Google Closed My Business For Me

I don't normally post my personally life or how I run my business on here, but I think this warrants for a just cause.

Some of you who know me personally, know that I work another full time job. And you know that I sit in front of a computer all day and copy and paste and do research. But for those of you who don't know exactly what I do, I deal with SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, for a marketing firm in my home town for our clients who have a website. Short story: I make it easier for you, the consumer, to find one of our clients. While at work one day, I noticed that my business listing was removed from Google Maps/Places. Thought it to be a glitch, waited a few days. Still nothing showed up. I submitted a report to Google and they said they found the issue but didn't want to give me a time frame of when they would get it fixed.

I decided to update my Google+ Page one day and noticed something wasn't completely right. Google had disabled my Page from making edits and had hidden my listing on the map. And just like that, overnight, I went from driving a $100,000 car to a 100,000 pieces car (figuratively speaking of course). Now if you own a business or work for a small business that sells a unique product or service, you know how important it is to be in the first few pages of a Google search result. But because of this "mishap," you can't find me anywhere on Google.

If you're someone who doesn't deal with marketing or is a business owner, you can probably stop reading here. But before you do, if you're local to my area and you like my work, please help spread the word of my photography business to anyone who may be looking for a photographer. (Yes, I just did a cry for help...so sue me.)

Now if you're a business owner or deal with marketing for your company, you better starting listening.

How can Google do this to your business?

It's simple really, it's Google. When you click that little "I agree" button, they completely own your internet marketing strategy. So if you even bend one little guideline for Places, you're done. And it could be a VERY long time until the issue gets resolved. And once they cut you off, you better start praying to a higher power of some sort because your business WILL suffer.

What is Google doing to businesses exactly?

There's actually two things going on right now. 1) Google changed their quality guidelines of what information and what businesses can have a listing on Places back in the summer so they're cleaning house. 2) They made the switch from Google Places to Google+ Local and it caused a MASSIVE glitch. Here's the short list of the new guidelines:

• If you are a business that has 100% face-to-face consumer interaction, you MUST show your address and it MUST be a commercially zoned building.
• If you are a SAB (Service Area Business. (You serve your customers at their location.)), you MUST hide your address in Places.
• If you do NOT do 100% face-to-face business with your consumers, you MUST hide your address. (This includes businesses that have a COMMERCIALLY zoned building.)
• If you are a SAB, and you have a Google+ Page, you MUST delete it as it has your address on it. (A Google+ Page plays a HUGE part of your SEO for your website so deleting kills your business even more.)
• You CANNOT have keywords or "spammy" content in your business listing name. If your business handles multiple areas of expertise, add those areas to your "Categories" in your listing. Neglecting to do so will result in your listing being deleted completely. (a perfect example of this would be AMP Studios Photography | MN & IA Wedding, Senior, Maternity, Newborn, Family Photographer. Whatever your LEGAL business name is, that's what needs to be seen.)
• If you own more than one location, you can only have ONE (primarily your main base of operations) in Places.

There you have it. It's completely summarized and I'm sure there's a few things I'm missing, but that's why this is here. Google Places Quality Guidelines.

So since you're a photographer, is every other photographer going to get deleted as well?

No. It's honestly all dependent on how one of Google's "quality control moderators" is feeling that day and how "to the T" they follow it.

"I do *BLANK* type of business, so I'm good."

Wrong.

At first, it was SAB type businesses. Photographers, web designers, marketing firms, interior designers and decorators, contractors; the types of businesses that could potentially be run out of a home. But NOW, businesses such as lawyers, doctor offices, plumbers, HVAC guys; are getting removed from the map. The best part? These businesses are following the guidelines, do business out of a COMMERCIALLY zoned building AND do face-to-face business AT the location!!!

So no, you're not good.

Ok, now I'm worried. What can I do to prevent this?

Read the quality guidelines and see if you're breaking the rules. If you are, change it NOW. There is one huge downside to this. Making the said changes will actually FORCE Google to review the changes and at that point, they could remove your listing. It's a Catch 22 or a double edged sword or a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" moment or however you else you want to call it.

What should I do if Google removes my business listing?

You get in line by clicking here, choosing My listing is showing up and wait. Nothing more you can do. There are a couple hundred thousand businesses being affected by this so I'm sure they're just a little backed up.

Good luck.

In case you're still unsure of this, look through the Product Forums and there are myriad of  posts about this issue. I will also update this blog posting if and/or when my issue is resolved and what happened.

Cheers and Allons-y

Thankful for Family Holiday Package | Family Portrait Photographer

I'm REALLY excited to be offering a package of this much awesomeness.  The holiday season is pretty much upon us, which is the perfect time to be getting family portraits done to send out holiday greeting cards to friends and family.  I promise you, this will be a fun and amazing time shooting with me.  Make sure to contact me soon so you won't miss out!

Quick fine print:

• "Refer-a-Friend" must pay for package in full prior to receiving double print offer.
• Payment is due at time of booking a session.
• Greeting cards are non-refundable unless the majority of cards are not of adequate quality. 

