Action Business Coaching
Action Business Coaching
When I look back at the way I approached setting up my training business 7 years ago I cringe with embarrassment. I honestly didn’t think it would be that difficult to do. I thought that I had a good CV, years of valuable training experience in blue chip organisations under my belt and a few friends who could help me out. I had just moved into a new area so the timing wasn’t ideal but I told myself that as long as I put the hard work into building up my contacts then it wouldn’t be too long before work started flowing my way. And I was right. I picked up a few associate contracts and before too long I was booked solid. I remember feeling really pleased with myself! Going freelance was something I had wanted to do for years and now here I was doing it. And not only was I doing it, I was doing it really well. I had a full diary. I was a successful freelance trainer.
But I also remember feeling that something wasn’t right. I was busy and I was tired. I had set up my training business to spend more time with my young children and I hardly ever saw them. And working as an associate on low daily rates also meant that I wasn’t really earning a lot of money.
It was time for a reality check. I realised that I was kidding myself that I had a successful and profitable business. I was busy but busy doing what? I realised that I would have to make changes and start doing things differently if I wanted to start making my business really work.
It would take me too long to tell you about all the things I did but the point I wanted to make was the importance of taking action. Far too many people complain about their businesses yet don’t seem prepared to do anything to change their situation. The most successful people I know are the people who don’t stand still and stay stuck in a rut, they take steps to move themselves forward.
Let me give you some examples of some actions that you could take:
- Have a clear out of all your low value contracts. Set yourself a minimum rate and stick to it. Free up your diary for activities that will help you get clients of your own.
- Stop trying to be all things to all people. Explore and define your niche.
- Book yourself onto a training course that you have been promising to do for ages but have never got round to
- Hire a business coach
- Book time in your diary every week to work on your business
- Stop trying to do everything yourself. Get someone to do your admin or update your website. Concentrate on the things that you enjoy and that are going to bring you more business
When you decide to take action you have already set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd who just plod along hoping for things to get better. You are making a statement that your business isn’t just a hobby – you are serious about making it work. And I can guarantee that once you do this your business will be more successful as a result.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can start a kids sports photography business?
I am a hobbyist when it comes to photography. My kids are in soccer and Tball and I takes lots of action photos. I usually put a photo book together for the coach at the end of the season but that’s about it. One season I stepped in when the teams photographer was a no-show, and everyone loved the pictures. I posted them on shutterfly for the team to purchase but I of course made no money. I didn’t even think about making $ until my husband said something, which was after the fact. One of the parents suggested that I take pics during the games, post them on Smug Mug, pass out flyers to my Smug Mug site and watch the dollars roll in from the site. However, I can’t just post pictures of people’s children online without their consent. How can I sell pictures of people’s kids playing sports and sell them? Thanks in advance for any ideas.
If you don’t want to post the images online you could make some contact sheets or proofs (using watermarks to protect your intellectual property) and give one to each parent. Include your info on the contact sheet so that the parents can contact you to buy prints. You can then get their permission to upload images of their children so they can make a purchase through SmugMug. It sounds complicated and it probably will be.
Melbourne Action Business Coach David Guest – Objections
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