Cementing Ideas

Paying Your Dues

Now that you have a detailed outline, we're about to start the REALLY hard work – at least it's hard mentally. This is the part of your membership site setup where you pay your dues, your penance. Where you offer up your intellectual sweat for the right to earn a profitable income online.

What you have to do in this section is take your detailed outline, the specifics of what you expect to offer your members, and infuse each section with concepts and ideals embodied by your hook and your “sizzle”.

Take each “end point” of your detailed outline and ask yourself:

What pain will this help my member avoid?
What's the pleasure that this offers my members?
What interesting tips could a true “guide” give (as opposed to a map maker)?

Unfortunately, there's no objective way for you to know when you've finished. Just try to do a good job with every topic. In all likelihood, you'll look at this a few days from now and find ways to improve on it – which is great.

Here's my first cut using just the first module of my “photography studio equipment” detailed outline from above. Its not perfect, but it's moving in the right direction.

Week #1: Intro and Overview
I. Why a Studio?
A) Why a properly equipped studio means less hassle and more time to create
B) The right studio equipment can take your photography to a new level.
C) Invest in your equipment and it will pay you back in spades
D) Once your studio is properly equipped – you won't have any excuses left for not being GREAT

II. What Type of Photography (Portrait or Commercial)
A) Ever seen portraits with no “personality”. Studio equipment that keeps customers smiling
B) Those gorgeous, commercial shots aren't taken, they're made. Learn the equipment you'll need to make images like a pro

III. Cameras
A) Types
1. DSLR
a) Most Digital SLRs will do the job. How to make sure yours has all the features you need.
b) What a Digital SLR will do that other cameras can't
c) 3 Things you shouldn't expect of your Digital SLR and why
2. DigiCam
a) You can use your consumer digicam as a studio camera if you just follow these guidelines
b) 3 Things your consumer digicam can do that most of their big brothers can't
c) 4 Reasons why consumer digicams may not be the best choice for your studio
3. Film
a) Your old film camera still does a mean studio shoot
b) Why many professionals still shoot film – should you?
c) 6 Big reasons why digital trumps film and what ignoring them can cost you
B) Accessories for Studio Work
1. How seeing things from a different perspective can enhance your studio work
2. This under $20 accessory often gets overlooked – until you really need it.
3. Don't throw away your investment! How to keep your equipment organized and protected

IV. Lenses
A) Focal Lengths for Studio Work
1. Do you really need a “Normal” lens?
2. Make your studio space seem larger
3. How to photograph “graphically” for product shots
4. Fast lenses and why you probably need them – even when your subjects are standing still
B) Other Lens Considerations

V. Equipment Your DON'T Need

So, give it your best shot. Go through your list and make the changes. Put the list away and grab a snack, then come back and, for each item, ask yourself the three questions again. If you think you've handled them, move on. If not, try to improve it as much as you can.

Don't worry if you don't hit the bullseye. You've got your target (the three questions). Just take aim and get as close as you can.

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