by Joanna Waterfall of Waterfall Creative
Figure out who your ideal client is // Then FIND them! If your business works with individuals, who are they? What industry do they work in, who do they jam out to on their ipod, where do they live? Once you know this- go out and FIND them! Where are these people hanging out? Are they reading a certain blog? Then YOU need to be reading that blog. Are they at a particular networking event? Then YOU need to go to that event and meet them all! Your clients are out there- you just need to know where and get to know them.
Dream up your ideal business situation // Then take ONE step towards it. Do you have employees? Do you have a set schedule? Make your own schedule? How much money are you making? Where is your office located? If your dream is to work with a team- ask around and see if someone you could see yourself working with would be up for collaborating on a project. See if a local college student would like to come along with you on that engagement shoot you’re doing this weekend. Doing these things will give you experience in working with others, allow you to network and move towards your goal of working with others in your business. It’s ONE step closer to your dream! Whatever it is you dream up for your business, see if you can take just one step towards it. Wether that be learning about it, starting a savings account towards it, or even DOING it if you can. If you can’t- what do you need to do to get there? Then do that.
Dream up the coolest project ever // And DO it. Personal projects are one thing I miss about college so much. Doing work without any clients telling you how to do it. Ah, a dream for any creative person! Guess what? You have a business. Create something for that! Be your own client and make some RAD stuff without anyone holding you back! Have you always wanted to do a photo shoot in a certain place styled a certain way? Grab some attractive friends and make it happen. No one is stopping you. It will be an amazing portfolio piece and guess what- you’ll probably attract people who like what you did which means… more awesome work similar to what you would do with no one telling you what to do. BAM. Your portfolio builds and now you have your niche. And you had a blast creating it!
(entire blog post
here)
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It was when Joanna said "dream up the coolest project ever and DO it" that I found myself so inspired. I have been pursuing photography for four years now. I've never really made a big deal about it. I took some classes, job shadowed a few photographers in my hometown. I created a facebook page back in high school called "Alissa Claire Photography" and that was it. People would schedule me to take their family photos. Ask me to work with them on senior pics. Book me to film their wedding. They would let me capture the moments of their surprise proposal. It was because of the ones who supported me when I wasn't even sure what I was pursuing, it is because of those opportunities they initially gave me, that is why I love doing what I do.
I started meeting with a few mentors back in February of this year, talking about the dream business. I began talking with a few of my graphic designer friends. We came up with logos. I built price sheets for inquires. I filled up my bedroom wall with magazine clippings of the photography, fonts, branding, etc that felt like me! What I wanted my business to be. I dreamed day and night of launching this business. I'm quite sure my friends were getting tired of hearing me go on and on about it. But the thing is.. I always had their support from the very first day I pitched the idea.
I got wrapped up in classes, exams, and term papers this semester. After all the talk, all the planning, the dreaming.. I put my project aside.
Now weeks later I stumbled across her blog post. And I DID it. I had everything set up for the past month. The logos, the write-ups, etc. I just had to put myself out there. And let my friends, family, past clients, and future clients know that I'md doing this. Fully committed.
With a passion for photography and an ambitious creative process, Alissa Claire Creative will focus on telling and evolving stories into confident photos, video, or design. I started Alissa Claire Creative with big ambitions and a desire to dedicate my wildest ideas and creative thoughts into my clients. I am so very thankful and blessed to now spend my days doing what I love most!
So Joanna, THANK YOU for giving me that little push I needed. I had those first two steps of my dream done, I just needed to take the third step.. and DO it :)
I ended up emailing Joanna about a month ago and sharing a bit of my adventure with her. She had some very wise advice to share with me that I would love to share with all the other dreamers out there.
Remember to hold fast when times get hard (cause they will!) and to keep working toward that dream- don't let anything or anyone stop you and you will go far :)
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