What to Do If You’re Not Busy During the Busy Season
This is the second episode of the Cash Injection Series, and we are chatting all about what to do if you aren't busy during the busy season. This is usually the time of year when photographers love to complain about how busy they are on social media. It’s probably hard to hear that if your inbox is empty, so here’s how you can change that.
HIGHLIGHTS
First of all, don't panic.
Every single business has its ups and downs. If your business is on the downside at the moment, I encourage you to use this time to see what's going on. Where are the breakdowns in your branding and marketing, and how can you fix them? We really should use slowness to work in our businesses.
Two common problems that keep photographers from booking clients are inconsistencies in their work and a lack of a marketing plan. Luckily, both of these problems are totally fixable!
First, let's talk about inconsistent work. If you can take great photos sometimes, but not all the time, then you have an inconsistency problem. Your clients want and deserve to receive beautiful photos all the time, regardless of the lighting or season or time of day. That is your job as a professional, and that's why your clients are coming to you!
This may mean you have to invest in a class or two while things are slow to learn how to use artificial light. So many people don't want to invest in their businesses when things are slow, but sometimes you have to invest in your business to get through the thing that is keeping you from making money in your business.
You may need to invest in training or update your gear. Spending money while things are slow may be hard, but it will pay off in the long run.
Inconsistency can also be about what you choose to share online. If you share everything from food to landscapes and newborns, potential clients could be confused on what you offer. If they are confused, they won't seek you out and buy from you. Take a minute to see if you have inconsistencies in messaging or quality. Be sure to only share what you want more of.
If your work is really consistent but you still aren't booking clients, then you probably have a marketing problem. Start by looking at your marketing plan—do you even have one?
The best place to start with your marketing plan is looking at your SEO, or search engine optimization. The best way to build your SEO is by consistently blogging. Your blog should NOT just be an extension of your portfolio; but instead, you should use searchable titles that inform potential clients about things they care about.
Think like your clients and blog about the things that answer their questions. Remember that trust equals sales, so do the same thing with your social media feed. Your social platforms should serve your clients. When times are slow, look for solutions and not excuses.
If you do have a consistency problem and don't know where to get started, download my free getting started with strobes and flash guide. This will help you stay super consistent in your work!
If marketing is a challenge for you, download my free six-figure photography framework. This will walk you through everything you need to know when it comes to your marketing plan!
