Recessions are rough on nearly everyone, especially the businesses without a store front because we miss out on the community drives to save a business from going under. That's OK, we'll survive and here are 6 of my favorite tips to help you have a bigger punch during the pandemic.
I'm a firm believer that recessions can spark new life into a small business, if they plan it out accordingly. That means all the obvious things like cutting your overheads and shopping smarter. As the big businesses fight to keep their lifestyle up and retain their clients, the small businesses can make more bold moves. That also means they have ask for help and be more visible, and that's what this video is about.
While the video goes into depth to help you make the most of the times, here is a breakdown of ways to capitalize:
- If your clients cannot purchase a photography package from you, ask them to consider reviewing your business on either Yelp or Google.
- You can remind clients that they should reschedule instead of cancel. It's easy to ask for a refund but few know the impact of that on the small business. Educating the client is a worthwhile endeavor.
- The awkward suggestion of tips for your services.
- Offer and promote gift cards to help you make it through the hardest of times.
- Ask the clients how they can contribute to your business with ideas and suggestions.
- Request friends, family, and former clients to share you work.
It's a time to be vocal and ask for help. Those that ask are generally those that receive. Our clients understand that we're not a huge studio with multiple employees and a full account. They understand you're likely freelance. With everyone panicking, it's important to remind clients about rescheduling versus canceling or asking for referrals.
I'll say this: most people are good. It's not scientific but I believe most people are good. They want to be of service and see you prosper, but not everyone knows how to help. Sometimes, it's a matter of asking for the exact type of assistance we need.
Put it this way.
You are a blogger paid per publish article but you are not great on finding subject or writing about.
So you browsing Youtube video until one looks fine to write about.
You spend 17 minute to watch it; summarized it by writing a text below it (it should take you 20mn to do so)
Publish an article with the video on top and your writing on the bottom.
You did not have to be creative or smart. It's a literal transcription of the video content. You don't add anything to it.
Get paid.(a Little)
In economics, a depression is a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is a more severe economic downturn than a recession, which is a slowdown in economic activity over the course of a normal business cycle.
Depressions are characterized by their length, by abnormally large increases in unemployment, falls in the availability of credit (often due to some form of banking or financial crisis), shrinking output as buyers dry up and suppliers cut back on production and investment, more bankruptcies including sovereign debt defaults, significantly reduced amounts of trade and commerce (especially international trade), as well as highly volatile relative currency value fluctuations (often due to currency devaluations). Price deflation, financial crises, stock market crash, and bank failures are also common elements of a depression that do not normally occur during a recession.
Gift cards are a good way to get new clients, that's what I learned from my own experience. People buy them for their friends' Bdays and their people come back to me later, too. Rescheduling is also a good thing. I've nticed that extra gifts, like 3 edit variations of one and the same picture also make people surprised in a good way, and all I had to do for that is to add a different photodiva filter. Sometimes underpromising and overdelivery are a real help.