Hump Day Quickie: Fine-tuning Your Business

by Skip Cohen

Over the last few months I've shared dozens of suggestions to help you build a stronger business. But now that we're into spring seasonality, things are busier and a lot of you have the idea that you don't have the time to do more marketing.

Here's a list of easy things to do regularly to help you keep the momentum going:

1. Check and respond to customer inquiries: I'm always surprised at the number of artists who check their messages at totally random times of day. For phone and text messages it should be several times a day and for email, especially if you have a structured contact system on your website. 
2. Keep in touch with clients: With social media it's so easy to track birthdays, anniversaries and milestones. Make a list of your top clients. Then set yourself up for 30 minutes a day to stay in contact via email, social media or even your phone. Just 2-3 calls a day will help you build a foundation of customers who know you care. This is all about staying in touch, NOT selling or pitching anything beyond respect and friendship.
3. Monitor your website: You don't have to do a full review every day, but each morning hit a few different pages on your website to make sure everything is loading the way you want it to.
4. Get out to lunch! I've often referred to myself as "the biggest lunch slut in the industry!" I love getting time with friends and associates over lunch. It's about the conversations and especially with members of the industry - you learn so much about the challenges everybody is facing.
5. Take advantage of Throwback Thursday: It's the perfect way to remind Mom that her family changes a little more every day. So utilize your blog or social media to share old photographs that make the point about the importance of memories and your skills. Remember, you're a magician with the skill to turn intangible moments into photographs and videos to enjoy for a lifetime.
6. Follow a few icons: We all have our heroes in imaging. Bookmark a few of their pages and then stay in touch with what they're working on. You'll be surprised on how much you can pick up in trends and technique.
7. Stay involved in at least 1-2 groups of artists: Whether it's a local camera club, state association or national, don't just stand on the sidelines and watch the parade go by - get involved.
8. Attend a few workshops: You should be attending at least one major conference each year and then fill in the rest of the year with a couple of hands-on type workshops. The key here isn't just expanding your skill set, but expanding and socializing with your network.

Just like a houseplant needs water and fertilizer to grow and stay healthy, so does your spirit and your business. Don't let the stress of the biz grind you down. You've got to stay active and passionate about the craft and your clients. Remember, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it!

Happy Hump Day!