Final Project - The Roadmap

For this assignment we will be putting together a binder or a folder with all the parts on a separate pages.  This is working plan that you will build upon or modify as you learn more and find your way in your career goals.  Some of this can be pulled from the work we've done in this class already.

1.  
Definition Of The Business: Decide on the business name, logo, web site domain, legal structure of your business, your chosen specialties, the location (home-based or studio), any additional personnel required, and the equipment you need to operate successfully and efficiently.

2.
Your Unique Selling Points: Write down why you're a photographer and why a client would hire you. What are the compelling elements of the experience you’re going to provide to your clients.

3. 
Define Your Target Market: Who are you going to serve?  How will you find them and communicate with them.  If you will serve more than one market . . . list them and then address how you will market to the multiple audiences.  Only when you have defined your target audience(s) can you aim your marketing at the right people.

4.
Operational Procedures: This details how you plan to operate your business, and how you create your photography and end-products. How many sessions will you do? Where will they be? What does your workflow look like? Do you need to outsource any tasks to others? What does your booking and sales process look like?

5. 
Pricing: Insert your pricing assignment here. Expand it if you are considering additional markets.

6.
Sales Goals:  I want to see a detailed breakdown of how much money you will need to make during 2018 (or the first year of business if it's not next year).   Present your expenses (Fixed costs), what you will need to make to survive and pay your bills and how much work you will need to do to earn the amount you need.

7.
Marketing Strategies: How will you reach your target market and get the attention of your ideal clients? Which methods will you use the most, and how will you measure the success of your marketing? What will your marketing budget be? Where are you going to put most of your efforts into social media, email, SEO, promotions, cold calling, networking, and other channels?


8.
Client Communication: Outline your procedures for all client communications to make sure nothing and no one falls through the cracks.  Think about how you will manage phone lines, email addresses and social media - more points of contact is making this more complicated.

9.
Workflow: Create a workflow spreadsheet for completing a job.  Everyone will have their own take on this but look at this Example for some reference.

10. 
Business Goals: Pull goals from your "Defining Goals" assignment.  Set goals for the next 6 months, 12 months and 3 years to help understand the planned evolution of your business.

Due: December 11 - We will present and discuss some of them in class.   Make sure you have a digital copy or make arrangements with me to get you your assignment back if you want the hard copy back.

Field Trip to Art Center College of Design

We will meet up at the Hillside Campus of Art Center College of Design.  There is a parking lot on campus.  I am not sure if you will need to pay to park or how they handle that.  I’ve asked but I have not received a response yet.  I am going to call early Monday morning and as soon as have any additional info - I will sent another email and I will put it here on the Blog.  As you enter you will drive past the main stairway which leads to the Student Gallery.  (see big red arrow on map)   We will assemble on the stairs of the main building,  right were the Big Red Arrow in pointing.  If you get lost call my cel or phone a friend in class. 

Hillside Campus
1700 Lida Street
Pasadena, CA 91103

There is free parking in the student lot located at the end of the main road through campus.  

See you today, Monday, November 27 at Noon. 

Assignment #7 Promotion Project

Design and create a photographic promotion piece/s for mail or email distribution. You must use your own photos that will serve as examples of your photographic skills.  For the graphic design and creative direction, you can work with or consult with a graphic designer (student or professional).

POSSIBLE formats:
• The project could be a postcard or self-contained mailer
• Your project could be a brochure that is mailed or delivered
• It could include special or unique packaging
• The project may take some format or approach which is completely unique


Think about your target audience, how you get your work in front of them to view and what might really surprise and WOW them.  What can you do to make your piece stand out from all the others.  What will delight them so that they feel compelled to keep your piece. 

Present your promo piece in a way that represents the finished product. You can create the designed portions in Photoshop and include all pieces of the project, envelope, cards, promotional items, etc.

Include a written description of the piece, how it will be distributed and to whom.  Also include your method for determining who should receive the piece(s). 

We will present the promo projects in class.

Due: November 22

This assignment is an optional one. Those who complete it will be given extra credit of UP TO 100 points. IT WILL BE ACCEPTED Only on NOVEMBER 22.

Here is some additional information and inspiration to get the creative marketing juices flowing:
Mini Session Promotion
https://digital-photography-school.com/5-tips-for-successful-mini-sessions/
Photographers that Killed it - Promotion-wise 
https://blog.photoshelter.com/2014/08/10-great-photographer-promos/
Slide show promo tool -  www.animoto.com