HOME
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The
2-Second Commute
Based
on the
highly-successful Virtual Assistant training programs Chris Durst and
Michael Haaren developed
for the US Armed Forces and the US Department of State, The 2-Second
Commute:
Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants
brings
you the
knowledge without
the classroom!
Training
program
participants have billed
over $30
MILLION since our training programs started in 2002. Now YOU can learn from Chris
& Mike,
too, and start your own successful VA business!
2-SECOND
COMMUTE
CHAPTERS
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1
Why
Become a Virtual
Assistant?
- personal & professional
reasons to
explore this
industry
Chapter 2
Exploring
Virtual
Assistance
- virtual assistance defined
- industry demographics
- services, fees, and trends
- why businesses work with VAs
- international outlook
Chapter 3
Reality
Checks &
Self-Assessments
- exploring important considerations -
motives,
lifestyle,
family, children, etc.
- entrepreneurial self-assessment
- VA readiness self-assessment
- Spouse With a Mouse™ -
from our
Department of State
and US
Armed Forces training programs, a special section to help your
"significant other" understand what it will be like to have a business
in the house.
Developing
a "Service
Menu" That You Can Live and Grow With
- inventory your values, interests,
and
skills to
determine
your most marketable skills
Chapter 5
Estimating
Costs and
Setting Fees
- projecting your costs, picking your
"salary", setting
your hour, and our special formula for calculating a reasonable
baseline fee
- comprehensive fee survey (see what
other
VAs are
charging)
- getting paid -contracts, credit
cards,
invoices,
retainers, etc.
Chapter 6
Setting
Up Your
Business and Your Office
- naming and registering your business
- forms of business ownership
- permits and licenses
- insurance
- home office setup
Chapter 7
Building
a Healthy
Foundation for Your Business
- defining your ideal client,
interviewing
clients,
partnering with clients
- the art of virtual communications
- SWOT analysis - discovering your
Strengths,
Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and Threats
- the benefits of "niche marketing" -
identifying your
target
market
Chapter 8
Let
the Marketing
Begin!
- image is everything
- talking about what you "do"
- marketing and email
- your Web site - your "global
billboard"
- press releases
- harvesting the local "business crop"
- leveraging the media
- guest lecturing
- our 5 favorite marketing techniques
- the Strategic Marketing Plan - your
blueprint for
building
a successful business through effective marketing
Chapter 9
Pulling
It All
Together and
Keeping It There
- a collection of tips, tool,
techniques,
and pointers
for
making your business a success
Chapter 10
The
VA Toolbox:
Resources and Information
- VA trade groups, email lists,
certifications and
training
programs
- specialized resources for
homeschoolers,
"trailing
spouses", work at home parents, and people with disabilities
- resources and other information for
the
"frugal VA"
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 The niche in a nutshell:
A
photographer is someone who has the ability to tell a story with a
photograph. They have a strong passion for being behind the camera, and
have an eye for capturing detail. Photographers usually specialize in a
specific niche field, such as portrait, wedding, commercial, fashion,
travel, editorial, sports, fine art, etc. While some photographers work
for in-house corporations, most photographers work as a freelancer or
open up their own studio locations.
Top 5 Services Provided in this
Niche
- Portrait Photography
– babies,
children, families, high school seniors
- Event Photography
– weddings,
corporate parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, social gatherings
- Commercial Photography
–
corporate, annual reports, business, industrial
- Advertising Photography
– product
placement, catalog, model/fashion
- Editorial Photography
– news,
media and magazine placement
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Top 5 Hiring Markets
- Growing and changing
families
within your marketplace looking to hire a photographer to update their
portraiture
- Events: newly engaged brides
and
grooms, event
planners, corporate planners, meeting facilities, and people facing
milestones either in their personal or professional lives
- Commercial – small
to large
businesses that
use photography in their internal business structure, or for showcasing
their work in annual reports and other materials
- Advertising –
model portfolios,
and product photography for catalogs and other marketing materials,
including ads for magazines
- Editorial –
newspapers, journals,
trade
publications and magazines all are in need of photography to run with
stories. Don't forget online publications.
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Pay Range for this Niche
Well
over 50 percent of all photographers are self-employed. The median
income for a U.S. photographer is around $35,000 per year.
Pay rates vary depending on the type of photography, the type of
employer, and the credentials of the photographer.
A photographer can earn considerably more when they specialize, and
become known in one field. For example, a wedding photographer can
easily earn between $3,000 to $10,000 U.S. per wedding if they focus on
middle to upper end weddings. Likewise, a good commercial photographer
can earn several thousand dollars per job, depending on the client and
the assignment.
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Recommended Skillsets
- Creative
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Graphically inclined
- Ability to multi-task
- Visually inclined
- Strong marketing and
networking
skills
- Strong computer skills
- Ability to change quickly
with
changing technology
- Electronics knowledge is a
plus
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Niche
Overview
Many
people create a photography business out of their love and passion for
photography.
Because
photography
seems like a fun, exciting, and
sometimes glamorous industry, in attracts a lot of attention. From the
business perspective, photography can become a lucrative career
– if
you spend the time necessary developing the business side.
Photography is big business. Depending on the niche field you choose,
there has never been a higher demand for good quality images.
- People need
quality
images in this high tech, and very image friendly business world.
- People want
quality
images of their children, and of their families.
- People
demand high quality images when selling their products, or advertising
their businesses. Low quality images just aren't acceptable when
projecting a high quality business.
- People are
hunting
for quality stock images at a higher rate than ever before.
- People have
a higher
appreciation for fine art images.
- People want
professional coverage of their weddings, parties and corporate events.
