It's a simple truth - you probably do things each day that are ruining your business.
Despite all your efforts to keep things going in a positive direction, sometimes situations arise and decisions are made that make you take a step (or two) backwards.
That's where this article comes in...
Don't just keep blindly making mistakes; learn how to overcome common photography business mistakes to ensure a more successful future for yourself and your company.
Mistake #1: You Don't Have a Website
If you think that having Facebook, Instagram, and a profile on LinkedIn is enough to keep you in business, you're wrong.
Though social media is an excellent marketing tool for photographers, it's not the end-all, be-all.
Prospective photography clients want to see that you're a professional, and want to be able to access a portfolio of your best work.
The best way to do that is with a dedicated website for your photography business.
Building a website today is easier than ever with platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and even Wordpress.
You can literally have a website up and going yourself in just a few hours' time, and since these platforms have some pretty beautiful website templates, your site will be eye-catching and professional-looking, too.
Plus, you can customize your site, so it won't have a cookie-cutter appearance.
But just creating a website isn't enough.
You need a domain name that grabs people's attention and tells them exactly who you are and what you do.
You can get a domain like that from Uniregistry.
Uniregistry has specialized domains for photographers - .photo and .pics.
These domains give you that extra professional advantage because customers know that you're a photographer based simply on your website's address.
And since these domains are new, the chances that you can get the exact name you want are much greater than they are if you try for a .com or .net domain name.
Additionally, a .photo or .pics domain name is short and sweet, so people are more apt to remember your website name, and you're more apt to fit it into tight spaces, like on your business cards.
So, if you don't have a website, you need one - today. But before you build your website, be sure to get a proper domain name from Uniregistry!
Learn More:
- Get Your .photo or .pics Domain Name Today
- Critical Mistakes You're Making With Your Photography Website
Mistake #2: You Don't Handle Criticism Well
It used to be that if a client had a problem with the work you did, they'd talk to you about it and you could work something out with them to rectify the situation.
And while some clients still do that, others simply write you off as a failure and take to the internet to trash talk you and your work.
Now, whether you deserve that trash talk or not, the way you handle can either help or hurt your business.
Sometimes, it's hard not to lash out at customers that leave you a bad review, but doing so will only make things worse.
Not only does lashing out at them not resolve their issue with working with you, but lashing out at them on the internet means everyone can see how you handled the situation.
So, when a client has an issue with you, be gracious and courteous and demonstrate a willingness to do whatever it takes to make the client happy.
For example, if they take to Facebook and complain about the engagement photos you took for them, respond to their post with something like this:
I'd like to take this opportunity to express my sincere apologies that the images I created weren't to your liking. I'd love to chat about what I can do to resolve the problem and make you a happy customer.
Sure, you have to eat humble pie from time to time, but that's better than getting into a long, drawn-out argument with a client in a public forum.
Learn More:
- What is (and isn't) Important for Growing Your Photography Business
- 3 Tips for Improving Your Photography Business in 2018
Mistake #3: You Only Sell What You Like
It's important for you to have a photography style, but it's also important that you offer your clients the types of products they want, even if they aren't things that you'd buy for yourself.
For example, I'm not much for the printing on wood craze, but just because I don't like it doesn't mean that my clients don't.
Of course, you need to be smart about the types of products you offer because you want to give your clients variety, but you also don't want your office or studio space cluttered with every imaginable photography product, either.
Like most things in business, developing a product line will take some time, but as you get more clients and discuss with them their needs and wants, you can begin to create product offerings that meet their tastes instead of just your own.
Learn More:
- How to Attract Clients to Your New Photography Business
- This is How to Increase Your Profits as a Photographer