Building a business comes with strings attached. Making a business successful comes with even more. There are so many things to think about and keep up with that it’s easy to get lost and feel overwhelmed. Here are 5 easy ways to step up your business without feeling the pressure that everything has to be perfect.

1) Social Media
This should be a given but personally I find myself exploring and keeping up with the social media of others then building my business through social media. It’s easy and free so why aren’t we doing it? Finding a balance on social media is so important. Try three posts a week on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and working toward building your Pinterest presence.  It’s important to do hashtags relative to what you’re posting. As for Pinterest try making boards with pins associated with your work or inspiration boards to encourage you and others.

2) Get Personal
Sharing a personal story or the people in your life allow you to be more relatable. You’ll be surprised how many people relate or know someone that relates to you and wants to see you succeed because you’re so open about who you are.  

3) Blogging
This is separate from your Social Media presence and a great opportunity to share those personal stories. Blogging allows your work to go on display and build your Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
SEO – is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine‘s unpaid results
BUILDING SEO = INQUIRES.
I saw the following on Promise Tangeman’s blog a couple years ago and I never let it sink in until now. I’ve been blogging almost 5 weeks and I have received more inquires, as well as formed a better connection with my clients.

4) Invest Your Time
When I began photographing weddings I was a second shooter for the main photographer. Whenever I was asked I jumped at the chance to photograph weddings with them. The photogs I worked with were able to count on me to not back out and trust me for future dates. Some wedding days were 14 hours leaving me to sleep over at their houses so I wasn’t getting back to the city at 4 in the morning. I was willing to invest my time in learning more from those I worked with and in turn making deep connections with them, as well as potential clients. It’s allowed for more opportunities to book more clients and build my business all because I invested a large amount of time in something I wanted to see succeed. 

5) Set Realistic Goals
Whether your goals are personal or professional setting them up will lead to you to succeed. I try to do the 5-5-5 method. 5 goals for the week, month and year. It’s important to set goals that will project your future goals. Half the battle is planning ahead so you have that oh so wonderful feeling of crossing off those goals.