The 6 least interesting things I've bought for my small business

There are so many exciting things to buy for your business - Like computers, cameras, and business cards with your name on.

But the other day I had a moment in Staples where I found myself holding a ream of paper in my hands. Its not as exciting as the photography gear I have littering the place.

So let's talk about the things business owners overlook. The items that make day-to-day business possible, but definitely won't be turning any heads.

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Printer

Mmmm. Look at this exciting large pigment printer. Shall we talk about archival prints? No. Instead lets look at this boring small printer that I use for printing marketing materials and contracts. It's the smallest printer that uses separate CMYK tanks of ink. It prints 15 pages a minute and has a duplex function meaning that it prints 2 sided automatically. This thing gets used pretty much every day - and after a computer, it's one of the first things any small business needs. Even a photography business.

Duplicate equipment

The first time you get a piece of equipment it is really novel. But if you get a second, or a third, the novelty wears off. Duplicates are necessary though. Cables. Cameras. Light stands. Batteries. My first c stand was an amazing upgrade from the more portable stands I was using at the time. Then I got the second. And the third. The 4th c stand was such a cold and heartless purchase. Its so bloomin practical.

Things wear out and things can break. Of all the lenses I’ve ever bought, there is a 35mm lens that brought me the least joy. Because it was a replacement for one I dropped and broke. Could have been an exciting time if I’d have used it as an excuse to go mirrorless but reality kicked in and I realized I would have spent close to 10 grand on two new camera bodies and two lenses. Very exciting but there’d be no visible improvement to my images. So instead, I spent $650 on keh for a used replacement 35mm instead. Not very interesting. But not financially silly either.

Quickbooks

QuickBooks is accounting software which, along with a dedicated business bank account, can be used to analyze your spending, your income and get things in order for tax season. Not everyone likes accounting, but I kind of enjoy it. Lots of data to analyze. But I also enjoy keywording my images and calibrating my monitor so take that for what it's worth. I’ve not tried alternatives to this accounting software, and maybe I should because QuickBooks online is a subscription model and it's the most expensive piece of software I run.

Ream of paper

Ever get excited about buying paper? If you do, it might be time to get professional help.  Reams of paper and inexpensive, but getting a premium version doesn't cost that much more. I use this paper for marketing material and contracts. I don't want clients to feel like they are touching the same boring materials that they use in their offices or at home. It's a little thing, but the smoothness and strength of nice paper brings a little luxury somewhere you wouldn't expect it.

Stretchy jeans

Regular jeans are great, but if you are constantly getting close to the ground then climbing around then demonstrating a body position, then rummaging through your bags - then you want clothing that isn't constricting. This might be an old person thing, but I can’t work comfortably in regular inflexible jeans.

Tea

Tea. You might be thinking - Fil - I love tea and it is very interesting. To that I say…you are right. But I’ve included it on this list because its little things like this that get overlooked. Back in England, tea is what your friends make you when you visit. If a plumber is working on your kitchen, you’d make them a cup of tea. When someone is sad, a cup of tea cheers them up. You have a chat while drinking tea. It warms you up on a rainy day. Tea isn't glamorous, but it sets the tone I'm after. If clients come to my house, it's the first thing they get. I want them to feel welcome, because they are.

I hope you found this blog post about uninteresting things, err, interesting.

What's the least interesting thing you’ve bought for your business? Let me know in the comments below and we will find out who has the least interesting stuff.

What's Alignable worth to your small business?

Strangely, when I joined Alignable I attended an in-person networking event in town that same week (something that happens rarely, I found out). I made some real connections with people that I followed up with in person over the following weeks. It was brilliant! For that alone, joining Alignable was worth it for me.

Using the platform for a few months now, I’ve found that there are some great aspects to Alignable, and some really bad ones.

You need to know about both.

