A new year…a new us. As we grow in our personal lives, we are also growing in our business life. We have gone through many changes in 2012, and we are planning on many new changes in 2013.
In 2012 I faced the biggest change in a long time. I had left my full time job to work my photography business full time. For once, I didn’t have to report to work at a specific time, I was home to do as I please. So I sat down, and tried to come up with a way to run this business. Sure, I could take the photos, I knew my camera well enough, and my skills were fresh and new. But after many attempts I realized I had no idea how to run a business.
One day I sat down at my desk, as I have done in the past few weeks. I picked up my pen, and stared at my blank paper. First things first…write down a workable work day schedule, and stick to it. So I set my business days, hours and tasks, and even added in a time for me to take a lunch break. I do realize that in this field of work, and since I am doing most of the work by myself, I have to be flexible. I allotted certain days and times to hold client consultations, certain times for photography sessions, certain times for doing accounting and office work, answering emails, phone calls, ordering and so on. Because I am also on a strict budget, I had to design all my marketing material, and print them so they looked professional. I shopped for props at consignment shops, learned to arrange flowers in vases, and think of inexpensive creative backdrops. After the first two months with my head spinning, things started to fall into place nicely. My schedule was working, my business starting to take shape. I brought in a few new clients, not as much as I would have hoped, but it is a start. Most of all I wasn’t feeling overwhelmed, I was feeling more confident in my business skills. My weakest spot… phone calls, weather I am calling a potential client, or booking a new session, I still get tongue tied on the phone. Nonetheless, I have changed quite a bit in 2012.
2013…what is in store for me? Well first thing on my list is…yes you got it…work on my weakest spot. Maybe practice on the phone with a friend, or write up a script I could read when on the phone with new clients. That is one thing on my 2013 Goal Sheet.
As for this years change in the business. Well, we started a new monthly birthday mini special. Every month I will look at the birthdays of fans on our facebook page, and randomly choose 1 to receive a mini portrait session. How cool is that?
We are also rewarding our clients with gift cards for referrals. Growth for 2013 is my main goal. Marketing will also increase. New products are in the works, along with new creative ideas for fun photo sessions. I am even looking into doing fine art portraiture.
So, stay tuned for the new Gramm Photography in the new 2013. The year of us, the year of change. I will leave you with this quote “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
Until next time…keep smiling.
