Todd Sumamno
A photography business is not easy. Unlike any other business, it is not just about numbers. You have to put in your creativity to make it successful. But is running a photography business a feasible option? Of course, it is! There are several successful photography businesses like Perfect Moment etc. However, you need to be careful when it comes to handling this business. Here are some tips that you can follow in order to make your business flourish!
1. Start As Soon As Possible: If you are thinking about owning a photography business, don’t worry! Start as soon as you can! There is no ‘good’ time to start as you need to gain as much experience as possible. There is no better way to learn about photography than to start working as soon as possible. You might not be the best at your business at the beginning, but don’t worry! With time, you will become better!
2. Use Your Social Media: It is extremely important for you to carefully use your social media handles. According to the event photographer team at Schmittat Photography, you have to keep your audience engaged. Only focusing on your craft will not do the trick. You need to promote your business on your social media accounts. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, you can even create a separate account for your business. Your goal is to connect, interact, and network amongst people. Social media marketing is free if you are doing it on your own. Once you establish your business, you can hire a team for it.
3. Use Your Network: You must use your network effectively. Be it a direct or indirect contact, and there is no shame in asking them to promote your work or refer you for events. It is recommended that you carry out a network analysis as well to take a quick look at your options. It will give you a better idea of where you stand.
4. Start Practicing As Soon As Possible: No matter how successful you can get, you need to start practicing your craft as much as possible. Only then you will get better at it. People who run a successful photography business still practice. Photography is a complicated process that has a lot of nuances to it. Light, movement, colour, composition are some of the several key factors of photography. The more time you give it, the more you learn about it. More exposure will help you to expand your business in the future.
5. Learn How To Market Your Work: You need to learn how to sell your work. If you don’t, you won’t be able to run your business. Businesses need funds, and if you fail to collect them, it will sink. You have to come up with different ways to market your work. Only producing quality work will not do the trick. You need to be talented as well as smart. But you have to be patient. Marketing will take time, so you cannot expect the results instantly. If you are handling everything on your own, then maybe you can outsource the marketing/branding thing to digital marketing agencies like Incify, etc. who will take care of your business marketing.
6. Write A Proper Business Plan: You need to develop a proper business plan to run a successful business. You have to write down your long term as well as short term goals. Your business plans should also have strategies that can help you reach your goals. Writing down what you plan to do gives you a sense of direction and you stay focused. It will help you to make sure that your photography business not only stays afloat but thrives as well.
7. Build A Good Website: You need to have a business website for your clients. Make sure that it is professional looking. Your website should be like a mini portfolio. It should display your best works and variety. It should also have the necessary information, such as pricing. If you are not sure about how to proceed with this, you can contact web designers. They will be able to guide you.
8. Securing Startup Funds: If you have not started your business yet and do not have the money to do so, you can start securing start-up funds instead. You cannot start a business without capital. Most of the startups begin with the money of investors. You can even ask your family and friends for the money. Draw up a contract and pay back the money with time.
What are you waiting for? You need to start preparing from now onwards if you want to start your photography business as soon as possible. Do not lose hope if you cannot secure funds initially. Every new business is slow at the beginning but slowly picks up the pace. Remember to not only come up with good content but to use strategies to market it as well.
Brittany
Silvia
