I think the biggest mistake people make when trying to grow their photography business - or any business - is to compete against well established companies. Big companies have been around for a long time. Which means they're either really good at what they do, or they're fast. Well...faster than you. Because of that, you'll never be able to outproduce a large company as a solo/entrepreneur, just like you'll never be able to outproduce a printing company, or a photography business that has 15+ employees. If you compete against volume, you're going to lose because you're outnumbered. It doesn't matter how hard you work. Twenty-four hours in a day are the same for all of us.

So, what can you do? 

1. BE KIND TO (all) PEOPLE

It's a no brainer, I know. But I've seen and heard horrifying stories on photoshoots where the clients where treated like cattle on a conveyor belt.

Flash. Click. Next!

If you're naturally a people person and enjoy social interactions, it should be second nature to you. Don't think about the money when you're shooting. Try and learn about the place or the person and go out of your way to do your absolute best! Take pictures of all possible angles, whatever you envision, more than what they ask for and show them the final retouched images. Trust me, most people don't know what they want and if you have a vision and an eye for detail use that to your advantage. In the end, the worst case scenario is they'll be indifferent. The upside, you may very well impress them!

2. NEVER SAY NO TO A CLIENT

This is one of those ambiguous rules that people love to hate. But there's a simple solution. Find a way to make it a win-win for both of you. I'm not saying you should be a door mat, but let's say the client isn't happy with your images. What would you do? 

Well, this is what I would do. You can show them the images and if they feel they're unusable, provide a full refund - and of course, keep the images. In addition, you can also offer a reshoot (free of charge). This is a great way to show your clients that you're not just after their money. Being honest and having strong ethics will put you in a different league altogether. 

3. DON'T TAKE MONEY FROM YOUR CLIENTS

I know it sounds crazy! If you don't take money you can starve, or end up on the streets - homeless. But wait! Let me finish. 

This is what I mean by don't take money from your clients. Don't be a gnat. Don't bombard your clients with invoices on top of of invoices. Keep it simple. Let your work do the talking. Chances are if they like you and your work is good, they'll want to pay you. Just so long as it doesn't feel like they're getting ripped off. So don't ask for money every time you talk on the phone or email. Instead, send them an invoice before the job starts and give them a chance to pay it within the allotted time frame after the job is completed.

4. ALWAYS PUT QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

This has been my number one rule from day one. A great lesson I learned from a company called Apple. By putting quality first, you create value and allow yourself a chance - in an extremely busy and competitive marketplace - to stand out. Because no one has your eye, or your experiences, or your vision, you can set yourself apart by creating your own unique style. A style which may take a long time to develop and produce and replicate time and time again.

Also, make sure your clients understand that your editing will take longer than what they're used to getting from other photographers, but the final images will be worth the wait. 

5. TALK TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW YOU KNOW

It may be a lot of work, but it's necessary and also depends on how many people you know. I've always held the belief that it's not what you know, but who you know. And we all know somebody who knows somebody until eventually the circle is complete. Engage in conversations with people and ask relevant questions (not about the weather) and you'll be surprised how many doors or opportunities you'll find. Language is the single best way of communication and we often relegate it to outdated things like resumes. A resume may get you in the door, but it's how you present yourself that will determine whether you or someone else gets the job.

6. CREATE SERENDIPITY AND SEIZE THE DAY

You've heard it before. Create your own luck. It's surely possible. It's a mix of all those things mentioned above. Being kind, never saying no, not taking money, focusing on quality and talking to everyone you know. And you can even talk to those people you know you don't know. Strike up a conversation and see where it leads. Through conversations I've been able to connect with people from all walks of life including: architects, interior designers, real estate agents, attorneys, home owners and many more. Each connection forged is invaluable if you are a decent human being and create something that is invaluable to them. The doors will open, and slowly but surely you'll be busier than you may be able to handle.

Good luck and be awesome!