As 2010 winds down to a close, it’s a great time for photographers to take a look at their photography business and ask yourself a few questions. Here’s a list of things you might consider as you look forward to the coming year. How do they fit into your photography business plan?
- Review Your Client List for Missed Opportunities: look back through your records from 2010 and take a quick look at each photography client – specifically noting if there are any followup items. Perhaps they indicated they’d make a print order that hasn’t yet happened. Contact these clients (by phone if possible) in the next couple of weeks and see how you can help them wrap up their photography experience.
- Make Contact With Other Clients: after you follow up with those clients that have loose ends, make contact with your other clients as well. Drop them a quick note or make a quick phone call to see how they’re doing, wish them well for the new year, and remind them that you can help them out with any photo needs they might have as they plan 2011.
- Check Your Tax Situation: you have a few more days to make purchases in the 2010 tax year. Depending on your current situation, you might want to add those deductible expenses to this year’s books.
- Evaluate Your Social Media Use: Social media was all the rage in 2010 (and rightly so) but the smart photographer is going to take an objective look at their use of Twitter, Facebook, and blogging and make a business decision about how to move forward. Take a look at what outlets put you in front of the right audience. Look at your 2010 sales (and 2011) bookings and see how many were a result (either directly or indirectly) of your social media efforts.
- Evaluate Your Offline Marketing: while you’re taking a look at your social media efforts, take a look at your offline marketing as well. Whether it’s mailers, print advertising, or other offline efforts to reach clients, figure out what’s working. Adjust your 2011 plan as appropriate.
- Think About 2011 Conferences and Workshops: savvy photographers are always on the lookout for networking and learning opportunities, and we’re blessed with an industry full of folks willing to share. Consider whether you’ll be attending the big trade shows (WPPI, Photo Plus Expo, Photoshop World, etc). Think about smaller, boutique events. Perhaps you should refine your skills at a workshop. Most importantly: get out there and network and learn from others.
- Tune Up Your Gear: you should be keeping your cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and other accessories clean and ready all year round, but the slow time around the new year is a great opportunity to perhaps take care of any items that have been neglected.
What else are you doing as you wrap up your year?
