So things are going well this week - we actually cooked all of the meals we intended to over the last week, finishing up last night with delicious omelettes and bacon. Tomorrow I go grocery shopping, so I'll be making my list tonight.
I hopped on Mint and checked my budget for the month. So far so good. Last week I *did* buy a shirt while I was at Target getting the rest of my groceries after Aldi... but that's not going to happen again this month. Frivolous spending ban.
I moved some money from my business to personal account, and then sent a $1,000 payment to DH for last year's taxes. I'm way behind on paying him back. A couple of people seemed surprised when they found out I was still planning to pay him back even after we're married now. But yes. I hold up my end of the bargain. That's money he can keep in his personal account and do with it what he likes. He'll end up indirectly spending it on me when I'm super broke this winter, anyway 
haha. But really, let's hope not.
Tonight, DH is at a work dinner, and I'll be eating random stuff from the cupboards - or a lean cuisine, which sounds delightful. It's always kind of nice when he's away for dinner. It makes me feel like I'm a weird, single girl living on my own again (aka, I don't have to cook).
***
I'm in the process of planning a trip down to Nashville later this month - I need to start doing some serious networking. I've got one event I'm hitting, and then 2 BNI meetings. I'm already in a chapter here in Ohio, but I think it'll be a great way to start meeting people once I'm down there. My goal is to schedule one shoot while I'm in the area as well - I've reached out to a musical group who was looking for a photographer on Craigslist, so hopefully that will work out. I'll also be scheduling meetings with wedding vendors, so I'm going to make as much out of the few days I have.
I haven't figured out where I'm staying yet, but it's looking like it will probably be AirBnB, to keep costs down. Thankfully, all of the expenses will at least be write-offs, and I'll get quite a bit of mileage. I just need to get the prep done. I need to print new business cards, samples, and probably some kind of flyer or promotional piece. I'll be trying to keep my expenses down for all of that as much as I can, but they're important - so I'm going to bite the bullet.
All in all, though, I'm excited to get down there and start making connections. Moving my business to a whole new city where I know absolutely nobody is a bit intimidating, but I love a challenge. And hopefully I'll schedule a couple of shoots down there in the winter. I need to start getting Nashville imagery on my site, and hopefully some musical artists - that's such a big market for me to break into. I'm thinking I might just go to an open mic night or something and try and connect with people there as well. Who knows! I might even bring my guitar and join in also
At any rate, I hope you are all having a lovely Tuesday!
Moving Money Around
October 6th, 2015 at 01:28 pm
October 6th, 2015 at 05:07 pm 1444151254
Do you have friends in Nashville who can take you around to visit and shoot special, unusual locations for a wedding ? Which churches do the most weddings? Are there special techniques needed for the very best photos?
What is your target market? Do you mostly do smaller weddings? How do prospective clients find you? Word of mouth? Referral from other clients or suppliers? There are so many difference services that come together for a wedding who need to meet you, know about your expertise and be in a position to recommend you to their prospective clients on quid pro quo. I'm not familiar with the industry but think of bartenders, caterers, limousine services, hair dressers, honeymoon travel agents, make-up artists, musicians, lingerie shops as brides need special underpinnings, officiants, tux rental,vocalists, home based wedding cake bakers for example.
[sorry, I've no clue but you have such an interesting project coming up]
October 6th, 2015 at 10:01 pm 1444168887
Unfortunately there are no bridal fairs I'll be able to attend before the move, though I researched them pretty extensively. And I don't really have any friends in the area, but I'm researching where other photographers tend to go and part of my work in those few days (along with networking) will be scouting out locations.
Most of my clients find me via word of mouth, so making those connections is essential. The meetings with other wedding vendors I mentioned in my post will be used to start building out a network and finding ways to cooperatively market and refer business, yes. One thing I'm planning to do is put together a magazine for prospective clients - that not only goes over my own services, but in addition includes editorial-style shoots that showcase the work of vendors I suggest, rather than just including a list. So other vendors will certainly have an incentive to join forces, and my clients will have the best possible recommendations.
I haven't looked into the chamber of commerce, though! I'll have to give that a go and see what I can take from it. Thanks so much for the feedback!
October 7th, 2015 at 01:10 pm 1444223415
Here in Chicagoland there is thumbtack. Not sure if its country-wide, but I was in need of a photographer for headshots for my daughter when I couldn't coordinate schedules with my friend. We ended up with such an awesome photographer whose work was just stunning, and incredibly reasonable. Maybe you get references and rating from your current client list to help launch your reputation. Good luck!!