Hi friend! My name is Jessica, I am a family and portrait photographer based in Washington Dc. I am a Christian, wife, and identical twin. I love lilacs, candles, rainy days and honesty. I love finding joy in simple things.
What is the first thing you tend to do when your business slows down? Stress? Panic? These reactions are crucial to any small business because it’s felt by your clients and customers and it doesn’t feel warm or inviting. People can spot fear from far away and we want to be a part of something exciting, something that’s flourishing.
Full, flourishing businesses attract more and new customers.
So how do we change our fear-based mindset into a flourishing mindset?
Rest. We get so distracted by work and business that we forget to rest, and rest well. Slow seasons are times we can refuel and get excited about the next busy season.
Create. Creating something new is always invigorating and sparks even more creativity.
Educate. This past I took several photography courses and have reaped the benefits all year long. It sharpens your skill and connects you with other creatives.
Read. This is one thing I prioritized in the last year and it helped me tremendously.It broadens my vocabulary and lets you get lost in a story giving you a hint of childhood again.
Plan/prep for busy season. This is such a fun part of running a small business. You have the opportunity to dream big and break those dreams down into manageable tasks. It’s exciting what you can accomplish in a year if you are dedicated.
Update your website. This is especially important for photographers. As you hone your skill and editing you want your website to reflect that. Update your photos and even think about taking a new headshot of yourself.
Proofread your copy. Reading through your website copy is so important. I know I miss things the first or second time around.
Blog and schedule ahead. Plan out your blogging schedule and if you have spare time during slow season blog ahead and schedule them into the coming months. It’s so nice to have consistent blog posts to keep your website active and interesting. Google loves consistency. I try to blog twice a week, one photo session and one business or personal post.
Offer something new in your business. If you know a slow season is coming maybe that is the perfect time to offer something new in your business. In January and February I offer several mentoring spots and headshot sessions.
Collaborate. This is so fun! Look for someone to collaborate with in your business. For me-being a newborn photographer in DC-I could do an Instagram Live with another photographer, partner with a local children’s boutique or even interview a local doula for helpful information for my clients. There are so many options!
Clean your computer or phone. This may be my least favorite but necessary. Prep your computer for the new year but clearing out photos or downloads. Erase all those thousands of photos you don’t need on your phone. Get ready for a fresh New Year.
Gather Reviews. This takes time but is very important to any small business. Ask your past clients to leave you a review on Google. This boosts your SEO and allows your business to be seem more. If you are a past client of mine, here is the link to leave a review: Here.
I hope you found a few helpful ideas on how to utilize your photography business during a slow season.