Adapting Pro Business Plan Techniques

After learning more about business plan writers, Sumnar Douglas, Karlee Patton, and Christie Karis from my last post a few weeks ago, I started thinking about how I could incorporate what they see as strong points in a business plan into my own. Karis is very big on making sure the business plan meets the interests of the intended viewer. As of right now, I am just simply organizing each section of my plan individually so I have the overall work finished. However, once I choose my intended viewers, I will reorganize the structure to make sure the overall look is of simplicity and interest to the audience, mine most likely being for bank loans and investments to cover start up costs and technology upgrades.

Digital Marketing in the Entertainment Industry

For freelancers especially, digital marketing can be a key point in getting your name out there and helping your image. A lot of people, however, overlook the importance of it and miss out on a lot of opportunities. In an industry where impressions play such a huge role in ones career, it’s important that not only can people easily find you and that you are accessible, but that your online image stands out in a positive and professional way.

Bigger companies and more well-known people will always be one of the first results that show up if someone is Google-ing your service. If you’re a freelancer, this is why you should make sure you know how to get your name at the top of the searches, or at least find someone who knows how to do that for you. People rarely search beyond the first 2 pages. If your name is on one of those, imagine how that would positively affect your career!

Business Thoughts for Creative Minds

Focusing on the financial aspects of the entertainment business this month, I found an article that proves very helpful for anyone considering starting their own creative business. Personally, I plan on being a freelance service provider, so Bob Koch's, "The Business of Creative Services" had valuable information for me to keep in mind.

Koch mentioned sales as being one of the more important aspects of entrepreneurship. I've told many people before, as well as wrote in this blog, about the differences and sometimes complications of people in the entertainment business that are strictly of creative skill, and those that are strictly of technical skill. It's not often mentioned in trade publications the business-minded individual. You want to sell your service to as many people as you can, which may be more difficult if you're your own business and trying to beat the well-established, go-to guys out in the business. I cannot emphasize the importance of networking enough in the entertainment industry. Koch suggests you, "evaluate the client roster on a regular basis. Provide attention to solid clients both in production as wells between project. And consider parting ways with high maintenance, low-margin clients." Once you get yourself out there, it's just as important to maintain contact with these people in your industry so they don't forget about you. To make sure you're not being taken advantage of, cutting that high-maintenance, low-margin client will only benefit your profits…and your stress level.