Here is a starting list of 189 business-building ideas for photographers:
1) Join a professional organization. APA, ASMP, PPA
2) Start a photo blog.
3) Consider using per-image pricing.
4) Read John Harrington’s book: Best Business Practices for Photographers. (not a NMP affiliate)
5) Define your target market.
6) Use Google reader to follow blogs of interest.
7) Develop your professional story.
8 ) Join your local chamber of commerce.
9) Comment on other blogs.
10) Enter photo contests.
11) Read the DAM Book by Peter Krogh.
12) Find a new photographer on the Web who inspires you.
13) Create a Facebook fan page for your photography business.
14) Attend a photography seminar.
15) Learn search engine optimization.
16) Take a successful photographer to lunch.
17) Open a Linkedin account.
18) Exchange links with other photographers.
19) Host an evening event for your clients.
20) Open a Flickr account.
21) Build a community around your work and Web site.
22) Keep an updated e-mail list of your clients.
23) Open an e-mail marketing account such as constant contact, vertical response, Icontact.
24) Create a vanity search (or Google yourself) regularly.
25) Send a press release to local media. (Save this for the important events.)
26) Rewrite your business plan.
27) Set up a Google alerts account.
28) Sign up for a meetup.com account for local event networking.
29) Take a successful business person to lunch and ask questions.
30) Read any book by Seth Godin. I recommend “Purple Cow.”
31) Make sure you have an e-mail signature.
32) Visit a new town to take photographs and meet people.
33) Champion other photographers.
34) Be a mentor.
35) Volunteer your services to a worthy charity.
36) Make a 4×6 portfolio card to hand out at events.
37) Speak to local groups about photography.
40) Start a newsletter.
41) Focus on a new target market.
42) Explain to a friend why you are different.
43) Rewrite and improve you contracts and paperwork.
44) Face your biggest fear.
45) Create a plan to eliminate your debt.
46) Return all e-mails with 24 hours — if not faster.
47) Return all phone calls within four hours.
48) Place an opt-in e-mail request on your Web site’s front page.
49) Write an article about your photography style or tips.
50) Create a photo book to give to clients and friends.
51) Create an e-commerce photo gallery or stock site for your work.
52) Call 10 new prospects today for a portfolio showing.
53) Create a one-year marketing plan.
54) Learn a new Adobe Photoshop technique.
55) Upload a video about your photography to YouTube.
56) Create a new logo.
57) Define what success means to you.
58) Create a unique background for portraits.
59) Listen to photography podcasts.
60) Introduce yourself to local equipment representatives. (Canon or Nikon, for example)
61) Develop relationships with photography bloggers.
62) Write a white paper on your photography techniques.
63) Go through all of business cards at the bottom of your desk drawer.
64) Create an online survey.
65) Call customers who didn’t buy and ask why (check your ego).
66) Create a name for your style of photography.
67) Create an affiliate program for your products.
68) Ask three friends to navigate your web site and report back.
69) Create a unique prop for your studio.
70) Find a good accountant.
71) Create a helpful non-photography Web site for your target market.
72) Increase your rates.
73) Create a list of 20 new target prospects.
74) Partner with companies serving the same target market.
75) Create an AdWords account.
76) Expore insights for search.
77) Train your own representative.
78) Send thank you cards after every shoot.
79) Ask current clients for referrals.
80) Create a risk-reversal proposition. (Put the risk on you, not the customer.)
81) Learn to golf.
82) Examine your usage and licensing guidlines.
83) Create and print a price list for reference.
84) Create a Friend Feed account.
85) Test, test, test (everything)
86) Create a memory hook. (a phrase that helps people remember you)
87) Sponsor a local sports team.
88) Network with photographers specializing in different areas of photography.
89) Teach five friends how to refer you.
90) Calculate how much it costs per day/month/year for you to stay in business.
91) Set 10 goals.
92) Ask a photographer you respect to review your portfolio.
93) Exercise for more energy.
94) Learn to say no to bad deals.
95) Make it easier to do business.
96) Review your communication systems. (Is there a better way to communicate?)
