Having a solid business plan is vital to the success of any start-up.  This is going to become a very big part of your future not only in time but also as a personal investment.  Taking just a little time before you take these big steps will really pay off in the future.  There are some obvious advantages to starting a photography business over most other businesses.  In relative terms, it can be much less risky, less capital intensive, and started part time while still working your “real job” as I hear very often. While writing your business plan, I would recommend that you follow two basic rules:

1. Keep an open mind
2. Have a realistic projections and assumptions

Fist key, keeping an open mind, is being open to suggestions and constructive criticism. If you go into your business plan with tunnel vision, you may find yourself “fudging numbers”.   This can happen when you have invested yourself and are passionate about your idea.  Now don’t get me wrong, these are key ingredients to making your business successful, but if you come across something that seems to be critical, be true to yourself and stick to facts. 

Second objective is to have realistic projections and assumptions.  You want to minimize the amount of assumptions that you will have, but the ones you make should be backed up by a lot of facts and well thought out ideas.  This will become very evident when putting together financial statements.  Good working financial statement will take time to put together.  Get the majority of your research, and writing done before you get too heavy into this section.

What do I put in a Business Plan?

Most of you reading this are probably not looking for any type of funding so you want to keep in mind that this plan is for YOU!  This plan will help keep you on track to meet your goals, overcome potential problems and be a map for your future.  Here are the main sections of a business plan:

Executive Summary- Highlights of the whole business plan in 1-2 pages.  Many will say that if you can’t do this, you don’t know your business.  Ironically, you want to do this last.  Believe me!

Business Description–  General description of your unique product of service, industry background, goals, and potential.

Management– Team and legal structure!  An “A” team with a “B” idea is better than a “B” team with an “A” idea!

Marketing–2 parts – (1) Research on who your target market is, market size, and trends, etc… with competition analysis and estimated market share.  (2) Marketing plan, pricing, promotions, and strategy.  *PhotoBiz has some great tools to help you here!

Financials– Forecasting the money.  This can take a lot of time but is one of the most important aspects.  It should include balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements for the 1st 3-5 years.

Operations– Location and its advantages.  You should have a reason why you do everything.

Critical Risks– Potential problems, obstacles, risks; and what you will do to avoid and overcome them.

Milestone Schedule– Goals are very important, give yourself a timeline and deadlines.

Exit Strategy– What happens in the end?  Successor, transfer of assets, etc…

Appendix– If you are trying to get funding, tell the investors where you are getting your information from.

*** Don Kuratko, who is one of the best entrepreneurial instructors in the country, recommends 40-50 pages in length.  (This does not include financials or appendix)

This is a passion of mine and I would be glad to go into more detail if we get a good response from readers on this subject.  This is just touching the tip of each section so please let me know where you would like us to focus with your comments!

PhotoBiz is launching a new flash template called the “Chameleon”.  You are in for a world of surprises with this template because it has some very unique features, mainly with its color shifting effects.
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You’ve heard of Facebook, right?  You may have a personal profile but you need to realize that Facebook could be very powerful for your business too.  150,000,000 (150 MILLION) people is a huge market to tap in to, not to mention that it’s free!  Here are a few tips and tricks for creating your own business presence on Facebook!

Your Decision:  Once you have made the decision to introduce your business to Facebook, you need to decide whether a business group or business page will be the best fit.  We use a business page for PhotoBiz {http://photobizfanclub.com} because of the advantages described to the rightand strongly encourage you to do the same!

Web-Connection:  It is important as a small business to only market 1 domain name (your website) so linking everything together effectively is vital.  A splash page is one great way of doing this with your Website, Blog, Facebook, etc…  Here are a few great examples! 

DayDream Photography :: Photo Umbra :: Yray Marie :: Visio Photography

Frequency of Content:  You should get into a routine to post messages often. This should be multiple times a day and try to include content that will help your customers.  There are applications, explained later, that can really help you in this section.  Also, be sure to be swift on answering questions and responding to inquiries.  If you are not on your page, what makes you think others will want to be?