Today,
most photographers use digital cameras instead of the traditional film
cameras. In addition to a camera, a host of other equipment is
necessary, including lenses, filters, flash units and lighting
equipment, tripods, computers, and various software programs. In
today's digital world, a photograph may start out in the camera, but
can be dramatically changed and enhanced inside the computer.
Key Questions
and
Answers About Working as a Photographer
Can I really
make my
living as a full time photographer?
Yes, many photographers are making a very good living with their
photography, even in to the six-figure level and beyond.
For many people wanting a career in photography, they start out on a
part time basis while continuing to work in their full time jobs. Start
small. Discover what you like and don't like, and build up your client
base. This is an easy field to build up on nights and weekends, and
turn into a full time career when the time is right for you.
What are the
typical
hours a photographer can expect to put in every week?
The hours of a photographer really depend on you.
As a part time photographer, you may choose to photograph on nights and
weekends to build up your business. A full time photographer may choose
a more standard workweek, and offer his services during the week.
Ultimately it depends on the type of photography you choose to do. A
wedding photographer will spend the majority of her time meeting with
clients and performing office work during the week, and photographing
weddings on the weekends. Commercial photographers may find it easier
to work a standard workweek, at times mutually convenient for their
corporate clients.
How do I
become a
photographer?
As I built up my own career in photography, I can attribute my success
to three things.
1.
Education
By far the best thing you can do is to learn something new every day.
Take classes by some of the greatest players in the photography
industry. Take business classes to learn more about growing your
business. And read consistently.
2.
Practice
The only way to become a better photographer is to practice. Put
yourself on assignment for an afternoon. Go to the park and practice
photographing details. Or concentrate on landscapes. Or concentrate on
facial expressions. Every task you perform will help you see in a brand
new way. For example, at a wedding, I would often give myself a five
minute assignment at the wedding reception. I would spend five minutes
capturing as many close ups of the guests as I could get. Or spend five
minutes capturing the details on the tables. The assignment doesn't
matter; your goal is to open up, and discover new ways of looking at
even the most familiar things.
3.
Marketing
In order to become a successful photographer, you must create a
marketing plan. A marketing plan provides you with the strategies to
bring in clients, to sell your products and services, and ultimately
create a profit for your business. The better you become at marketing
your business, the more your business will thrive.
The
Virtual Photography News
is a free resource that may be helpful to anyone considering a
photography career. It's a bi-monthly newsletter that's filled with
business and marketing tips to help the emerging and growing
photographer. Every issue is packed with helpful information directly
related to the photography industry, and provides tools that can easily
be implemented into your business,
How do I know
what
type of photography to specialize in?
Start with what you are passionate about. Chances are you already enjoy
a certain type of photography. Do you like photographing your kids on
the beach? Or maybe you enjoy photographing the flowers in your garden.
Build on that love.
There is a big difference between the portrait business where you're
working with people, and the commercial business where you are working
with products or ad layouts. If you enjoy working with people, and
giving them directions, the portrait side may be for you. If you like
things a little more quiet and controlled, commercial may be a better
fit.
To learn more about individual photography niches, and how to choose
which one is right for you, visit
my article on What Photography Field Should I Specialize In?
Do I need
specific
schooling, or can I do this on my own?
Many photographers have a passion for photography from early on. Some
photographers attend college with the intent on getting a degree in
photography. Still others simply have a love for photography, and
choose to start a business based on that love.
That being said, just like in other industries, having credentials can
only make you more valuable when you present yourself to your client.
Many associations exist for photographers, and you can find several in
each niche field of photography. One of the big ones that encompass
several niche fields is Professional Photographers of America. They
offer an array of courses throughout the year, and offer a
certification program, which allows you to list yourself as a certified
photographer after completion.
By taking courses through the various photography associations, you'll
not only gain the benefit of the education, but also from meeting other
photographers.
Is
photography a
great home based business?
A great majority of self employed photographers work out of their
homes. Some remain in their homes permanently, enjoying the freedom of
working on a schedule convenient for their families. Others eventually
move into a studio environment as their business grows.
Do I need a
lot of
start up capital to build my business?
You can start this business using whatever funds you have available.
Chances are you already have a variety of camera bodies and lenses,
just from having photography as a hobby. You can add to your collection
as your need and income level rises. The important thing is
concentrating on gaining new clients. These clients bring in your
income, and ultimately allow you to continue building your business. I
work with photographers every day that start out small, and are amazed
at their growth just by concentrating on bringing in one client at a
time in the beginning.
Recommended Reading
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Tools of the Trade
- Camera and backup equipment,
including lenses
- Lighting equipment,
including
flashes, battery packs, and stands
- A computer with Internet
access
and email account
- A website
- Portfolio of images, both
traditional and in online format
- Marketing materials,
including
business cards, brochures, and other forms of advertising
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Organizations &
Associations
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Resource Links
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 About
Lori Osterberg
Lori
Osterberg is an internationally recognized photography expert who has
been in the photography industry since 1987. She is the creator of
VirtualPhotographyStudio.com, a popular resource for aspiring and
professional photographers from around the world, and is the president
of Vision Business Concepts Inc, a business that provides online
marketing and training for the small business and studio owner.
Lori is continually sought out for both her speaking and writing
abilities. She has presented in front of numerous organizations in both
the photography and wedding industries, has articles published in a
variety of trade publications and website applications, has authored
two books and numerous training materials, and is a small business
marketing columnist for the Denver Business Journal.
Lori's personal goal is to help 1,000 photographers create six figure
businesses with her Six Figure
Photographer.
She has personally trained and mentored dozens of photographers, and
continues to help them with her bi-weekly ezine located at http://www.virtualphotographystudio.com
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