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.