4 photography business tips that’ll shock you
Are you subliminally sending your clients the wrong message?
Don’t be fooled. The simplicity of some of the business tips I’m going to reveal might make your eyes roll like a scolded teenager. Just because these principles are simple, their undeniable power should not be overlooked.
You may think that some of these ideas are obvious, too; but be careful – it’s often the obvious stuff that we end up ignoring. After all, we all know the only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than we consume, but how many of us consistently take the obvious steps required?
So, absorb these principles and start carrying them out, today. Pick one and focus on it for a week before moving onto the next one. In a month you’ll have 4 great new habits.
5 great free resources for wedding and portrait photographers
Image copyright Marc Falardeau.
These five free photography books are great resources for building a successful photography business and the websites they’re from are wonderful resources too.
Get Pro Photo is all about helping photographers like you earn the living you deserve from doing what you love. It’s about sharing the best ideas in the photographic community. It’s about realising that other photographers aren’t your enemy, ignorance is. For example, if every wedding photographer in your area averaged $5000 (£3000) for each wedding wouldn’t you be delighted? Sure you would, because it would mean that all the prospective clients in your area would be used to investing that amount and that would make your life a lot easier.
What I’m saying is – don’t be afraid to share the ideas and secrets you discover on this website. They don’t Continue reading
The terrifying chart that slaps photographers in the face
When you see all these tasks, opportunities, chores (whatever you want to call them) presented like this then it can blow your mind. How the crap can you get all this done. Watch the video and soothe those stress ulcers!
The photography industry is pretty exciting right now. In ‘Is the photography industry dying’ I mention how it’s easier than ever to share your photography with the world and make a name for yourself. However, the flip side of that is you may feel completely overwhelmed by all the choices out there. What path should you take? Should you Tweet, Pin or Like? Should you blog, network or exhibit?
Have you ever thought:
“how is it some photographers seem to get way more done? Their name is everywhere, with clients beating a path to their door.”
Speaking of the word ‘path’ – which path should you take when there are so many options out there? The video below helps you crystallise in your mind what you need to do – what it takes to drive your photography business forward in today’s competitive Continue reading
What’s holding you back from a great photography career?
A little bird told me many people have chips on their shoulder and some of those are holding you back from a great photography career.
We’re all great at thinking up excuses about why we’re not where we want to be in the world. This video explains what’s holding you back from a great photography career and how to overcome the issues.
I know exactly how it feels. You feel you’re not as smart as everyone else, or you’re not as naturally gifted at photography. Maybe you don’t feel confident around people. Perhaps you feel lost and just don’t know where to start because launching a new business is pretty overwhelming.
Take a look at this video – I’m sure a lot of my experiences will resonate with you. Best of all, I explain how I overcame the chips sitting on my shoulder.
If you’d like to read more on this subject then you’ll like my post ‘A Photographer’s Biggest Competitor is in Their Head’.
Please leave a comment if you have a sec – I’d really appreciate it.
6 sicknesses that prevent your photography career from taking off
The 6 sicknesses that stop your photography career from taking off are all to do with your head.
In this post I explained how you need to think of all the problems and concerns your client may have and then think of ways to help them overcome them. This time we’re going to look at some of the problems your business has and what you need to do to overcome them. Actually, to be technically correct, your business doesn’t have these problems, your brain does. But then you ARE the business, so if it’s not working you have to kick your own ass and set things straight.
Today I’m going to kick your ass for you! So, I apologise in advance if any of this sounds less pleasant than a dentist appointment. However, the more this information hurts, the more you probably needed to be told it…
Don’t worry though, you’re not alone. We all suffer with some, or all of these afflictions at some point. In fact I actually highlight what I did to overcome each issue. The key is to acknowledge the problems and set out a plan to deal with them.
Continue reading
Don’t make photography resolutions – plan a better life
Don’t make photography resolutions, create an organised plan for a better life.
It’s that time of year when we all think up some arbitrary activity for self improvement. Maybe you have promised yourself to ‘take more photos’, or to set aside one or two days a week for photography? Perhaps you’ve decided to force yourself to learn the intricacies of studio photography?There are three problems with the examples I’ve just give you:
- They are too vague
- They are not part of a larger goal
- If you force something, or it feels like hard work then you’ll fail anyway.
A better resolution would be far more comprehensive, structured, planned and ENJOYABLE!
Do you have the sharpest axe in the forest?
It doesn't matter how big and indestructable you think you are, you constantly need to sharpen the axe of your photography business.
In the immortal words of Monty Python, “And now for something completely different.” This post is a little parable to help you take a smarter look at your photography business and ask yourself some important questions…
Chop, Chop, Chop went the axe of the champion woodcutter as he successfully felled another tree. He was defending his world tree chopping title against 100 other top class tree choppers. There are a lot of good tree choppers in the world, but he wasn’t worried because he knew he was the best.
As the competition started both he and the wood cutter next to him were chopping in rhythm Chop, Chop, chop. However, after just one hour his neighbour stopped altogether. He started to chop with extra vigour in order to take advantage of his neighbour’s weakness. He must have got ahead as his neighbour didn’t start chopping again for 20 minutes.
Once again, they were more or less chopping in time until his neighbour stopped again after another hour.
This stopping and starting went on all day so the woodcutter knew that he was at least going to beat his neighbour.
But then the unthinkable happened…
How to create a successful photography business system
How to create a successful photography business system
In my last post I highlighted the importance of creating ‘a magic system for photography success.’
But how do you create a successful photography business system?
OK, close your door, put the answer machine on, turn off email and give yourself ONE hour. Your business deserves one hour, doesn’t it?
Get out a piece of paper and identify the ‘cogs’ in your business. Create a flowchart that starts with the various ways a client can find out about your business and be prompted to contact you. Now, take them on their journey through your business. What are the various steps they take? Better yet, think about what steps you want them to take in an ideal world. For each step work out what things you could do to get the best possible result. Think about the problems you’re having with each step in your system.
The magic systems for photography success
The success of your photography business depends on having a tested and proven system for everything you do.
Have you ever wondered how McDonalds, Microsoft, Hilton Hotels and even Sesame Streetgot so successful? Probably not, but I’ll tell you – systems, that’s how.
Wherever you go McDonalds will run a well ‘oiled’ machine (if you’ll excuse the pun!). As a customer, you know what you’re going to get because the staff follow very strict guidelines. Sesame Street was based on intensive and painstakingly detailed testing on children (all humane I promise!) to ensure that they got the right blend of puppets and humans and spent just the right amount of time on education and story-telling – down to the second.
How much do you want photography success (beginners)?
It's no good dreaming or hoping for photography success - you need to learn sales and marketing.
This is the first of a two part post about the effort required to become a successful photographer. This first part is for beginners / amateur photographers, while part two is for professional photographers.
The temptation of photography
Photography lures you in like a mermaid on the rocks. It starts out as a fantastic hobby that opens your eyes to the beauty and wonder of the world around you. Then you get quite good at it and think “I can make some money at this”. So, you put up a website and get a bit of business from your friends and associates. Suddenly you’ve made a bit of money doing something you enjoy. It’s a wonderful feeling. Imagine being able to do this every day and never work again.
