In today’s DIMAcast, Bill has a repeat guest, Jeff Gouslton . . . but not necessarily. The November 2nd DIMAcast had young executives from around the industry and Jeff was one of those. He is the Plano Texas retailer who painted the store name on the shopping center roof so when Google Satellite images are next taken everyone will see where his store is located. Jeff started his business 6 short years ago. He has no corporate legacy or memory of film – he’s always been digital. We’re not going to repeat what Jeff said in last month’s session so if you missed it then you missed Jeff’s introduction. You can go back to DIMAcast #179. Meanwhile, let’s just jump into conversation with Jeff Goulston of Camera Stop in Plano, Texas and learn more about his untraditional thoughts.
Opening new camera stores? Buying existing camera stores? Are these things happening this century? Bill McCurry took the DIMAcast microphone to a recent PRO educational gathering and found executives under the age of 40 who own or manage imaging firms. They’re excited about their future and they’re investing their money, their talents and their passion. You can hear their stories, their joys and their challenges in this week’s DIMAcast.
Interview starts :3:14
Interview ends :20:04
6Sight Future of Imaging Conference in
Monterey, Calif
www.6sight.com
“I can buy that elsewhere and not pay tax” These are chilling words to many retailers. Wednesday night Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Senator Richard Tisei spoke to the New England PMA Division Meeting. Bill McCurry was there with the DIMAcast microphone inquiring about the results of Massachusetts 25% sales tax increase. McCurry asked the Senator for his solution to tax policy. Hear why the Senator thinks abolishment of sales taxes may be the solution to government creating favoritism of one form of retail compared to another form of retail. It’s not your traditional politicians’ answer. Food for thought as governments struggle to grab new taxes and revenues.
Interview starts :2:22
What's the impact of one disappointed customer? In 2001 a customer was so disappointed in the service from a store in Sydney she and some friends opened a website offering to treat people fairly. This year that company is projected to sell over $30 million retail in photographic products by treating every customer the same, fair and square. Listen to this week's DIMAcast featuring Digital Camera Warehouse headquartered in Sydney, Australia and hear how their simple but unique strategies have served them and their customers very well. A written transcript with illustrations is also available for download at www.DIMAcast.com
This week’s DIMAcast is live from the PRO Group’s Annual Convention where members shared quick BRAIN BUZZES . . . these are snippets of ideas that cause the brain to buzz with excitement and exploration of new profit enhancement concepts. Ginger Gauthe of Lakeside Camera Photoworks (Metairie, LA) reveals the how and why a $129 scan job averages $300. Anne Thompson of Thompson Photo Products (Knoxville, TN) shares how encouraging one of her customer’s photographic talents led to a new acceptance of photography as an art form, and improved Thompson’s business. Britt Baker of The Film Center (Altoona, PA) uncovered sales potential that was right in front of him for years that is probably right in front of you as well. Fred Silvers of Bel Air Camera (Los Angeles, CA) uses free media to accelerate used equipment sales as well as fill his store with students for events and classes. Rob Muller of Schiller’s (St. Louis, MO) is successful using Facebook to communicate with customers and promote in store events. Joaquin Freixas of Swanlund’s (Eureka, CA) has a DSLR club that keeps customers loyal and reminds them to visit Swanlund's. Jeff Beauchamp of Bedford’s (Springdale, AR) reports on use tax laws and what states are doing to help retailers level the playing field so consumers know most internet sales do require use or sales taxes be paid.
In this week DIMAcast Bill takes us live to the IPI 2009 Convention and Trade Show. Now usually Bill talks to many people at a convention like IPI, but what he heard from Diana and Scott Schmitt were so insightful this entire show is all about how they run their unique business in San Juan Capistrano.
On this weeks DIMAcast, Great ideas included such things as how to make an empty camera display into a selling tool, turning personalized photo products into souvenirs, low cost way to sell more to passport photo customers, the power of free, joint promotions with jewelers, selling quantities of photo books including parties as well as promotions through schools and other profitable ideas . . . all yours for the listening/reading in this weeks Marketing Idea Exchange DIMAcast, live from Sydney Australia and the PMA Australia 2009 Imaging Technology Show . . . .
Hear the best-of-the-best ideas from photo retailers on today’s DIMAcast
Frequent DIMAcast listeners know Bill McCurry presents a new Marketing Idea Exchange podcast on the first Monday of every month, in which he interviews photo retailers all over the world about their best ideas. Today, McCurry wears a different hat – as an interviewee. PMA Senior Editor Jennifer Barr Kruger asks McCurry to share some of the greatest insights he’s come across in his many years doing the Marketing Idea Exchange. Learn more about McCurry’s own background as a retailer, and hear his thoughts on what will bring about success in the future.
What makes a conservative southern business person turn into a “sleazy discounter”? It’s not a mid-life crises, it’s a well thought out business plan that promotes 4x6 prints at nine cents and drives profitable traffic into the retail store. Some think Ray Bailey (Camcor, Burlington, North Carolina) may have lost his conservative roots, but Ray says he’s actually building margin. That’s what he tells Bill McCurry in this week’s DIMAcast which can be downloaded in either audio format or pdf file (with images) from www.DIMAcast.com – If that’s not enough, Larry Carrillo, former owner of Shutterbug Camera was in the audience and added some insights to retailers seeking higher margins. It’s a 2 for 1 special on this week’s DIMAcast Marketing Idea Exchange.
