So You Want to Be A Photographer? Part II

So, you've decided you're going to set yourself up as a photographer.
Great!
So now you're a photographer... you say you're a photographer and you have a website that makes you look like a photographer.  So now you need to market yourself.
So how are you going to do that exactly?

At this point, you should be referring to your business plan because you'd be crazy to go into business without a business plan, right?
 I've got mine sitting in this basket besides my desk (It's not the rubbish basket, it's my 'on hand' filing system)  Where do you keep yours?

What, you didn't write one?  Are you serious?
 Doh!
Go directly to jail.  Do not pass Go.  Do not collect $200.

See that question I asked up there... the 'How are you going to do that exactly' question?

That's the question you need to have answered in your business plan.
Not only the how but the why and where and when of your business.  If you haven't written one, you're 'winging' it.  Chancing your arm, (I don't know why we say that in England but I'm sure someone will enlighten me) and hoping for the best.
Basically you don't have any direction, you have no idea how you're going to grow and market your business and you have nothing to show a bank manager should you want a loan but not only that, you have nothing to refer to which will keep you on track.

You may be a creative artist, but if you don't have a clue what you're doing and how you're going to do it, then you deserve to fail.
Truly.  And I'm sorry if that's harsh, but it's for your own good. 


Find a business plan template on the web NOW and download it.  Banks have them for free, and there are plenty out there.  Now fill it in and then we'll talk further about building a portfolio.

Have fun!