Down to the Wire as a Business Owner in Photography

Missed any past Fast Food Fridays? They're all just a click away!

With just eleven days left in the year, this is one of those Fast Food Friday posts to remind you of things you might have missed along the way in building your business and wrapping up the year. Most of you are right-brain creative types with a focus on your images and clients, rather than running your business.

That's the reason I started this series in the first place - to remind you of little things you could do to establish a stronger presence. Most of the entrees in the SCU Diner have all been quick, easy ideas to raise the bar on how you're perceived in the community, along with tips to make your business more successful.

This morning is simply the equivalent of a buffet or a big salad bar!

• IUSA is the first big exclusively imaging conference out of the blocks in 2020. If you haven't made hotel and flight reservations for Nashville - there's still time. Over the last few years, IUSA has grown to be one of the best conferences in photography. Here's the link.
• WPPI kicks off in February - and although the show has been getting smaller over the years, it's still a great one to attend...book your hotel and travel arrangements NOW. Vegas and the room block fill up fast. WPPI is just one click away.
• 2019 Purchases: You've got eleven days to take advantage of tax deductions on purchases/expenses related to your business. You know what those are but talk to your accountant if they're significant. You want to take full advantage of state and federal tax laws.
• Holiday Cards: There are still too many of you who miss the opportunity to send out a holiday card featuring your own photograph! And, there's still time to do a generic holiday card and get it to clients in between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
• Gifts for Key Vendors and Clients: Think about who's helped you the most over the past year. Now is the time to recognize that wedding planner, florist, etc. who sent you some great referrals. A simple basket of goodies or bottle of wine to acknowledge your appreciation might be just the thing to say "Thanks!"
• Is it time for your own marketing video? January kicks off a new year, and with it should be some new ways to reach more clients. I'm a big fan of marketing videos that show a photographer's work with images and short video clips put to music and shared on your website along with your about page. In between the holidays is a great time to put it together.
• 2019 vs. 2020: For years, I've said that doctors and photographers are typically two of the worst business groups on the planet! Most of you don't know if you made any money until you do your taxes! So, prove me wrong this year. Take some time before year-end and think about your business over the past year. What worked well, and what never got off the ground? What do you need to make 2020 an even better year?
• Community Involvement: There are still so many things you can do to give back to your community in 2019. Many of them are also tax deductible and give you a chance to reduce your taxable income exposure and, at the same time, increase your brand awareness in the community.
• Content for Your Blog: Downtime for direct business/revenue doesn't mean it's slow for things you can do to set things up for 2020. Use the upcoming "slow season" to build your stash of content for your blog. If you're not posting at least twice a week on your blog, then shut it down! It's not doing enough to help you build a consistent awareness with your readership. Build a stash of posts you can use for content over the months ahead - short 200-300 word posts that help your readers become better photographers, for example. 

The year may be quickly coming to a close, but you still have time for a positive impact on your business in the home stretch!

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