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Wednesday Wisdoms

Downtime Should Always Equate To Time to Improve

Slow times = time to improve.

No way to say that differently, as we should all keep pushing the creative clock and get better. Why waste valuable time thinking we get time off if we aren’t on a photo job? Plain and simple- we full-time freelancers are always on our clock pushing ourselves forward, or we will lose our lead in the industry.

Today, we discuss the challenges freelancers, particularly photographers, face during slow periods in their business. Instead of viewing downtime as wasted time, we should utilize this time constructively. We should continue working, even when we are not engaged in paid projects. This could involve collaborating with other professionals, exploring new creative avenues, and enhancing our portfolios. Reaching out to peers in the industry can lead to fruitful collaborations, allowing photographers to diversify their skills and expand their networks. Ultimately, turn slow periods into opportunities for growth and improvement.

Freelancers, particularly photographers, can navigate slow periods in their careers. By reframing downtime as an opportunity for growth, collaboration, and creativity, professionals can not only enhance their skills and portfolios but also build meaningful connections within the industry. Continuous improvement and maintaining a strong work ethic serve as a reminder that every moment spent working—whether on paid projects or personal development—is an investment in one’s future success.

Let’s Be Thankful For What is Working And Use It

Do you want to take your career to the next level?

What naturally gets you going, invigorates you, and stirs the creative juices? Let’s be thankful for what is working and USE IT to build off of those particular motivators.

Let’s have som gratitude as we enter the holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving. This time of reflection is crucial for those in the fast-paced and ever-evolving industry. Take a step back and identify the elements in your professional lives that are working well. By creating a “positive checklist,” we can focus on what is effective, fulfilling, and aligned with our goals. The message is clear: rather than getting overwhelmed by the rapid changes and challenges of the industry, we should embrace gratitude and use it as a tool for growth and direction. Take some time off to contemplate and redirect our efforts toward what truly resonates with our aspirations, allowing us to shift, grow, and thrive in our professional journeys.

The SHOT COUNT Should Not Get Downplayed As The Extra Detail Of Your Fee

Why does the SHOT COUNT often get downplayed as the EXTRA detail of your fee? No, don’t give away free images! The shot count is one of the cornerstones of your rate. The best way to handle this is to break out the usage per shot in your fees, but often, clients prefer a day rate to include it all. However you set up your fee structure, remember the shot count is not some tiny additional detail as clients may suggest.

A “Pitch” Can Be Your Proactive Way of Introducing What You Can Offer

What is a PITCH?

A ‘pitch’ can be your proactive way of introducing what you offer to potential clients, usually through an emailed Treatment-style PDF. 

Three types:

1. Images of your style matching the type of work they do

2. Production company methodology of what you handle and provide

3. Specific conceptual concept project idea 

*Thank you Mary Dail (Big Leo Productions-@bigleoproductions) and Traci Terrick (Poppy Creative Agency- @poppycreative), for our Friday discussion on “pitches.”

Understanding The Clients’ Needs Will Help Us Get The Job

Bidding a job can be a quickly played, fast-paced, reactive decision game anticipating how the client could respond. The wrong move can cost us the job. We want to be honest about what we can do for their budget, but sometimes, we must educate the client to understand the situation and how we can best serve them. Be a part of their side of the process, join forces with them, and play the team player role.

Strategies for Successful Creative Calls with Clients

One important way to impress the client on the creative call is to research them before the call. Bring your knowledge of their company into the call. 

Any other creative call ideas you’d like to share in the comments?

You Are Your Marketing Department and Business Owner

Big truth: REPS NEED MATERIAL. I always say, “Give me something to say and something to show.” 

Big Untruth: I’m a creative/artistic business owner, so I get the day off when I’m not on a paid job. 

You are your marketing department, whether you are repped or not, and just like any business owner, you must constantly feed the marketing of your business. Your growth is based on your new ideas, and this never stops! You are being hired for your ideas, and your idea-making skill-set must be seen constantly in your marketing.