Continuing the approach of tip no. 1, tip no. 2 again seems obvious, don't mystify the process, making money as a professional photographer is not rocket science, no more than any other profession.
Now this may seem more attitudinal than practical, but it is well known that attitude, having the right attitude, is foundational for any success.
Like with tip no. 1, despite seeming to be obvious, I see plenty of people coming to forums asking for advice on how to make money like it is some mystical, hidden process guarded by some secret club of "in" photographers for whom money and assignments flow by and they jealousy want to keep others away from their easy, free flowing streams. Or they come, sounding like deer in the headlights, as if marketing photography is somehow more complex and full of esoteric buzzwords to grasp more than any other profession.
And you can just sense the neediness and the feeling the seeker is overwhelmed imagining that making a living as a photographer is more magical and taxing than methodical and disciplined.
Well it's not.
Presuming you already are a skilled photographer, marketing yourself, making a living, is no different than anyone in any other field, a contractor, a lawyer, a tax preparer, a wedding planner, etc. Like any other field, you can't get any business unless people know you exist.
And the steps to doing that are the same as any other field, such as:
- Store front/office front with a sign that people can see from the street
- Advertising, whether phone book, newspaper, direct mail, etc.
- Networking, whether talking to and passing out cards among friends and associates to attending meetings or conferences, such as wedding shows, if you are a wedding photographer.
- Direct solicitation/cold calling or mailing, such as calling up schools and asking for opportunity to pitch to shoot yearbook photos, sports events, etc.
- Word of Mouth
In fact, it's somewhat easier than other fields, especially if your photography is above the norm, as unlike other fields, your work can truly "speak for itself," practically selling the client before they ever talk to you.
In fact, it's a perfect field if you are a non-people person, hating direct solicitation and networking as you can still build an effective business simply by getting your work seen and allowing that work to have an already pre-sold client contact you.
That does not mean there are not a myriad other "academic" parts to building a successful business as a photographer, such as knowing contracts, handling customer questions and objections and knowing competition prices and advantages and setting yours.
But again, most people asking about how to become a photographer, how to make a living, are those mystified as to how they can get people to want to pay them. Thus, my first two tips have been on building that foundation in attitude and conduct that will bring in demand; handling that demand is another thing. Look for further articles on that as well as more on generating that demand.
Again, tip. no. 2 presumes you are a great photographer. If you are a mediocre photographer, then you need to become great at a particularly niche or either look for a field you can be great in or you will have to compete mainly on price, which is the least sustainable and least enjoyable position to be in.
I will further follow up with figuring out what one's "angle" is as though it is not necessary to figure that out before you start marketing yourself [and my previous tip already gave you immediate tactics that in effect result in marketing yourself]; figuring out what one's "angle" / competitive advantage is is essential for long term sustainability and for maximizing your success. I will also be posting resources for improving one's photography. Keep coming back.
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