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I’ve been so busy lately. I feel the blog has been slightly neglected. I have this strong feeling that your blog should be posted to at least three times a week. AT LEAST! I mean, if you’re in business, it’s important to stay in the face of those that are loyal followers to you. I usually am pretty good about this. But, I am here to tell you that I’ve been knee-deep in branding and design work for my business. My spring calendar is staring me in the face with nearly no weekends left (I’m on a mission). I feel that just in the past month I’ve been learning so much about my business and I thought a blog post was in order
What have I learned over the past month?
That doing my accounting on a daily basis makes end of the month reporting for my accountant easier. And, it means that I’m more in control of the every day expenses. I can see where money is going and what is not necessary any more.
With that above lesson, I’ve learned that my websites don’t have to cost over $700 a year just because some fancy flash template company hosts them. I am in the midst of a redesign – using my own skills – to save over $600 a year. I can’t wait to reveal this to you.
But, with that above lesson, I’ve also learned there are some things we just can’t skimp on doing ourselves. Like, the accounting and intricate web coding. Having an amazing assistant to go on shoots with me is worth the extra money you spend. You have to know your limits and what looks professional and what ends up being a huge mess in the end. You have to spend a little to look your best in business.
And, with that above lesson, I’ve also learned that for little to know money, you can learn so much about the business if you just look around. I often regret spending thousands of dollars for workshops. There are free webinars and lower priced education options like DVDs from Photo Vision. I have my own mentor program for such a low price going on – pretty much to cover the unlimited time my participants can get from me over a six month period. Don’t believe the hype of the A-list. Don’t be a groupie. Be your own person and chase your own adventures.
I guess that last little sentence was a lesson in itself, huh?
Okay, time to get back into this project. I can’t wait to share all the new things to come over the next few weeks with you. It’s like a rebirth from all the lessons I have learned.
PICTURE!
For those interested, and I did get a few requests after we had already started, I have a second round starting this Monday, March 8th. The Successful Senior Model Program has been so helpful to our first group. I have enjoyed answering their questions and giving them some inspiration to get their own program going. I can’t wait to see how they proceed! If you would like to participate in our next round, read the description and how to sign up at Pink Ink Studios. (And, yes, I retired a TON of products at Pink Ink over the past couple of weeks. I’m making room for new designs!)
And, because no post should go without a photo (Taken March 3, 2008 – two years ago with snow on the ground):
The other night I shot a few quick images of products in the studio for my senior price guide. They aren’t the best images…I really need to schedule a product shoot day with better light! But, I wanted to share how much I love these products. Honestly, they are the three main products I sell, other than prints.
Gallery Wraps. HELLO! Every one that comes in the studio and experiences them first hand knows they rock. I honestly can say I prefer to sell them over framed prints. Why? They are timeless. They never become dated like a frame can. And, if you change your decor, you aren’t having to reframe your images. I just love how amazing a group of them can look together. I would love to consult with clients about some designs we have drafted, or their ideas, before their shoot. We can look at that and shoot for that end result. Gorgeous!
Books / Albums. I offer a few styles in albums and I think my Basic Album, the little ones on the bottom of this stack, are the best sellers. They start at $250 and are 7 x 7 inches in size. Perfect for my senior clients when you want to collect as many of your images in print form as possible. It looks great on a bookshelf or on your coffee table. The perfect keepsake. I also sell the larger, more elaborate lay-flat books with the thick pages. Square or vertical and in various sizes. The possibilities are endless. If you love all your images and can’t afford to buy them in print form, consider an album or book!
Greeting Cards. Whether it’s for Christmas, a birth announcement or grad announcements, this is a great way to stay away from the norm. Custom designs are the way to go! And, they can compliment your images so much better than store-bought images. Pre-designed collections are just the cost of cards, starting at $2 per card (with envelopes) and custom-designed collections are also $2 per card plus a $75 design fee. I especially love this graduation announcement I designed for my high school grad client.
So, there you have it! The three products I love to offer my clients. We can offer you so many options in products, but when I stopped to think about it, these three stood out to me most. And, they are the things I would buy if I were my client. In fact, I better get to ordering some new wraps for the house! 
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Remember this post? You know? When I blabbed on and on about setting a regular work schedule?
Well, I haven’t been successful. I worked all day yesterday and last night. I don’t know why I do this to myself. I think it’s because I’m afraid of allowing things to get behind. I am already swimming in accounting for 2009’s taxes and that’s enough to make someone want to poke their eyes out.
But, today, I made it official.
Studio Hours
Tuesday and Thursday 2 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: Reserved for weddings & sessions. No Office Hours.
Closed Sunday and Mondays
(This is subject to change as the weather warms up!)
So, what does this really mean? It just means that I want to try and stay on this schedule if at all possible. I know that I won’t be perfect, and I’ll find myself working anyway. But, I can now tell people that they can set appointments and pickup times during these hours with me. I’m still not at the studio full time, to save money on utilities until things pick up again when it warms up. But, it does make it easier on me to know that this is SET!
It’s important to accommodate our client’s schedules and work life – so I implemented two days where we will be available for shoots and consultations until 7 p.m. I like this because, honestly, I’m not much of a morning person. I know that come this summer, I will have to be more flexible and open up my hours to include early sessions for outdoor shoots. I have not been successful to adapting to the perky morning life in the past. I hope that I can change this in the future.
Growing my business includes training people to do some of the administration work too – having someone on staff with me in the future will hopefully help me to keep these hours a little better. Cross your fingers!
Have you set your hours for your business yet?
And, a photo to complete the post!
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