my decisions about what ideas to work on further.  I’m the type of person who loves to have every detail explained to her.  When I was first starting out in this business, for example, it drove me crazy that photographers I admired or took workshops from couldn’t explain step-by-step what they do when at a session.  I now understand the enormity of such an explanation and how it would necessarily vary from situation to situation, but nevertheless I craved that attention to detail.  What was going to happen when I got my first “real” client?  What was I supposed to do at the session?  What was I supposed to send them afterwards?  How was I supposed to handle the sale?  How did I make them come back again?  I am a classic over thinker and I almost never find explanations thorough enough for me.  I’d probably be the kind of demanding client I don’t want to have in my business.  But in the end, I think this research- and specifics-crazy personality of mine helps me both create new products and, with any luck, ensure that they go above and beyond the WordSmith client’s expectations!