Shoot Q

At last night's meeting, we took a look at Shoot Q, a studio management software for photographers. I personally purchased this membership and can't wait to set it up at the Pictage Partner Con in LA next week!

Shoot Q is an amazing web based software, I was given the opportunity to see it first hand this past spring and ever since, I have been totally excited about it's launch! Take a peak at their website to learn a bit more about this sophisticated software, which can keep checklists, track leads, help you share leads with others you choose when booked, track costs and profits and so much more.

If you are interested in learning more about Shoot Q and attending a set up session let me know by email, millie@millieholloman.com. I already have several people interested in coming and I need a count of at least 15 to confirm a date and time for them to come to Raleigh.

Member List & Subscribe

Well... this blog is up and running, I have been working on it quite a bit today, and now it is ready for posts. I would love to use this blog to announce any events in the area as well as anything else you think would be useful to share. If you have information to share please email it to millie@millieholloman.com and I will review it to post!

If you are interested in getting email updates each time a post is made to the blog enter your email address into the subscription field on the right of this screen. This will keep you from having to check back and notify you of any upcoming events or information while the news is still current.

I have also linked this blog through my blog in my links section and hope that some of you will consider doing the same! If you can't remember this address, just visit my blog and search the links section.

I would also like to make a member list here linking back to everyone's sites so that we can get to know one another. Please send me an email with your name and website so that I can list it on the homepage of this blog!

First Meeting and Updates

Last night was the first Raleigh PUG meeting and we had a great time! We missed those of you who didn't show up for all of the fun. Be sure to come out for the next meeting. We will meet the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm. Hi 5 can't guarantee us a room too far in advance so I will announce the location before the meeting each month or you can come here for updates! I don't have this blog totally up and running yet so there isn't much to see right now, but there will be over the next couple of weeks.

Remember to invite people out to the next PUG on October 2nd . They don't have to be Pictage members to attend, bring them so they can get to know one another and hopefully they will see the advantages of joining Pictage as we all have!

Last night we talk about the new consumer interface Pictage has been putting together for the last several months. It looks super, is very thought out, and I can't wait until it launches. They have thought of so many things to make the site easier for the consumer to order and navigate, I know this is going to be a great thing! You should see the site launch soon so keep your eyes on the Pictage forum for a link with details on the demo! If you want to get a feel for the look and feel of the site, check it out here, TAKE THE TOUR. You must be signed in as a photographer to see the preview.

A few highlights that the new interface will offer:
Simplified registration so your clients will reach their events faster!
Clearer functionality for owners to share event with guests
More intuitive navigation for faster category and folder access (clients can now order an entire folder of prints)
Larger images and enhanced folder functionality
Simplified product creating and ordering
Increased product personalization in shopping cart ad photo page links (clients can see the changes they make to their photos by changing the toning, cropping the image or giving it a border... the best part, you can turn it all off if you don't want to give them this control!)
Faster checkout resulting in fewer steps and clearer instruction

We also talked about how quickly the holidays are approaching and all of the fabulous promotions Pictage will be doing this year. Be sure to look out for updates on how to opt-in or out of those. But based on our conversation last night.... I will be opting in. Pictage shows event sales being 2.5x higher for wedding photographer who opt in, and 1.7 times higher for portrait photographers who opt-in. Lord knows we can use this bit of extra money around the holidays so be sure to check your event, offer everything available in the catalog, confirm your current pricing is correct and let the money roll in

A neat Pictage tip for you: Did you know that if you select the current promotion to launch 2 for 1, 14 days into the release of your event, those who ordered before that promotion began will not get an email informing them of the promotion. I was exited to hear this because none of us want an upset client calling because they just placed an order on day 13 and didn't receive the extra set of prints free.

I will be in touch about the location for our next meeting Tuesday, October 2nd at 6:30pm. Also... if anyone wants to have lunch or get together that Monday, I will be in town for a bride and groom session, so give me a call in the studio at 910.256.5241 and maybe a group of us can meet up and hang out!