Exactly right. You don't know what's around the corner, so start planning for the slow season now, even if you're busy. Build marketing systems, connect with your dream prospects, and as I suggested in the video, think about getting a mentor or a business coach who can advise you and help you spot the problems within your business, and help you work on a plan for sustained growth no matter what comes your way.
@@BuildAPhotoBusiness There is one thing I am eager to change and it would be having more commercial clients. I was an agent for almost 20 years and have a lot of agent clients but would like to grow my commercial side so if residential drops I still have other work to fall back on. With covid I have not sought out commercial work as it doesn't feel safe right now...hopefully soon we will see the end of this.
@@roxanneashe4902 I think that's a really smart move to diversify your client base like that, Roxanne. If you're looking for some ideas on that then you might like to see a video I did on how to get more commercial clients: th-cam.com/video/OnhfwuKR7SY/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for all the info! Were in the slow season rn and these really helped me realize that I am doing what I can to keep planting those seeds and perfecting my craft and programs. Looking forward to seeing how continuing to implement these things will propel my business in the spring.
Great to hear this was helpful for you, Amanda. Since it's the quiet season ATM, you'll want to make the most of this time to plan for the year ahead. What will you do with your services? How will you attract more clients? When will you make a change to your prices? Planning for all of that will help enormously, so use this time well, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
I was thinking of coming up with a subscription based cost so that during the slow months I don't have to worry. Where I am at there are probably 4-5 months where it is cold. So if I can offer a 8 month subscription where they pay a base fee and get all photography, video, tours and more for a set cost during those 8 months it could help supplement during the slower months. Thoughts?
I think that's a great idea, Corey, at least from your end. I think the challenge there will be in the communication with your clients and how effectively you present this to them. Do they see a benefit in a subscription service? Will they continue that service during the winter months? The other option would be to offer a standard a la carte pricing option where you earn enough during the good months to get you through the months when there are fewer projects to shoot. So if you could charge $150 per shoot if you could work for 12 months, then you might need to increase to $225 per shoot if you can only work for 8 months. Or if that's not achievable in your market, then you go back to upselling clients to your video and other services so that your fee per shoot during those 8 months is higher. So there are a couple of options, and it's a matter of weighing up which one your clients would want - a subscription service or an a la carte option where you actively upsell?
@@coreyedward8335 Awesome! Could you either go higher with those a la carte rates to make up for the cold months, or could you keep your rates where they are but do more to increase the average spend per project by upselling? For example, if you could increase the average fee per shoot by 50% through upselling or by charging more then that might be enough to cover you for 4 months without any work at all.
@@BuildAPhotoBusiness In my market my rates are set competitively with all other real estate photographers, videographers and 3D tour offering companies. Upselling is where I will need to increase sales per project to achieve the extra money. I am also a commercial videographer as well as weddings.
@@coreyedward8335 Investing heavily in upselling seems to make a lot of sense, and we know the numbers work when you do that. I also hear what you're saying about rates, but at the same time, someone has to be the most expensive. Why couldn't it be you? :)
Great points. I love the last one. You shouldn't wait until slow season to start building
Exactly right. You don't know what's around the corner, so start planning for the slow season now, even if you're busy. Build marketing systems, connect with your dream prospects, and as I suggested in the video, think about getting a mentor or a business coach who can advise you and help you spot the problems within your business, and help you work on a plan for sustained growth no matter what comes your way.
Really useful advice. Many thanks.
Thanks! I'm glad it was useful for you. :)
Really excellent points here….you have made me really think about the business side verses just the artistic side!
Thanks Roxanne - it's great to hear it was helpful. Is there anything in particular that you think you need to change in your business?
@@BuildAPhotoBusiness There is one thing I am eager to change and it would be having more commercial clients. I was an agent for almost 20 years and have a lot of agent clients but would like to grow my commercial side so if residential drops I still have other work to fall back on. With covid I have not sought out commercial work as it doesn't feel safe right now...hopefully soon we will see the end of this.
@@roxanneashe4902 I think that's a really smart move to diversify your client base like that, Roxanne. If you're looking for some ideas on that then you might like to see a video I did on how to get more commercial clients: th-cam.com/video/OnhfwuKR7SY/w-d-xo.html
@@BuildAPhotoBusiness Thank you very much! I will watch this!
Thank you for all the info! Were in the slow season rn and these really helped me realize that I am doing what I can to keep planting those seeds and perfecting my craft and programs. Looking forward to seeing how continuing to implement these things will propel my business in the spring.
Great to hear this was helpful for you, Amanda. Since it's the quiet season ATM, you'll want to make the most of this time to plan for the year ahead. What will you do with your services? How will you attract more clients? When will you make a change to your prices? Planning for all of that will help enormously, so use this time well, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
I was thinking of coming up with a subscription based cost so that during the slow months I don't have to worry. Where I am at there are probably 4-5 months where it is cold. So if I can offer a 8 month subscription where they pay a base fee and get all photography, video, tours and more for a set cost during those 8 months it could help supplement during the slower months. Thoughts?
I think that's a great idea, Corey, at least from your end. I think the challenge there will be in the communication with your clients and how effectively you present this to them. Do they see a benefit in a subscription service? Will they continue that service during the winter months?
The other option would be to offer a standard a la carte pricing option where you earn enough during the good months to get you through the months when there are fewer projects to shoot. So if you could charge $150 per shoot if you could work for 12 months, then you might need to increase to $225 per shoot if you can only work for 8 months.
Or if that's not achievable in your market, then you go back to upselling clients to your video and other services so that your fee per shoot during those 8 months is higher.
So there are a couple of options, and it's a matter of weighing up which one your clients would want - a subscription service or an a la carte option where you actively upsell?
@@BuildAPhotoBusiness I currently have an a la carte option. Photo prices, drone prices, video prices and 3D tour prices.
@@coreyedward8335 Awesome! Could you either go higher with those a la carte rates to make up for the cold months, or could you keep your rates where they are but do more to increase the average spend per project by upselling?
For example, if you could increase the average fee per shoot by 50% through upselling or by charging more then that might be enough to cover you for 4 months without any work at all.
@@BuildAPhotoBusiness In my market my rates are set competitively with all other real estate photographers, videographers and 3D tour offering companies. Upselling is where I will need to increase sales per project to achieve the extra money.
I am also a commercial videographer as well as weddings.
@@coreyedward8335 Investing heavily in upselling seems to make a lot of sense, and we know the numbers work when you do that.
I also hear what you're saying about rates, but at the same time, someone has to be the most expensive. Why couldn't it be you? :)