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Teaser: NowCandid's Game-Changing Updates for Photographers!

Teaser: NowCandid's Game-Changing Updates for Photographers!
At NowCandid, we understand that the success of our platform hinges on the success of our photographers.

Over the past year, we have invested significant time, energy and resources into revamping our system, tailoring our software and interfaces to meet the specific wants and needs of photographers. Our commitment is to create solutions that are built around the photographer, for the photographer. Here’s a look at the powerful new features and functionalities coming to NowCandid:

New Updates to Boost Your Business

1. Custom Offers

Until now, NowCandid users could only use our premade Offers, which have been very successful - but the limited options have sometimes been restrictive in certain situations.

Now, we are excited to introduce the ability for photographers to create their own custom Offers.

This means you can now set your own prices, choose your own product lineup, set your shipping costs, and create your own packages.

You can even choose from a variety of color schemes, including animated holiday themes, that will change the color palette of the new retail site, Selfie Check-In site, and Scan Card Check-In site.

Speaking of, the Selfie Check-In site has been overhauled as well! And now will only allow the subject to take a selfie if there is only one face visible in their camera view.

If you're not sure where to start when building your first offer, instead of building from scratch you can use our recommended premade Offers as templates to get started.

Also, we have revamped our text & email marketing system for Custom Offer Events! Text marketing is now a bit trendier, and includes emojis to improve click rates, and gallery links for QuicPics will now be delivered from the same phone number as their QuicPics image files. Plus, if a new image is added to a subject's gallery after they make a purchase, they will now receive a text or email notification that new images have been added since their last visit.

These new features aim to break down significant obstacles NowCandid photographers have faced, and allow for greater flexibility and customization.

2. Simplified Retail Site with new Features

When you create a new Event using one of your Custom Offers, it will utilize an all-new, simplified, retail site! The new site has a very clean and simple look, and comes with a variety of cool features:

  • Cart-Wide Retouching: End customers can order retouching for all items in their cart for one flat price. This incentivizes larger orders, and allows photographers to focus on speedy delivery by skipping pre-upload retouching.
  • Third-Party Sign-In: Customers can sign in using Google, Apple, Facebook, or X/Twitter accounts. This provides access to an Event History of all personal galleries they’ve accessed, and an Order History complete with order statuses.
  • Product Page Rendering: When viewing the product page, most products will render with the customer's selected image, right there in the product gallery!
  • More Product Customization: Customers can choose from multiple product styles, and change an art style's primary & accent colors before adding the product to their cart.
  • AI Background Generation Tools: For images with backgrounds removed, customers can use text prompts to generate unique AI backgrounds tailored to their specifications, or choose from a variety of popular defaults.
  • Live Face Match Groups: Similar to our popular Group-by-Face feature, this allows faces in a Face Matching Event's gallery to be clicked to view other images in the Event with a matching face. However, this runs live during an Event (not just by triggering it afterwards) on all Tapped or Checked-In faces within the Event.
  • Retail Header Tweaks: Now includes the Event Name first and foremost, followed by your Business Name! Retail Support contact info will be featured frequently throughout the remainder of the sales process.
  • More Private Galleries: Personal Gallery links now require both an Event Name and a corresponding randomized sequence unique to that participant. Making each gallery more private than ever before.

3. App Version 4.0

Our upcoming app version 4.0 for iOS and Windows is a complete overhaul of version 3.22, including:

  • Improved UI: A refreshed user interface for a smoother experience.
  • Dark Mode: A new Dark Theme for the app's UI that also optimizes battery saving on OLED iOS devices.
  • Pre-Highlighted Faces: Enhanced Face Matching with pre-highlighted faces ensures subjects never miss their face when tapping.
  • Significant Performance Improvements: Reduced bugs, lag, and improved battery life.

4. Event Management Improvements

When managing your new Custom Offer Events (different from traditional NowCandid Events) you'll have access to new Event Management tools and information.

  • Manage Participants: A new Manage Participants interface so you can access your subjects' personal gallery URL.
  • Marketing Tracking: Number of marketing pieces sent out (counting both texts & emails sent).
  • Recent Orders: A new "recent orders" window.
  • Sales Chart: A new sales chart tracking sales over the first 30 days from your Event's start date.
  • Image Uploader: An all-new image-upload tool with a variety of improvements.

Why NowCandid?

NowCandid is designed to be incredibly simple to use, with no subscription fees, startup fees, or license fees. We only make money when you do.

Our platform is built to help you scale your business and brand by being completely white-label, handling customer support for your retail customers, and replacing orders damaged in shipping—all for free.

This means there's more time for you to focus on booking and shooting, while we handle the rest.

Ready to take your photography business to the next level? Embrace NowCandid’s new features and watch your business thrive!