Type of Content:  There are all kinds of great ideas on relevant content that you can post on Facebook.  You could leave a coupon code, talk about specials or rave about sessions and fun events coming up.  Highlight a recent photo shoot posting some images.  Also, posting videos and other fun content on your Wall will all be a great way to encourage customers to come and engage!  When you post on your wall, many of your fans will see this on their “Mini-Feed” enticing them to come and interact with you on your page!

 
Developing a Fan Base:  You will want to invite all of your friends from Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Blogs, Forums, etc…  The more people that you invite, the more fans you will acquire.  You will want to link to your business page from everywhere that you can.  You want to announce to the world the grand opening of your Facebook business page just like you would a brand new business.  Offer coupons, prizes, and whatever else will entice your target market to become a fan in the first month.  PhotoBiz offered a free IPod to one lucky fan that joined our business page in the first month.  Once you develop a pretty strong fan base, you will want to influence them to interact on your page. 

Viral Customer Engaging Benefit:  Getting customers to come and interact with you on your page will result in the biggest benefit that Facebook has to offer you.  If you post on your Wall, your fans receive a notification on their Mini-Feed.  If your fans post on your wall, all of their friends see this on their Mini-Feed!  This is great because you are now spreading the word about your business through to thousands of people!  Check out your visitor statistics to get more information on your customer interactions!

Quick Tips:
1.  Always check spelling.  Using Internet Explorer, right click on the text and click “check spelling”.  This is quick and will be more professional than a bunch of misspelled words (it’s ok to misspell on a personal page, not with business)!
2.  Always display your links with the http:// in front!  Do you want your viewers to copy and paste www.photobizfanclub.com into their address bar?  OR Do you want them to be able to click on http://photobizfanclub.com???                   Make it easy for them!

My Favorite Applications:  Adding certain applications to your Facebook page, can really make your page more attractive and exciting for customers to come visit.  Here are some of my favorite applications and what they do: 

 1.  Selective Twitter Status Application- I prefer this application over some of the others because you can choose which status from Twitter will be transferred over to Facebook.  Your tweet must end with “#fb” and it comes right to Facebook!
2.  Social RSS- If you have a blog, this will transfer all of your content to Facebook! Better Content = More Readers!
3.  Static FBML- This will give you great flexibility!  You can add up to 10 different FBML Boxes.  Here are some examples of how we have used them!  Email, Twitter, Blog, Display Products, etc…
4.  Video- Search for Video and it should be the top app. created by Facebook.  Unbranded, very nice, gives an added touch.  Most people are more visual, so give them something to remember you by.

I hope that these tips on Facebook pages help your business and prepare you to take full advantage of Facebook.  Remember that there are many other great applications and tips out there to help you benefit on Facebook. 

Leave us a comment & A link to your Facebook Group or Page.

Our June Featured Photographer of the Month
Amy Hoskins

1. What equipment you do you use?
When I first started out in this business I was so clueless on what to purchase. I read reviews, did my research, talked to several photographers, went to website forums to learn as much as I could and I wore myself out trying to decide. So….I wrote out Nikon on one piece of paper, Canon on another, put both pieces in a hat and drew out Canon. I must say I love my juice! I have 2 Canon 5Ds and a Canon 30D that I use as a backup. I shoot with an array of lenses ranging from 70-200mm (the shizzle of all lenses) a 24-105mm, 50mm and a 16-35mm.

2. How long have you been shooting?
2 years.

3. What type of photography do you take?
I love photographing just about anything-but I find my true creativity with high school seniors, trash the dress and boudoir sessions. I love urban/edgy photography and I love to push the envelope just a bit to make eyebrows go up! I have a passion for edgy-romantic wedding photography and incorporate a lot of my edgy feel and flair into those sessions as well.

4. Price range of events?
My basic sitting fee for everything (except weddings) is $150.00-usually for an hour to an hour and a half of photography. I don’t look at my watch so basically we wrap up when we feel like we got everything we needed to get. I want each experience to be unique and fun. Our wedding packages start at $1400.00.

