Choosing the Ideal Client
Yes, I said “choosing.” Because at the end of the day, you get to have a say in this process, too.
Early in your career, it’s super easy to get wrapped up in taking on any client that is willing to book you. And, while that’s all fine and dandy, it only works for a short period of time. Why? Well, you can only sustain the volume of work you’re doing at the cost your being paid until you reach a burnout point, or until you realize you’re probably not working with an ideal client.
At some point, you need to raise your prices. Why? To attract a higher caliber client who is looking for someone who can offer them a higher level of services. And, so you can sustain a living and run a business.
But, it doesn’t stop there. For many of you, you have a style you flock to – vintage, modern, classic, traditional. Whatever it is, you have a signature style. And, in an ideal world, every client you book would fall under your signature style.
But, how is that possible?
It’s easy really. When you meet with a prospective client, you’ll want to be prepared. Not just prepared to ask questions to help you understand their needs, but prepared to ask questions to help you get answers to better understand who they are and what their style is. It’s perfectly okay to realize that a client may not be the best fit for you. And, it’s perfectly okay to not work with them.
You must be honest with yourself. You want to work with clients who share the same values as you. Same style. And, who will help make you enjoy your career choice even more.
Have you struggled with this? How did you get past the initial fear of turning away a client?
Source: Kismis Ink Photography
Brit Stewart is the editor of the Landlocked Bride, a modern wedding blog dedicated to Midwest and Mountain West couples. She is also the owner of Brit Stewart Weddings, a wedding design and styling boutique in Denver, CO.
5 Comments
Great post! I made a change last year with regard to photographing weddings as I came to a point where I just wasn’t having fun anymore. So…now I only take on a few weddings a year and I’ve raised my prices to make sure the clients who want to book me are hiring me for ME & not just because the need a photographer.
Such a good post! Advice like this is so nice. It helps you know what to expect, offers clear insight and aids in growing your business!
Great reminder for today and very thought provoking. We’ve been narrowing down our target market this year and that has really helped us weed out those we don’t fit well with. Great article!
Great read
This is so true! I turned away two weddings yesterday and felt guilty for doing it, but I know that I made the right decision.
Sometimes it’s more than just the ideal client, it’s also the ideal timing. Taking on more than you can really manage at one time is just as harmful to your sanity as taking on ungrateful clients who are a bad match.
Keeping busy and making money are great goals to have, but if you’re burned out and crazy by the end of the year, it’s just not worth it.
Such good advice…it may take a bit to truly determine your ideal client if you haven’t been in business that long, but it’s such a good exercise and will definitely be beneficial to your business.