The very thought of connecting via it scares the you-know-what out of most people yet we’re averaging just under four hours and 63 interactions with it each day, swiping, scrolling, tapping, and liking roughly 2,617 times in a 24-hour period.
I’m talking about the phone.
If the mere thought of jumping on the phone with a complete stranger sends you into a cold sweat anticipating conversational clumsiness and agonizingly long silences between exchanges, know that you’re certainly not alone; however, a September 2020 study by Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology revealed that “interactions including voice created stronger social bonds and no increase in awkwardness, compared with interactions including text, but miscalibrated expectations about awkwardness or connection could lead to suboptimal preferences for text-based media.”
I wonder, how often have you felt awkward talking about the very thing you love the most, your pet? (I mean, outside of those cringe-worthy don’t-lick-yourself-there-in-front-of-the-guests stories. Don’t act like it hasn’t happened. We’ve all been there, dog mama!)
“These fears people might be focused on aren’t really reflective of the actual interaction with someone else,” Kumar explains. “Notably, again, they didn’t feel any more awkward having a conversation hearing each other’s voices. You’re on the phone for 15 or 20 minutes, and the majority of that is super pleasant. You feel like you caught up with somebody that you probably cared about.”
The Three C’s of a Consultation Call
Have you ever emailed someone back and forth only to find yourself still at a loss for the information you were seeking? Have hours of texting only left you more uncertain or confused? Have you spent hours waiting for a reply only to find Gmail filtered it into the deep dark depths of its Promotions tab (you know, where all good marketing emails and promotional offers go to die a slow, virtual cobweb-covered, unopened death)? How about allowed yourself to misinterpret or overanalyze the tone of a message based on your own Pulitzer Prize-winning story you made up surrounding it? Again, we’ve all been there. (Please tell me I’m not alone in thinking this 💁🏻♀️ emoji was a hair-flipping Sassy Pants and not the intended concierge or “information desk person” that Apple designed! #offended). Don’t mishear me; email is great, but it doesn’t hold up to the clarity you get out of connecting via phone.
Additionally, Kumar’s research found that people experienced significantly more connection when communicating by voice over a keyboard, which is integral to bonding. He emphasizes that “phone calls can create just as strong a sense of social connection as audio-visual media. Just because this demand exists–because people make these choices to use these tools–that doesn’t mean they ultimately provide the most satisfaction,” Kumar says. “I think it’s important for technology to actually serve to connect human beings to one another.”
Andrew Brodsky, assistant professor of management at Texas McCombs, adds, “Email tends to be perceived as inauthentic. Most people default to email, but I’d be very careful about that. Even though it seems easy, it can hurt interpersonal outcomes where emotions are involved.”
And while email would seem more effortless, when it comes to convenience, a phone consultation actually proves more advantageous. You’re able to take the call in the comfort of your home, a place where most people can more easily relax and focus, and at a time you’ve chosen to be contacted.
How to Schedule Your Consultation Call
I get it. You’re busy and your time is valuable. That’s why using efficiency as my superpower, I incorporate my love of automation to make scheduling your pet photography consultation call convenient and straightforward using an online appointment scheduling software called Calendly. When you inquire, you’ll get immediate access to my calendar to choose a date and time for your consultation call, which means no back and forth coordinating of availability. Simply pick a date, choose a time, and get it on your schedule. I’ll call you on the number you provided at the time you’ve selected for a complimentary 15-minute no-obligation chat.
Let’s Chat? About What?!
If you’re like me, you may be thinking, Chat? The last thing I want to do is get on the phone with someone only to be sold to!
Listen, I feel you and I promise that there is absolutely no hard sell involved in scheduling your call. At its heart, a consultation call simply allows us to determine if we’re a good fit for one another. My goal during this call is for you to learn more about the Bark & Gold experience and for you to make the best decision for your furry friend, whether that’s while we’re on the phone or a few days following. (Unsure of what to ask? Check out the 10 questions your pet photographer wants you to ask during your consultation.)
Let’s just put it out there now: we both know I’m not the only pet photographer in Pittsburgh. As much as I’d love to work with every lead that contacts me, the truth is, if I know from our conversation that my business model or the products I offer aren’t going to be 110% right for you, I’ll be the first to tell you. A successful professional pet photography session is an investment of both time and money, so it’s important that you make the right choice for yourself. There may be someone else out there who’s a better match than I am, but you won’t know that until we’ve had a chance to connect.
The Flow of a Consultation Call
Interested but uncertain as to what a consultation call looks like? While each call is as unique as your dog himself, here’s what you can expect.
Scheduling your no-obligation consultation call is the first step toward choosing a pet photographer who will provide an unforgettable experience. To get started, click here or give me a call at 724-913-BARK (2275). For more information on Bark & Gold Photography sessions, visit “The Experience” in the menu and be sure to join the VIP list.
This post is a part of a photography blog circle featuring photographers specializing in a variety of niches. To see what the next photographer is sharing for our weekly theme, “Choosing a Photographer” check out Amy Tedrow with Believe, Create, Inspire and Amy Tedrow Photography, specializing in lifestyle, commercial, branding, and event photography for small business and non-profit organizations. Continue to click the link at the end of each post in the blog circle until you eventually find your way back here
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