The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan: Build a Successful Photography Venture from the Ground Up

by Dane Sanders, David duChemin (Foreword)

NEW RULES FOR A NEW BUSINESS WORLDThinking about starting a photography business? The first thing you need to know is that the rules have changed. Yesterday’s business models have collapsed. Creating a successful business in today’s "Digi-Flat" era requires a sharp new approach, one that Dane Sanders has practiced successfully and taught at Fast Track workshops and seminars all around the world. Some of the things you'll learn in this to turn the very technologies that are "killing" professional photography—such as the Internet—into your tools of success-How to lead your business, not let your business lead you     -How systematizing, scaling, and outsourcing are critical concepts even for a one-person business-How to radically rethink marketing, sales, and customer service for the 21st century-How to hone a creative vision that works—the most powerful step you can take as a businessperson The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan is not about building a "traditional" business plan that looks good on paper and impresses investors. It's about creating a vibrant, living business plan that will help you thrive in today's digital "Wild West," where creative content is freely distributed, where no one plays by the rules anymore, and where customers have unprecedented freedom in choosing what to buy and whom to hire. It's a groundbreaking look at running a creative business. Whether you're an amateur looking to go pro or a professional whose business has stalled, Dane's practical, on-the-ground advice will launch you on the fast track to business success. Includes free access to Dane's online "stress test" to diagnose your business's strengths—as well as where it needs help!

Genres: Photography, Business, Nonfiction

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Hi. I’m Dane. I’ve authored two business books for creatives – both published by Random House – as well as a number of other resources for photographers.

More recently, I founded fasttrackcreative.com, home of the Better Together Creative Community and Converge: the business of creativity podcast.

In addition to my books, I’ve been grateful to have some of my work featured in a number of publications including Rangefinder, Professional Photographer, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, You & Your Wedding (UK), Shutterbug & Photojojo.

Readers of Photo District News named me one of the 30 most influential living photographers of the last decade – a crazy idea but still felt great. I’ve taught at Brooks Institute, PPE, WPPI, iUSA, an impromptu speech at SXSW as well as international events throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.

My family & I make our home in Newport Beach, California.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really, really good. I'm so sick of reading business books that make me feel like I should be manipulating the client and this was the total opposite. It's not old marketing and business knowledge just re-worded to include modern tools like social networking, it's a whole different outlook to getting your business vision created, thought-out and consistent. There's lots of helpful exercises and the book lent itself really well to Kindle reading. I just bookmarked each exercise for later (I wanted to read the whole book and then go back through the exercises one-by-one) and used the highlighter option heavily. Reading educational books on the kindle is pretty awesome.

I loved Dane's whole approach to turning photography into a business that doesn't leave morals and being true to yourself in the backseat. I'm definitely purchasing his other book to read.

This book would be great for ANY creative, not just photographers...it obviously focuses on photography but the information easily translates to any creative profession trying to start up or re-tool their image.

[Spencer Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dane Sanders always offers great advice for business. This book is aimed more towards people that are just starting out but it helped me to really think and continue to work on my message and brand. I think it would be helpful for any level, especially if you are planning to rebrand or start another part to your current business.