Cheers and Allons-y!

Emily & Nick | Albert Lea Maternity Photographer

Emily heard about me from my girlfriend, who work together, because Emily had mentioned she needed to find a photographer to photograph her soon-to-be newborn son.  When Emily contacted me, I mentioned about doing a maternity session and she jumped at the chance.  With just a few short weeks to go until baby Connor made his appearance (which Emily was actually having contractions at my house the night before Connor came out), we got these.

I had a lot of fun shooting these guys.  Emily was glowing as a soon-to-be mom and Nick was, well, being Nick.  Henceforth the last photo.  I'm not sure if Nick was picking something out of her nose or putting something back though...

Friday Favorite - "Time Flies" | Albert Lea Maternity Photographer

Recently, my girlfriend, Michelle, moved two hours away from her home so that we can raise our son, Xander, together, and be happy as a family.  (Here's their Friday Favorite post.)  She got a job at the casino across the border and became friends with a girl by the name of Emily Malli.  Michelle mentioned to her that I was a photographer and Emily contacted me about doing a newborn shoot.  I told her that I would love to do a maternity shoot to gain some more experience.  She didn't hesitate one bit to jump at that opportunity.

There's a reason why I picked this photo to be a Friday Favorite.

Emily was due October 2nd, and like most expectant mother's, wanted her baby out NOW!  So Michelle and Emily went for a walk two days in a row.  Emily is now sitting in my living room, having contractions, and Michelle, having the heart of gold she has, is being supportive and telling her experience she just went through 4 months prior.  The father, Nick, is at work right now waiting impatiently for the call.  (Don't worry, the contractions aren't close enough to go to the hospital now.)

www.amp-studios.com

This is one of my favorite photos from Emily and Nick's session.  It really shows how much they love each other and how excited they are to start a family together.  And the black & white with the rustic building really adds a unique feel to this photo.

And by this time next week, you'll get to see baby Connor on here!  GO GO GADGET EXCITED PHOTOGRAPHER!!!

Smith & Crew | MN Family Photographer

Lisa & Tim had gone to a benefit for a little boy in the area who is suffering from a brain tumor that is causing him to have epilepsy.  I had donated some free sessions to help this family out and Lisa contacted me just in the knick of time.  Their daughter was definitely the photogenic of the two kids, but I think Preston stole the show.  Enjoy :-)

 

 

 

 

  

 

The Realization of a Real Thank You

I had an epiphany earlier today that warranted a short blog post and a huge thank you.

My most recent session with the Smith family was a delight. Good looking family, adorable kids and a session that had me beating my head against the desk deciding which photos to edit. (That's a good thing.)  I did their viewing a few weeks later and got their order put in. My epiphany was this; if they hadn't purchased the amount of photos they did, I wouldn't have been able to purchase clothes for my son. I'm a firm believer of supporting small businesses, and have said it ever since I started this business. But I never fully understood what it meant...until now. I'll admit that I haven't had the best of luck in the past few years with keeping a steady job. I've had 5 jobs in the past 2 years, 4 of which that were in sales (throw in a failing economy and you can see why it's been 4 jobs) and the last one is now finally steady. I had to get a full time job to help support my absolutely perfect and adorable son. Since his birth , finances have been extremely tight between me and mama. So tight that I've had to sacrifice seeing my own son and help Michelle, my love and mother of my child, take care of our son. She's purchased the majority of all his clothes, diapers, bottles...everything. When we went to Shopko recently and we found these adorable dinosaur and animal-mohawk outfits for me, it was ME who was able to purchase them. She didn't have the money, but thanks to the Smith family, I was able to buy something for my son for the first time since he was born. So Smith family, I can't thank you enough. If it wasn't for you guys, I never would have been able to purchase needed clothes for my son. And to the rest of you who is reading this...

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!!! I don't care how much more expensive they are or have to special order the item you're looking for, BUY IT!!! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT NECESSITIES THEY OR THEY FAMILY MIGHT NEED!!!

Behind the Lens - Read at Your Own Risk | MN & IA Photographer

I'm going to warn you now, this is a RANT.  Actually, it's more of a realization on both ends of the stick.  So if you want to read what I have to type, continue on.  You don't want to read about "drama?"  Top right corner for Windows, top left corner for Mac...little red button...click it.  On a phone?  Back button.  Enjoy :-)



I've come to a stark realization about society:  We want something for nothing and are cheap as hell when cheap comes along.   And along with that realization, I've just come to two more.  1) We're lazy.  2) We don't care.  Yes that's right, I'm going there.  But before you get all "UUUGGGGHHHH!!!" on me, hear me out.

