Photography Side Hustle
Photography Side Hustle
10 Ways to Improve Your Business
Episode 195 - Common-sense ways to build your business
The Transcript page - https://photographysidehustle.com/195
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Episode195
10 Ways to Improve Your Business
Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones, and this is episode 195 of the Photography Side Hustle podcast.
Okay, in this episode, I’m going to waffle on and give you 10 ways to improve your business. If you can do all ten, you’ll have a very healthy business.
Take sharp photos
Now, this should be your first problem to solve. If you want to be considered a professional photographer, you need to produce tack-sharp images.
A sharp, in-focus photo draws you in, like when you look at a portrait where the eyes are in focus. You don’t know where to look if the focus is slightly off.
There are a few reasons your photos are not sharp. Camera shake is a common problem for new photographers. The cure is to hold the camera still and press the shutter button gently. An aggressive shutter finger can cause a slight movement as the photo is taken.
Another cause is using the wrong depth of field. An example is taking a group photo with two rows of subjects. You focus on someone in the front row, but the subjects behind them are slightly out of focus.
The cure for this problem is choosing an aperture that gives you a depth of field that is big enough so that both rows of subjects are in focus.
Another cause of out-of-focus images is using the wrong equipment, which is number two on my list of ways to improve your business.
Get the right equipment
Now, as far as camera bodies go, I think 12 megapixels and above is good.
There is a YouTube video by Chris Hau that compares a 12 MP camera to a 102 MP camera. He got some well-known pro photographers to guess which camera took each image. They were mostly wrong. I’ll put a link to the video in the transcript, and over at PhotographySideHustle.com/195.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Sej2TEes4&t=699s
So, you need to spend your money on quality lenses.
It’s no good putting a hobbyist lens on a $2000 body. The lens won’t give you the results you want. If you have an entry-level body and put a pro lens on it, the results will be professional.
The cheapest way to test this is to buy a 50mm 1.8 lens and put it on your entry-level body. You will love the results.
Okay…
Define your niche
The best way to get an excellent reputation is to specialize in one niche. Do one thing and do it well.
When you hear about famous photographers, you don’t see …
John Doe Wedding, Family Portraits, Kids Sports, and Real Estate Photographer
It’s normally … John Doe Wedding Photographer
They make a name for themselves because they specialize in one niche.
Okay …
Website / Portfolio
Your website is a central business hub.
Visitors can get all they need to know about you and your business. You need to list your prices and have an up-to-date portfolio with your very best images.
All your social media accounts need to direct customers to your website. Consider posting on your website weekly with behind-the-scenes photos and maybe examples from your latest session.
The other thing you need on your website is an email sign-up form. To do that, you need to …
Start an Email List
This is the easiest way to get bookings when you need them.
All you need to do is get a free account with Kit.com. You can have up to 10,000 emails on your list at no cost. They give you the code to put on your site for the email form.
Just add a heading, like “Sign up for the monthly specials.”
Then, every week or month, send out a newsletter telling them what you're doing, and give them a chance to get a discount or add-ons.
Without an email list, you rely on word of mouth or paid ads to get bookings.
Communicate
Without good communication, you will find yourself going around in circles.
You need to find out what the customer needs and put it together with your needs in a contract. Having everything written down makes everything transparent to both you and the customer.
Always try to underpromise and over-deliver. If you know a photobook will be ready in a week, tell the customer it could take 2-3 weeks. When they get it early, they’ll be thrilled. The aim is to avoid disappointing them.
Create a Google Business Profile
When someone does a Google search for a photographer in your area, you want your business close to the top of the page. The easiest way to do that is to set up a Google Business Profile. It’ll take you just a few minutes, and it helps with local discovery and credibility.
Run promotions
Seasonal deals can bring in new clients and cash flow. Whether it’s Easter or Christmas sessions, wedding season, mini-sessions, or whatever you need to promote, use your email list. Offer a discount for an early booking.
This is something you need to plan out in advance. Once you’ve written the emails, everything is automated.
Back up everything
I’ve covered backing up in more detail in past episodes.
It is something you need to do. You can’t have all your images in one place, because if your computer dies or is stolen, you lose everything.
Ideally, you need three copies. One on your computer, another on an external drive, and a copy in a cloud account. The reputation of your business is at stake, so look after the photos.
Ask for Testimonials
When a potential customer reads a glowing testimonial about you, it makes them feel safe. It confirms to them that you are the right choice, and there is no risk.
So you need to ask your customers for testimonials at every session. Then remind them when you deliver their photos.
The more testimonials you have on your website, the easier it is for people to take the next step and book you.
Right, those are my 10 Ways to Improve your Business. I hope you find them useful.
I’ll be back shortly with more photography waffle. Talk to you soon, bye.