I just want to start this off by saying that I am by NO means an expert on workflows or systems 🙂 I just want to share with you some changes that I’ve made to my business that I’m super excited about!
Very recently, I realized that I was running my business the way that other photographers run their business – and that’s no way to do it! I felt like I was just doing it because it worked for them, but it didn’t really apply to my values or my goals. So, I took a couple of days and I re-did every single workflow imaginable. The only thing I haven’t finished yet are my e-mail templates 🙂
Granted, my business isn’t booming – yet – but I want to get in the habit of being efficient and consistent NOW instead of waiting until I’m incredibly overwhelmed that I can’t keep up or don’t represent my business and brand in a consistent manner.
I posted this on Facebook the other day when I was typing up my new workflows!
I love making lists. A lot. So, I realized that I need to make a list for everything that I do in my business, and then replicate it so that I can remain efficient AND consistent. I want to treat every client the same way, and I want to use the same system for everything I do.
I created five workflows (I turned them into cute little checklists!) that cover everything that I do in my business:
- prepping for a session
- regular sessions – from that initial inquiry all the way until they’ve received their photos (this includes contracts, deposits, dates, reminders, etc etc)
- weddings – same deal; the very initial inquiry all the way until the very end!
- organizing and delivering my photos – the process of how to organize on my computer, WHEN to organize, how to edit and store photos, delivering photos, social media, and so on 🙂
- monthly – there are very specific tasks that I have to do on a monthly basis (finances, blog schedule, etc) , so I put these all on the same list and then left space for any special tasks that I need to complete that month
I put all of these workflows in a cute little binder I made when I was in high school with a collage I made on the front. Y’know. When it was super cool to just cut out all sorts of things from magazines and then glue them all together on a piece of paper? Oh yeah. It’s totally the new face for my workflows and I couldn’t be more excited!
Having systems in place is super important because not only does it help you become more efficient, but you don’t forget anything and you represent your brand in a cohesive manner! Every client will get the same experience (but totally personalized to them!) every time they book with me, and I will complete sessions in the same manner every time. I’m not even joking when I say that I felt this rush of relief when I hole punched them all and put in them with their dividers in the binder.
It was nice to finally take a step towards working on my business that made 100% sense to ME and worked for ME. I plan on really focusing on my business and my goals to figure out what it is exactly that I want to represent, and then figure out how to do it. I’ll make it happen!
Over the next couple of months I’ll be sharing these workflows in more detail!
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