We did it, we survived yet another end of the world prophecy with our photo booths intact (barring any New Year's Eve incidents). Okay, so I don't think many of us really thought that the world was going to end on 12/21/2012 and thankfully it didn't! Why? Because I have lots in store for the Photo Booth Owners website in 2013. Yes we are going to kick it up a notch and take this site and all the wonderful members to new places this year.
If you receive the PBO newsletter then you recently received a personal thank you letter from me. If you do not, shame on you. I kid, I kid. I would like to invite you to sign up for it today as I do from time-to-time send gifts and content to newsletter members only. You can sign up today on our Facebook page or at http://www.photoboothowners.com/signup (While you're there how about a like).
For those of you that did not receive or read the thank I would like to quickly share some key parts in with you.
First let me say that I am grateful and happy to have met each of you through the Photo Booth Owners website. Some of you I have been able to build a deeper relationship with and have spoken on many occasions about various things in the photo booth industry. Others I have not had the opportunity to get to know much better than our initial correspondence and welcome email. I hope to change this over the coming months.
I cannot believe that it has been 8 months now since I launched the PBO website. The success has been simply amazing and humbling. When I launched the site I wondered if anyone would find value in it. Would it be helpful enough for others to invest their time in reading and participating on? I am happy to say that it appears that it has been.
To help keep the site up we now have a handful of amazing sponsors that I would like to thank. Please keep each them in mind as you make purchases going forward. Imaging Spectrum, Foto Club Inc, Photo Party Upload, Reliable Hardware and Photobooth SEO.
So where have we been?
We have went from 0 to now over 450 members strong in the forums and the site has become a great collection of all of our collective knowledge and experience. Thank you all so much for your openness and willingness to help others! I cannot say this enough thank you, thank you.
The website as a whole now serves thousands of visitors per month and the growth has been mind-blowing (well at least blowing my little mind). We’ve been affecting so many lives I still find it hard to believe.
The blog has featured some great tips and excellent guest posts along with all the news of the major photo booth software vendors. Here are several of the most popular posts for you (just in case you missed any of them). There are many more for you to read through on the site.
- Starting a Photo Booth Business: Build or Buy?
- Top Professional Photo Booth Printers (guest post by Steve Behen of Imaging Spectrum)
- Marketing Your Photo Booth Business (4 part series Damien Hutchins is the owner of Flicker Stage Photo Booths in Dallas TX)
- Custom Print Templates are Exceptional Marketing
- True Professional Photo Booth Templates Bleed
- Props Just Make A Photo Booth More Fun
Finally we launched the PBO Design Shop which has been very well received. Thank you all for your support! The Design Shop has helped many companies provide professional, premium designs to their clients (and make a little extra cash doing so). I have some very cool things in store for the Shop in 2013 that I think will take it to the next level of providing unprecedented service and quality to all of you. Watch the blog and newsletter as I will be making announcements from time-to-time as things get rolling.
Enough for the past, we can't change that.
Where are we heading?
In 2013 I plan to continue the primary objective of the PBO website and that is providing amazing content, tips, tricks and ideas to fellow photo booth owners. We have a wide spectrum of members ranging from just entering the industry to dominating their respective areas with years of experience. I will do my best to collect, author and share information that helps each member.
Recently I added a How To section on the site and plan to add much more content in this area throughout 2013. I think that this will become one of the great strengths of the site and should be a use to all of our members no matter their experience. We can all learn something new each day.
A second section, References, has been added. This section includes references for items like The Ultimate Breeze Keyboard Shortcuts Reference or Photo Booth Printer Page Size Reference. Again like the How To section this will be an area of focus for the PBO website in 2013.
As I eluded to above the Design Shop will be getting some new, really cool features and functionality that I am chomping at the bit to get into your hands. Not to ruin a good surprise I don't want to let the cat out of the bag on these items quite yet, but I will very soon!
One last thing, a means of delivering you great information is taking shape and should be in place within the next couple of weeks. I have been working with Scott of Soundsations on a nice surprise for everyone and will be announcing it in the next week or two.
Drum roll please…
Before I wrap this up I would like to share with you a few of my favorite responses I have received over the course of the year.
“Thank you for creating this site, it's so great to be able to connect with other photo booth company owners.”
“This is really good stuff! Thank you for making these articles! I am learning a lot from them!”
“Thanks for the GREAT job you are doing helping the industry!”
“Thanks for being a wonderful support- you blog has helped me immensely!”
“Thanks so much for your design and I am happy to use you again in the future. Happy Holidays! Keep the designs coming.”
“I really appreciate the great service and quick responses. There aren't too many sites as helpful as yours.”
Yes I read every email each of you send to me. I apologize if it takes me some time to respond occasionally, I do my best to respond quickly. If there is anything you would ever like to ask, discus or suggest please feel free to contact me at mike[at]photoboothowners.com.