Alignable is not social media, but a networking space for business owners. The word “networking” can mean different things to different people, and that’s where Alignable’s problems exist…

Video Networking

The best experience I’ve had is with the “Networking for Introverts” group. There’s a mastermind hosted by Kerri Karel and Sam Rafoss that’s been increadibly valuable. These events are free to join regardless if you are a “premium” member or not.

I’ve interacted with other owners trying new things for the first time, sharing their experiences, talking about navigating in a world where most people didn’t learn anything about business in school. Its nice to not feel alone.

There are other groups with similar events. I’ve not tried them yet but I will.

Groups

When you spend some time in the groups you have joined, you’ll quickly see most people treat the place like a bulletin board. They post a vanilla monolog about their business using cliches like “passionate” and “empowering”, then hope it will drive business to their door.

What they forget is that the audience is other business owners, who are either doing the same thing, or wading through this pile of self-indulgence looking for a place to genuinely network with others.

Posting on groups is also a mixed bag. Some groups will respond and it will turn into a conversation. Other groups, like the local ones - crickets.

SmartConnect

SmartConnect is both brilliant and infuriating. It is a one hour video call (available multiple times a day) where you get paired with another business owner for 7 minutes at a time to see if you can help each other out and form a connection.

Some people I’ve met are fantastic. We will chat about or successes and our challenges. I’ve met a lady who was helping people with self publishing, a voice actor who sounded AMAZING, and a virtual assistant who was such a delight to talk to, I’d recommend her to anyone in a heartbeat.

BUT THEN…

I had a “finance” guy talk AT me for the full 7 minutes, and acted surprised at the end when I declined to give him my phone number so he could talk AT me further. He thought he was at a free captive audience sales event, and I was left wondering if “networking” was just code for cold calling practice.

The MLM crowd are out in force, too. Some people won’t tell you they are in an MLM, but you get hints when they say “if you want to know about my product, my company has a 15 minute presentation…”. I wish I had the wisdom to help them out of it, but I don’t. So I sit and nod and wait for the timer to end.

I chatted to a web designer who said he was better than others because he had a formal education rather than “making it up”. I asked for a case study and he showed me a site he claimed had 1000 views a month (which is less than I get on filnenna.com without any SEO work). And of course, he’s only contributed a percentage of that because they would have had visitors before he assisted them. Then I asked him about his own website. He said it ranks on Googles first page! Further pressed he said he gets 100 hits a month.

What’s the point of ranking first then?

Some people get Imposter Syndrome, but I met so many genuine Imposters that I’m starting to shake off that particular worry for my own business.

Is it worth it?

I’m using the free version of Alignable which limits the connections you make and the reach of your posts. If I were paying $300 a year for the premium version, I’d be miffed that I was being sold at constantly. But many others spend their $300 thinking they are paying for the right to sell at you. There is no intermediate product, but I guess you could go month-to-month for a while to try it out.

Now here is the conundrum - should we wade through a swamp of cheap and ignorant salespeople, just to find a handful of genuine networking connections? I want the utopian vision of Alignable, but the reality is really something quite different.

I’m going to keep with it simply because the friends I’ve made there are worth the hassle. If you think of joining, I’d love to connect with you there so I can tell you how passionate I am about empowering people like you!

Just Kidding.

I’m Fil Nenna, the portrait photographer serving Boston’s North Shore who specializes in helping small businesses like yours get more customers through quality images for your website. 

Located in Marblehead I provide on-location services in Salem, Swampscott, Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Boston and beyond. I can work in any space no matter the size or lighting conditions. 

Please get in touch at info@filnenna.com to find out how quick and convenient making awesome headshots can be!

Connecting with Customers: How authentic small business portraits build trust, and turn leads into clients

The world of small business is competitive, so establishing a strong connection with your customers is crucial for your success and growth. One often overlooked but powerful tool is having the best small business portrait of yourself and your team on your business website. 

You see it all the time - your customers are looking for a local service or store, but their “about” page either has poor quality pictures of the owner and staff, or no pictures at all! 

