As a photographer, you’re probably accustomed to being a one-man band, particularly if you run your own business. There’s so much to consider - sourcing clients, shoots, editing, organising your diary, the list is endless. This can be especially overwhelming during peak seasons and when juggling multiple responsibilities. When you’re feeling overworked essentials can be overlooked and you may end up burnt out.
This is where virtual assistants come in. Outsourcing can initially be an intimidating thing for small business owners, but once you pinpoint the areas that need tending to, you can hire someone you trust to help you out while you continue to do what you do best.
And with that, here are eight reasons why hiring a virtual assistant as a photographer is the best investment for your business.
It can greatly assist with organisation
As a small business owner, organisation and managing your time is key. When you have a hundred different things that need to be done, it can be daunting to find the time to fit them all in, on top of your actual shoots and editing pile.
Hiring a virtual assistant can alleviate the stress of organising your time - a VA can manage your diary, respond to enquiries and streamline you Studio Ninja (or other CRM) workflow so you can see everything a bit clearer, as well as be more in control of your day-to-day.
Things get done faster and more efficiently
Sometimes the tasks we like the least tend take the longest. Whether it’s posting to social media, uploading blogs, or simply following up with clients, a virtual assistant can take all those tasks you hate to do (or take a really long time) and allow you to focus on what matters to you.
Virtual assistants are often highly skilled in these areas, which means they can complete tasks in half the time. That way, your business can run more efficiently and your clients will be happier for it.
Take time off without worrying you’re falling behind
Running a business is exhausting, and it’s so hard to go on holiday without checking emails or worrying that you’ll miss a big opportunity. Having a VA by your side will ensure things keep going while you take a breather. They can take requests and respond to emails while you’re away so that your business continues to function while you rest. And rest you should!
A VA can help with business growth
Because virtual assistants increase efficiency all around, there is much more scope for growth. While your VA handles all the background tasks, you can take on more clients, travel further and more often for shoots, or work on ways to expand your outreach. Through this, your business can expand and thrive in all areas, rather than staying stagnant.
On the other hand, if you’re seeing your business experience rapid growth, a virtual assistant can help with the tasks you can no longer handle on your own.
Client satisfaction is (almost) guaranteed
It’s very hard to respond to emails with a camera in hand. If you’re on location, your sole focus is your current client and/or shoot, so it may take you longer to respond to requests or queries from potential leads. With a faster response rate via your virtual assistant, you can increase your client experience, thus boosting the chance of getting the booking.
For existing clients, it’s great to have someone who can follow up on emails, ask for feedback or remember any important dates that will improve your connection with your clients. If your customers have a great experience with you, they will almost certainly recommend you to their friends and family.
A colleague to collaborate with
Collaboration is such an important part of business growth and having someone to share ideas with or work on projects together can really help get those creative juices flowing. Running a photography business can be isolating at times, particularly if it’s just you running the show, so it’s great to have someone who can brainstorm improvements to your client journey, analyse your packages and brand positioning or offer their thoughts on a new marketing strategy.
VAs can also provide new ideas to improve your business, offering insights into tools or methods you may not have thought of previously, particularly if they’re familiar with your industry.
Burnout is (or should be) a thing of the past
The reality is, you cannot and should not do everything yourself. It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to run all the background logistics of your business while providing excellent customer service, creating content for marketing AND taking amazing images for multiple clients each month. Your creativity suffers, which means your art suffers; it’s just not a feasible way to work.
Virtual assistants can take the stress out of tasks that you’re struggling with so you can enjoy some downtime. You cannot be the best version of yourself if your mental health is suffering.
Marketing is its own job
Marketing is a huge job in itself and likely takes up more time and focus than you realise. Many virtual assistants are skilled in strategy and content creation, whether that be on social media or blogs for your website, and outsourcing these jobs can lift a huge weight off your shoulders.
Marketing strategy and content creation is time-consuming and can take huge chunks out of your day - VAs are a great way to collaborate on ideas or delegate the legwork.
Overall, outsourcing many day-to-day tasks will positively impact how your photography business is run. You can improve your mental well-being, spend more time with friends and family, and have greater capacity for shoots thereby earning you more revenue. When peak season arrives, you’ll be satisfied knowing that all the important tasks you often forget or struggle to keep up with are being handled with care.
Get in touch if you’d like to hire a virtual assistant for your photography business, and let’s see how we can help you thrive!
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