Taking the plunge

CMAldridge

So.... I quit my previous full time employment.

I was unable to find the time to work on making a plan and building a photography business. Since I had been able to get some funds reserved, and the situation with the "day job" wasn't improving, no seemed to be the time to take the dive.

I've taken the last couple of weeks to get some home projects in order. In addition to that I have been revamping my work space...the home office. I think it's important to have a dedicated area to work with clients and to be able to go and close the door when needed. I have years of small business and management experience.

The gigs I've been able to do seem to be in demand, even if they weren't the best paying jobs, I feel it gave me the initial experience I needed to make this move. I haven't identified a core market yet, I know some guys are very specialized, I don't feel I am there yet. My plan is portrait, theatre and event photography.

Once I get my office in order, I plan to work on exploiting social marketing, and SEO.

Reaching out for others advice on going full time. What advice can you give?

AlliOOP

CMAldridge wrote: »

So.... I quit my previous full time employment.

I was unable to find the time to work on making a plan and building a photography business. Since I had been able to get some funds reserved, and the situation with the "day job" wasn't improving, no seemed to be the time to take the dive.

I've taken the last couple of weeks to get some home projects in order. In addition to that I have been revamping my work space...the home office. I think it's important to have a dedicated area to work with clients and to be able to go and close the door when needed. I have years of small business and management experience.

The gigs I've been able to do seem to be in demand, even if they weren't the best paying jobs, I feel it gave me the initial experience I needed to make this move. I haven't identified a core market yet, I know some guys are very specialized, I don't feel I am there yet. My plan is portrait, theatre and event photography.

Once I get my office in order, I plan to work on exploiting social marketing, and SEO.

Reaching out for others advice on going full time. What advice can you give?

Verify with your state and county governments that you are allowed to actually see clients at the home office. You may be allowed to HAVE the home office but are not allowed to have the clients physically BE at the home office. It is impossible to take studio shots of non-existent clients.

mishenka

Make sure you have a website where visitors (and potential clients) do not have to wait 19 seconds for the first image on your home page to finally show up.

CMAldridge

Is mine taking that long for you? I think I can change it to have a splash image if so. Maybe I need to look into that!

But seriously? As new to photography business advice that is something I need to be really worried about?

CMAldridge

AlliOOP wrote: »

Verify with your state and county governments that you are allowed to actually see clients at the home office. You may be allowed to HAVE the home office but are not allowed to have the clients physically BE at the home office. It is impossible to take studio shots of non-existent clients.

Excellent! Hadn't thought of that. And insurance permission too.

Hikin' Mike

CMAldridge wrote: »

Is mine taking that long for you? I think I can change it to have a splash image if so. Maybe I need to look into that!

But seriously? As new to photography business advice that is something I need to be really worried about?

I didn't think it took that long, and I have an old computer. FWIW, "mishenka's" site took more time to load then your's. If you add a splash page, I personally will never click though you page. I would just leave. Just something to think about.

mishenka

Hi, sorry for responding so late. CMAldridge - I re-checked your site: it loads extremely fast now, instantaneous. But that day when I wrote my initial message it was loading awfully slow. It might have been a glitch or my internet connection.

CMAldridge

Oh good!

Mike, I wouldn't add a splash page just a static image that displays while the slide show loads, instead of the circular loading logo . I never used it because it never seemed needed.

Thanks for the feedback on the site.