When a newspaper reporter wants a photographer to snap your photo, and your home office isn’t the right place, where do you meet?
That’s a problem I had to solve earlier this year.
A New York-based reporter called me to ask how the recession had changed my marketing strategy. My responses were easy to share, as I recalled methods that kept my promotions on target as well as options that no longer worked.
When the questions ended, the reporter asked if his photographer could take pictures of me to accompany the article. But there was a catch. Due to their own budget, the photographer could not visit me in my New Jersey office, as was done for the picture seen here with the report on Press Release Basics.
That was no reason to pass up having my image in the news. I had to think fast.
Almost immediately, I gave the reporter a location, and we confirmed the day and time.
A women’s organization based in New York City where I frequently spoke with entrepreneurs about sales and marketing had numerous conference rooms available. Having my picture taken there would work for the newspaper and me. One call to the group’s office confirmed that a room was empty on the day and time needed.
The photographer met me, snapped shots in numerous poses, and we were done. The photo and article appeared within days, and with it, new prospects began calling me for assistance.
You may not have ties to an organization as I’ve mentioned, but there are other options when your office is not a good meeting place. Consider:
When a great opportunity gets crossed with a seemingly-tough situation, do you immediately say “no,” or do you think fast to find a solution that puts your firm in a positive spotlight?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Shirley,
Our local newspaper did a feature article about my gift basket business and wanted a picture. I am homebased also. I quickly called a hotel I do business with and they agreed to let us take a photo of me delivering a gift at their from desk. This turned out to be very convenient for the photographer also. It was a win win win for all.
Rhonda,
How fabulous that your fast thinking uncovered a great solution as well as strengthened your ties with the hotel client.
It’s wonderful that we home-based marketers have the ability to turn what was formerly problematic into a great opportunity.
Whenever people ask to meet me at my “office”, I tell them that my business is home based. The address they send packages and correspondences to is simply a malling address. A hotel lobby is a great idea. Find a posh hotel in your city and you cant go wrong.
My local Borders coffee shop seems to be a favorite place for many business people. Unfortunately, some of them grow big and get loud enough for all of us to participate.
In addition to the places you’ve mentioned, museum and music centers have gorgeous outdoor settings with waterfalls, as do some shopping centers that have conversation areas. You’ll have to time these just right if it’s for meetings,of course, but if it’s just for photographing you, it can work out regardless.
Hi Carla,
I agree regarding a hotel as a meeting place. This is also an exception location when you’re meeting someone for the first time and require a public facility for your own safety.
Hi Flora,
Museums and music centers are terrific to add to the list of places we can meet clients.
Borders and other retail stores are last on my list, as visitors can get very vocal, as you point out.
On Friday, I met with my mastermind group at a library that has numerous quiet rooms available for patrons. That’s a great place as well.