So everyone knows that websites are to small businesses, what a good old business card was 20 years ago. Not only is a virtual requirement for photographers, but it is expected for a photographer’s website to be many things. Today we are going to talk about photography websites and why yours may be hurting your business! Photography Website Mistake #1: Trends Much like clothing, websites are a visual statement and often the first impression of your business. You would not wear yard work clothing to photograph a wedding, so why then, would you allow your website to put off a similar impression? Also, like clothing, trends come and go in websites. Flash sites, musical slideshows, mismatched trendy style photography… all of these things can date
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Monday through Friday Money Part 1: The Philosophy
So, there you are… A bag full of expensive gear that is worth less every day… Mad skills… Eager to shoot… Ambitious… Looking forward to a lifetime of amazing experiences behind the camera ….annnd you are sitting in front of your computer editing the weekend’s images, posting to social media, writing a blog post, answering emails, drooling over another photographer’s Instagram account, planning your next lens purchase, and doing all of the other behind-the-scenes things that running a successful photography business requires you to do. I was there, too. I was working 80+ hours a week for years – convinced my overworked struggle would pay off with success + less to do later. It took me 7 years of working way too hard before I
How to Create a Photography Brand That’s Uniquely You
“You are unique, just like everyone else.” This quote always tickles me a little, because it almost seems to lift you up, while slapping you down at the same time. Which is really just the true sense of our industry: highs and lows. Our industry is filled with bright-eyed peeps new to the scene and I always find myself eyeing them with envy. I miss that “I NEED TO WIN THEM ALL” attitude, that insatiable need for success that makes you work 110 hours a week. Then I remember how hard it is to start a business and I’m grateful for the comfortable zone I’m in, where I only need to work 60 hours a week. I remember how many hours I poured over my
5 Tips for Coordinating and Creating Compelling Social Media Messaging
Coordinating social media messaging can be daunting. Not only do you feel pressured to craft perfectly interesting messaging that attracts attention, but you’re supposed to do it consistently! Here are five tips for removing stress and saving time while creating social media messaging for these channels: 1. Choose the right tool. Instead of jumping from login to login, choose a tool that enables you to post content on various social media sites from a central location. We recommend Hootsuite. 2. Schedule in batches. Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike or spending bits of time creating social media messaging throughout the week, identify a specific time and day each week to create and schedule messages. By batching your messages, you’ll be consistent and efficient. Note: Although you’re scheduling
11 Tips to Bridging the Gap between Photographers and Wedding Coordinators
As a wedding photographer, some of the most important relationships you can build are with wedding coordinators. If you are just getting started in the wedding world, these tips are a fantastic way to make a great impression on wedding coordinators. If you have been in the wedding industry for awhile, these tips will help you strengthen your relationship with wedding coordinators. This will also help your shoots go much more smoothly! I recently sat down with two successful wedding coordinators in Austin, Texas, to discuss the relationships between coordinators and photographers. Thank you to Rosa Gibson, of Austin Wedding Planners by Rosa, and Amy Mader, of Amy’s Platinum Weddings Coordinating and Consulting Firm for their help and advice. 1. Send a Welcome Email Ask
3 Ways to Keep Track of Contracts & Invoices Without Losing your Mind
You didn’t get into photography so that you could manage paperwork. But between all the invoicing and contracts that you manage for your various shoots, it’s easy to feel like you spend a majority of your day managing those tedious details! So how do you keep your desk and brain clear of the clutter from this pile of paperwork? Here are three tips for streamlining your workload, so you can get out from behind your desk, and back behind the camera. I. Put everything online. Contracts and invoices can all be done through online systems or services, making it quick and easy for your client to sign and return things to you. Plus, down the road, it’s easy to find all the contracts and invoices
How Teaching Photography Helps You Go Pro
Are you one of the thousands of photographers out there who’s talented enough to go pro, but still need a few more clients or pieces of equipment to make the leap? It might sound counterintuitive, but I believe teaching photography ticks both boxes brilliantly. Here are 7 reasons why teaching photography will boost your business, and help you go pro! 1. Your students can become your brides and grooms. If you’re teaching photography, sharing your knowledge openly, your students might actually become your best clients. For example, what if one of your students is a twenty-something in your city, who gets engaged six months after taking one of your classes or workshops? Who do you think she’ll call when she starts thinking about a wedding
Keeping Tabs on Your Leads (and Turning them into Paying Clients!)
Have you ever had a sales lead fall through the cracks? Maybe a bride emailed you about her wedding, but her email got pushed down so far in your rapidly-filling inbox that you totally forgot to reply to her? We all know this feeling; it’s frustrating for you AND your prospective clients! Losing track of leads can cost your business – big time. You may lose jobs when you don’t respond quickly to leads, or when you simply forget to follow up. How can you ensure that you’re keeping tabs on your leads, so you can turn them into paying clients? I. Centralize your notes When you get a new lead, enter it into some kind of system (ShootQ, Excel, etc.) ShootQ is ideal because
Case Study: Why ShootQ Makes Sense for Anne Almasy
Anne’s search for a solution that would streamline her growing photography business led her to ShootQ. Because of ShootQ, Anne has been able to set up a faster booking process, better contract management, and streamlined business operations. In this case study we’ll explore: • Why early investments in your business do make a difference. • How keeping track of your business in one place, with access from anywhere, streamlines operations. • Why it’s important to find the best solution to manage a thriving photography business. • How to quantify the savings ShootQ provides.
5 Ways Blogging Beats Traditional Advertising
Considering dumping dollars into traditional advertising? Think again. Try blogging instead. Of course, blogging isn’t a new concept, but you may be surprised to find out that it can be even more effective for your business than traditional advertising tactics. If you’re strategic in your approach, your blog may be your best source of advertising – and save you lots of money in the long term. Here’s why… 1. Blog posts help you reach other networks through social media channels. By adding social sharing buttons for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc to your blog posts, it’s easy for readers to share your blog content with their own networks. This is a free way you can extend your reach beyond your own network. Traditional online advertising