BTI #254: Becoming Your Own Publisher with Cynthia Sassi
Release Date: 06/30/2021
What Photographers Get Wrong About Copyright (And How to Protect Your Work)
Beyond the Image Podcast
You created the image. You own the copyright. So what happens when someone uses your photograph without your permission? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down one of the most overlooked parts of running a photography business: understanding and protecting your intellectual property. James explores the difference between copyright and trademark, why photographers often wait until something goes wrong to learn about their rights, what questions to ask when your work is used without permission, and why contracts, licensing, documentation, and education matter. He also...
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Not Every Client Has to Be Your Client
Beyond the Image Podcast
What do you do when a company with more than $70 billion in annual revenue asks you to work for one-tenth of your normal rate? You could try to convince them that your pricing is justified. You could explain your experience, your overhead, your equipment, your expertise and the value of the work. Or you could have a completely different conversation. In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down what happened when a major company presented him with a budget dramatically below his normal rate, and why he chose not to negotiate against himself. Instead of simply discounting his...
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I Followed Peerspace's Rules. They Flagged My Account Anyway.
Beyond the Image Podcast
What happens when you follow a platform’s rules exactly as they’re written… and still get flagged? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick shares his recent experience with Peerspace after a potential renter tried to move a conversation off-platform. James did exactly what Peerspace’s rules require: he refused and kept the conversation on the platform. He was then flagged by Peerspace anyway. What followed raised much bigger questions about the relationship between Peerspace and the small businesses that supply its marketplace. James breaks down Peerspace’s increasingly...
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You Don't Need More Leads, You Need This Instead
Beyond the Image Podcast
If your answer to every slow season is, "I just need more leads," this episode is for you. The truth is, most photographers don't have a lead problem—they have a client journey problem. In this solo episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down why chasing more inquiries isn't the answer and why building a complete marketing journey is what creates consistent, predictable business growth. You'll learn: Why more leads won't fix a broken marketing process The client journey every photographer should be intentionally designing Why marketing is more than social media How to stop...
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Why Photographers Feel Invisible (And Why More Leads Won't Fix It)
Beyond the Image Podcast
You create great work. Your clients love the experience. So why does it still feel like no one knows who you are? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions photographers have about growing their business: believing that more followers, more leads, or another marketing tactic will finally make them visible. The truth is, most photographers don't have a lead problem. They have a positioning problem. You'll learn why talent alone doesn't create opportunities, how to become known for something specific, and what actually builds trust with the...
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The Most Expensive Marketing Mistake I Keep Making
Beyond the Image Podcast
What if one of the biggest wastes of money in your business isn't bad gear, a bad hire, or a failed ad campaign? In this episode, James shares one of the costliest mistakes he's made over the last 20 years: repeatedly hiring lead generation companies that promised a calendar full of qualified prospects. Instead, they delivered copy-and-paste outreach, unqualified meetings, damaged brand perception, and zero clients. You'll learn: Why automated outreach often hurts more than it helps How "guaranteed leads" can still waste your time and money The hidden cost of outsourcing your relationships...
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What to Do When a Client Cancels Your Photography Project
Beyond the Image Podcast
Every creative eventually gets the email or phone call they never want to receive: "We're going to have to cancel the project." Whether you're a photographer, videographer, designer, or creative entrepreneur, canceled projects can cost far more than just the paycheck. They cost planning time, production hours, reserved calendar space, and lost opportunities. In this episode of Beyond the Image, I share several real stories from my own business—including projects canceled just days before production—and explain how I now protect my business with stronger contracts, retainers, cancellation...
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Stop Blaming Your Gear: What Actually Makes a Professional Photographer
Beyond the Image Podcast
Most photographers overestimate the importance of gear and underestimate the importance of experience. In this episode, we break down why professionals don’t lose shots because of equipment—they lose shots because of decisions, skill gaps, or lack of clarity on what actually matters. The right gear matters only when it directly improves your work, your workflow, or your client results. Everything else is noise. Instagram: Substack: Website:
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When Should Photographers Start Charging for Their Work?
Beyond the Image Podcast
One of the biggest mistakes aspiring photographers make is believing they need "a little more" before they can start charging. More experience. More gear. More education. More portfolio work. But what if that mindset is the very thing holding you back? In this episode, James Patrick challenges the common belief that photographers need to reach some mythical level of perfection before they can monetize their work. Drawing from his own journey—from getting paid for his very first published photograph as a journalist to launching video production services decades later—James explores the...
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When Should You Refund a Client? (And When Should You Walk Away?)
Beyond the Image Podcast
Every creative entrepreneur will eventually face the uncomfortable question: Should I refund this client? In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down the only two situations where issuing a refund actually makes business sense. The first is obvious—when you've made the mistake and failed to deliver what you promised. The second is far more controversial: when dealing with a bad-faith client will cost you more in time, energy, and stress than the money is worth. Through real-world stories from more than two decades in business, James shares lessons on client accountability,...
info_outlineToday, we are talking about all things content and content marketing. I know you’ve heard the phrasing and seen the memes about how content is king. It’s true, content is king. But you might be wondering how you go about building that content platform and how to leverage and implement that content into your marketing strategy.
I’m so excited to have Cynthia Sassi on today. She’s the founder of Fabulous Media Group and we are diving into this topic. Tune in and get ready to take notes!
IN THIS EPISODE
- What drew Cynthia to the digital marketing industry.
- How digital advertising has leveled the marketing playing field.
“With digital, we can change things up by the minute. If something’s not working, we can try something else.”
- The difference between digital and physical marketing materials.
- How consumer demand and advertising money effects how things are marketed.
- Different factors that Cynthia analyzes in order to create effective content.
- Why consistency is so important.
- Having an ideal client you are marketing to.
“When you try to market to everyone, you’re going to market to no one.”
- The importance of being flexible in your approach.
- How to stand out in your digital marketing.
- Taking a step back and asking yourself what YOU would want to see in order to add value to your marketing.
Connect with Cynthia:
Website: Fabulous Media Group -
Instagram: @cynthiasassi
@fabulousarizona @fabulouswisconsin @fabulousiowa @fabulouswashington @fabulouscalifornia
HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT: WE HAVE OPENED EARLY BIRD PASSES FOR THIS YEAR’S FITPOSIUM!
Details: September 16-18th, 2021 in Phoenix, AZ. Both virtual and in-person passes will be available. Early bird pricing will be available for 2 weeks. 100% all about how to get published.
All details are live HERE: https://fitposium.com/
Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!
For more, visit jamespatrick.com
ALSO...
We have re-opened the Get Amped Mastermind.
A little about the Mastermind:
- Brings together entrepreneurs to connect and support each other.
- Dozens of entrepreneurs have 4x, 6x, 10x their income since being a part of the mastermind.
- It’s a brand new and revamped mastermind.
- A deep dive, strategy session with me followed by 6 months of focused and efficient work with monthly meetings to do work
- A photoshoot with me so I can help you build marketing materials for your brand and business development.
- Real work to focus on reaching results.
Apply at getampedmastermind.com or text me at 408-605-3254 and book a free discovery call with me so we can chat about your goals and see how I can support you.
Share this podcast with a friend and remember to leave a 5-star review!
For more, visit jamespatrick.com