Lately, a portrait photographer I do know shared in a web based group that he had been approached by an acquaintance who wished him to shoot their upcoming marriage ceremony.
After giving it cautious thought, he ultimately got here to the agency choice to show the potential shopper down as a result of, not solely was it outdoors of his goal style, however he had no curiosity by any means in breaking into marriage ceremony pictures.
He thoughtfully shared on-line that he wouldn’t be seen as a very good portrait photographer, however as a nasty marriage ceremony photographer. Merely put, it could have achieved extra hurt than good for his enterprise in the long term. A fist pump and a hoot of enjoyment later, I despatched him a congratulatory message.
As photographers, it is a state of affairs we inevitably encounter, and one thing many people has needed to be taught the laborious method, myself included. When is the best time to say no to a gig? Whereas it may be downright painful at occasions, that tiny two-letter phrase can drive your small business in the best path when used with cautious thought and consideration.
So how do we all know when to show a possibility down? Let’s go over my private prime 3 causes.
1. Say no when doing it free of charge and publicity will get previous
Let me preface this by acknowledging that all of us begin someplace. To start with, this may contain taking the occasional free gig early in our careers in an effort to construct our portfolios. These had been the times when a possible shopper would point out the phrase publicity and we immediately jumped on the alternative. On the time, you’re getting your toes moist, constructing your portfolio, and discovering your individual private groove as a photographer.
Nevertheless, it inevitably units in that you may’t pay the payments with typically intangible publicity. Irrespective of how good the intentions are of a well-meaning shopper. You’ll ultimately have to start turning down these free gigs.
2. Say no when the gig isn’t in your goal style
For many people, discovering our space(s) of focus is a pure, natural course of that evolves over time. Throughout this time we additionally uncover what sorts of gigs we desire to not tackle. For instance, in my case, it has been a shift away from marriage ceremony pictures. It paid nicely and allowed me to supply nice images. However, it additionally gave me grey hairs and precipitated a stable month of sleepless nights earlier than the large day. Though I cherished the method of attending to know the bride and groom throughout their marriage ceremony journey, the stress and stress turned too nice for my delicate disposition.
After a sure level, I made a decision I needed to start turning weddings down. It was robust, particularly when a not too long ago engaged pal approached me shortly after my decision and requested if I’d shoot her upcoming nuptials. I struggled for a stable week earlier than I gathered the resolve to softly flip her down. I advised her that I used to be shifting my focus away from marriage ceremony pictures. As robust as the choice was, I slept like a child that evening.
3. Say no once they gained’t pay you what you’re price
As an expert, realizing what you’re price is its personal article. It entails a handful of things, together with however not restricted to your bills, how a lot you wish to pay your self, and what you uniquely carry to the desk. If you happen to haven’t sat down and found out what you need to be charging, it is best to do it. Proper now.
Suffice to say, at the least having a agency understanding of how a lot you want to make will have an effect on the alerts you’re sending out to potential shoppers, reminiscent of the way you signify your self on-line, your confidence, and the way you talk your worth proposition. When sending out the right alerts, will probably be much like laying down a tantalizing path of breadcrumbs that attracts in your goal shoppers.
Even higher, the general public outdoors of your goal demographic will naturally start to gravitate away from your small business. And if you do run into the occasional one that needs your providers for less expensive than you’re prepared (or in a position) to supply, saying no will come a lot simpler to you, as a result of you may be rooted by agency numbers and details, versus how topsy-turvy your intestine is feeling that day.
Easy methods to make saying no simpler
Whereas not typically satisfying, there are sensible methods you may make it simpler on your self and the rejected occasion. Most significantly, be nice about turning them down. For the sake of all that’s good {and professional}, keep away from being impolite. They don’t deserve that sort of therapy, and it can lead to destructive word-of-mouth publicity for you though you haven’t taken a single photograph for them! And if attainable, don’t ship them away empty-handed.
Think about providing a useful resource that may assist them of their photographer search. For instance, this could possibly be within the type of you giving them the direct contact info for a better-suited photographer with whom you’ve gotten beforehand labored out a enterprise referral price.
You possibly can additionally supply a hyperlink to a helpful article on-line, or perhaps a pdf information that communicates the important thing issues they need to look out for when selecting a selected photographer. Not solely are you offering worth, however you’re providing primary schooling as they go concerning the course of, which advantages the pictures business as a complete.
Over time, the phrase no can change into a useful gizmo in your skilled arsenal when you discover ways to wield it correctly and pretty. It’s not a lot about rejecting folks as it’s about attracting those that are a very good match for your small business. And keep in mind: it takes time to be taught when to greatest say no, so be affected person not solely with potential shoppers but additionally with your self.
