Starting a business can be a scary proposition...
After all, there's a lot on the line, not the least of which is your ability to provide for yourself and your family.
However, if you approach things the right way, you can build a successful photography business that will provide you with work for the long-term.
So, the question is, how do you start a successful photography business?
Below, I've outlined four steps that will help you get things rolling. This is certainly not a complete list of things to do to start a business, but it will get you on the right path.
Build an Email List
I know that "building an email list" sounds so 2002, but just hear me out...
The great thing about building an email list of past, present, and potential clients is that it's a pool of clients that you can tap into at any moment. Think of it sort of like a money tree - these people have expressed interest at some point in your services, so the chances are that they will desire to work with you again at some point.
Something else to appreciate about building a solid email list is that it's yours. It doesn't belong to anyone else. There's no ever-changing social media algorithms to deal with. It's free, too!
Sending emails to potential clients is an ideal way to remind them that you're here, that you're good at what you do, and, by the way, that you have a killer sale going on right now.
Email is also perfect for keeping in touch in a more personal way than sending out a tweet or a Facebook post.
That is, you can send personalized emails to people to say happy holidays, congrats on your anniversary, wish their kid a happy birthday, and so on.
The point is that email does everything you want your marketing to do - you can communicate sales and discounts to people, remind them of an upcoming appointment, ask clients for referrals, upsell clients to new products or services, and generate new business by reaching out to new clients.
What's not to like about that?
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Find a Good Printing Company
Actually, don't find a good printing company; find a great printing company.
Working with a great printer will only help you build a successful photography business.
Think about it - the photos you take can be breathtaking as all get out, but if you have them printed in a manner that's subpar, the beauty of the photos won't shine through.
What's more, you want to work with a company that has a solid reputation for providing top-notch products, excellent customer service, and that stands behind their work with a money-back guarantee.
I've worked with tons of printers over the years, and none has impressed me more than CanvasHQ.
That's in part because they tick all the boxes I mentioned above...
These guys specialize in creating fine art canvases, so their products are second-to-none. That goes not just for the quality of the inks and canvas that you actually see, but that also goes for the hand-made frame that keeps the canvas flat and tight.
I should know about the quality here - I've purchased dozens of prints for myself from CanvasHQ over the years!
Had a canvas made of my daughter's wedding bouquet. CanvasHQ did an AMAZING job! I felt confident the entire time that I was going to get a piece of art that I would be proud of. The process was completely painless. The canvas arrived quickly and was packed very well. Would highly recommend your company. - Stephen M., Pasadena, CA
Working with a printer that offers excellent customer service is a must-have if you're going to have a successful business on your hands.
The last thing you want is to get a delivery of prints, only to find that they aren't up to snuff and that the printer isn't going to do anything about it.
Again, CanvasHQ subscribes to the crazy idea that the customer should get what they pay for, so if a problem arises, just send the print back within 30 days and get a new print in return or simply get your money back.
Beyond that, they offer a lifetime guarantee against fading, bubbling, or cracking, too. Now that's standing behind your work!
I love the quality of the canvas frame and vibrant colors in the print. Thanks for a great print! - Jarom T., St. George, UT
It seems like such a simple thing to do your due diligence and find printers to work with that actually offer solid products.
But sometimes the lure of going cheap and putting more money in your pocket in the moment is too strong.
Trust me, though - providing your clients cheap, substandard products won't get you anywhere in the long-run.
This is one of the best business tips for photographers - work with printers that give you the very best quality products, and you'll get more repeat business because your clients will be happy with their prints.
Take Time for Yourself
I've met plenty of photographers over the years that started out with tons of gusto, and then overworked themselves to the point that they kind of started to hate photography.
You don't want to get into a dark place like that...
The key to avoiding burn out is to take time for yourself.
As a photography business owner myself, I completely understand just how hard it is to set those boundaries. But they are incredibly important to set, lest you end up hating your job.
And it's not like you need to take a week's vacation every month, either.
Instead, make it a habit to take 30 minutes for lunch each day - like an actual lunch and not eating at your desk while you process images.
Alternatively, dedicate 10 minutes at the start of each day to meditate, do yoga, do some pleasure reading, or otherwise relax.
Another idea is to set aside time each week (even just an hour) to head out with your camera and take photos for fun.
The point is that work - even if it's something that you love - can quickly overwhelm your life. If you want to be in this for the long haul, trust this and the other photography business tips outlined above, and I think you'll find that you have a better ability to create something that's long-lasting and successful!