Business and Marketing

I've got a year till I full on try to make this my only source of income so I just want to build a good plan and have a good knowledge of business, advertising/marketting and that sorta thing. I also need to work out exactly what I need eg. invoicing system.

Are there any websites and books you would recomend? It's fine if it has -mostly- boring stuff as long as it's quality infomation.

Anything photography and Australian business related is a bonus too.

Books:
Six Pixels of Separation
Brand Hijack
Making $#IT Happen
The 80/20 Principle
Fl!p
Business Stripped Bare
Buffett

These are all pretty good for getting you to think outside the box when it comes to advertising and how you approach running a business.

With any marketing though make sure you keep some track of its effectiveness so you can learn what works and what doesn't. If you are planning a marketing strategy do one for the entire year. e.g if you were doing weddings focus on the key booking times and when and where is best to advertise. By planning a for an entire calendar year you get a better idea as to what your costs will be.

Websites:
Flying Solo
Business.gov.au
Small Business Development Corporation
There is also the AIPP website (not a member myself yet though) but by joining you can get discounts on insurance.

Check out http://www.business.go​v.au …stance/Pages/de​fault.aspx for information about possible small business grants.

I use MYOB Accounts Right Plus v19 for the accounts, invoicing etc, it only costs about $500 per year.

"Guerrilla Marketing" It's a great book on marketing for small businesses.

Agree. Any single book I would recommend would be Guerrilla Marketing. Ensure you get the latest revision that includes the internet, social media, etc. Also consider Guerrilla Marketing for Dummies.

Best Business Practices for Photographers I also reccomend a membership in the PPA, they have an extensive amount of information about the business.

Thanks for the suggestions all, looks like we got marketing covered pretty quickly then. You're all awesome.

I assume I have to make a pretty thorough business plan for at least the first year or two so I'll be googling that. Any other suggestions (including business plan related ones) to maximumize the chance of sucess are very welcome.

Mike, thanks for the suggestion though I'm already Australian and I'm guessing PPA isn't because I don't know of it :P

CallumPhoto wrote in post #11800901
Thanks for the suggestions all, looks like we got marketing covered pretty quickly then. You're all awesome.

I assume I have to make a pretty thorough business plan for at least the first year or two so I'll be googling that. Any other suggestions (including business plan related ones) to maximumize the chance of sucess are very welcome.

Mike, thanks for the suggestion though I'm already Australian and I'm guessing PPA isn't because I don't know of it :P

Professional Photographers of America. www.ppa.com
They have an international membership http://www.ppa.com …international20​10_web.pdf
You can also apply on line.

I have only been a member since Dec. But already feel that the value I received is worth more than the membership.

this book is worth every penny! http://www.tofurious.c​om …kaging-for-photographers/
It was the best money spent for me.