And it is such an easy fix. A quality set of images instantly elevates the perceived quality of your website and will entice your customers to find out more and eventually buy from you. Authentic small business portraits can strengthen customer relationships and pave the way to long-lasting success, especially if it is a level above the iPhone pictures all your competitors have.

These visual representations of entrepreneurs like you, your staff and your activities hold the power to build trust and foster meaningful connections. 

1. Portraits Reflecting the Human Element

Your authenticity lies at the heart of an effective small business portrait. In a world dominated by distant impersonal interactions, customers yearn for genuine connections with the brands they support. A well-crafted, beautifully lit portrait of the business owner not only humanizes your brand but also helps customers relate on a deeper level. By showcasing the face behind the business, the portrait reveals your passion, dedication, and values, making your company more approachable and relatable.

2. Building Trust through Transparency

In an age where skepticism towards cliche marketing messages runs high, transparency is key to building trust with customers. Bespoke portraits and headshots offer a transparent view of the people steering the enterprise. When customers see the business owner confidently representing their brand, it establishes a sense of trustworthiness. This transparency instills confidence in potential customers, making them feel like they already know you and encouraging them to choose your business over your competitors.

3. Creating Emotional Connections

Emotions play a significant role in consumer decision-making. The portraits on your website have the ability to evoke emotions such as empathy, admiration, and inspiration. When customers connect emotionally with you through a portrait, it forges a powerful bond between the brand and the consumer. This connection goes beyond the products or services offered, making the brand a part of your customer's story.

4. Showcasing Company Culture

Small business portraits aren’t always just individual portraits. They extend to capturing the essence of your entire team and workplace environment. Showcasing the company culture through these portraits helps customers understand the values and ethos that drive the business. Customers are drawn to companies that align with their beliefs, and company culture portraits demonstrate the brand's commitment to its core principles.

5. Stand Out in a Crowded Market

In a saturated market, differentiation is vital. Authentic small business portraits provide a unique opportunity for small businesses to stand out, especially when your competitors have poor quality pictures or no pictures at all. By infusing personality into the brand and highlighting what makes the business owner and team special, the portraits create a memorable impression on customers. This distinctiveness helps the brand leave a lasting mark in customers' minds, setting it apart from your competitors.

Conclusion

Small business portraits wield a considerable influence in today's customer-centric business landscape. By bringing the human element to the forefront, these portraits and headshots foster trust, build emotional connections, and showcase the brand's values and culture. In a world where consumers seek genuine interactions and connections, small business owners can harness the power of authentic portraits to strengthen their relationships with customers and elevate their overall brand image.

As small businesses like yours continue to navigate the evolving marketing landscape, integrating authentic portraits into your branding strategies can be a game-changer. By celebrating your stories, values, and the faces behind the brand, you can forge lasting connections with customers.

I’m Fil Nenna, the portrait photographer serving Boston’s North Shore who specializes in helping small businesses like yours get more customers through quality images for your website. 

Located in Marblehead I provide on-location services in Salem, Swampscott, Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Boston and beyond. I can work in any space no matter the size or lighting conditions. 

Please get in touch at info@filnenna.com to find out how quick and convenient making awesome headshots can be!

We moved to the north shore of Boston and it feels like we're home

After a long stint in the south we’ve moved to the east coast to explore New England and find our groove. We drove 2300 miles from the gulf and are figuring out which neighborhood to buy a house.

Its been along time since I’ve felt at home, but in the last few days its become clear we are in the right place. From the people we’ve met to the air we breathe.

Being from an Italian family its so cool to see Boston’s Italian roots all around me. I’ve never seen my name on a billboard like in this photo before!

Next steps are to collaborate with local artists and professionals to get a local portrait portfolio going. It was difficult to take a hiatus for the cross country road trip, especially after such a busy month of sessions before we left.

As we explore Melrose, Marblehead, Lynnfield, Beverly and plenty of other North Shore cities, I’m excited to get to meet all the amazing people that live here. That’s the reason I’ve been taking portraits all these years. People are fantastic.