THE BUSINESS BAGEL MORNING NEWSLETTER

Business Building Tips and Strategies

FOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WANT TO

MAKE A PROFIT IN A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE OWNS A CAMERA!

Morning Bagel
  


In This Issue:                                                                                                                                               

  • A Note From Doug
  • Feature Article: Are You Working On Your Business Plan For 2015?
  • Photography Tip of the Week: Photographing the hands of the bride

A Note From Doug

Hello Doug,

Many of you are using the month of January to plan out your year. Today's article gives some tips on setting up an effective business plan that will help propel your business in 2015. 

I know that business planning is not as fun as shopping for new equipment and backgrounds at the PPA Imaging Convention. However it is important to really sit down an figure how you are going to generate the amount of income needed to afford that equipment that you want to buy! Read the article and if you would like one-on-one business support with this task, I have two options for you at the end of the article.

Remember I am here for you and would love to work with you to grow your business in 2015. 

I would love to hear your opinion and ideas! Feel free to send me an email at anytime!

Doug Mattice

Onward to Excellence Coaching

www.o2ecoaching.com

(703) 505-6766



Feature Article 

 

Are You Working On Your Business Plan for 2015?

Here are some simple tips for creating a plan that actually works for you! 

  1. Struggling with the thought of coming up with an Annual Business Plan? Create a 90-day plan and hold “Self Summits” for an accountability review. For some of you, the idea of creating an ANNUAL business plan is just to daunting. If this is you, I recommend that you create a 90-day plan and review it monthly.  A 90-day plan is better than no plan at all, and it gives you a target to focus your business on. When those 90 days are almost up, create a new plan for the next 90 days. Whether you opt to do a yearly plan or a 90-day plan, you need to check in monthly to see how well you are actually executing your plan. My coach calls them “Self Summits”. This is where you review your projected numbers with actual results that have happened over the month and make minor adjustments in your marketing or sales to keep your studio on track.
  2. Don’t just look specifically at your business. Look at what you want to achieve in your life through your business and work the plan from there.  The key here is to decide what works best for YOU and your business. Answer these two questions. “Why does your studio exist?” “Why do you come to work everyday?” I can tell you why my business exists…it exists to provide me and my family with an excellent living; to give my family a secure future; to allow me to have the type of life I want; to allow me to spend time with my family; to give me vacations with my family, which we can look forward to and enjoy. That is why my company exists. It does not exist to run me ragged; to make me worry about the future; to require me to work 70 hours a week and never see my family. You need to make your business and your plan work best for YOU so your business SUPPORTS your life, not the other way around.
  3. Determine how much money you want to make in sales this year. Write down the number you want your business to have in sales this year. Then reverse engineer from that number (usually revenue by month) to determine how that goal will be achieved this year. Look at each product line you offer i.e. Weddings, Portraits, Events, and Babies etc. to analyze where your revenue will come from. What product line will your clients be purchasing from…how would you like to see these product lines grow?
  4. How are you going to market these product lines? What mediums are you going to use to attract clients to your studio? How much money are you going to allocate from each product line in order to attract your target market? Where will that money be spent?
  5. How will you approach SALES? What does your average sale have to be from each product line in order for you to make your revenue goal? What will be your sales process? Are you projecting and doing one-on-one sales or are you putting images up in a gallery and hoping to get sales this way? This decision alone will have a direct impact on how your revenue will come into the studio.
  6. Look at your TEAM (if you have one) but more importantly look at your operational needs. What systems do you need in place that will give you the ability to run your business more smoothly? Is your digital workflow solid or are you spending too much time editing and tweaking your photographs? Where are you spending most of your time as a business owner? How much time are you spending MARKETING your studio in the community? Do you have a referral program in place that is easy to implement with your existing clients? Speaking of existing clients, how often are you reaching back out to them with other offers or information?

This may seem daunting, but is REQUIRED if you are going to operate a BUSINESS that is PROFITABLE. Use this month to get CLEAR on where you want your business go in the coming months. You will find that even if you have a 90-day plan, it will begin to give you the clarity and direction you need to start moving your business forward in 2015.

Need assistance creating your business plan?

If you would like to work with me on creating a plan, I have two options:

1) Full business planning program -  $997 with monthly check-in calls

$497 without calls

Includes:

  • Determining your INCOME by product line based on sessions and average sale. We will also create an EXPENSE projection to determine if your studio will be profitable or not in 2015 based on the amount of business you want to generate.
  • Once we have those numbers, we will transfer them into a monthly spreadsheet that will become your roadmap for the year.
  • Monthly 45-minute check-in calls with me to help analyze your plan and make adjustments to keep your revenue goals on track.

 

2) The Simple Planning Seminar for Photographers Program - $147

     Includes:

  • 2 ½ hour business planning seminar that will produce a MONEY SPEND PLAN that you can use to guide your business in 2015! If you are looking for more clarity and a way to easily implement a roadmap for 2015, this seminar is for you.

If you would like to sign up for one-on-one support, please send me an email at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com and put “Business Planning” in the Subject Line. 

Isn’t time you took control of your business?

 


Photography Tip of the Week:

Tips for photographing the hands of a bride - 

When doing a bridal portrait, you want to make sure you pose the hands properly so they look elegant and do not distract from the face. Here are a couple of tips:

  • Don't show the palm of the hand or too much of the back of the hand.
  • Don't let the bride curl her hand - keep the hand and fingers elongated.
  • Keep the hand open
  • Extend the fingers and bring the thumb in.

When photographing the bride and groom together try to turn the hands so you're photographing them from the side. Try not to show the palm or the back of the hand.

When the couple wants to show their rings:

  • Use a high camera angle.
  • Keep the bride's wrist down and remember, the groom's hand is just going to be a prop.
  • Roll the ring hand into the lens.

About Doug Mattice   

Doug's PhotoIf you think you can't make money and live life on your terms, I would like you to  "think again". I specialize in teaching photographers how to make more money more easily while enjoying a business and lifestyle that they desire. 

As a photographer myself, I know all to well that too many photographers today are working themselves to death in order to achieve the business success that's going to allow them to have a comfortable life. That's why I have dedicated myself to helping my clients in the fastest and most strategic methods in business building so they can Be Financially Profitable, Live Fully, and continue to Pursue the Passion they LOVE! 

I offer a variety of business development and coaching services to meet your needs. To learn more CLICK HERE to be taken to my website and see how you can quickly grow your photography business! There will be a free gift waiting for you when you do!

Quotes from clients who are moving "Onward to Excellence"

"I have increased my business revenues substantially since I started working with Doug. He has helped me focus and now I am more organized then ever before." Pam D.

"My client load has more than tripled! (not to mention my income!) My life has gone from reaction-based confusion to on purpose creation. Working with you as my coach has made all the difference in the world!" Stacey P.

"Doug has helped me increase my sales in just two sessions..I would highly recommend him to help your business grow." Sharon M. 

"I have been doing photography for over 25 years. To be honest, I have had a difficult time remaining profitable since 2008 due to the recession and increased competition. Doug has really helped me get over my barriers and negative mindset. Business is improving and I am regaining my "creative" spirit. I encourage you to give him a try because his coaching really helps!" Gary J.

Let Me Help...

There is no better time than NOW to begin growing your photography business. You work too hard to let your dream of creating beautiful photographs DIE because you couldn't effectively manage your business. I am here to help you in whatever way I can. Reach out to me at dougmattice@o2ecoaching.com and let's work together to create the business of your dreams!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


Doug Mattice
Doug Mattice Business & Branding Coach