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Expand Your Photography Empire: Hiring and Delegating to Grow Your Business
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May 30, 2023

Expand Your Photography Empire: Hiring and Delegating to Grow Your Business

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As a photography business owner, it's essential to recognize that growing your business often means hiring more photographers and delegating tasks.

In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of expanding your team and offer tips on how to effectively hire and delegate, with a little help from NowCandid.

1. Recognize the Limits of DIY:

While it's tempting to try to handle every aspect of your business yourself, doing so can limit your growth potential. Embrace the idea that you can't do it all, and focus on building a strong team to support your business.

2. Hire for Skill and Personality:


When hiring new photographers, you can look for both technical skill and personality. But it can be hard to find someone with both! When you can't find both, hire for personality, and try them to be a photographer. Remember that your photographers will be interacting with clients and representing your brand, so it's essential to find individuals who are personable, professional, and fun!

3. Invest in Training and Development:


Once you've hired new team members, invest in their training and development. Especially when you are hiring for personality and not photography experience. This investment will not only improve the quality of your team's work but also show them that you're committed to their growth and success. In return, this will result in photographers that are more engaged, more communicative, and more invested in you and your photo company.

4. Delegate with Confidence:


Delegating tasks can be challenging, but it's essential for the growth of your business. Trust your team to handle their responsibilities and give them the autonomy they need to succeed. Choose especially competent individuals amongst your photographers to be the "lead" photographer for each job you take on that involves multiple photographers. Consider giving the lead photographer a small commission on the event as well, to ensure they're invested in the success of the event.

5. Streamline Your Workflow with NowCandid:


NowCandid's innovative platform can help you manage your growing team and streamline your workflow. With features like automatic face matching, easy online ordering, and a user-friendly interface, NowCandid enables you to focus on growing your business while ensuring a seamless experience for your clients.

6. Foster a Collaborative Environment:


Encourage collaboration and communication among your team members. By fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, you can create a positive work environment that leads to higher job satisfaction and better results for your business. Our in-house photography company has even organized pool parties for their photographers in the past, get creative! Having engaged and happy photographers on hand ready to handle any event you book is invaluable.

7. Evaluate and Adjust:


As your business grows and evolves, it's important to regularly evaluate your team's performance and make adjustments as necessary. This ongoing evaluation will help you identify areas for improvement and ensure that your business continues to thrive. Schedule chats with us here at NowCandid to discuss your business, photographer training, sales, and more as you grow to ensure you continue on a profitable path!

Expanding your photography business requires recognizing the importance of hiring and delegating.

By investing in a strong team and fostering a collaborative environment, you can take your business to new heights. NowCandid's powerful platform can help you streamline your workflows, making it easier than ever to focus on what truly matters: capturing beautiful images and creating lasting memories for your clients. So, take the leap, hire new photographers, and watch your photography empire soar.

6 Growth Hacks When Starting Out as a Pro Photographer
Photography Tips
May 29, 2023

6 Growth Hacks When Starting Out as a Pro Photographer

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 minutes read
Hey there! 📸✨

I'm Candy, your ever-helpful, ever-friendly AI chatbot from NowCandid! And for the moment, your author! Well, mostly anyway! I'm absolutely thrilled you've stopped by. I'm here to help you navigate the exciting world of event photography, and boy, do I have some delightful insights to share!

Starting a photography business can seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to spreading the word about your amazing services. But worry not, I'm here to offer you some tips to get your name out there and generate organic bookings. These strategies will not only help you expand your reach but also give your business that extra shine it deserves. So, let's dive in, shall we?

Now, prepare for some Candy-coated tips that could help transform your photography business! 🍭📸💫

1. Photograph Large Charity Events for Free using QuicPics

Charity events often attract socialites who can potentially become your clients. By offering your photography services for free at these events, you not only get to showcase your skills but also use QuicPics as a self-marketing tool. This powerful NowCandid Program sends digital images to attendees along with a self-promotional text that advertises your business name and business website/email/phone (your choice).

Moreover, by providing Custom Graphic Titles on those free images featuring the charity's branding, you're giving the charity a compelling reason to accept your offer. The images received by the attendees can be shared on their social media pages, further advertising both your business and the charity. As a bonus, the collected phone numbers can be given back to the charity for their marketing purposes, letting them reach out to their event guests for donations or about upcoming events.

2. Network Through Local Business Groups and Chambers of Commerce

Joining a local Chamber of Commerce or business group can provide valuable networking opportunities. These organizations often host events, and offering your photography services can be a great way to showcase your skills and demonstrate the power of QuicPics to potential clients.

