12 Things To Do To Guarantee Your Success

I recently wrote a post 13 Ways To Make Sure 2013 Doesn’t Suck For Your Photography Business. I’ve been doing a lot internal planning with my own business for 2013, and I used that post as a trigger for all of you to start thinking about what you want the New Year to bring into your own lives. In order to stick with that theme, I’ve decided to run a “13 Days Of Photography” feature throughout December to help provide you with a ton of ideas and tips on things you can do for your own business starting on January 1st. Here is 12…

Here is a question for you.

How do you know 2013 will be more successful for your photography business than 2012 will be?

I’m sure every one of you looked at that question in a slightly different way. That’s what makes us all different.

You could look at it from a money perspective – I made $20,000 in 2012 and will boost it up to $40,000 in 2013.

You could look at it from a client perspective – I had 10 wedding clients in 2012 and will book 25 for 2013.

You could look at it from a business perspective – I worked a part time job in 2012 and will quit that and devote 100 percent of my time to my photography business in 2013.

Any and all of these perspectives could work for you. IF you do the one thing needed to make sure these goals come true … work on the outcomes every day.

The problem with broad goals – I made $20,000 in 2012 and will boost it up to $40,000 in 2013 – is without the support behind it, it’s a “hit or miss” as to whether it will come true.

But one way will get you on the right track; focus.

Right now is a great time to look at the New Year in a whole new way. Don’t approach it as “one year” to accomplish all you are setting out to do. Instead, break it down into 12 month chunks to give you a reasonable chance for success.

Spend one month focusing in on one detail of your business. Do everything you can to make it work for you. Then move on to the next idea for the following month. [Read more…]

13 Ways To Make Sure 2013 Doesn’t Suck For Your Photography Business

It’s the first “workday” of December. The year end rush may be leaving you drained, stressed, feeling overworked, and definitely anything but full of holiday spirit. With just a few weeks left in 2012, why not make it a goal to make the coming year a whole lot better than what you’ve experienced this year? Yes, it can be done. But there is only one way to make it happen – a little planning. These 13 tips can put you on track for a better 2013 – starting today.

Go BIG or Go Home

Don’t just sit around wishing in 2013. Take BIG action steps to fulfill your goals. Hire the coach you’ve been thinking about. Increase your visibility within your community. Do something! The more you do, the bigger your chance of moving your business forward.

Work ON Your Business

Your business isn’t just a way to replace your job. If that’s your sole goal, head back to the work place, as it will be A LOT less stressful. Instead, your business should be more than putting out fires and dealing with daily problems. Block out a section each week for planning and focusing – it’s the only way you’ll create a plan that will move your business forward.

Do One Marketing Task Every Day

Hoping for new clients will never bring them in. The only way to make it happen is to go out and find them. Do one thing every day to make a connection – call a past client, respond to posts on a forum, write a blog post, attend a networking function. Ideally, do it first thing in the morning so it can be sidelined due to a problem or “fire”.

Commit To New Things Every Month

Always work in your office with little contact to the rest of the world? While working with clients is important to your business, working with mentors is the only thing that will bring fresh new ideas into your life. Sign up for classes throughout the year. Buy those books you’ve been meaning to read. Head off to a photography conference. Then make sure you take your best ideas and put them into action. [Read more…]