97) Follow up with lost or former clients.
98) Have a studio reopening party.
99) Make sure all digital files are backed up and easily accessible.
100) Fire bad clients.
101) Follow successful people on Twitter.
102) Offer a referral fee.
103) Attach a portfolio link to all image review Web sites.
104) Submit your Web site to photographer directories.
105) Ask for client testimonials.
106) Create a poster for clients to display.
107) Sponsor a client event.
108) Answer photography questions on Yahoo! Answers.
109) Research prospects who have great photography.
110) Research prospects with bad photography.
111) Write an article for a trade publication.
112) Write an e-book.
113) Join ifreelance or Elance to find new opportunities.
114) Create unique promotional items with your printed logo.
115) Trade services with select prospects.
116) Rewrite your biography. Make it interesting (and truthful).
117) Ask to be a guest blogger.
118) Invite guest blogger to your blog.
119) Create a voiceover slide show of your work.
120) Get a StumbleUpon account to share content.
121) Read “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell.
122) Teach an adult education class. (develop name recognition)
123) Publish a book through LULU.com.
124) Make sure your Web site’s “about” page is full of quality information about you.
125) Use Website grader to make sure your site is of quality in Google’s eyes.
126) Define and focus on attracting your ultimate job.
127) Take a second look at all the business tools Google has to offer and apply them to your business needs.
128) Investigate the business-building options Paypal has to offer. (more than you think)
129) Discover project management systems like Basecamp.
130) Track your time spent on tasks.
131) Create Photoshop actions to save time.
132) Create a list of policies that benefit your customers.
133) Call your competitors to keep tabs on pricing.
134) Ask your customers to be honest about your service and how you can improve.
135) Wear a name badge at every event.
136) Attend a Tweetup.
137) Print custom CD/DVDs with your logo for final image delivery. (looks more professional)
138) Open a PhotoShelter account.
139) Conduct a survey about your industry.
140) Develop a new benefit for customers using quality photography.
141) Understand why people are fans of your competitors.
142) Don’t try to pass a card to everyone at an event. Build quality relationships with a few people.
143) Dress appropriately.
144) Look at your prospect’s Web site before you call for an appointment or bid on a project.
145) Test e-mail headlines.
146) Make eye contact.
147) If you are shy, bring a guest with you to events.
148) Always stand in a “V” so others feel welcome into your conversation.
149) Introduce people. (even if you just met them)
150) Send a follow-up letter or e-mail to every business card you receive.
151) Don’t shy away from talking to insurance sales, financial people or real estate agents at events. They talk to new people and businesses every day.
152) Set up a booth at a trade show.
153) Spend an entire event looking for referrals for your networking partners.
154) Ask friends, clients and associates the powerful question: “Who do you know?”
155) Send clients cards on their birthdays.
156) Write testimonials for your best customers.
157) Write testimonials for your best vendors.
158) Give framed photographs to your favorite clients.
160) Ask to speak to your client’s staff. (group learn and share)
161) Create a contest and give away something cool.
162) Review your budget.
163) Replace beat-up photography accessories. (makes you look more professional)
164) Get a toll-free number.
165) Hire a live, personal answering service.
166) Package your services with networking partners.
167) Join a local BNI Group.
168) Create a “vCard” and share it — often.
169) Create and review your model and property releases and keep them with you at all times.
170) Keep a backup camera with you — always.
171) Read the copyright laws and register.
172) Create an easily accessible electronic portfolio on an iPod or Smart Phone.
173) Look for a new niche.
174) Explain to a business owner how poor photography is costing her money.
175) Give a service certificate to a charity auction.
176) Review your insurance.
177) Make sure your passport is up to date.
178) Plan play time to refresh yourself.
179) Hire a good business coach.
180) Keep a list or file of photographers’ Web sites or photography that inspire you.
181) Ask yourself: Would you hire you? Why?
182) Be Positive. Yes, it does matter.
183) Gather your junk mail and call on the senders for opportunities.
184) Develop a powerful sales letter.
185) Buy an e-mail list for your target market.
