photo by PeopleImages via iStock
Starting a business is a lot of work. Making it a success over the long term is a lot more work.
There’s many reasons why most businesses fail in the first year - a lack of proper planning, poor leadership, and no differentiation in the market to name a few.
Your business can also fail thanks to mistakes that are made that make it even more difficult to achieve success.
Below, I’ve outlined three mistakes that could cause your photography business to fail and the solutions you need to avoid making them.
Photography Business Mistake #1: Going Without Insurance
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Photography gear is really expensive, yet some photographers elect to go without insurance for their it.
It just doesn’t make sense…
If a calamity occurs - an earthquake, a fire, or a flood, for example - and your gear is damaged, how do you expect to make any money?
Likewise, what if you accidentally damage a lens and can’t afford to have it repaired because you don’t have equipment insurance?
Having the right equipment insurance policy is a must-have for photographers so these sorts of events don’t derail your progress toward success.
Athos Insurance Services offers photographers an equipment policy that has wide coverage for damage that occurs to your gear as a result of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, explosions, lightning, and other major events.
The policy also covers you if you accidentally damage your gear and if your gear is lost or stolen. That coverage extends worldwide, so if you have to travel outside the U.S., you can rest assured that if something does happen to your gear, your business won’t suffer because of it.
Athos Insurance offers replacement cost coverage, which means your gear can be replaced with brand-new or like-kind items.
On top of that, Athos is dedicated to providing top-notch customer service that makes it easy for you to ask questions and get answers. You can even get a quote online in a matter of minutes and purchase a policy online as well.
Athos Insurance Services is an ideal partner for any professional photographer. They have the coverage you need at a price that won’t break the bank. When you’re trying to establish a successful business, that’s just the combination of services and price you need!
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Photography Business Mistake #2: Your Brand Doesn’t Include You
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There’s a reason why photographers are behind the lens - many of us don’t like the limelight.
That desire to stay behind the scenes can lead to a very common mistake, though. Without injecting yourself into your brand and making it personal and specific to you, you run the risk of your brand being unidentifiable and bland.
This doesn’t mean that you need to redo your logo to include your face or have life-size cutouts of yourself all over town.But what it does mean is that you need to inject a little of yourself into your overall marketing plan.
For example, post periodic videos on your Facebook page so people can associate your face and voice with your brand. These videos don’t have to be long, detailed, or even professionally done. Just do a quick one-minute photography tip every now and then, and people will come to associate you with your brand.
Another idea is to inject a little bit of your personal life into your marketing.
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Potential clients want to be able to connect with you on a deeper level than “oh that’s the gal that has the photography studio.” To foster that connection, tell people a little about yourself, post behind-the-scenes photos from your work, or even post personal photos of you and your friends or family.
Doing so will help you build connections, build trust, and will help you get more clients through your door.
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Photography Business Mistake #3: There’s No Follow Up
photo by MartinPrescott via iStock
One of the most common photography business mistakes is a simple lack of following up with potential clients.
If someone contacts you and you respond to them, answer their questions, and they want to think about it, your job is not done. You need to follow up!
Though most photographers don’t want to be a pushy salesman, at the end of the day, pursuing every lead is necessary for you to get people in the door and money in your pocket.
But following up doesn’t have to pushy…
photo by MartinPrescott via iStock
Instead, just do a simple check-in. A quick call, text, or email letting the potential client know that you enjoyed talking with them and that you’re available to answer any other questions could make the difference between getting the gig and not.
People are busy with work, kids, life, bills, and so forth, so it’s easy for past communications to get lost in the fray. By following up, you bring yourself back to the forefront.
Following up is just as important with current clients, too.
Don’t just collect their money and send them on their way. Stay in contact, ask how they’re enjoying their photos, and inquire about what’s going on their life. Again, this will keep you in their minds, and when it comes time to have more photos taken, they’ll be more likely to come knocking on your door.
Learn More:
- Photography Business Tip: How to Strike a Better Balance Between Work and Life
- Why Photography is a Financially Risky Business