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Donal Doherty - One Magic Moment - part 2 of 1 2

by Donal Doherty Published 01/10/2013

"Once competitors are adopting techniques I adopted a year ago, I need to already be onto the next thing. Technology now offers us so many amazing opportunities for innovation and ways to improve our customer experience and creatively market our businesses. This means that while competition is rife, there's never been a more exciting time to run a photography business."

When he decided to move into photography full time, one of the first things Donal did was to sign up as a member of the SWPP. "I became a member three years ago and attended the Convention in 2010 for the first time," he says. "If you want to raise your photographic knowledge and meet photographic business leaders and forward-thinking photographers then this is the place to be! Many of the photographers at the Convention are innovative and have unique ideas to offer, often spotting the trends that will come down the line in the months and years to come. I was confronted by over 100 speakers at the event, covering a multitude of specialties from weddings and portraits, Photoshop techniques and digital workflow through to business and marketing. With over 350 Masterclasses to choose from over three days, I was definitely spoilt for choice and I was like a sponge, soaking up all the knowledge I could.

"The first year I visited the Convention I didn't know anyone, but over the years attending the event has become almost like hanging out with friends as you get to know so many people. Each time I come back my head is swimming with ideas on how to move my craft and business forward and I spend the next couple of months implementing the changes before wedding season kicks in again."

Eager to give something back, Donal is presenting two Masterclasses for the first time at the 2014 Convention. The first of these, 'Customer Experience that Rocks,' is covering the experience he had when he completely deconstructed his customer experience in 2012, making improvements for both his business and clients. "I looked at every stage of interaction with customers and anyone else who came into contact with the business," he says. "Each point was assessed and modified to make the experience better for the customer, more efficient and ultimately more profitable. With a much improved customer experience, my business has enjoyed significant growth thanks to lots and lots and lots of referrals, and I'll be passing on my methods to delegates."

Donal's second Masterclass, 'Boom for Your Buck Marketing,' draws from his 10 years of marketing and PR experience working for consumer super brands including Specsavers, Matalan and Walkers. "I'll share the low and no-cost marketing tools I've used to position myself as one of Ireland's leading wedding photographers with a highly profitable business," he promises. "My goal is to provide practical, hands-on marketing advice so that photographers feel empowered to put in place a strategy to supercharge the growth of their businesses."

Both events should be memorable, and Donal is determined to give his audience full value by making sure that everyone comes away with strategies that will transform their business. "Like everyone else I would imagine, I approach public speaking with some trepidation," he says, "but I can't wait to meet everyone and to share the knowledge and unique experience that I have."

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1st Published 01/10/2013
last update 09/12/2022 14:53:25

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