Maximizing Efficiency for Photographers
A profitable business is one that meets or exceeds its operating expenses, generates a profit and can sustain itself for the long term. In this article we'll look at some ways in which photographers can maximize their profitability by improving efficiency in their business.
Create a workflow that works for you.
The first step in creating a workflow that works for you is to figure out what your needs are. Do you have multiple clients? Do they require different types of files and deliverables? How many images do they typically shoot per day? What kind of equipment do they use, and how much experience do they have with it? Once you know the answers to these questions, it's time to start mapping out how things work now by asking yourself:
How long does my current process take from beginning to end (shooting, editing and delivery)?
How could I make it faster or more efficient without sacrificing quality or lowering my standards as far as customer service goes?
Manage your time effectively.
Time management is essential for any business owner, and it's particularly important for photographers. Your time is your most valuable resource, so you have to make sure it's being used wisely.
If you're having trouble managing your time effectively and efficiently (which is normal), here are some tips:
Schedule specific tasks for specific days of the week or month. For example, if Mondays are dedicated to booking appointments with potential clients over the phone or via email, then block off those hours in advance on your calendar so they don't conflict with other projects or meetings that arise throughout the week. This makes sure nothing falls through the cracks!
Make sure each task has a clear beginning point and end point--and stick strictly within those boundaries when working on said task(s). This will help keep distractions at bay while also ensuring quality output from each project since there won't be any extraneous steps included along the way (e.g., checking Facebook every five minutes).
Work smarter, not harder.
Learn how to prioritize. Every task is not equally important, and it’s easy to let the ‘tyrrany of the urgent’ take over, rather than thinking clearly about what your priorities should be. I find it helpful to write a list of tasks and then order them by priority and stick to that order rather than bouncing around.
Learn how to say no, and mean it! This is an important one because you'll need to set boundaries with clients who might be pushy or demanding on your time and resources. If they're not willing to pay what you need for the job, then walk away--it's not worth it! Instead of spending time trying over-deliver with a client who doesn't appreciate your work enough (or even knows what good photography is), spend that energy finding new ones who will appreciate everything that goes into making their wedding day special for them and their guests.
Say yes more often than not; this may sound counterintuitive but hear me out... When someone asks if we do something specific like taking portraits or editing video footage from their event/wedding etc., my standard response has always been "yes we can do that!" However when I started saying this more often than not I noticed two things: First off I saw an increase in sales because people were happy when they found out there was another service available through me rather than trying find someone else elsewhere--this made them feel confident knowing they'd have access if needed later down the road which led into my second point; less stress equals more profits!
Use technology to your advantage.
Use technology to free up time for you. This will allow you to focus on growing the business, rather than on behind-the-scenes tasks that don't add value or bring in revenue.
Use technology to make your business more efficient and profitable by automating processes and making them more streamlined. Automate EVERYTHING you possibly can - my rule of thumb is: if I repeat an activity more than twice, it’s time to create an automation for it!
Cut out time-wasting activities.
Look at the big picture: When it comes to managing your time effectively as a photographer, it's important to take a moment and look at the bigger picture. Think about your overall goals and aspirations in the world of photography. By having a clear understanding of where you want to go, you can better prioritize your tasks and focus on what truly matters.
Avoid time-wasting activities: Let's face it - there are plenty of activities that can eat up our precious time without adding much value to our photography work. Things like mindless scrolling through social media, getting lost in aimless web browsing, or engaging in unproductive conversations can easily consume hours of our day. To optimize your productivity, it's essential to recognize these time-wasters and consciously avoid them. Instead, redirect your time and energy toward meaningful tasks that contribute to your growth as a photographer.
Use the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule is a principle that suggests 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Apply this concept to your photography workflow by identifying the tasks that have the most significant impact on your overall success. Take a look at your past projects and analyze which activities contributed the most to your achievements. By focusing more on these high-impact tasks, you can reduce the time spent on less valuable activities and achieve better results in a shorter timeframe.
Avoid procrastination and play to your strengths: Procrastination is a common enemy of productivity. As photographers, it's important to stay disciplined and proactive in our approach. Take some time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as a photographer. Perhaps you excel in a particular genre or technique. In that case, it's worth investing more time and effort in honing those skills. On the other hand, if you have identified areas where you struggle, don't shy away from them. Set aside dedicated practice sessions to improve and overcome those weaknesses. By addressing your shortcomings head-on and leveraging your strengths, you'll optimize your time and increase your overall efficiency.
Outsource as much as possible.
Outsourcing is an effective way to save time and money. Outsourcing allows you to focus on what you do best, taking beautiful photos!
While there are many areas you can outsource, one of our biggest suggestions is to outsource your marketing. There’s no denying that your marketing can make or break your business, and unfortunately it’s often one of the things that is overlooked because you simply don’t have time to do it all yourself.
That’s why at MarketNoodle, we are passionate about helping photographers by creating fully customized content for their blogs, emails, social media, and more. Let us take this off your plate and free you up to spend more time on what you love - creating beautiful photos!
Let us do it for you!
Need help with your social media, your SEO, your email copywriting, or keeping your blog up to date with fresh content? You don’t have to handle it yourself! Outsource it to our team of professionals so you can spend more time doing what you love. Please fill out this form, and you’ll receive a reply within 1-3 business days!