The Art of Being Indispensable
ByHow do you Define Art?
I just finished the book “Linchpin” by Seth Godin and he has some definitions of the word art that I had never read before.
He is not discussing art as we typically think of art, as a painting, a photograph, or a sculpture. He says that art is “a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium doesn’t matter. The intent does.”
The art of connecting with people, to bring them joy, to make a difference is the critical part of building relationships that make you and your place of business memorable. Stand out from the rest by going farther than taking pictures, to building a community.
How many photographers are in your town? Do you stand out from the crowd or are you a commodity?
The book “Linchpin” has the subtitle “Are you Indispensable?” The author explains: “The only way to be indispensable is to be different. The only way to get what you are worth is to stand out, to exert emotional labor, to be seen as indispensable and produce interactions that organizations and people care about.” Become a hub for information, for connecting people. Recommend a good book, clip an article of interest to share, blog about a inspiring photography session, or send a client a link to a website you know they will like.
“If you give the gift of art, insight, initiative, or connection they are less likely to shop around looking to replace the commodity or work that you do, because the work you do does not have to be a commodity.” Do you provide pleasant service? Is there a connection between you and your subject? Do you respect and enjoy people? Go beyond what is expected and become remarkable.
Get Seth’s book, “Linchpin” and find a whole new definition to the word art you can apply to your life and successful business. Remember that people, the clients you seek, have more choices that ever before so you need to become a studio that is remarkable.
