3 Tips to Remember when your new to your craft
I started my photography business four years ago with a big pregnant belly and deep desire to have a lucrative and creative outlet.
When I first started out, I was so insecure, unskilled and not very knowledgeable about what I wanted to see happen in my business, or who I wanted to serve. I was so scared to talk to people about photography because I was immersed in the Social Media portfolios of so many amazing professionals who had been in the game for much longer with better equipment and skills than I.
My insecurity was so bad that once I did a shoot two years after my business launch and the client thought it was my first shoot. Facepalm. That humiliating experience taught me that I needed to change.
LEVELING UP MY CONFIDENCE WHICH MEANT GROWING IN MY CRAFT,
understanding my audience and learning how to plug and promote my business a lot better. This short list is obviously not even the tip of the iceberg of this topic, but if you’re where I was, it’s going to give you plenty of ideas with how to move forward from where you are.
#1. BE CONFIDENT IN WHERE YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE AND COMMIT TO GROWTH.
Right now, chances are you know more about your craft than the average person, and as funny as that sounds it’s something. That means you have the opportunity to invest in knowledge exponentially. There is someone who can use your skill set at this level. That doesn’t mean stop where you are, but know that where you are now is still valuable. Don’t degrade that.
What you know right now is the foundation of what you will know next year because the knowledge we have builds and grows as we learn more. Part of being confident is knowing where you are and committing to growing in ways you are not skilled or talented. Never be ashamed of where you are, even if you feel you’re failing. Don’t even waste your time idolizing the end result of where you’re going.
FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON APPRECIATING AND LOVING THE JOURNEY OF GROWTH AND LEARNING.
Loving that place will drive your confidence through the roof and here's why: you won’t be distracted by comparing yourself to others because you’re focused on the journey of learning. You will always remain humble, because you will understand that you have more to learn.
Lastly, you will value and appreciate knowledge you already have and gain because you know it didn’t come easy.
#2. KNOW WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS.
You want to be intentional with your resources especially if they are limited. Something that helps with that is not exerting your time and money into ads that will not appeal to your audience. You need to know where they are, who they are, and what they are doing. Why are you targeting them? Think of how you can draw those people to yourself. What do they want to see? Why do they matter to you? Don’t be afraid to narrow it down and create content that may feel exclusive. That’s okay. If you don’t know who your audience is, take a step back and look at the content or product you have created.
WHO IS ENGAGING? WHO SUPPORTS?
If the people you want to see are not showing up, brainstorm tweaks you can make to get there. If your space is for them and you make it like home, they will come. On the flip side, don’t get discouraged or frustrated when what you produce isn’t for some.
As much as you may wish, everyone won’t be busting down your doors. Think of bigger brands for a moment, there are plenty of brands that are amazing but there’s always a demographic that won’t support them. This is why knowing your audience is vital and also where building a small community of like minded encouraging individuals come in real handy. You will need people who can give you encouragement in times you feel like nothing is working. Above all, be genuine to your core message and the people who need it will definitely come.
#3. DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE CREATIVE AVENUES TO PLUG YOUR BUSINESS.
Along with genuineness, diligence is paramount. Plugging your business looks like much more than just social media posting or running ads. Letting people know who you are looks like finding opportunities to connect with other thinkers, creatives, entrepreneurs and business owners who understand and share your values. Plugging your business can be writing for a fellow writers blog. It can look like collaborating with another photographer on a series.
For stay at home moms like me, it can look like hosting a think tank at your home or virtually, with other powerful business owners or entrepreneurs to brainstorm ways to support each other and collaborate.
FIND A HANDFUL OF IDEAS AND WORK DILIGENTLY IN CARRYING THEM OUT.
Make sure that going into it you know what a win in that area will look like so you understand if that method works for you or not. Take your time and be willing to listen, fail, regroup and try again. That is the essence of healthy growth and it’s the same approach that will push you out of your comfort zone enough to foster growth in your area of expertise.
Calah
