3 Things I stopped doing to grow my business

There are 3 things I stopped doing to grow my business because when you first start working for yourself you realise how much you really don’t know.

You start reading blogs, books and listening to podcasts. You sign up for countless freebie lessons (in exchange for your email address, and then you forget and wonder why they are still trying to sell stuff to you 7 years later 🙂 ).

Then you look to all these experts and hope that someone can show you the way! You basically become obsessed and then completely overwhelmed.

And it took me a while to realise that there were things that I was doing, that definitely weren’t helping me or the business.

3 Things I stopped doing to grow my business

Stop following & comparing myself to people in my industry

When I first started in photography I found a whole world of photographers doing the thing I wanted to.

But I was stuck doing insurance – A job that was as unfulfilling, as it was boring.

So my escape was to read about successful photographers.

To jealously scour their portfolios in the hope that I might find what their secret was. I’d buy courses and books and generally stalk them.

If it worked for them, then why can’t it work for me?

The thing I learned is that it never works. Sure, you learn some new skills but its pretty disappointing when it doesn’t work out exactly as they promise.

Or when you see your competition absolutely smashing it. More clients than you, more engagement and probably more money…

So I stopped following them all. I gave up on the stalking and I did my own thing.

I still like to learn new things and I still follow a few “experts” but I get on with my own thing and feel a lot less overwhelmed.

Trying to do everything myself.

I like to be in control.

So I used to try do everything myself.

But again, it’s overwhelming. Learning about photography, basic accounting, marketing, PR, social media… the list goes on and on.

It’s impossible to do it all at the same time, so you do a little bit of each of them but you don’t really commit to any of them.

So I decided to concentrate on the things I like and either outsource or just forget the stuff I don’t like.

• I like Instagram but I don’t like twitter. So it’s an easy choice.
• I like knowing about finances but don’t really like general https://www.brandingphotographer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pexels-алеся-горбунова-15923919-scaled-2-3.webp. Another easy one – I hired a VA to sort out bookings and invoicing.
• I love editing with photoshop but it was taking over my life as I strove for perfection. So now I have a strict way of editing every photos and if possible try and get the photo right in the camera!
• I love to learn new things if they interest me. If they don’t, then I’m going to find someone who already does it well and pay them.

It certainly makes life easier if you concentrate on what you enjoy and what you’re good at.

Saying yes to absolutely every enquiry.

I’m not right for everyone. My photo style isn’t for everyone. My prices aren’t for everyone and why would they be? So that also means that not everyone who gets in touch is right for me either.

It took me a long time to realise that I needed to trust my own instinct.

My first year doing wedding photography led me to book every wedding I could. Even though some of them weren’t what I wanted to do. I just felt very grateful to be getting paid to take photos.

But you know, when you know.

That feeling that it’s too good to be true. The suspicion that you’re in for a whole boat load of trouble if you take someone on who doesn’t really buy into what you do. Or you just know they’re going to be a bigger hassle than the money you’re getting paid.

It’s definitely not easy to do this at first. Theres the money. And then there’s the idea that you should be grateful for work…

To be honest, its rare these days that I turn down a client but that’s because in my social media and on the blog I’m trying to attract the sort of client that would work well for me. But if it’s going to be a problem.

I’ve no problem saying NO!

Have you stopped doing anything and its actually helped you?

And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:

1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.

Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots.  Read here

2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.

We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read more) or you could join me at a Branding Day.

3) Join ‘Visibility School’.

Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and lots of bonus content too (new for 2023 members) . Read