12 Skills for Self-Employed Success •
Here are 12 critical skills and personality traits you need to run a successful photography business:
Curiosity
Many creative solopreneurs consider themselves to be introverted or shy. You want to do your work, right? But you don’t want to promote it or even deal with clients. That can be the kiss of death to your business. You need a healthy dose of curiosity to stay on top of what your clients want and need. And that means engaging with them to find out what they’re thinking and feeling.
Self-Discipline
When you work for yourself, it’s easy to play hooky and put things off until tomorrow. But that’ll get you stuck in a sea of inertia. Make a point of keeping regular office hours. Meet your deadlines. And keep your books up to date.
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Professionalism
Most people think creatives are flaky. You don’t want to be pegged that way. Go out of your way to dress for work. Return your calls – promptly. And keep your word. People will notice…and remember.
Organizational Skills
Chaos doesn’t beget success. Lack of organization can make you miss opportunities. Keep a place for everything and put everything in its place.
Commitment
A laissez-faire attitude is easy to spot and nobody wants to work with someone whose heart isn’t into what they’re doing. Commitment inspires others to commit to you.
Self-Awareness
Working for yourself is like a lab experiment in personal growth. You find out who you have chemistry with, who you don’t and why. When you get to know yourself and your own personal style, you can make the most of them and use them to your advantage.
Self-Confidence
Little successes add up to a big dose of self-confidence. Everybody wants to align themselves with a winner…someone who knows their own strengths and all the great things they have to offer. When in doubt, fake it until you make it!
Patience
Timing is everything. Don’t get impatient or act too needy. Everything happens when it’s supposed to.
Flexibility
Today’s economy requires adaptability. Flexibility is required in your service offering, your prices, and how you package them. Listen to what the market needs, then offer it. Quickly.
Perseverance
You’ve heard the old adage that sales is a numbers game. It takes a certain amount of legwork to see a payoff. Perseverance is a quality that separates the men from the boys, so to speak. People will take you seriously if you prove you’re serious – that you’re not going away. It communicates reliability, consistency and dependability.
Communication Skills
Go out of your way to over communicate. It dispels misunderstandings. Heads off potential problems. And shows that you’re on top of things. Be careful what you say in email communications – it’s often misconstrued. When in doubt, a verbal exchange is best.
Be a Change-Agent
Most of us are change-adverse. We don’t really like to go with the flow. We like the known, the comfortable, the predictable. But being adaptable to change with a healthy dose of detachment, curiosity and even-keel emotions can help you weather the ups and downs of running a business. Even make you come out on top with your nerves intact.
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—DD Kullman [Bio]
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