Photographer Goals: Part 4 of a Profitable 2017!

You’ve made it! You have reached the final part of setting yourself up with photographer goals for a profitable 2017! Congratulations, take a quick break and do a happy dance!

If you have reached this post and you have NO idea what I’m talking about, check out the links below for Parts 1-3, and make sure to grab the freebies too.

Part 1 – Reflecting on Last Year and What to Look For
Part 2 – Choosing Between the TONS of Different Marketing Options
Part 3 – Moving Forward and Using Different Marketing Options (free worksheet!)

And here we are, the final installment. The final episode. The grand finale. THE END.

Quite frankly, all of these articles have brought up SO MANY other things that I want to share with you. Ideas for how to use these channels, what photographer goals should even look like, what you can do in your business to hone in on specific things, but I can’t share everything at once. I feel like that grade school kid that wants to tell you a story that is an hour long but he could have used two sentences to get the point across.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SHARE!

For now though, I want to give you the final piece to setting these goals and tracking them! In this objective, there are really two pieces:

Click Here To Download Your Free Goals Worksheet to TRACK Your Progress!

I promise, if you take 10 minutes to fill this out at the beginning of every month, it will completely change the way you track things in your business. Tracking your photographer goals and outcomes every single month will mean you will see a change in how you do things! I highly recommend that you keep past ones too – because looking back at the goals that you had is a huge eye opener. You will see things that when you wrote them down, they seemed completely impossible, but not only did you accomplish them, but you CRUSHED them. It is a reality check for the past, for when things seem really difficult or negative – you can look and say okay, I have grown. I may not be where I thought I would be, but I have grown and I am moving forward!

2. Get yourself an accountability buddy or business BFF.

I get a lot of questions about this!

Does my buddy need to do what I do?

No, your buddy doesn’t have to be a photographer, although if they are in the same industry that you’re in, they will understand the challenges and frustrations that can sometimes creep in that are unique to your industry.

Does my buddy need to be local to me?

Yes, your buddy can be in another city/state/country. They don’t have to be local, but getting together for lunch can be cathartic and refreshing! If you can’t, Skype and have a cocktail together.

Does my buddy need to be someone at the same level?

I really recommend either the same level or further along than you are. Everyone starts somewhere, but if you are 3 years into your business and partner with someone brand new, you will find yourself teaching more than having a mutually beneficial relationship.

Can my buddy be my spouse/mom/dog/someone close to me?

I don’t recommend this. Why? First, your spouse has to live with you, and if they give you feedback you don’t want, it could start an unnecessary fight. Plus, they have skin in the game that is completely unrelated to your business. Their perspective will be completely different than an objective set of eyes that isn’t affected directly by decisions you make. Mom? This depends on your mother, some are amazing business owners. But most moms want to encourage their children, young or old, and she may sugar coat something that really just needs to be directly said. Dog? They understand us the best, don’t they? 😉 But they don’t understand business, and would likely agree with you just for a spoonful of peanut butter.

Does my buddy need to have the same niche or specialty?

Not at all. For example, if you are a senior photographer, it could be a great idea to partner with someone who is a wedding photographer. There is that fresh set of eyes that can really see things from a different perspective. Can they be in the same niche? Sure! The key is to find someone that you trust, regardless of their niche or specialty!

You need someone objective, who can keep you accountable to your goals, and share their goals with you as well.

Some recommendations for an accountability buddy!

1. Schedule your meetings on the calendar NOW. For the ENTIRE YEAR. If it isn’t scheduled, it isn’t real, and this will keep you looking forward to these meetings.
2. KEEP TRACK of your buddy’s goals. Use the worksheet above and take a photo with your phone if need to – and next time you meet, ask them: “last time you said you wanted to do this, how did that go?” It is truly amazing what changes in our psyche when we know that someone is looking over our shoulder. As an entrepreneur, you don’t have a boss telling you what you need to do every day. Having an accountability buddy will give you that little bit of push that you need to make sure that you follow through with what you say you’re going to do, so things don’t move to the back burner.
3. Be open to feedback. Find someone that you really connect with, but beware: if they are a great accountability buddy, you may get a little tough love. It may sting at first, but usually these conversations are the ones that help you grow the most – so don’t write them off!

I have my first 2017 lunch with my accountability buddy next week, it is an excuse for a business lunch at an amazing restaurant. Connect with someone, really nurture this relationship, and they can be a sounding board for so many things in your business!

Leave me a comment below and let me know who your buddy is! I don’t need names, but I want to know if this is new to you, or if you already have this system in place! Pairing the GSD and Goals worksheet with someone to keep you accountable can really change your business, and I’m excited to see what you do in the new year!