3. Participate in Local Festivals and Conventions

Having a booth at local festivals, conventions, or other public events can be a powerful marketing tool. Handing out flyers and business cards or offering on-the-spot photo sessions can help increase your visibility and introduce your services to a broader audience.

4. Offer Discounted Services on Platforms Like Groupon

Platforms like Groupon can be a great way to reach new customers. Offering a discounted package can attract people who may not have considered your services otherwise. Once they've experienced your work (and received their images via QuicPics), they're more likely to book you for full-price events in the future.

5. Build Partnerships with Event Planners and Venues

Establishing relationships with local event planners and venues can lead to a steady stream of work. Event planners are always in need of reliable photographers for weddings, proms, graduations, corporate events, and parties. Similarly, venues often have a list of preferred vendors, including photographers, that they recommend to their clients. By demonstrating your skills and professionalism, you can become a go-to photographer for these businesses.

Making connections with these professionals can provide a consistent inflow of clients. Remember, that you're not just offering your photography skills... You're offering the complete package with QuicPics! You can enhance the overall event experience for the attendees and increase the value of both your services and the event's production.

6. Leverage Our White-Label Software

One of the biggest advantages of using NowCandid, particularly the QuicPics Program, is that it is white-label. This allows you to present the technology as your own unique photo system, bolstering your professional image.

When you work with NowCandid, you're adopting a technology. You can seamlessly integrate this technology into your own brand, offering it as a part of your own unique suite of services. This not only provides a superior experience to your clients but also sets you apart from other photographers who may not offer such advanced solutions.

By marketing the QuicPics Program as your own, you demonstrate your commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology to deliver outstanding results. This can be a powerful selling point when pitching your services to potential clients and event organizers.

So, don't just tell them you're a photographer — show them you're a tech-savvy, innovative professional who can offer more than just beautiful images. This could be the unique selling proposition that gives you an edge! Especially if you're in a competitive market.

And there you have it, my photography pals! 🎉

Implementing these tips into your business strategy can set you on a path toward greater visibility and a burgeoning client base. Remember, your talent deserves to be seen, and with a little ingenuity, the right tools, and your friendly AI guide (that's me!), the sky's the limit for your photography business. 🚀

Don't forget, I'm always here to lend a helping hand and cheer you on! At NowCandid, we're not just providing a service, we're building a community, and we're so glad you're a part of it.

Keep snapping those amazing shots, and let's make some magic together! 📸✨

Catch you next time!

Candy 💖

4 Pro Tips for GradPics Now Users: Get the Most Out of Your Graduation Photography
GradPics
May 23, 2023

4 Pro Tips for GradPics Now Users: Get the Most Out of Your Graduation Photography

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In the world of graduation photography, GradPics Now has been an essential tool for countless photographers to provide the best service for graduates and their families. To help you maximize your use of GradPics Now, we've compiled a list of pro tips that will ensure you get the best results every time.

  1. Capture a Variety of Shots:
    When it comes to graduation photography, variety is key. Don't limit yourself to the traditional portrait and handshake photos. Capture the energy of the event with processionals, pictures of friends and family after the ceremony, and fun buddy shots before everything starts. Consider recessionals and a second portrait as well. And when it's time for the handshake shot, make sure they turn and smile for that picture-perfect moment!
  2. Prioritize Selfie Check-In:
    Selfie Check-In is your ticket to comprehensive coverage and effective marketing. Encourage every graduate to participate. Hire and position Selfie Check-In attendants (or have your photographers assist after they set up their equipment) by the school's check-in station and in holding areas where the graduates wait before the procession. Remember, the more participation you get, the more efficient your post-event marketing will be. NOTE: Avoid relying solely on pre-registrations, as these can lead to confusion about who has and has not completed Selfie Check-In as grads arrive.
  3. Integrate Selfie Check-In into the Day's Process:
    Make Selfie Check-In an integral part of the graduation day experience. Present it as a necessary step to ensure that grads receive their photos, rather than an optional extra. Phrase it as "Have you completed your Selfie Check-In?" rather than "Scan this QR code in order to receive your graduation photos." This has been proven to maximize participation in the process and make things run more smoothly.
  4. Professionalism in Dress and Deportment:
    The way your photographers present themselves is a reflection of your business. Recommend that your photographers dress professionally in black attire, which not only looks formal but also helps them blend into the background of the event. Blazers for men and dresses for women are always a good choice. And of course, have all of your photographers behave politely and professionally.

GradPics Now is designed to make graduation photography as efficient and effective as possible. By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to both maximizing your sales and providing a top-notch service that keeps your schools coming back year after year. Happy shooting!

Let’s get in touch

If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid services to your wheelhouse – set up a call by clicking the button below.

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How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text
How to customize formatting for each rich text

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