“Business experts” might say don’t create a business from a passion. Gary Vaynerchuk would tell you otherwise. If you love photography and have considered turning your hobby into a freelance photography business, here are some tips for you.
- Pick your niche: Are you a wedding photographer, portrait photographer, animal photographer, child photographer, landscape photographer? What is your main goal as a freelance photographer?
- Get ahead: Find your competition, see what they’re doing, pick up books, read blogs and plan your method to make a name for yourself. Put it in writing.
- Right next door: Your first customers are in your neighborhood. Start local by using SEO & marketing methods. Create a Google Local Place, FourSquare, Gowalla, and Yelp account. (There are more websites to post on [see Yext.com] as well)
- Learn the biz: Photographers looking to make money from the hobby must also learn some of the business sense. Find help if needed, but pick up some photography business books and read the blogs that are available to you.
- Hey dude: Be social, join Twitter, Facebook, etc. Connect with your colleagues and customers. Learn from each other and network.
- The shop around the corner: As a freelance photographer, the local photography store can be one of your biggest assets. Make friends, prove that you can do a good job and customers will be sent your way.
From a SEO standpoint, I brand myself as a New Jersey Photographer. However, from a marketing standpoint and because my freelance business offers a variety of photographic opportunity, I brand myself as a New Jersey Portrait, Travel and Life Photographer.
Have your own tip for an emerging freelance photographer? Comment below to share.
Thanks for reading and happy shooting,
Scott
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