Attending the WPPI convention in Las Vegas reminded me of the importance of Kindergarten skills.  I’m an only child who was raised in the middle of nowhere, so my basic social skills have always been a weeee bit behind those of you lucky enough to have come up with siblings and cities.  It’s hard for me to make a first move and say hello, smile, and/or agree to be pals at first sight.

It got a bit easier in Vegas, possibly because I used my Kindergarten skills more than I have since…Kindergarten.  I even ended up having dinner on the final night with complete strangers.  (Yay!  A breakthrough!)

With my bold, freshly-pumped skills, I intend to schedule some more meetings with strangers this week, and I challenge you to do the same.  What if you call a photographer in your area who offers complementary services and then talk about anything BUT photography?  What if you introduce yourself to a local business owner?  (And have coffee, even?)  What if you sign up for a networking event or agree to take a class?  (I’ve been talked into Falconry, Burlesque Dancing, and Horseback Riding lately.)

Do any of these things, and you’re going to make a friend or two.  You might even enjoy yourself!  I’d love to hear about the ways you’re using your Kindergarten skills in the coming weeks and months…

Want to read it on the blog? KINDERGARTEN SKILLS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

One of the most rewarding experiences of my career has been working with Alicia Caine as the grammar and pretty-fying fairy on her Easy as Pie cookbook and the followup book, Pastry School.  She’s gracious enough to call me a chef, but it’s her mastery of common sense practices that make the cookbook so utterly fabulous.

I can’t say enough good things about Alicia, this sale, or the fact that

THE EASY AS PIE AND PASTRY SCHOOL COMBO IS ONLY $99 FOR THE FIRST 100 PEOPLE TO USE PROMO CODE PIF100 AT CHECKOUT.

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The Easy as Pie chefs are used to receiving emails thanking us for increasing portrait sales by 100% in photography studios across the country, but we realize the first step is the hardest. You’re not sure of your pricing, you’re unfamiliar with our methods, and you’ve been waiting for your tax refund check to buy the case of wine that will finally drown your business sorrows. We get it.

And so…

We’re paying it forward with a once-in-a-lifetime special on the purchase of our Easy as Pie cookbook, complete with Pastry School bonus PDF! Save $100 on the combo, which is just $99 for the first 100 copies sold or through March 12, 2010, whichever comes first. (This deal will also be announced at the WPPI PIF party, so copies will be gone quickly!)

Get to know Alicia Caine’s common sense pricing strategies for the modern portrait photographer. Learn how to create highly profitable portrait collections, the secrets of a la carte pricing that will lead to collection sales, how to price your session fee effectively, and the answers to the age-old ‘what about the digital files?’ questions we all have. In addition, Alicia shares her personal schedule, pricing, portrait collections, and tips for moving up the sales ladder in Pastry School, the PDF that accompanies Easy as Pie.

We’ve NEVER received a negative review of our cookbook, which creates the kind of a-ha pricing moments Oprah can only dream about.

Save $100 with promo code PIF100 — buy now!

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Next Tuesday, it’s Strip Club, part II.  Sorry to go all crazy salesgirl on you, but this is an unbelievable deal that you’d half to be bananas to pass up.

Want to read it on the blog? EASY AS PIE PRICING COOKBOOK ONLY $99!