This post is about what just happened with one of my models… but keep reading, ’cause it also explains some neat marketing stuff.

What does it say about the world we live in, when you do something nice for a friend, but they have a hard time trusting that there’s no catch?

I’ve been off the grid.  I’m supposed to be working on my book, but the people I’m spending time with have inspired me back to the business side of things. I’m a closet workaholic!

See that image below?  That’s what I’m working on.

A series of Photoshop and Photography DVDs.  I’ll post more about those very soon, this post is about Daniela.

In 2007 I decided to have a creativity workshop, and 2 weeks later I did.  Based on the feedback I received, I decided to move forward with a whole series of DVDs, so I filmed a bunch of my shoots just for that purpose.  One of the models that I used was Daniela Perez (That stunning model that I used as the picture for this post- sadly, that photo was not taken by me).

I have worked with Daniela for years while I was in South Florida.  She is a talented model.  As a photographer, how do I define model?  Looks are only a small percent.  Additional factors I consider are punctuality, wardrobe size, ability to pose, ability to do work long hours, having a personality, additional skills that come in handy.

Daniela qualifies for all of those.  She is one of those women who always smile (not artificially), have a lot of energy, can show off many looks (I’ll dig up my Daniela photos later), is a professional make up artist (saves you having to hire a makeup artist…. and makes a huge difference in your photography), shows up on time, works for hours upon hours, has a massive diversified wardrobe, and she also knows how to walk and pose (great for fashion shows, catalogs, and my artistic images).

When I announced that I was doing these photoshoots, and video taping them — oh yeah… and I decided this on a whim!  There was very little notice to anyone.  I acquired a studio, a bunch of models, some makeup artists, on a “What are you doing tomorrow??” basis.  Daniela came through with very little notice, did an amazing job posing for my creative shots, and pulled off so many different looks!

Now that I’m editing the videos, I saw some of the footage, and was really appreciative.  I forgot to mention, none of the makeup artists or models charged me (nor the studio owners actually).  Once I finish my hard work, these DVDs will help a great many photographers, and will also sustain my travels and lifestyle.  For that I am grateful.

I looked up DanielaPerez.com — it was available.  I texted her to see if she wanted a website.

Lesson: Everyone should own their own name if possible.

Daniela has modeling portfolios online, one of which is on OneModelPlace.com – a company I used to work for (my last “real” job – 2004-2005).  They had just sold for many millions to some media conglomerate.  Additionally, since she has more than one portfolio, but sends people to only one at a time… I thought that a website that has links to all of them makes much more sense.

Lesson:  You should drive people to your personal property (in this case, I’m referring to a website), because these other sites (youtube, facebook, myspace, onemodelplace.com, etc) can go down, or kick you off, and then you lose all your contact data with people, etc…

Text conversation:
Me: DanielaPerez.com is available- want a website?
Her: LOL.. I don’t really have the money for that right now. But thanks though.
(I do charge at minimum $1,500 for a website, since I bring design, marketing, and functionality to a site– not just “making it pretty”)
Me: Domain costs $10. And u can point it to your portfolio.
Lesson: If you are sending people to a site (let’s say youtube), and don’t have or want your own site, you can still buy a domain (your name perhaps), and just have it redirect to the other site. (for example- CouchSurfingOri.com could take people to youtube.com/couchsurfingori)
Me: Or I can even make a small page with a small bio, and links to your pages.  I wouldn’t charge you. You helped me with my vids.
Me: When’s your birthday?
Her: Next Thursday, the 12th.
Her: You would do my website for free?
Me: I’m already doing it- doing it right now. It’s your b-day present. Already bought the domain before you even texted that.
Her: LOL…. there’s no catch??
Her: Is this your first site?
(Skipping a few lines where I talk about my website building experience (made my 1st one in 1997))
Her: Just asking cuz you said free, I was wondering the catch, but if you say so… I’m excited!!!

I made this site: http://DanielaPerez.com and e-mailed her from a new e-mail address which is now at @danielaperez.com instead of hotmail.com (Lesson: Email sounds much more professional when you e-mail people from your domain).  I also set up a Google Voice Number for her so that she doesn’t have to give her cell phone number to creeps… as well as increase productivity- as Google Voice is an amazing tool… it will transcribe voiceails, and text them to you!

I wrote her a bio for the page, went through her whole portfolio to pick the images that I thought were the best, made the slideshow at the top of the page, named the files for SEO purposes, wrote the page information in direct response style (a manner that will make clients know why they should hire her, instead of the competition), and a few other things I don’t feel like boring you with…. but….She got response to it quickly…. and very positive response.

Not bad for a free website, right?  So… while she was surprised, I don’t really know why.  You see, I help people out all the time, and when someone calls me up out of the blue and says “You have to come into town, we got this incredible thing going on, and we’re taking you with!” it never surprises me.

Regardless of helping people…. fun, cool, interesting, people often get invited to do things, or are given things.  By being the most awesome person you can be, you can change people’s lives.  Smiling at someone can change their day or perspective.  By being awesome, you add value to others- maybe if you’re funny you get invited ’cause they know you’ll entertain their guests…. Just an example.

People like to do awesome things for others.  People like to help others.  People like to gift people things.  I’ve gotten rid of the people that were weighing me down… i.e. are not supportive people, or people who just whine all the tim but do nothing about it.  So, since everyone I hang with is so awesome, I have no problem gifting them stuff just for the hell of it… and the same happens to me all the time.  If you’re not sure what it is that you offer, or what makes you so cool (because you are! Everyone is awesome in some way… they may just not realize it)– try asking your friends what they like about you.  Ask what’s memorable about you.  It’s always good to know… and it’s a fun conversation.

Do something nice for someone just for the hell of it, or send them an unexpected thank you for something….. you’ll blow their mind.  Something you can do right now, pay the toll for the person behind you in line…. that’ll just surprise them, especially since they won’t know who you are.  It’s fun!

Anyways- I gotta get back to my DVDs, so I’ll end it on this note:

Regardless of whether you are a model, a blogger, a lawyer, a stripper…. whatever it is that you do, you should have a website that uses real copywriting and marketing techniques.  First, make sure the writing and message are words that would mean something to your target audience… so step 1 is to figure out exactly what you want to do.

In Daniela’s case for example, it is to do high-pay high quality photo shoots with experienced photographers, and high-pay fashion shows with quality designers.  So, the wording I used explains what’s unique about her, so that when those people read that, they’ll want to hire her.  I also gave her homework: to get video testimonials from photographers who have worked with her, to film her photo shoots, and to film her fashion shows.  The same applies for you!

If you’ve ever worked with someone, you should get a testimonial (preferably video).  You should video tape yourself doing your thing.  People don’t “just know” how awesome you are.  Demonstrating is way more powerful than telling.  What other people have to say (called Social Proof) is way more powerful than anything you tell them (and Video is the most credible form of this).

Other aspects of marketing you should consider for your site is quality images, quality design, search engine optimization….. If you’re not a designer, and not a marketer you may do a “do it yourself” version, which may not look very professional, and may alienate clients.

Another very important thing to mention– if you are giving someone something for free, that is not an excuse to not do a quality job! If you’re going to do a shitty job, then don’t do it at all.