With 8 locations in smaller cities, Harold's Photo has looked for new revenue sources for over 100 years. While most imaging retailers have rarely sold graduation cards, Bob Hanson and (fourth generation in the business) son Andrew share not only how they got into the gradation card business but how they took a formerly non-existent category and expanded it beyond just "traditional" graduation cards. The download transcript includes images of the product and promotional materials Harold's uses to sustain and grow their sales.
DIMAcast takes you live to PMA and DIMA 2009 as you listen into the ideas shared at the Marketing Idea Exchanges. Being there is the best thing, but we've brought you some audio from last week's DIMA and PMA Marketing Idea Exchanges. We apologize for the technical challenges as some of the audio was totally unusable so we are not able to bring you all the ideas that were shared. We were able to salvage a lot of it and you'll hear it, we debated between cutting out the marginal audio or allowing you to listen to it - it seemed the best decision was to leave it to our listeners who can chose to fast forward through the weaker parts, or go to www.DIMAcast.com and read the transcript.
Imagine wandering around the New York New Jersey Division Meeting asking anyone you see what they are doing to drive business or improve their results. Bill McCurry talks to retailers who are doing things differently than last year to drive business in these interesting times.
Link to the Transcripts
Imagine wandering around the New York New Jersey Division Meeting asking anyone you see what they are doing to drive business or improve their results. Bill McCurry talks to retailers who are doing things differently than last year to drive business in these interesting times.
How does a 50 year old company reinvent itself for new markets and still stay keep its base market growing? Calagaz Photo has grown over the years to be a powerhouse of a camera store and lab services operator in Mobile, Alabama. At the same time they have expanded internationally into the printing business shipping printed pages all over the world. It isn't easy and it's wasn't quick, but the Calagaz name is now well established in two different marketplaces, thriving in both. If you're a lab, a camera store or a digital printer you'll want to hear and see how the Calagaz family keeps the customers calling, clicking and coming into Calagaz Photo.
On today's DIMAcast, Bill McCurry brings us another great Marketing Idea Exchange. McCurry interviews Gabe Cano and Glen Hodges from Specialty Color Services in Santa Barbara, California.. There going to let us in on the secrets of marketing on Facebook.
Gabe Cano (left) and Glen Hodges, partners in Specialty Color Services holding up the “Film Toss Champion” Tee Shirts available to the winners whose film orders end up in thee eafter hours basket.
Now is Your Chance to Win Big From PMA! Enter your best consumer photo gift promotional campaign in the PMA Custom Photo Gift Promotion Competition, and you might win big! How big, you may be wondering? $25,000 big!
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Opening a new super store these days takes vision and courage. Reg Atkins of Park Camera has both and opened one of the UK's largest camera stores complete with classrooms, "touch it" display areas and highly qualified sales associates. Their opening day event generated more than 800 customers through the store with over 400 transactions taking place that day. You'll hear from Reg's team how they made this happen and how they are taking their company and their School of Photography to the next level and beyond. This success in today's economy didn't happen by accident, it's because of all the things Park Camera does. Listen in to pick up ideas that can propel your organization to new heights. The downloadable transcript includes numerous pictures and Park Camera marketing pieces.
Great ideas came from the PMA Canada Expo Marketing Idea Exchange and you can hear them or read about them on DIMAcast session 121. You’ll hear about how in 10 years one entrepreneurial couple owned the marketplace they helped redefine. If you download the transcript you will see over 60 images of Canadian stores and displays. Included is a technique for creating high value sensor cleanings, a new store remodel idea as well as display ideas that grew inkjet printer sales by 400% and more. It’s all in this weeks DIMAcast.
This weeks DIMAcast with Bill McCurry is coming to you from the IPI Member Conventon in Las Vegas the DIMAcast microphone listens to: Kirk Sidley, Picture Perfect, Portland,OR – lowest cost most effective advertising of the year Neil Hoversten, Photo Imaging Center, Sheridan, WY – overnight, one hour and instant prints – how he’s doing it Dave Evans, Stellhorn Custom Photo – Fort Wayne, IN – solution for frustrations when non-profit partners don’t produce Gaby Mullinax. Fullerton Photo, Fullerton, CA – update on Girl’s Night Out – new volume from prior DIMAcast idea Bill Eklund, Sharp One Hour Photo, Eau Claire, WI – how a one hour lab successfully added camera sales to the mix.
In this week's DIMAcast we have the Bill McCurry's Marketing Idea Exchange microphones at PRO’s 50th Annual Convention and Trade Show listening to PRO members share their successes and ideas to grow and prosper for the next 50 years. You’ll hear 7 different PRO members share ideas from movie theater advertising, on hold messaging, increasing accessory sales, improving productivity and profitably capturing more imaging dollars, from both hardware and services. This week’s DIMAcast has audio and video components plus illustrative pictures in the pdf download.
DIMA... Refer a Friend; Win Apple® Prizes When you refer a colleague to join DIMA®, you could win a MacBook® Pro, 160GB iPod® Classic or a 4GB iPod Nano. Here's how it works:
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Jeff Goulston
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