Steps Photographers Can Take to Add Value to Their Offering
Recessions are painful experiences.
Many people are forced to readjust their spending and work habits and routines.
They cause disruptions in businesses and personal lives.
While no one seeks out a recession, it true that there is a silver lining.
It causes individuals and organizations to see how they are spending their time and money.
It forces them to make sure they are getting maximum value for their limited dollars.
Thus it is in the photography industry.
Those who focus on providing maximum value at the lowest price will likely come out of the recession with a larger percentage of market share and a more streamlined organization to meet the need of its clients.
The following are some ideas on how a photographer can provide greater value for its clients.
1.
Make sure the lowest paid person who competently perform a task is performing the task.
It simply does not make sense that a lead photographer is spending his time uploading pictures to the website or running batch actions on images.
These tasks can be accomplished by someone with less experience.
Organizing in this way has two benefits.
First employees have an opportunity to do more challenging work.
Second your cost structure will lower which will then allow you to lower your prices to compete.
Same quality for lower price equals greater value.
2.
Create a body of information that is useful for photo session and email it out to your clients.
Sending an email cost you almost nothing.
But, if you have put some time into a message that will make their photo shoot more productive you have added value to their experience.
3.
Put your money into investments that have a high rate of return.
Here are a few examples that often apply to professional photographers.
A.
Migrate from a PC to a MAC.
Many photographers have found the time they save by abandoning their PC is well worth the extra price.
B.
Pay a professional to upgrade your website.
If you are putting a significant amount of time or money into SEO work then an upgrade to the website will produce a great return on that investment.
If you can change your booking rate from 1% of those who visit your site to 2% of those who visit your site, you've increased the return on those SEO dollars by more than 100%.
C.
Improve the speed of your information system.
This is related to moving to a MACINTOSH.
A faster modem, Internet line, and processing speed will allow you to complete your work must faster.
Recessions are painful.
But photographers who use them as an opportunity to focus on adding value to their offering will be better prepared to take advantage of any recovery.
Many people are forced to readjust their spending and work habits and routines.
They cause disruptions in businesses and personal lives.
While no one seeks out a recession, it true that there is a silver lining.
It causes individuals and organizations to see how they are spending their time and money.
It forces them to make sure they are getting maximum value for their limited dollars.
Thus it is in the photography industry.
Those who focus on providing maximum value at the lowest price will likely come out of the recession with a larger percentage of market share and a more streamlined organization to meet the need of its clients.
The following are some ideas on how a photographer can provide greater value for its clients.
1.
Make sure the lowest paid person who competently perform a task is performing the task.
It simply does not make sense that a lead photographer is spending his time uploading pictures to the website or running batch actions on images.
These tasks can be accomplished by someone with less experience.
Organizing in this way has two benefits.
First employees have an opportunity to do more challenging work.
Second your cost structure will lower which will then allow you to lower your prices to compete.
Same quality for lower price equals greater value.
2.
Create a body of information that is useful for photo session and email it out to your clients.
Sending an email cost you almost nothing.
But, if you have put some time into a message that will make their photo shoot more productive you have added value to their experience.
3.
Put your money into investments that have a high rate of return.
Here are a few examples that often apply to professional photographers.
A.
Migrate from a PC to a MAC.
Many photographers have found the time they save by abandoning their PC is well worth the extra price.
B.
Pay a professional to upgrade your website.
If you are putting a significant amount of time or money into SEO work then an upgrade to the website will produce a great return on that investment.
If you can change your booking rate from 1% of those who visit your site to 2% of those who visit your site, you've increased the return on those SEO dollars by more than 100%.
C.
Improve the speed of your information system.
This is related to moving to a MACINTOSH.
A faster modem, Internet line, and processing speed will allow you to complete your work must faster.
Recessions are painful.
But photographers who use them as an opportunity to focus on adding value to their offering will be better prepared to take advantage of any recovery.
