I feel like I’m finally settling back into a normal routine after the holiday chaos. It’s now the off season for most photographers – as most people don’t enjoy getting their photos taken in freezing temps {for obvious reasons}. In my first year of business, I found this time to be extremely boring and useless. However, now, I find this time to be the cornerstone of my year’s success. I am able to use these months to prepare me and my business for the craziness of the year. Instead of the months of January-March dragging on, I already feel like things are still just as busy as the “normal” shooting season.

Not sure how to utilize your extra time? Here’s a few tips to boosting your business during the off season!

1. Create a schedule

   Just because it’s time off from your typical duties does not mean that it is vacation. I firmly believe you should create time to relax, but if you’re looking for growth in your business this year, you’re going to need these few months to propel you forward. I strongly suggest making a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule. Including day-to-day tasks that must be completed and goals that you’d like to reach at the end of the off season. Give yourself grace in your work – it is a slower time to enjoy – but understand you have to put in the work to see results.

2. Create the Year’s Goals

   This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. If you haven’t created your own business goals for the year, I strongly suggest doing so. How will you know that you were successful at the end of the year if you have nothing to measure it on? Goals you should considering making include: sales, followers, sessions, weddings, mentorships, collaborations, etc. Shape your goals around your business and what you value. If you’ve already reached your booking goals {ya for you!}, then find other areas of your business you can approve and set a goal for it.

3. Improve Your Own Systems

   I find this time of the year to be the PERFECT time to improve my own systems. For instance, if you’re always annoyed with how long it takes you to edit, your website is lacking speed, or perhaps your customer management system is all crazy – this is the time to find a solution. It can be extremely difficult to find a solution when you’re back-to-back with sessions and traveling. Use this extra time to make your busy season easier!

4. Get Together with Creatives!

   Goodness, I wish I followed this step more. I am going to really try to meet up with more creatives this off season. It’s hard. I always feel so crammed with work, but I know it’s important to meet other people. Get together for an hour and learn about them and their business. I promise seeing someone else’s perspective will teach you something for your own business.

5. Clean Your Equipment!

   I just sent my camera off this week to be cleaned, and I’m so ready to get it back. It makes me nervous to not have it for a few days, but you know what makes me more nervous – sending it off during the busy season! Cleaning your equipment now does not mean it will be good for the entire year, but it does give it a much lower chance of having to bring it back in the midst of endless sessions. Take time out of your schedule to make sure that your equipment is ready to go for another year!

I can’t wait to see how you boost your business this off season!

xoxo,