Comments on: Do you own your business ~ or does it own you?

By: Michael McGrath

Michael McGrath — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:22:02 +0000

Creating a niche – like shooting Medium Format film B&W portraiture , at weddings , in studio , on location , the executive at the desk , that is the only way to do business now for a Pro Photographer up against the Digital Army parachuiting down all around us from the trees …God help therm , they are making nothing but fools of themselves !

I like the idea, though , Damien , for me to become an entrepeneur at 63 , to end up the Richest Man in the Graveyard .

By: Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:05:37 +0000

Hi Damien,
A very interesting article, and indeed true, regarding the hard work required to start and progress a successful business.
Further to meeting you on the 1 to 1 tutition at my studio, and again at yours for 1 to 1 with Marko, I have taken a totally fresh look at my business. Starting from a blank sheet, I have now redone the studio, changed my marketing to reflect the new style I have developed after your nudge in the right direction. I have changed the way I deal with my customers, and the rewards are starting to come in, each sitting now generates three times the value of the old systems, I am now attracting a better lne of clientele, which in turn creates more leads to equally lucrative clients. I have started using Kaliedoscope as may main supplier for presentation options. All the changes rolled together have taken my business upmarket, and despite the so called “Credit Crunch” I have increased my turnover compared to last year, even though I have had fewer customers through the door.
The workflow shown to me by Marko, means I spend less time in front of the computer, and more time with my family. So thanks for putting on the right track and I will keep you informed of the progress, the money spent on you was in investment well spent.

Thanks

Kevin

By: Paul – Portrait & Wedding Photographer

Paul – Portrait & Wedding Photographer — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:58:09 +0000

Damien, a really refreshing article that says it exactly as it is. I went full time at the end of last year and the business side does seem to be more time consuming than the creative side.

With the recent surge in part time and full time wedding and portrait photographers on the scene, a great product is THE thing that will set you apart from the competition.

So far the only outsourcing I do is album assembly to South West Photo Mounts, but in doing so I can spend another day or so marketing or shooting.

By: damien

damien — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:22:58 +0000

Hi Pat,

As I mentioned to Kevin in my comment above, it will be your product that drives the marketing. Here is a simple guide to success…

1. Develop a great product.
2. Set a price that represents value to your potential clients and delivers a good profit margin to you.
3. Put your product in front of as many potential clients as you need in order to generate the required number of leads.
4. Convert those leads into sales.
5. Deliver the goods and exceed your customers expectations at every stage.
6. Repeat the process making sure you always deliver the wow factor.
7. Become an entrepreneur and follow your master plan using the law of attraction.
8. Retire.

Sounds easy doesn’t it. No1 is probably the hardest step.

Damien.

By: damien

damien — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:12:13 +0000

Kevin,

The ‘overtaking their lives’ bit is the hardest to manage when resources are limited and business growth is needed. It isn’t going to be a doddle but it will be a fun journey if you have leadership and a direction. The one obvious key to success is a unique and fabulous product. The better your product the easier it will be to find customers.

By: damien

damien — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:08:16 +0000

Thanks for your kind words Chris. With any new business there is going to be a period of extreme effort. There is a light at the end of the tunnel if you look for it.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:23:46 +0000

A very intriguing article Damien especially as I have just taken the plunge to go full time on a leavers package. However marketing to find the jobs needed to pay the bills does seem to be the main thrust of what needs to be done now. And if you can’t afford for someone else to do it you have to do it yourself.

So I am very interested in how one can own the business without it overtaking their lives while they’re establishing a name for themselves…

By: Kevin Mullins

Kevin Mullins — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:11:44 +0000

A great article Damien. I’m just starting out in the photography world but have been running my “other” business for eleven years now. I’ve not employed people, simply because I don’t want the complexities that go with it, but I have contracted out my work that clients have asked me to do to others – and yes, it is very effective and gives you a break. The key thing, in my mind, is being able to break past the “money” thought. Using other people costs money, but we all know you need to speculate to accumulate.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:53:45 +0000

One of your best articles yet…………the ability to describe just how many of us are feeling, but with the comfort of knowledge that what you have achieved is achievable for all of us. And your last paragraph is oh so true.