“Are Prints Dead?” challenges Bob Hanson (Harold’s Photo, Sioux Falls, SD) as our DIMAcast series from the IPI Member Retreat continues. Bill McCurry questions Gaby Mullinax (Fullerton Photo, Fullerton, CA) and Hanson about their successes in growing volume for themselves and retailers across the globe. Hanson claims prints are a “vital part of our business” and then shares insights that prints “are not going to give us a successful business model for the future.” As Hanson lays out a future for prints “not on paper” Mullinax  reveals how she has used blogs outside Fullerton Photo to reach new customers with products she develops in her “little tiny” boutique imaging store. If you want to grow your business tune into these two successful marketers and start taking notes. Extensive images are in the transcript, all available from www.DIMAcast.com

From IPI Member Retreat, here comes Session #2 – DIMAcast 265 – to air Sunday night/Monday morning – July 11, 2011 . . . (it’s 7 come 11 come 11 for your dice players – or 11 come 7 come 11 for international dice players)
 
YOU’RE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS . . . Industry Guru Don Franz told the Independent Photo Imagers they shouldn’t be Independent Photo Imagers. How’s that for chutzpah? Franz tells Bill McCurry there are ample profit opportunities out there but not for people who focus on manufacturing. Success is available for those who focus on customers first, then produce or partner with other producers for what the customers want. Franz’s many years and worldwide contacts give him unique perspective into the changes that shape our industry. He’s enthusiastic about the potential and the future as he shares specific areas where the DIMAcast audiences can seize underserved markets. Franz was a keynote speaker at IPI’s Member Retreat and his entire presentation is available on the DIMAcast website. You can listen to Franz and McCurry or read the transcript which includes some of Franz’s fascinating industry data. Be ready to listen for potential markets with an open mind.

Download Don's slide show

When you ask a consumer, “Are you overwhelmed with your photos?” They tell you, “Yes!. It creates a tremendous amount of guilt and anxiety for them.
 
From this was born the Association of Personal Photo Organizers, a training and educational support association for the growing number of imaging consultants that will tackle mounds of images in a “Do It For Me” or “Do It With Me” business model. Founder Cathi Nelson outlines how this latent need is exploding worldwide and how imaging firms can join in, either as an active participant or as a support lab for local photo organizers. It didn’t exist three years ago and today is a growth industry with relieved consumers across the globe. Listen in (or read the transcript) and see how Cathi convinces image overloaded consumers to store (and yes, Print!!) their treasured images. This could be a defining moment in your career or your company’s history if you investigate this newest phase of digital history. It’s a potentially profitable and highly rewarding growth phase of our industry. This is one of many trend changes Bill McCurry and the DIMAcast team will bring you this month from the just concluded IPI Members Retreat.