Gary Fong Rocks!!

I contacted Gary Fong about giving me a discount code to offer my program participants when I give my blogging program (and to put in my soon-to-be published "blogging guide"). He was stoked and is offering my attendees $10 off of his Album Showcase software by using discount code "zellmer"!!! I use his software ALL the time and LOVE IT! If you would like to see a wedding album created with it CLICK HERE. So go to Gary's Estore and buy it NOW!

And don't forget about my PPA Super Monday program on Monday, April 7th. Register before March 17th and save $30. I believe I am program #MN40

Great News!

I am so excited! I am in the process of creating a "how to" manual for blogging and social networking! I am working with the most awesome lab in the world, WHCC, to print it!! It will hopefully be finished by mid-March and available for purchase! I will definitely have it by the time I speak at Northern Lights April 27-30.

When I started writing the manual, I had an idea to ask David Jay of ShowItFast if he would offer a discount to my readers and subscribers! Well, he was excited at the idea and is offering $50 off with discount code: customcreations CLICK HERE to download your copy NOW! The greatest part is that David Jay also created a Facebook application so you can use ShowIt on your Facebook site as well as your blog!!! Too cool!!

Stay tuned for more news regarding my program and the manual!!!

Thank you SW Group!

Last night I spoke to a group of about 14 photographers at the SW Minnesota group. It went really well and I was suprised at the turnout given that it was -19 outside with a windchill of -42!! Unbelievable!! A huge thank you to Tina Feton for getting the group organized and a shout out to Lisa Erickson for inviting me to see her beautiful studio in Montivideo!! I really enjoyed my trip and am thankful for finding the last available room in town to spend the night (darn Schwan's Convention). It was way too cold to venture home 3 hours on dark, lonely roads with -42 windchills. I would also like to say a HUGE thank you to WHCC for being a fantastic sponsor!!!

Blogging really IS amazing!

I just realized that I am receiving approx. 2000 hits on my c0nsumer blog every week!!! WEEK!! No, I didn't say month, I said WEEK! That makes it 8000 hits a MONTH! Isn't that insane!? Xanga has a really cool tracking system built right into it that tracks the number of "footprints" on your blog, where they're coming from, and if they have come from a search engine you can see the keywords they were searching! All of this is extremely useful in anaylizing our readers and what we can do to seek out new readers!!

I had a session I posted about a week or so ago and how she posted a link to her pics on my blog. I had an amazing number of hits to my blog that day, and I could see they were all coming from her link! Viral Marketing is extremely powerful!!! From that one link, I have received 3 inquiries and I am sure more are still going to come. Plus she has referred me to several of her friends and coworkers, and all she has seen is her sneak peek on my blog! Isn't that something?!?

Catch the wave, you know you want to!!!

Upcoming Speaking Engagements!

Amy Zellmer will be speaking several times in 2008 so mark your calendars!

Tuesday, February 19th at South West Group 6-8 p.m. at Panda Express in Marshall.
Monday, April 7th for PPA Super Monday 9-5 at my studio.
Monday, April 28th at Northern Lights Convention early bird program in Fargo.
Monday, May 12, 2008 NW Iowa PPA 10a.m.-4p.m. in Storm City, IA.
Monday, May 19, 2008 Minnesota Monday 9a.m.-4p.m. at the Studio (Custom Creations Photography)! (this program will be on photographing Urban Seniors and how to use natural/available outdoor light and using the scenery that you have outside your own back door! Hands on, bring your camera! We will also discuss marketing to seniors as well, but mostly hands on.)
Monday, September 29, 2008 TCPPA Monday Workshop 10a.m.-3p.m. at the Studio (Custom Creations Photography). (again, this program will be on Urban Seniors).

We're sure there will be more dates added before long as well!! We will keep you posted!

A Reminder on the power of Blogging!

Kelly came in on Tuesday for a budoir session. She is a local bride on The Knot. The day after her session I posted a few images on my blog for her "sneak peek". She posted a link on her Knot message board, and I had over 300 hits to my blog that day!!! I also had two brides contact me that had seen her images on my blog. This is what Kelly wrote to me:

"Amy,Thank you for making the night so comfortable for me. I already posted about it on the knot and referred them to your blog to look at the pictures. 8 girls replied that they are interested in doing some pics too so hopefully they will give you a call. I'll post more rave reviews after looking at all the rest. -Kelly"

How can you afford to NOT blog with results like this?? It is an incredibly powerful marketing tool!!!

~amy

Don't Forget! Super Monday is Nov. 12th!

I am honored to have been selected to be a Super Monday instructor for the PPA on Monday, November 12th from 9-5. Below is a description of my program

MINNESOTAShakopeeMN40Amy Zellmer OlsonTitle: Creating a Buzz about Your BusinessBlogs and MySpace accounts are so simple, yet only 25% of photographers are utilizing this incredible (and free) marketing tool. This hands-on class will go through the process of setting up your blog and/or MySpace account. Please bring your laptop.

Registration at the door is $120. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! I hope to see you there.