Turn an existential threat into the opportunity of a life time!
– Kerwin Rae
Key #1: Understand The Challenges and Opportunities of a Recession
Recessions can be challenging times for many, and the photography industry is no exception. As businesses andIndividuals tighten their belts, clients may become scarcer, more selective and have less money to spend. However, there are also opportunities for photographers to adapt, innovate, and find new ways to thrive..
As humans, our tendency is to play the victim. And unless you’re watchful, it will sneak up on you.
Sean Covey
- Most importantly, don’t play the victim!
- Be nimble, creative, and invest in your skills and development to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
- Proactively strategise and create a plan of execution on how to reach new customers.
- Develop new and innovative ways to offer and communicate value to clients.
- Invest in building an audience of customers that will stay with you time and time again as you develop and launch new products and services.
– Richard Branson
Key #2: Build a Stronger Online Presence
Building a strong online presence during a recession can help you reach more potential customers and stay competitive. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Optimise your website for conversions. Make sure it is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, fast and includes clear calls to action.
- Leverage social media: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can help you connect better with potential customers. Make sure your social media profiles are complete, up-to-date, and that you have a regular content publishing schedule.
- Create value-added content: Creating valuable content such as guides, videos, or tutorials can help establish you and your business as an authority in your industry and attract potential customers.
- Build your email list: Email marketing can be a powerful tool for reaching customers and promoting your products or services and is an asset that you own and control. Consider offering an incentive such as a free resource such as an e-book or coupon in exchange for visitors’ email addresses.
- Invest in building your reviews, client testimonials and client galleries to supercharge your social proof!
– Bo Bennett
Key #3: Maximise and Diversify Your Revenue
Use this time as an opportunity to optimise your operations and service offering to maximise profit and revenue:
Have you been putting off in-person sales sessions with clients? Now is your opportunity to upskill and implement this practice that data shows can as much as double the value of customer orders.
Sort out your upsells! Add additional products and services to your arsenal to increase your average order value.
Offer different types of photography services you might not currently offer: Consider offering a range of photography services, such as portraits, weddings, events, product photography, or stock photography. By diversifying your services, you can appeal to a wider range of customers.
Expand your digital offerings: Consider creating and selling digital products such as presets, tutorials, or courses related to photography. This can help you generate passive income.
Partner with other businesses: Collaborate with other businesses such as event planners, florists, or makeup artists to offer packages or cross-promote each other’s services. This can help you reach customers you would not have otherwise reached.
– Bruce Lee
Key #4: Create an Exceptional Client Experience and Stand Out!
Creating an exceptional client experience for your customers can be the missing ingredient that brings everything together to help you build a successful photography business.
It is an ESSENTIAL element to be able to compete in a competitive financially constrained market.
- Provide a personalized service that is tailored to your client’s needs and preferences. Take the time to get to know your clients, their personality, and their vision for the shoot. Use that information to create a unique and personalized experience for them.
- Invest in gowns and dresses that not only will WOW your potential clients viewing your gallery or seeing and touching during pre-consultation but will also make your client feel amazing on the day of their shoot. You will be getting more word of mouth referrals than you would believe!
- Surprise and delight your clients with innovative digital backdrop composites that extend the variety of their gallery from a single shoot.
- Follow up with your clients after the shoot to make sure they are satisfied with the experience and the final product. Use this opportunity to ask for feedback, address any concerns or issues, and thank them for their business.
– Walt Disney
Key #5: Be Part of a Photographer Community
Not only is joining a community of like minded professionals good for business but can also be critical for your well-being and mental health.
- Share your work and get feedback on your photos, business and challenges.
- Connect with other photographers and learn new techniques.
- There are many photography communities around the world for all types of photographers. The Before & Ever Facebook Group for example has over 11 thousand members that support and inspire each other every day.
Before & Ever
Before & Ever helps photographers stand out and succeed through stunning hand-made couture gowns and dresses that set the benchmark globally for quality, affordability and WOWability!
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