186) Give more than expected.
187) Remember your copyright has value. (If it didn’t, people wouldn’t be asking for it.)
188) Use your @ twitter name in your online signatures.
189) Create a list of 189 things you can do to improve your business.
This list is just he beginning. What items would you add?
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Tags: Adobe Photoshop, Facebook, Flickr, google, googlereader, John Harrington, photography, search engine Optimization, seth godin, Twitter, yahoo, youtube
[...] post at new media photo getting a lot of attention http://www.newmediaphotographer.com/2009/04/189-business-building-ideas-for-photographers/ [...]
Hi Rosh,
The list is already very exhaustive! The point 190 will be: Read New Media Photographer and point 191 follow Rush on Twitter with is 100 day marketing challenge.
Thanks again for sharing…
Frederic
Great ideas. There’s quite a few I need to put into practice.
Great ideas. There’s quite a few I need to put into practice.
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
[...] I like to use a lot is to use shadows … you. More Seth Godin’s take on creating charts 189 business building ideas for photographers – newmediaphotographer.com 04/09/2009 Photo by Rosh SillarsHere is a starting list of 189 [...]
Crap, I only on 153 of those!
Thank you all. This list has been a big hit. Please feel add your own thoughts and share it with other photographers
Wow, what a fantastic list! Definitely one of those posts that I’ll be coming back to periodically. Thank you!
I’d add this:
Make time to make photographs for yourself and your family, not just your clients.
Great list though. Thanks for sharing.
@stevegerrard
Fantastic list Rosh!
It may sound like a lot to do, but making most of those items a habit will lead to success.
Thanks for the great overview.
Wow, Rosh! thanks for sharing. hope the exercise gives you greater energy! Sounds like you will need it!! : )
Loved the list.
Keep it coming
Rosh this is rad! But only 189? I could have done 250 in my sleep!
JK – it is great that you are prolific in your ideas, thnx for the useful social idea-bits!
What happened to the last 11? You could have made it an even 200 (but that would be a boring number) how about 202?! I think you just inspired me to update my photography blog page / gallery / flickr and write some more blog posts.
Have a great one!
@zerostrategist
Learn to play golf???
Hi Melissa, Golf is a great networking game. Believe me I’m no expert at golf, but I know many relationships have been built on the golf course.
Rosh
I find number 72 very interesting. “Increase your rates”
This could be very true for many beginning or semi-professional photographers.
You may not be “valuing” yourself as highly as you should be.
[...] Bonus Link: From Rosh Sillars : 189 Business Building Ideas for Photographers. This is a list Rosh posted back in April of 2009, but this is the kind of list you can and should [...]
Fantastic ideas- allot of them Im doing so Im on the right track!
[...] no so much. And then, as often happens for me, I did ‘feel lucky’ and found ‘189 business building ideas for photographers‘. I chalked it up to ‘Chance favors a prepared mind’, or with a modern spin: [...]
Great list! I forwarded it to my PPA business group. I would add, “Take a self portrait”.
[...] Looking for fresh ideas for your photography business? Check out this list of 189 Business Ideas for Photographers. [...]
Good List. I think its more of a “starter” list. It gets you thinking of every possible angle that’s really available out there to us. I’ll pass it on – its great inspiration! Thanks.
Mike
Excellent. I am doing a few of these but need a direction on a lot of other areas. This is wonderful. I will pass it along. Thanks
Learn to play golf – can’t stand the game but apparently nearly 30% of major business deals take place on the golf course, it is the networking game! Also read that President Obama has already played more golf than George Bush ever did, he knows a bit about networking!
Also, get to know local photographers that you like and pass details for events where you are already full, they will reciprocate and it will save you a fortune in marketing!
Thank you!! G.r.e.a.t. article!!
How fantastic, great resource.
I would say the primary thing though is to be a good photographer in the first place. The general public can easily differentiate stunning from average images these days so become accomplished in the art first.
I would also like to emphasize, as this article does already, that the web is probably your primary marketing tool nowadays. First, get a great website, write a lot and don’t just stuff it full of images. I re-iterate, make sure that you are on Facebook and have a full knowledge of social media and are active, this will get you know in the world of photography!