I started this business 2 years ago in hopes that 1) I could shy away from corporate America and 2) I got let go from my position as a retail store manager.  Why?  Because the economy is worse than what the media portrays.  (Don't worry, I'm not going to get into my political opinions here.)  As a sales person, I did nothing wrong.  My numbers proved I knew how to sell, they proved that I knew how to teach my employees how to sell.  But yet, I was still let go for poor "sales performance."  So with that being said, I said @#$% it, and started up this business.  No money.  No knowledge.  No guidance.  Just me, my camera and dreams.  So I set forth with my no money and did everything I could to make it happen.  Some paid marketing here and there, website, Facebook, portfolio building, free sessions, referral programs, incentives...everything you name it.  I always have people telling me, "Oh my gosh!  Ryon!  You're so good!  I want you to take my family pictures!" and when the time comes, they back out.  I get the, "I don't have the money right now," or, my favorite, "I don't have the time right now."  1) The money thing I can kind of understand.  But did you hear me say you can do payments?  Probably not.  You were only thinking about "how expensive" I was.  Want to know a dirty little secret?  I'm undercharging you!!!  Don't believe me?  I want you to contact a more established photographer.  One who is constantly busy and ask them what their prices are.  Once you find out, I want you to tell me how expensive I am.  2) I'm not gonna take that excuse.  You're not on my schedule, I'm on yours.  If the only time you can do a shoot is at 2AM in the dead of winter, then I'll do it.  Also, another dirty little secret, you can book a session whenever!!!  Schedule a little hectic right now?  Book it for another time.  I will NEVER turn anyone down unless I myself am busy that day.  Then I'll work with you to pick a better day.

Now let's get down to the nitty gitty.  The part that's going to make your heart bleed for me.

Me and my girlfriend just recently had a baby.  His name is Xander and he's 2 months old.  Before he was born, I had to get a full time job to support him because all of my "good" leads were dead end's.  Now, let's just say I didn't have a job and this was my only source of income.  You come to me wanting photos done.  We talk about it and "you'll get back to me."  Now let's thrown in a random average sale number...say...$300.  Once you pay me, I have to give the State and Federal government their share of 35% which is $105.  I'm now down to $195.  I still have to prepare your order.  The cost to print these is $190.  I have now earned $5 in profit.  And this profit is what I need to use to use gas, and wear and tear on my car, to get to the location to take your photos, round trip, the use of my $2000+ worth of equipment that doesn't age like fine wine, my editing time (3+ hours and style AND pay my own personal and business debts.  I am now in in the hold $500.  But guess what?  You decided to NOT go with me and went with your friend who "has a nice camera" and is a "natural."  Great.  Now I can't afford to get my child the diapers he needs, new clothes for him to grow IN TO, formula for when mom isn't around or her supply is gone, I can't take my son out in public to take in all the sites and sounds.  But worst of all, I probably can't go SEE my son.  Oh, did I mention that my son and girlfriend live 2 hours away from me and IF I'm lucky, only get to see him on weekends??  On top of this, I'm under the watchful eye of "Big Brother" since I keep claiming "0" for income.  Worse case scenario?  I get audited, they pull my business license and I go to jail for theft of state funds.  This is what happens when you "can't afford it" or "don't have the time" or, god forbid, "I'm too expensive."  Lucky for you though, I have a job that pays just above minimum wage which allows me to pay for gas and diapers for the next 2 weeks, and maybe the occasional meal for myself.

Let's talk a little bit about me now.

One of the realizations I've come to is that even though people say my work is amazing and they want me to photograph, apparently my work just plain old sucks.  Maybe I'm being biased here, but I don't see how my work sucks.  Case and point:

2011 was my first year doing portrait photography EVER.  As you can see, I improved from each previous session.  No one telling me what I was doing wrong.  No one showing me how to do it "right."  It was all determination, sweat, loss of sleep, mental beat-ups, getting sick, fights with the girlfriend, loss of social life and the drive to succeed.  I TAUGHT myself how to do portrait photography in less than a year.  No one showed me the ropes, no one took me under their wing...I was my own teacher, critic, hater, lover and inspiration.  But yet, my work isn't worth my price <insert eye roll here.>  It's not about price people, it's about having those photos eventually tucked away in a shoe box for your grandkids to look at and go, "Wow!  When was this taken?  Who is this?  Where was this taken at?"  And don't even think about lying about that because we've all done that with our grandparents' photos from back in the 20's, 30's, 40's and so on.  And if price is a factor, for god's sake, ask if I'm running a promotion!  Dirty little secret #3: I'm always running a promotion to generate business!!!  Why would I NOT run a promotion to generate business?  When you find out what promotion I'm running, you're next question shouldn't be, "What are you prices?"  It should be, "What am I waiting for!?"

So here's the bottom line:

• Support your local businesses.  They need to survive just like you.
• Don't lead me if you can't lead yourself.  (Think about that for a minute.)
• Quit worrying about price and start worrying about the stories told.
• If you don't like my work, don't bother contacting me.

 I know this is the type of rant that I SHOULDN'T be publicly posting, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm getting sick and tired of people telling me they want to book me and never follow through with it damn it!  I've lost sleep and cried thinking I may need to close my business because I'm not getting enough business.  And I frankly don't care if you think ill of me or my business after reading this.  As a famous quote said by a famous woman reads, "If you can't handle me at my worst, you sure as hell don't deserve to have me at my best!"  You don't like me, my prices or my work, @#$% you and there's the door.  See ya later and have a nice life!


<END RANT>....