http://kellymooneyminutes.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/monetization-of-photography-in-spite-of-a-lousy-economy/
Monetization of Photography in Spite of a Lousy Economy
I talk to a lot of photographers. I don’t define the word
“photographer” by the type of camera he or she shoots with. Whether
someone is shooting with a still camera, a traditional video camera, a
motion picture film camera or a hybrid camera that shoots both stills
and motion – a “photographer” these days is apt to embrace more than
one of these tools.
Regardless of the tools you may use, I’ve come up with a few tips on
how photographers can stay afloat and make money in this continued
stagnant economy.
Think outside the box – don’t think of yourself as one who just
shoots still images. Even your “still” clients will have a need for
motion imagery these days. It may not warrant the need for them to
hire a big video production crew to make a broadcast spot. But it
could be one of your corporate clients needs a “talking head” for
their website. Even if you don’t shoot motion or don’t want to –
collaborate with someone who has these skills to fill your client’s
needs instead of sending your clients elsewhere.
You don’t need someone else to commission your services in order
for you to make a living. When photographers take on personal
projects, not only are they creating a buzz and getting noticed by
potential clients, they are also creating their own “content” to
monetize. It is possible now to get our content to market without the
need of a middleman. Portals are open and plentiful to all.
Take advantage of what is “free”, rather than be put out of
business by it. There are so many ways to build your brand and get
noticed without spending a fortune. The costs of building and
maintaining a website have dropped significantly because of advances
in technology. And utilizing social media to create a buzz and get the
word out about your company is virtually free with Facebook,
Twitter,LinkedIn and YouTube. But be prepared to do the work and
discipline yourself because this territory is ripe with distractions.
Re-purpose your content. If you’ve been blogging or have something
useful to share – consider packaging your “knowledge” into ePubs,
podcasts or “how to” webinars. One thing I’ve learned about making an
ePub is that you can either do it yourself or hire a formatter so that
it gets to market quickly – via Amazon, Barnes and Noble or the iTunes
platform. Price it right – and offer more than one ePub at a time.
(I’m working on my 2nd ePub now) In this market, if someone has just
spent $3 or $4 to buy your ePub and they see you have another one for
sale – it’s not a big stretch for them to buy that other book you
offer at the same time.
Collaborate with others. Partner with others to put on webinars,
podcasts, call in phone seminars etc. Use this opportunity to build
your own brand. Don’t always feel that you have to be the only “act”
offered. In fact many times, if you join forces with other creatives,
it will get you further than if you are the only speaker in a half
filled room. Get out there and get noticed and learn from your
colleagues at the same time.
Be authentic. I cringe when I write that word because it has
become a bit trite. I guess in a way I have always been authentic. In
fact I just can’t help myself. If you are true to yourself, you will
be ready, eager and able to work hard on your dreams. And hard work is
exactly what is necessary to make it in this profession. You’ve got
to want it bad enough in order to do the work. If you are a clone of
other photographers, you’re career will be short lived. I guarantee
the photographers that you are emulating will be “moving on” because
their passion is driving them to new things. So, what happens to the
cloned versions then?
Don’t focus solely on the money. Easy to say and really hard to
embrace when you can’t pay your mortgage. But look at any successful
person – I don’t care which business you choose to look toward in
terms of finding successful people – but you’ll see that most people
who have “made it big” were not driven by the money. I’m not saying
that money is not important, but if you are solely focused on the
money and not on the act of creating – it will show. Being too
focused on the money part of the equation, can sometimes push it
away. People sense it. It’s human nature to want to be around a
“winner” – not someone who is begging for a job to keep them afloat
financially.
Be patient. Everything turns around. While the old days and ways
of doing things won’t come back, better opportunities will replace
them. Don’t be paralyzed by your own fears. Do what you can that won’t
cost you a lot of money and there is plenty you can do. Work social
media, learn new skills – audio, editing, writing etc., network with
people, create new content for ePubs, webinars, and podcasts. Use your
imagination, pursue what you are passionate about and when the economy
turns around – you’ll be ready.
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