#68 – How to break free from those “zero-dollar” months in your business

Some days, we are overwhelmed with projects, while others seem to drag on with little to no work in sight.

This unpredictable ebb and flow isn’t just about financial stability; it takes a toll on our emotional well-being.

The highs and lows of our workload can leave us questioning our skills, feeling low, and even affecting our personal relationships. It’s a pattern that impacts not only our self-confidence but also our emotional health.

Here’s a powerful strategy to break free from this cycle and create a reliable source of income so that your lows are never too low and definitely never $0 months.

Understanding the Business Wave

Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to grasp the nature of running a photography business.

Just like any other business, it experiences highs and lows. Seasons, both literal and metaphorical, impact our demand.

Accepting this reality is the first step. We won’t always be on a high, but we also don’t have to resign ourselves to constant lows.

There are proactive steps we can take to ensure we don’t hit rock bottom, financially or emotionally.

The game-changing strategy

One of the most effective ways to stabilize your income is by turning clients into recurring clients.

This is an opportunity that many food photographers overlook.

When a potential client reaches out, instead of immediately providing a proposal for a single shoot, consider suggesting an ongoing partnership.

Propose ideas such as regular monthly shoots for their social media, website updates, or a certain number of recipes per month. You can even offer a trial period to ease the client into the idea.

This approach removes the pressure from both sides and allows you to demonstrate the value of an ongoing partnership.

Turning a client into a recurring client guarantees a certain number of projects each month, providing consistent income and fostering a long-lasting relationship.

When you have such clients in your portfolio, you can feel secure about your monthly income. Present your ideas convincingly in your proposals, emphasizing the benefits of an ongoing partnership.

Remember that when clients reach out to you, they are already interested in working with you, increasing the likelihood of success.

Incorporate the practice of turning clients into recurring clients into your business workflow. Over time, you’ll see a shift in your monthly projects, creating a solid foundation for your business.

Imagine the difference this can make in just a few years.

Conclusion

Don’t let the highs and lows of your food photography business take a toll on your confidence and income.

By actively seeking recurring clients and demonstrating the value you can bring to their brand, you can build a steady source of income and long-lasting relationships.

It’s time to take control of your photography business and move away from those dreaded zero-dollar months.

Related episode to check out – Episode 56: Top 3 questions to ask a client on a discovery call