Build Your Dream Business While You're Not Working
Success is never an accident.
As a professional photographer and business owner, you have to take the steps to continuously ensure you are operating a viable business that brings you enough revenue and aligns with your lifestyle.
Then and Now
There was a time when photographers were looked upon as having a “unique and special” business that people envied. That is not the case today because consumers have cameras that are easily accessible and do a relatively good job of creating pictures. This cultural shift shows that photographers today have just become one more consumer choice, so it is important that we understand this and change our perspective on why we do photography.
We have to understand that it is not the product of photography that is important. What is important is the experience we give the consumer and how they feel after working with us.
For photographers to be successful, we need to understand the consumer better. We need to understand what drives them to call us and inquire about our services. How can we serve them in a way that has them raving about us after they proudly display our images?
We have to begin looking within ourselves as business owners so we are in the best position possible to meet consumer needs.
Incorporate these two activities into your daily schedule and watch your business sky rocket!
- Think about where you want your business to be in 12 months and create an “actionable” vision that keeps you energized, and gets you out of bed in the morning with a clear focus of what you want to accomplish that day. Map out where you want to be in a year, then start breaking those goals into 90 day activities that you can schedule into your weekly calendar. Look at these goals daily and keep pressing forward.
- Spend more time reading business books and articles so you can implement new ideas into your business, so you can understand your business better and work more efficiently. Some great books to consider are The E-myth by Michael Gerber, Storybrand Marketing by Donald Miller, Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller, Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar, and Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.
These are simple solutions; however, most photographers do not have an “actionable” vision that they routinely follow, nor do they read business and marketing books regularly.
What are successful people doing?
One key trait of successful people is that they don’t waste time. Another is they begin with the end in mind. They read because they are disciplined and they understand their market. They read because they want to pay attention to what consumers are doing. The success in professional photography is not about the photography alone, it is about understanding the consumer. What they want, how they think, what they are looking for.
So read some books on business, branding and marketing and pay attention to what is going on with the consumer. Create an actionable vision that excites you. What is it you want to be when you emerge from all of this and how you are going to get there?
You need to schedule these actions on your calendar, so you know exactly what you are going to be doing to achieve your business and life goals for the year.
Your vision should be based on things that bring you happiness and joy in your life outside of your business. Maybe you want to take a couple of vacations each year or spend more time with your children or grandchildren. This can be possible when you take the time to plan and educate yourself. You just have to do the work!
So don’t say you are not able to work right now. You are able to work, you may not be able to photograph or bring in money right now, but you are able to nurture your business practices.
Spend time polishing your skills by taking some online classes; PPA.edu, Creative Live, Skillshare and Kelby Training are some excellent options. You can brush up on your lighting, posing, composition and business practices to put yourself in a better position when the shutdown is lifted in your state.
Stay positive and believe that photography is alive and well. Consumers are spending money, and it is only a matter of time before they will be calling you to create some beautiful images. Take time now to position yourself as their photographer of choice.
Need help coming up with your "actionable vision?
I can help you create a 12 month “actionable” vision that gives you the clarity and confidence you need to succeed. Get more information HERE!
