Home Blog The Big Fat Red Don't Do List - Updated!

24

Apr

The Big Fat Red Don't Do List - Updated! PDF Print E-mail
Natalie's VSM Blog
Written by Natalie Sousa   

title_dontdolist

Its not always obvious when you're making a mistake...

I've compiled a list of 9 common mistakes photographers (and videographers) make, that can easily be avoided. Let it be known that I will never, ever blame you if you are guilty of any of the following – I was guilty of every single one of these puppies at one point or another. Here goes...

icon_bigredno Using a gmail, hotmail or other free email account

"If its free, its for me!" is one of my all time, favorite phrases in the universe! But using a free email account as your business email address sends a "you're not established" message to Clients and potential Clients. Always use an email address that includes the full URL to your website. Of course gmail is cool - but it’s robbing you of an opportunity to communicate your brand to YOUR Clients.

Money is NO excuse! Go Daddy offers personal email plans for only $1.20 a month - go, get... pronto.

icon_bigredno Not having an email signature

This is a super easy fix and it will only take you two minutes to complete. Find a way to put this on the top of your to-do list immediately! A proper email address should be included in every single one of your outgoing emails and consist of your full name, title, company name, address, contact information and if you have one, a mini tag line or branding message. Mine looks a little something like this:

--
Natalie Sousa
VSM Team Lead

Virtual Studio Manager
c/o Webster Hill Inc
580 California Street, 5th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104

virtualstudiomanager.com | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 866.977.5300

Getting Photographers behind their cameras, not their desks!

icon_bigredno Not responding to Clients promptly

I know what you're thinking... "Of course you should, who doesn't"? Believe it or not, this isn't something that most of us do consistently. By following up with Clients quickly, you're more likely to have a potential Client become a contracted Client, and gain valuable, word-of-mouth recommendations from your existing Clients.

Virtual Studio Manager makes it easy to follow up with one, or more Clients with a click of a few buttons!

icon_bigredno Using a P.O.Box address

P.O.Box addresses are for large corporations with payment processing centers. If you're a small business owner, and you're including the words "P. O. Box" in your address, its sends an uncomfortable feeling to your Clients - and you don't want that!

If you're not comfortable using your personal address, use the full street name for your local post office and list your P.O. Box number as a suite number.

icon_bigredno Not having a toll free number

This is really useful for a number of reasons! Not only can you route your toll free number to any phone, therefore never having to change your business phone number, it also sends a professional, established message to your Clients. There are lots of low cost solutions out there for you… run a search on the web and you’ll be amazed at all of the toll-free goodness available.

We use gotvmail, its a voice mail management system that also includes a toll free number.

icon_bigredno Not accepting credit cards

Being able to offer your Clients multiple ways to pay for your service, is not only convenient but also provides additional security for your Clients. There are low cost solutions out there for you to help get you started.

A really convenient and popular option is PayPal all you need is an email address to get started.

icon_bigredno Not knowing what you REALLY make per hour

Many photographers have NO idea what they actually make per hour! Take the time to explore your cost and profit margins, then implement tools that will help you save time - allowing you to maximize your hourly rate.

I'm a huge fan of time management systems that are effective and make life easier for every party. In this case however, you'll just have to set some time aside to really determine how much time you spend obtaining, maintaining and processing a Client/Assignment. Once you confirm what you're making per hour, look at implementing time saving tools that will help you streamline your business.

icon_bigredno Not having a meeting plan!

Getting a Client to meet with you is a great - and you should be thrilled that you are moving them along the process to becoming an actual Client! Once you land the meeting, know the steps needed to covert your potential Client to a contracted Client.

To start creating an effective meeting plan, check out the The Do Not Sell Photographers Guide to Booking Clients.

icon_bigredno Not having a business plan!

When you don't have a destination point clearly stated, you are less likely to make decisions that will help you reach your goals. Dedicate an afternoon and put your business plan in writing. You'll be surprised at what you learn and what you realize you need to work on when you sit down and evaluate what’s you have in store for your business.

Years of being in the industry and lots of research helped us accumulate tools, tips and resources to help us build our business!

--

about Natalie... She’s a photographer + mom + entrepreneur on a mission to help professional photographers save time and do more of what they love.

Comments (23)add comment

Paul Westbrook said:

...
One "free" email account option that I think is reasonable is Google's Google Apps for Domains. http://www.google.com/a

With this free solution, you will be able to use your domain.
April 24, 2009 | url

Natalie said:

...
@ Paul, thanks for the suggestion! smilies/grin.gif
May 08, 2009 | url

ugg boots said:

...
Today, search engines like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft’s new Bing ugg outlet have become the Internet’s gatekeepers, and the crucial role they play in directing users to Web sites means they are now as essential a component of its infrastructure as the physical network itself. The F.C.C. needs to look beyond network neutrality and include “search neutrality”: cheap ugg the principle that search engines should have no editorial policies other than that their results be comprehensive, impartial and based solely on relevance.
January 03, 2010 | url

ugg boots said:

...


