russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

There are links running around somewhere, or at least there used to be. Nonetheless, here's the link to my site at Fine Art America: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-russel-ray.html

I'll disagree with some of what you say.

I started my first company in 1968, at the age of 13, with the help of my wise old grandmother. As she told me then, "If you market to your target audience, you'll succeed." She was correct then, and even though she died in 2003, she's still correct.

I have been in many industries, the most recent of which was as a home inspector in San Diego. When I started, I checked out the competition. There were something like 347 home inspectors in the Yellow Pages. Everyone said I would fail. Too much competition. I called 100 of them and got something like 70 no answers, 20 voice mails, and 10 people who answered their phone. I left 20 voice mails and got one return call. I knew immediately that I could make a bundle of money in that industry. And I did. Simply by answering my phone. Add marketing to my target audience of Realtors, Escrow agents, Title agents, Loan agents, and Real Estate attorneys—about 45,000 people just in San Diego County), and if I just got 45 people each month to use me, that would be 540 home inspections. So I set as my goal for my first year, 500 inspections and $100,000 gross revenue. I failed in that I only got 495 inspections. However, instead of averaging $200 per inspection, I averaged $382 per inspection. You do the math.

I currently sell my Photographic Art as close-of-escrow gifts. That should tell you that my target market is Realtors, Escrow agents, Title agents, Loan agents, and Real Estate attorneys, many of whom I met during my 15-year home inspection career. Treat those people right, and they'll be with you forever.

And, yes, I also am a journalist. I have been writing all my life. I have done professional newsletters and PSA's for the University Press, College of Science, and Department of Chemistry at both Texas A&M University and Stanford University. Newsletters for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Cancer Society, Texas A&M University Association of Former Students, Houston Symphony, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and many smaller ones.

Finally, now that I'm retired, I'm writing my own book, a mostly picture book titled "Nature's Geometry: Succulents" that will include some text about Fibonacci numbers and other math behind the geometry. It will allow me to bring together my lifelong love of photography, nature, and math. I just did a 75-minute Powerpoint presentation last weekend on nature's geometry in succulents for the Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society in Escondido, California. First standing-room-only crowd they ever have had, and I'm now set up on the speaker circuit with seven speaking engagements at cactus & succulent clubs in Southern California and one in New Mexico.

francwoods

Thanks for the tips! Since I'm about 10 months away from retirement, but still an amateur photographer, I'll have some work to do to get ready to take the plunge into the marketing endeavor.
Cheers
https://www.francwoods.com/