Great idea. I am going to print them out and tick all boxes which I have done.
Wow -what a great list! I thought I had covered most areas and then I read this! Great checklist. It’s so easy to focus soley on photography and forget about actually marketing yourself to the full.
A great list! Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas!
Some great ideas here – a really good checklist for all photographers!
Thanks SOOOOO much
A fantastic list of ideas! It’s so easy to forget some of the basics. Thanks for sharing, it will certainly be a useful list to pass on. Thanks!
Niche is a big thing, try to identify a market niche that hasn’t been already targeted. If you live by the sea, try targeting beach wedding photography, create some pages on your website and place some fantastic images within those pages. Above all, the client is always right, always do what they say, even if you don’t agree, don’t argue, guide them with your thoughts. Also, make sure that you have a Facebook page, fantastically important in todays market.
Very interesting. Never wanted to learn to play golf, but I guess I now have a good reason.
[...] no so much. And then, as often happens for me, I did ‘feel lucky’ and found ‘189 business building ideas for photographers‘. I chalked it up to ‘Chance favors a prepared mind’, or with a modern spin: [...]
This is a brilliant list. The only problem is it’s making me feel a bit tired. Is there any chance someone else could do it for me?
If you find that person send them my way……
Develop good people skills and learn to sell yourself… ( Google Ari Galper ) Photography is a people business.
Very true. Good comment.
[...] Taken from: http://www.newmediaphotographer.com/2009/04/189-business-building-ideas-for-photographers/ [...]
And, at the end of the day, take great photographs!
Rosh – a wonderful flying start. A couple of ‘building’ thoughts :
189 ideas are a lot – and might be better served by a little cataloguing and grouping. all of them make sense – in the right context.
E.g. if building business to you means i already have tonnes of opportunities – i just can’t convert enough to sales – then one set of priorities emerges. But – if i already have a lot of work – but no time to get more – then another set of priorities emerges.
i think it would also help to have – as part of the list – ‘out of the box’ – ooh – i could do it this way thoughts that are not so much actionable ‘do this’ – but more ‘here’s a different way to build incremental revenue’.
Having a think as to how we might significantly build on these thoughts.
John
Good thoughts, I honestly just wanted to list a ton of ideas in no order. If I put them in an order people would only read the parts they think they need. My ultimate goal was for photographers to find one or two good ideas in the list and work ‘em. I’ve since created another list 505 marketing ideas: http://www.newmediaphotographer.com/2010/06/505-marketing-ideas/
Great list. Thanks for your hard work putting it together.
Thanks Grant. If you are interested I have another list too. http://www.newmediaphotographer.com/2010/06/505-marketing-ideas/
I always like to go back and review this list. There are great ideas on it. Thanks, Marc
Thanks Marc. I’m glad you find it useful.
Rosh
We have many customers who are photographers, artists, and picture framers. There are very helpful suggestions for all of them including myself. I will be sharing this with them and following you on twitter. I hope we will be able to share some information that you find useful also.
Great list , thanks Rosh. I’m just starting out and finding the marketing side very confusing, this list will really help. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Loren
Attend a photo festival like the Telluride Photo Festival http://www.telluridephotofestival.com
Learn to say NO to some jobs.
[...] came across this list of 189 Business Building Ideas for Photographers and thought I would pass it along. This could serve as a great checklist for professional [...]
i will use them, not all of them but i will find some of them usefull
Good luck. Let us know what works best.
Thanks Rosh – appreciated your seminar at SB3 and this post too!
I had a great time at SB3. Thanks for being there.
Rosh
rosh – well done at SB3. great list.
Conrad
Thank you Conrad. Glad you enjoyed the list.
Man that is some list you put together
Thank you Sam. It took some doin’
Rosh
wow! what a list! so glad i came across this site! realized i have so much things to do to improve! thanks!
I’m glad you like the list.
Thanks
Rosh
[...] You can read Rush’s List HERE [...]
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Loads of great ideas there – much appreciated post
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