Having a good operations system in place is essential to continued success in your photography business,
But it’s NOT the only thing.
Some erroneously believe, or, are misguided into thinking that the operations system is where it’s at…..once achieved, success!
Don’t be fooled.
The marketing system is the lifeblood of your photography studio.
The operations system is simply how things flow, who does what, getting from point A to point B…it involves steps and procedures. Processes….
And more often it’s behind the scenes stuff.
The marketing is a completely different animal.
Operations can include items such as:
*workflow
*accounting
*employees
*camera brand used
*computer system used
on and on…..lots of logical, black and white thinking stuff.
There’s more to it. And, having a good operations system in place is essential.
It’s something that the smart studio owners improve on in time and make better.
It also helps to delegate the operations and create systems, so that you, as a marketer, a strategist, can spend more time in charge of running the….ahem….you guessed it….:
The marketing system.
Where the monee is.
Never delegate the marketing. Delegate as much of the operations as you can.
Although there are NO guarantees, it’s your best crack at success and growing out of the yard-sale mentality.
Grow up and treat your “business” like a business.
Photography is the NUMBER ONE HOBBY right now…and as a result, many, many hobbyists are getting into the “business”.
And many get confused on this topic.
The smart business owner knows the difference between having a marketing system and having an operations system.
Be smart. Know the difference.
So you’re asking, okay Mr. Smart guy….what is the marketing system then?
Marketing is everything you do to create, innovate products and finding people who will buy them.
Over and over. Rinse, repeat.
Once you have a marketing system in place, you delegate the “grunt” work aspect of it.
Never the strategy.
Marketing is not an easy solution. It does involve much innovation, testing, poking and prodding. And once you achieve success, always keeping an eye on it and finding ways to improve.
It’s a system, in a sense. But not the same as operations.
I’ve said this many times:
“Never try to find one way to get 100 clients…..”
That’s what hobbyists and amateurs think.
Instead:
“Find 100 ways to get ONE client.”
Those “ways” are the tools and techniques that make up the marketing system.
Hold it close. Never take it for granted.
And never rest on your laurels, lest they become wreaths…..
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher
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