Tags: How do I start a business , photography business , getting started , Facebook , free advertising , cheap advertising
More than once, I've met with someone looking to start a photography business. Often, I hear questions like:
How much equipment should I invest in?
How much should I charge for my services?
How do I go about getting the best deal on Advertising?
Where do I advertise?
What about Facebook?
Here's my best answers to those questions. They have worked wonders for us, and I hope they do the same for you!
How much equipment should I invest in?
We started pretty small. And, as time and finances allowed, we began to build on our collection. As they say, they didn't build Rome in a day.
Here are the basic things you'll need to do a respectable job:
1.SLR Camera - it doesn't have to be fancy, or top of the line - even a good used SLR will take wonderful shots in most scenarios.
2.A good flash - spending the extra money to buy a good plash will do more for your photos than spending that same amount of extra money on a better camera - if you can afford it, purchase one that allows you to adjust the position / zoom of the flash
3.Redundant batteries and cards - make sure you always have an extra battery (or two) on hand. The same goes for memory - they are pretty cheap, but not having one when you need it could make for a very bad day.
How much should I charge for my services?
As I saw in another article, that really all depends. In general, start cheap and, as you build your portfolio and skill work your way up to the price range you feel comfortable with.
What is cheap? Well, check out what other local photographers are charging, see what other's just getting started are charging, and put yourself somwhere at the low end of that.
How do I go about getting the best deal on Advertising?
As your building your portfolio, don't worry too much about spending your well-earned money quite yet. Begin by developing a website - there are many places online where you can host a website for free. From there, look for any and all directories where you can post a link to your services. The more, the better. As search engines begin to find these links, you'll get a higher rating, and there will be more places to find you.
As you're getting started, don't forget, if people are on a tight budget - they'll come looking for you.
Where do I advertise?
Here are some great (and cheap) ways to start getting your name out:
1.Create a Facebook page for your business (not a group or a screen name). By making a Facebook page in particular, you can drive traffic to your site. And while there are pay-per-click advertising available, the free site works quite well when you're starting out.
2.Create a Google Local listing - this is a great way to show your business, and, under many city-specific searches, find yourself at the top of the Google listing.
3.Directories - there are all sorts of directories out there - invest the time in finding them, and adding your business to them.
What about Facebook?
Facebook is a great tool when starting your business. Starting a Facebook page is free and can be a great way to drive traffic to your site. Here's what I recommend.
1.Start out by making a Facebook page (this is separate from your screen name and is different than just a group)
2.Send fan requests to all your friends - in turn, their friends will see this, and get some momentum going
3.Keep the public updated - a few times a week (not too many, or you'll scare fans away) post a photo, or a comment, or a thank you. A little goes a long way
4.Direct people from your website to your Facebook site
5.Keep it professional - be careful, it's easy to fall into the trap of making your Facebook page to personal. This page is about your business, not about you.
Well, that's about all the advice I have to offer for today - best of luck starting your own business!
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