Lessons Learned in 2021

Raise your hand if the past couple of years have thrown you for a loop? (can we say hashtag pandemic hashtag burnout hashtag ijustwanttotravel?) I’m right there with you. It has been one heck of a ride. But now that we’re wrapping up the year, I’m realizing how much I’ve learned during this crazy time. And because I love sharing my journey, I’m also divulging my lessons learned for 2021.

Mistake

Taking On Too Much

Saying yes can be so much easier than saying no, especially if you’re a people pleaser (like me). But one thing I’ve started to realize is, that if it feels like it will be too much to take on, it probably is. This year I took on more than I normally do which made life difficult. One of the reasons that I jumped into branding photography is not only because I love it, but it also allowed me to have my weekends back. However, due to some freelance projects (in my urban planning role) being much more involved than expected this last summer/fall, I ended up having to book shoots on days I reserve for editing and office work. Which, like a snowball, then pushed much of my work into late evenings (hello 10 hour days). This entire summer felt like it flew by and yet I look back and feel like all I did was work. I was exhausted and even told my husband I was going to need some extra support/help during this time, like doing some of the things I normally would do around the house or with Decoy. And when it came to bookings, it was difficult to squeeze everyone in, and ultimately my calendar was booking out nearly 2 months at one point! I mean, many of my clients were happy to wait, but it really made me realize that I certainly took on way too much.  Needless to say that as we come to the end of the year, I’m feeling it.

Lesson learned: When it sounds like it will be too much for you to take on, it likely will be. Looking into 2022 I’m being careful with my calendar only booking what I know I can take on. I’ve also learned that outsourcing can be a lifesaver. When I was in the thick of it late September, I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with many of the day-to-day without the help of my Consulting Content Creator, Kate Andrews. She was willing to take on more work and I’m so thankful she did. The other lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to say no. You don’t have to say yes just to please someone (I actually have a podcast episode about why people-pleasing is bad for your business and how to cut it out - check it out here!). If it’s not a good time and you’re already spread too thin, saying no will be the right move. Trust me.  

Mistake

Squeezing People In 

As I said, I never want to disappoint my clients and in the past, I would often find myself furiously checking my calendar to see just what days I could squeeze them in for a shoot. So I am proud to say that even with the extra work that I took on I was much more strict about keeping my schedule this year. Sure there were times I booked outside of my ‘shoot days’ and I’m certainly willing to be nimble when needed, but I’ve realized that if people want to work with you, they are willing to wait for your schedule to open up. They will make it work for you, instead of you having to borrow time elsewhere to make everything work for everyone else.

Lesson learned: Don’t be afraid to say no (no is a big theme in this post) and maintain the boundaries you set for yourself and your business. I’ve also learned that I need to be very clear about booking times to potential clients - so that they know they should get in touch at least a month in advance if they want to get on my calendar.

Mistake

Managing Every Single Part of the Business

Before 2020 I managed every single part of my business, both my photography work and my course. So when I started outsourcing, it was a game-changer. For the first time, I didn’t have to worry about every single detail and I also didn’t have to devote my time and energy to a piece of my business that I didn’t really enjoy working on. 

But let’s be real - it’s hard to let go of control! I mean, my business is literally ME. However, since taking my first step into hiring help, I’ve made an effort to outsource wherever I can because it is amazing. Now I’m in a great rhythm with my workflow. I’ve been outsourcing my image culling, and from there I’ve been using an editing program called ImagenAI which uses artificial intelligence to learn MY editing style. It’s pretty freaking amazing.  And my blog and my graphic and text Instagram posts are taken care of by my Consulting Content Creator who has also been helping me to manage my Facebook groups (she is a lifesaver). I also have a social media manager who helps me to keep up with Instagram - which I was so thankful for when I legit had ZERO time to work on it. Doing all of this has allowed me to work on the parts of my business that I really love which makes my job so much more fun!

Lesson learned: If you don’t enjoy or have time for a piece of your business or find yourself procrastinating on certain tasks (because you just loathe them) find someone who specializes in that task and pass it along to them. Happy to give recommendations on anyone I’ve used!

Mistake

Not Taking the Time to Strategically Launch my Course

While many think that having a course is just an easy way to make passive income, they’ve obviously never launched one. Launching is exhausting. There is all the technical back-end work yes, but you also have to market it to ensure people actually sign up. I mean, Kevin Costner certainly heard it wrong - because if you build it, they don’t always come! You have to build the course, then find a funnel that works for you - either way, you’re going to need an email list, creative copy, and a strong strategy to meet industry KPIs. Oh and then you have to maintain the course as well. I regularly update content in The Brand Photographer Method as a major value to my students, but it all requires a lot of attention. When it comes to launching, this year I didn’t have the energy I normally do to put into a launch, and I hate to say it but my launches were not as strong and successful as they have been in the past.

Lesson learned: Set time aside for strategizing. Create a launch schedule that is realistic for YOU and what you have coming up for the year. Then, BLOCK off your calendar during your launch. That way you can be super present for when your funnel runs, and be sure to have the time to tackle any tech snafus. 

My Final Piece of Advice

As we prepare to leave 2021 behind (see ya!) and enter a new year I would say that one thing I will continue to do and I suggest you do the same is to say NO to projects and work that you can’t take on or will not support your mission or revenue goals. While it’s tempting to take something on to ensure income if it doesn’t light you up it will almost certainly burn you out!

And if you are thinking that a branding session will help support that revenue goal - grab my planning guide so you can start to prepare NOW. And don’t forget to get in touch about a month or more before your ideal shoot date!