5. When did you notice that you had passion for photography?
I’m probably so different than other photographers because I really didn’t have a passion for photography when I was little. I wasn’t the girl that asked for a camera-I asked for a dirt bike instead. My Grandpa Bill was our small town photographer not by trade, but by choice. He always had a camera around his neck and he was always catching memories of our family. He was at every sporting event, school function and anything exciting that ever went on in our small town. I think I was more intrigued by watching him love “his passion” than I was actually into taking pictures myself. After several years in corporate America, I knew I needed and wanted something more creative in my life. It was my search for something creative that lead me back to my roots.

6. Is there anything unique about what you do?
Hmmm…probably not. ha If anything I think you have to have a five star personality to get the images that you want to get. It’s easy to point and shoot a camera and take a picture, but if you don’t click with your clients, your pictures will show it.

7. What’s the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
I have two very funny (now) stories-Not too long ago I was shooting a HS Senior girl in a junk yard and we were unaware that we were under a tornado warning. We were both pretty scared when the wind picked up and black funnel clouds started forming around us. We stayed long enough to get some amazing images, but it was rather scary! Earlier this month I was shooting another HS senior girl in an old truck that we found, and as she was sitting on the edge of the passenger seat a big black snake popped out of the glove box. I took off like a mad woman!

8. How many events do you photograph each year?
I don’t really cap off how much I shoot. As long as I have the date open-I take pictures.

9. Have you had to change anything to adjust in current economic times?
I haven’t had to adjust much. My philosophy has always been to give my clients what they came to me for-which is a fun-hip photo shoot and quality images at a fair price. I don’t believe in getting second mortgages to have your pictures taken!

10. Describe your shooting style?
Fun. Edgy. Entertaining.

11. What’s the best advice you can give?
I totally believe in paying it forward. I was very fortunate when I started this adventure to meet one of the best photographers in Kansas City. He and his wife helped me so much with every question imaginable going circles in my head. I got the best education for free all because two people wanted to help me be successful. To me it’s not about how much business I bring in every day, it’s about loving my passion and enjoying what I do. It’s about helping others who are just starting out find their way a little easier than trial and error.

Past Featured Photographers
2009
February  ::  March  ::  April  ::  May

Would you like to be featured as the Photographer of the Month? It’s quick, easy, and FREE!

You can be featured on the PhotoBiz Website, Blog, and our Facebook page with your picture and website link included by nominating yourself to be the Photographer of the Month.

We are looking for a dynamic looking website, a unique business model, great photography, and/or anything that stands out. You could gain great visibility and industry fame for the hardwork that you have put in.

Requirements:
1  You must be a PhotoBiz Customer

2  Be willing to submit to us a video testimonial (This can be short like 15-20 seconds)  You do not have to do this until we have chosen you, however, you can if you would like!

3.  Two different images of yourself.  One portrait for a thumbnail and one funny for your interview.

4.  Why you think that you deserve to be the photographer of the month.

5.  Have fun with it

Sample Questions: (If it’s too personal, leave it blank)  Please try to give an answer that is longer than a few words or just a sentence for each response.  Paragraphs are fine but people want to read more about YOU!

1 What equipment you do you use?
2 How long have you been shooting?
3 Where are you located?
4 What type of photography do you take?
5 Price range of events?
6 When did you notice that you had passion for photography?
7 Is there anything unique about what you do?
8 What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
9 What’s the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
10 How many events do you photograph each year?
11 Have you had to changed anything to adjust in current economic times?
12 Describe your shooting style?
13 Feel free to make up your own questions and answer them!

Everyone wants a custom look without the custom price, right?  Well here at PhotoBiz, we are always striving to take your suggestions and make improvements.
 

**We’ve created one of the most advanced color pickers that allows you to completely customize the color scheme.

• **You have the ability to switch template layouts with one click of the mouse and no additional cost.  This is something that nobody else can offer you.

Among many other great features, we’d like to point out another really great feature that allows you to customize your look with a transparent logo.

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