Professional Photo Shoot - Thursday, March 12th

Anyone who is trying to sell anything, represent anything or lead anything needs professional photos. It drives me crazy to see "professionals" use Glamor shots as their professional head shots.  These are not professional photos.  As professionals we must understand that image is everything and most people make up their mind about who you are and the value of the services you provide by looking at your photo.  For those that use social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, your profile picture is your brand.

Ok, now I'm off of my soapbox...if you need professional photos, make your way to Atlanta, on Thursday, March 12th.  My agency hosts quarterly Professional Photo Shoots that include a makeup artist, professional lights (thank God for professional lighting!), hair touch up and of course a professional photographer that takes about 36 shots of you.  And, the best part is that you receive your photos right on the spot! You can take them and begin using them immediately.

Now, I know you are saying this has to cost a fortune! Not so!  This is something that I do to help be a blessing to others like me, that understand excellence but don't have big time budgets (just yet!).  Drum roll!!!!  The shoot is only $350 for one person and $500 for two people!!!  

Here's the fine print:

1.  You must pay in full when you register.

2. You must schedule 3 to 4 hours on the day of.  Perfection takes time!

3.  You must be relaxed and excited about this opportunity on the day of!  Taking photos is really hard work so get enough rest the night before. You don't want any dark circles!

Call my office at 678.618.6264 to reserve your slot!

Remember...Excellence Matters!!!

My Streaming Faith article

Wow! Friday was a banner day for me!!! I thank God for Streaming Faith asking me to be a contributing writer for this year. I'd like to share the article with you. Please enjoy.

Friday, January 02, 2009•

A Fresh StartRobin Ware

In preparing for the upcoming new year, I'd like to encourage you (if you haven't done so already) to get out a pad and pen and measure your accomplishments against the assignments God gave you for 2008.

Take a moment to reflect and state why you weren't as successful as you would have liked to be in 2008.To truly pursue a fresh start in God this year, you may need to take back control of your life beginning with the external forces you have allowed within your personal space.

Identify your time wasters - any activities or persons - that don't add to your life but subtracts the life out of you. With a renewed mind, practice these steps to achieve a fresh start in 2009:1. Write the vision and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2)

It's important to have goals (the vision) but it's more important to understand WHY (make it plain) you have the goals you do. Sometimes goals aren't obtainable because we have them for the wrong reasons.

Pray and ask God to give you clarity in this area. Are you wasting time pursing goals and dreams that aren't yours but just look attractive to you because they have brought wealth and success to others? Or even worse, are you feeling like your gifts and talents aren't worthy? Like the men in Mathew 25 that God gave the same number of talents...are you burying yours?

2. What gets measured is what gets done.Select an accountability partner and provide a written update to them on the success of your goals. If your budget allows, hire a business coach to help you get focused and stay balanced. Coaches are like personal trainers in the exercise world. They will give you an honest assessment of yourself and devise a plan that will be as successful as you make it.

3. Be consistent. Schedule time in your day to accomplish your DAILY tasks. Although I am what you call a daily to-do list person, I admit that I have days that I have to speak my confession of faith to my flesh:I am not a procrastinator!I (will) complete my assignments on time!

As you begin to seek God more in 2009, you will see that the enemy will try to trump your plans, so you have to be ready. Ready with a counter attack.

Robin Ware is a certified meeting planner and marketing consultant to a number of churches throughout the U.S and abroad. She is the author of Hosting Church Folk, and is the President of The Ware Agency. For more information about Robin, log onto http://www.thewareagency.com/.
© Robin Ware all rights reserved.

Please comment... Thanks!!!!

Prepare for New Year's Eve Visitor's

New Year’s Eve is next Wednesday. This is one of the CME holidays so use it wisely to influence the unchurched!


1. Create a flyer INVITING them to church. Most flyers are designed for the churched and not the unchurched. Be careful of using too many titles. Use the KISS principle – keep it short and sweet. Why? You don’t have much time to attract their attention and you catch more with honey than you do with vinegar. Ask your Grandmother for help with this one if you didn’t get it.

2. Post the flyers in unchurched places. It always amazes me that I see flyers for the unchurched at Christian bookstores, or in Christian newspapers and saved magazines. To go after the unchurched, you have to meet them where they are. Consider buying ad space in the mall, in the local health club, on the sides of the local bus or other modes of public transportation, or even in the restrooms in the hottest club in town.

3. Use the internet. There are tons of free places online to attract “a new crowd” if you just utilize them. If you are clueless, ask your teenagers their favorite websites and begin there.
Co-sponsor a New Year’s event with your local radio station. The radio mentions and controversy it will stir up alone will far outweigh what you paid.

4. Offer door prizes. Ok, I know you can’t call it this, but you know what I mean. And of course, present them at the end of service. The unchurched understands what it means when you say “you have to be present to win”. It’s the churched that leaves before the benediction.
Host a concert and use secular artists along with gospel artists. Make arrangements with the secular artists to “keep it clean” and the gospel artists to “keep it holy” and you’ll be fine.

Now when “your new crowd” arrives, here’s how to make them feel welcome:

1. Update your voicemail with the New Year’s Eve information. Be sure to include directions, times of service, special details and dress attire. Chances are they will call the day of or even 1 hour before for information.

2. Reserve parking for First Time Attendees. Make sure your VIP and special seating is reserved well before the doors open. It’s embarrassing to ask a visitor to move because they are sitting in Deacon Joe’s seat.

3. Try to prevent First Time Visitors from having to sit in the overflow section. Overflow seating isn’t desirable to most church folks so imagine how a First Time Visitor feels. I know you’re saying they should get there on time but you remember when you went to clubs, it was fashionable to be late. If possible, reserve the last 2 rows until 11pm. Also, ask your Deacons, Elders and Ministers to give up their seats. I’m sure they’ll do it willinglyJ.

4. Print bulletins that are useful and not full of “churchy” stuff that First Time Visitors won’t understand. Give them “meat” that they can chew on well after the service is over.

5. Give out business cards. Consider printing business cards with your church information on one side and the entire 2009 calendar or a Tip chart on the back so they’ll be inclined to keep them.

6. Start on time.
7. End on time.
8. Prevent gaps in the service.
9. Keep the temperature comfortable.
10. Clean the restrooms throughout the service.

Bonus: Serve breakfast or comfort foods (fried chicken, French fries etc.) immediately following service and you may actually get a chance to touch (evangelize) and love on your guests.

If your parking lot has challenges – meaning it may take 30 – 45 minutes to depart – have a plan to increase the number of exit lanes. And, as a sign of your final hospitality, offer complimentary coffee and hot chocolate in the parking lot. It will make a great lasting impression on everyone!

Remember Excellence Matters...!

Robin