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OK, I’ve got a price list (Click link to see, you’ll require Excel or a browser plug-in to see it)

I’ve decided not to charge for the photography service itself, but to have a minimum cost my customers will have to spend on products. “FREE Photography sitting! – When spending more than £30 on photographs!” for example.

Originally I had a huge range of products planned, I was spending lots of time researching wonderful print styles, papers and a whole bunch of awesome things I could create.

I have kept all the information I’ve gathered for future use, but for now I’m keeping the list short. Though I might think all the different art papers and the different looks they give to a photo are cool, my customers might not. I think I’ll stick with basic things I  know will be popular and add in new things as I go, on a trial basis, instead of me buying lots of paper and special ink which may rot.

I also have access to a trade business account at the Kodak Gallery. I’m not a huge fan of Kodak, however this website drips and oozes with nice products which I can offer my customers, with a no investment in materials or equipment, I can offer quite a few more products without fear of wasting time or money on unpopular gifts.

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Phase 1.5 – Method Preparation

The product range is basic, but enough to get started. These are my core items.

Now, to move onto the METHOD section of my preparation!

This is where I’ll create the flow chart to show basic start-to-finish plan of a customer enquiring, buying, getting their photo done and paying.

Also, I’ll work on the physical studio, the layout, the setup of lights and how I’ll display my products and offers.

Then I can move into the finishing touches stage of my preparation and get ready for a test run.

Things to do:
Make flow chart of how the average customer will be served.
Make a studio layout / floor plan.
Make a list of equipment that I need to purchase.

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Other Stuff:
Four days in, my head is high and I’m feeling good! This journey has just started and may be over a lot quicker then I expect, the current ‘credit crunch’ may really screw me over. I’ve worked on contingency and backup plans, however if no one spends, no one spends. I can’t control that – right?

Well, the truth is people are spending money, but not much. I just need to make sure I get a slice of it and be doubley sure whatever slice I get it’s very, very profitable.

I can do this.

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Working on my product list now, so many variants of paper sizes and styles, I sometimes get caught up in what I’m doing and I’ll want to offer everything immediately! However I need to be a little bit more realistic and work on the items that I know will be popular or I’m going to spend far to long doing this.

I can and will expand on my product range, once I get my core products down, I have a lot of work to do before the end of this month, must not lose focus or go to over the top.

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Phase 1.2 – More Preparation

Still working on my product range.

Things to do:
Write up list of products, with prices.
Make light notes on which can be completed same-day / instantly and what will need to be sent away.

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Other Stuff:
Cool music – Polysics – I My Me Mine