This is how you earn a full-time income as a photographer
Marketing is the key to finding your ideal customer - and thus generating enough income so that you can earn a full-time income with photography. In the beginning, you may have acquaintances from your surroundings as clients, but that is not enough to secure sufficient assignments in the long term. Therefore, you will need to distinguish yourself from your competitors and become discoverable. And that takes time and effort.
That's why we have gathered 10 tips that will help you earn a full-time income as a photographer in no time!
- Distinguish yourself from the rest
The competition within the market is continuously increasing, as it is relatively easy to start as a photographer. You only need a few things, except for a camera, a computer, and a passion for taking photos. Therefore, it is extremely important to be distinctive and to create your own image.
By developing your own style in the way you photograph and in editing your photos, you can leave your mark. How cool would it be if people immediately recognize you through your photos?
- Make sure you are findable online
Google is your biggest friend. With no less than 92% market share, Google is the number one search engine. It is therefore extremely important that your website is easily findable on Google.
It is worth taking the time to delve into SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and to use the right keywords on your website. Because if you rank number one for a certain keyword (which is of course relevant to your work), it means that Google considers you the most valuable. Therefore, it is extremely important that you use written text on your website and, for example, do not create templates in Canva, as Google cannot read this.
- Make sure your website looks and works well
In addition to SEO, it is important that your website works well and looks good for your visitors. Therefore, have your website regularly tested by friends and acquaintances and continuously make it a little more user-friendly. Je krijgt nooit een tweede kans om een geweldige eerste indruk te maken!
- Utilize your social media channels
Your image and brand awareness on social media is indispensable in this digital age. It is the way to showcase yourself, how you work, and to display the results. It makes communication much easier when your client can already see what you are currently working on.
Social media creates curiosity and ensures that your customers unconsciously build a connection with you, even though they don't know you at all. Finally, it lowers the threshold for a project significantly, and they will think of you more quickly in the future!
- Send a monthly newsletter or build an email funnel
Website and social media: check? Then collect email addresses from friends, acquaintances, and (potential) customers in a list, so you can send them a monthly newsletter with updates. This way, you keep in touch with your existing customers. Keep in mind that you don't want to spam; your newsletter should contain valuable content.
Do you offer one or more products or services as a photographer? Then you can also choose to build an email funnel by first offering customers something for free and then ensuring they enter an (automated) flow of emails to create a specific upsell. A handy marketing tool for this is Mailchimp.
- Collect reviews
Word-of-mouth advertising is still the best advertising, so always ask your customer to write a review. This can be on LinkedIn, or better yet: on Google. Therefore, first make sure that your business is registered on Google. Leaving a business card is still very effective too!
- Give your customers a physical product
A physical product allows your customer to relive the moment over and over again. When you deliver your photo shoots in a beautiful album, let your customer walk around with your business card. There is no better way of advertising!
- Lower your costs
Of course, a high turnover is nice, but in the end, it’s about how much profit you make. The simplest way to do that is by reducing your costs. You can quickly save costs on (expensive) subscriptions from Adobe or on accounting software. Tip: Canva is a wonderful and free program to design your entire website (or other marketing materials)!
For designing albums, you also need software and there are nice alternatives available that do not incur monthly costs. For example, Album stomp here's a good example of that. Yellow Rebel can also be found in this program, so you can quickly and easily design an album.- Stay informed about trends and developments
You are never done learning, even if you have been working as a photographer for a while. It is therefore important to stay updated on trends and developments in your field. Of course, it is important to hold on to your style. Consider for yourself to what extent you can apply trends in your way of working, without losing your own signature.
Developments in programs and equipment can also help you streamline your workflow. For example, Yellow Rebel has a bestelhulp for the selection of the albums that you can share with your customers. There is a personalized version and a free version available.
- Earn a passive income
As a photographer, you certainly don't have to earn your entire income solely from photography. You can also start giving photography workshops or courses (online or from home) if you are good at teaching or if you want to share your knowledge. Or maybe you excel in editing programs, allowing you to help other photographers with editing (for a fee).
Another option is to offer your photos on stock platforms, such as EyeEm, Pexels of UnsplashThe income from this type of platforms can increase significantly and is a nice addition to your income.