A plan of attack, or a business plan.

[missoliel]

I've been reading through lots of forums and articles online about how to venture into your own photography business. I came across the common denominator of, "You really need a business plan, before you get this off the ground." I can see the benefits of being goal focused and not just haphazardly falling into working for yourself.

I found this great article which is helping me simpilfy the process of writing a photography specific business plan:

Your Photography Business Plan for 2011 - PhotoShelter Blog

I'm interested to hear the stories of others who have followed a specific plan, or those who've quite simply just winged it. How did it all work out for you?

[Biomech]

A bit of both to be honest.
I had to put in a business plan overview and projection to get a bank loan to start up, after that I kind of didn't bother finishing it - but I really should. Things are going alright but I do believe with a business plan they would improve.

Likewise when I write a list of to do's in the diary I get far more done per day than just sitting down and mincing.

On the other hand, my dad started his own business 5 years ago (different area), he didn't make a business plan, refuses to do marketing and didn't invest heavily at the start (the latter he now regrets). As of right now, his business is really struggling.

We had a saying in the army, the 5 P's: Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance .... also "Pain is free and there to be enjoyed" but not quite as relevant :P

[BK553]

I think you should have a business plan laid out, but then be ready to change it based on the realities of running the business. you have to be prepared, but flexible, and constantly change/modify/update your plan based on experience and the realities you face as you discover them.

[andyw]

I never had any sort of plan when I first started out - I had never planned to be a photographer, it just sort of crept up on me.

Once I realised that photography was for me then I already had most of the stuff in place that I needed initially. i.e. a market, contacts, the equipment etc.

I started doing press work so I didn't have the same overheads or business expenses someone going into studio work has.

Since I got away from pure press work (many many moons ago) I always have an annual business plan. well, more of a to do list.
It consists in the main of things like
planned turnover
new markets
training
pricing
marketing
suppliers
etc

It is all pretty flexible these days but in the past it was more structured, especially if I was planning on changing direction i.e. going from press to more commercial work or targeting different types of business/markets.

I think everyone in any business should sit down at the end of the year and go over what they have done and how and then how they plan on doing things the following year.
It stops you getting stale and can actually open your eyes to where you might be going wrong.

When just starting out I think a business plan and a plan of action go hand in hand. They are different but are intrinsically linked.
The plan of action can be more in the form of a monthly to do list whereas the business plan should be more structured and formal for the year. (also helps if the bank manager is to be your friend).

[missoliel]

Thank you all for your reponses; I'm definitely taking the path of having a plan. Working on short-term goals with an outlook to the future. That way, it'll garner some confidence in me early on that I can make those small achievements, and get ready for the bigger stuff.

I think I've see too many potentially good business ideas fall to the sidelines because there wasn't enough foresight.

Cheers.