When it comes to marketing yourself many of us fall short, and we do not see the importance. However, when you get into the detail of the matter you will realize how crucial marketing is to your business. As a professional fashion photographer, if I stop spending on marketing, I won’t be able to get more clients. Well, I will get some, but that is simply not enough.
A system I developed a few years ago has been working out great for me. Every month I spend 20% of my wages on marketing. Yes, no matter what I make 20% of it goes to market my business.The thing is, the more I market the more I am able to make. There is a special term called return on investment. It is the money you gain back after investing in a matter. Yes, marketing your business is an investment, and the sooner you realize that it is an investment worth making the sooner your business will grow.
[pullquote]Think about it, who would the clients pick? Someone whose work they have seen, and someone who has been recommended by others, or someone it took them hours to find on the internet.[/pullquote]
If you simply sit with your hands tied behind on your back you will only get a little fraction of the clients you can gain through marketing.Think about it, who would the clients pick? Someone whose work they have seen, and someone who has been recommended by others, or someone it took them hours to find on the internet.
When you are working as a professional fashion photographer, you and your images are the brands. Which why investing on yourself and getting yourself out there will help gain clients attention. They are more likely to hire you if they feel you are familiar. And that is exactly what marketing will help you gain.It will get your name, image, and work out there for others to see. So when they keep coming across them from time to time, they will start to remember your business and trust you.
If you develop the routine of saving 20% of your wages to spend on marketing, then soon it will become a habit. It won’t feel like that you are making a huge sacrifice, you will know exactly why you are talking out that money, and how it will benefit your business.No, it will take years to come to a point where people know you by face, but they will know you by your name and work. Which is perfect, as that is what matters the most, their face they will remember after they have worked with you.
So the next time you are looking for ways to expand your business, I suggest you consider investing in yourself. Believe in yourself enough to put money on the line, and since it will be a small fraction of the money you have made, you will not feel a huge cut.This way each month you will only be giving away what you can, and not a fixed amount. This is perfect, as most fashion photographers live from one paycheck to another in the beginning.