I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.so you also can read my website,if you like
ugg boots
ugg boots
January 08, 2010 | url

uggs outlet said:

...
Google Book Search is the ambitious plan to ugg outlet digitize every book - famous or not, in any language, published anywhere on earth - found in the world's libraries, cheap ugg as part of the company's core mission "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."
January 12, 2010 | url

Wholesale Ugg Boots said:

...
UGG Bailey Button or not listing, the sale of those Ugg Classic Cardy shoes were broken from the factory out of a small amount of code of Ugg Boots Classic Mini shoes, if the yardage is complete, it is UGG Classic Tall, it is impossible to thing. See vamps, really UGG very bright and clean, car line is 9 per inch needle, uggs boots on sale margin is uniform, line moderately elastic, there will be no floating lines, break, jump pin. UGG Ultra Short shoe feel very good, but there is no rupture, breakage.There are many products on our shop for sale,and some now in discount, very cheap.Welcome to purchase!
February 01, 2010 | url

ed hardy on sale said:

...
Hello ^^ I bookmarked this site. Thanks heaps for this!… if anyone else has anything, it would be much appreciated. Great website ed hardy clothing Links
wholesale ed hardy
basketball shoes
Enjoy!
March 10, 2010 | url

mbt shoes said:

...
Paterson Seen With Key Role in Response to Aide’s Abuse Case.Gov. mbt David A. Paterson personally helped draft a statement last month that he hoped would be endorsed mbt shoes by a woman involved in a domestic dispute with one of his top aides, proposing language asserting that there had been no violence in the encounter, according to three people with knowledge of the governor’s role.
March 26, 2010 | url

cheap nfl jerseys said:

...
As Google awaits approval of a controversial settlement with authors nfl football jerseys and book publishers, the company’s plan to create an immense digital library and bookstore may face yet another hurdle. nfl jerseys
April 13, 2010 | url

louboutin shoes said:

...
How to Find Discount Designer Shoes. christian louboutin shoes Shop online;Visit discount department stores;onsider consignment, Goodwill or Salvation Army;Head to the outlet malls;Sign up for coupons and mail-outs for your 英雄合击 favorite stores and designers.
April 13, 2010 | url

walking shoes said:

...
MBT Shoes--Good Walking Shoes for Problem Feet. 传奇私服** Masai Barefoot Technology shoes have no heel; they force you to roll from heel to foot with each step, which is the proper walking technique. The shoe is heavy and takes getting used to, 最新私服** but is recommended as a solution for problem feet.
April 28, 2010 | url

louboutin shoes said:

...
What Does a Shoe Designer Do?Most women lust over the latest Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos. christian louboutin shoes** They drool over Christian Louboutin's latest red-soled creations and sometimes steal away to the shoe department at Saks to try on a coveted pair. Some women are lucky enough to purchase such a luxury, and a chosen few have closets full of them. Blahnik, Choo and Louboutin are some of the superstars of shoe designing, so famous that they even take time out of their busy christian louboutin** schedules to autograph their creations for eager fans. But what did they do to become such masters of their trade? And what does it takes to be a shoe designer?
April 28, 2010 | url

Cabal Alz said:

...
Gamers ought to know Cabal Alz if they really like to play this game. All gamers want to buy Cabal Online Alz to promote their character level easily.
May 12, 2010 | url

传世私服 said:

...
Financial Overhaul Bill Poses Big Test for Lobbyists. 传奇世界私服** Last Wednesday, Representative David Scott, Democrat of Georgia, mingled with insurance and 传奇私服** financial executives and other supporters at a lunchtime fund-raiser in his honor at a chic Washington wine bar before rushing out to cast a House vote.

May 23, 2010 | url

mbt said:

...
How to buy the best walking shoes for the exercise mbt shoes**
What is the difference between sneakers and walking shoes? walking shoes**
June 02, 2010 | url

私服传奇 said:

...
Primaries Test Mood of Voters at Midterm 传奇私服
Rate of Oil Leak, Still Not Clear, Puts Doubt on BP 传奇sf
June 08, 2010 | url

私服 said:

...
Little Diversity at Top of Bloomberg’s Administration 传奇私服
In Rare Memo, Vatican Rebukes Cardinal 传奇sf
June 29, 2010 | url

gucci outlet said:

...
What is coach bags outlet?Please dicount gucci handbags outlet for yourself.
zocy005 on 2010-7-12
July 12, 2010

传世私服 said:

...
Battle Looms in Washington Over Expiring Bush Tax Cuts 传奇私服
Unease in Tibet Over Influx of China’s Money and Migrants 传奇世界私服
July 25, 2010 | url

mbt shoes said:

...
discount mbt shoes outlet, mbt shoes MBT salama are offered at low price at mbt.com
July 26, 2010 | url

CindyHarvey said:

...
I had got a desire to make my firm, nevertheless I did not earn enough amount of cash to do it. Thank God my close fellow said to utilize the loans. Therefore I took the secured loan and realized my dream.
July 26, 2010 | url

传奇私服 said:

...
More Workers Face Pay Cuts, Not Furloughs 传奇私服
Workplace Troubles Preceded Killing of 9 传奇私服
August 04, 2010 | url

传奇私服 said:

...
Can to carry forward 10 years experience. First: Do not stay in the heart of the comfort that the region can be forgiven.
传奇私服
传奇世界私服
August 17, 2010 | url

Write comment

security image
Write the displayed characters


busy
 

Our valuable member Natalie Sousa has been with us since Wednesday, 30 July 2008.

Explore Our Sample Site

Link customized forms to your website and your Client will never know they updated your database for you!

samplesite

aboutvsm

Stalk Natalie (in a good way)

Facebook Twitter Xbox Live

Natalie's Twitter:

Follow me on twitter