Obviously there are way more than three things you need to know to be a successful photographer…
But a lot of the steps you need to take are well-known: you need the requisite photography gear, a website, have the talent and skill as a photographer, an office or studio space, a portfolio, and so forth.
There are some “hidden” photography business tips you need to be aware of as well. I say “hidden” because these tips are some of the most common things overlooked by new photographers, but these steps are equally as important to take as those listed above.
Let’s get started!
How to Be a Successful Photographer: You Need Insurance
Photo by Pattanaphong Khuankaew via iStock
I know a lot of you will read this and say to yourself, “Duh, of course I need insurance.”
However, I’ve come across more than my fair share of photographers over the years whohad no insurance for their business and didn’t understand why they needed it in the first place.
Fortunately, there are companies like Athos Insurance Services that offers an equipment policy that protects your photography gear in a wide range of situations.
For example, if there’s a fire in your office space and your computers are damaged, your equipment will be covered.
If you have an off-site gig and you need to ship some of your gear to the venue, but it gets lost during shipping, that’s covered too.
Photo by Daniel Tausis on Unsplash
Let me make this very clear - if your equipment is destroyed in a fire, your homeowner’s or renter’s policy will most likely not cover your photography gear because you use it to make money.
Your auto insurance may also not cover your gear if it’s stolen out of your car. Auto insurance is really meant to cover damage or theft of the vehicle itself, not its contents.
You get the point…there are too many things that can go wrong for you not to have photography insurance.
Don't have photography insurance? Protect your investment today to ensure a successful future.
Fortunately, there are companies like Athos Insurance Services that offers an equipment policy that protects your investment in your expensive photography gear in a wide range of situations.
For example, if there’s a fire in your office space and your computers are damaged, they’ll be covered.
If you have an off-site gig and you need to ship some of your gear to the venue, but it gets lost during shipping, that’s covered too.
Let’s say a natural disaster occurs - an earthquake or a wildfire, for example - and your office is totally destroyed. This policy ensures your gear is covered.
And that’s just the start!
Athos Insurance Services has worldwide coverage, so if you’re a jet-setting photographer, you can rest easy knowing that your gear is covered whether you’re in your hometown or in some far-off locale taking photos.
On top of that, this is a replacement cost coverage policy, meaning your gear is valued in today’s dollars, not what you originally spent.
Starting your own business is a big risk, and you certainly don’t need to further that risk by not having insurance. Protect your investment today and find out how easy it is to get high-quality photography insurance
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Focus on Word of Mouth Marketing
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Sure, getting great reviews from clients on Yelp is awesome. People leaving you nice comments on your Facebook page and Instagram feed can lead to more business.
But the real money-maker when it comes to marketing is word of mouth…
Nothing is as powerful as someone recommending you to someone else. Consumers are much more likely to buy a product or service if someone they know directly recommends that product or service to them.
That’s why you need to focus your attention on building word of mouth.
Photo by bernardbodo via iStock
You can encourage people to spread the word about your business by doing a couple of very simple things.
First, be sure that the services you provide are top-notch. Go the extra mile to ensure every single client is happy with their experience. Granted, not everyone over the course of your career will leave happy, but you can darn sure try!
Second, have a referral program of some sort in place. Whether you offer a small gift (i.e., a framed print) or something more substantial (i.e., waiving your sitting fees), there are many different things you can do to reward clients if someone they refer becomes a client as well.
There’s no better social proof than someone saying, “Yeah, she’s an incredible photographer!” The more you can encourage people to spread the word, the better off your business will be.
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Understand You Must Wear Many Hats
photo by undefined undefined via iStock
No one starts their photography career wanting to spend hours a day doing the books, double-checking appointments, responding to emails, and chasing customers that haven’t paid yet.
But when you’re in business for yourself, that’s precisely what part of your day will look like!
Additionally, you have to budget time to regularly spend on marketing and advertising, addressing customer concerns, posting on social media, working with vendors, researching venues, and so on and so forth.
The point here is that being a successful photographer isn’t just dependent on your skills behind the lens. Instead, you have to be the complete business package if you’re going to make something successful out of your new business.
Learn More:
- Photography Business Tip: How to Strike a Better Balance Between Work and Life
- How to Protect Your Images and Gear From Loss