PixelatedImage Blog

I’ll spare you the usual reminder to back up your harddrives (but when’s the last time you did it?) and I’m not going to hound you to calibrate your monitor. Those you can do on your own after you finish your internet time and go back to the real world. I have a bigger tune-up for you this time than the usual monthly oil-change.

1. When’s the last time you assessed your strengths and weaknesses as a craftsman and a businessman? What are you really good at? Are you marketing that strength as a benefit? Are you taking time to get better at it? What are you lousy at? C’mon, we all have our areas. It’s time to ‘fess up and either get good at it, or farm it out. Being really aware of who you are and what you do well, as well as who you aren’t and what you do not do, is a crucial business skill. It focuses you and gives you direction.

2. When’s the last time you checked your insurance coverage and updated your serial numbers and any photographs you need? Do you cross borders? Is your carnet or copies of receipts for gear all up to date?

3. Speaking of gear, do you have a plan for the day the current gear breaks or needs updating? You didn’t just check your credit limit did you? Consider putting X% of your income into a savings account. Same with taxes. Have you already forgotten than the tax man cometh again next year. Putting money monthly into your RRSP or 401K, as well as something into a tax account is a good plan. Talk to your accountant about how you can best leverage your gear purchases or leasing decisions.

4. What have you done this month to market yourself to your chosen market? Have you updated your portfolio recently? Is your current business card really current, does it still reflect who your are to your market?

5. What have you done recently as an investment in your craft? If you’re the artsy type by nature, have you looked under the hood of Lightroom or Photoshop a little more? I highly recommend the video tutorials on KelbyTraining.com. If you’re more naturally the geek, have you taken the time to read something about the philosophy of photography or the finer points of composition, tension, balance?

And when you’re done that, have you backed up your harddrives?