Photo by Michael Burrows from Pexels
We now live in a world where everything can be done in an instant. Before you even get to blink your eye, an online transaction has been done already. The same goes for photo-taking, sharing, posting, and editing. Thanks to technology, life is now easier and more convenient for the majority.
But, with the rise of the internet and technology, some businesses and industries have been affected. Sadly, a lot of well-known business pioneers have been left behind. One of which is the photo printing business. Now that we can easily store and capture our memories on our smartphones, what could be the purpose of having our photos printed?
There’s a saying that goes: the only way forward is by changing and adapting to the world. Isn’t it true? If we don’t make adjustments and continue to live the way that we do, we will be left behind. And so, businesses in every industry have no choice but to update and improve their ways. Ways that meet current trends and accommodate the demands digitally.
If you own a photo printing business, you probably have the same thoughts. You know that if you don’t change and refine your business strategies, your business can experience a crisis. To prevent that from happening, let’s look at 4 ways to modernise your photo printing business.
1st: Bring your business online
First, let’s start with bringing your business online. If you don’t have any social media accounts or websites for your business, it’s time to create one. If you think you won’t be able to manage more than one social media account at the same time, it’s okay to start with one first.
As you choose which platform you’ll use, it’s important to do your research first. Since you own a photo printing business, try to think about where your target audience would be? Do you think you’ll be able to reach your target audience on Twitter? Or maybe they’re on Instagram, scrolling through aesthetic photos for inspiration?
If your answer to those questions is the latter, it’s best to start an account via Instagram first. If you are considering other social media platforms, never underestimate the importance of doing your research. Look into each platform and study your potential market’s demands.
One small mistake that has a big impact online businesses make is choosing the wrong online platform. Take the time to do your research and choose a platform where your target audience is.
2nd: Redesign your brand
One thing that people look for in online posts is aesthetics. Whether it is food, travel, self-portraits, or nature, people value aesthetics. A post’s colour, angle, subject, and feel attracts people more than you can imagine.
That’s why, if you take a look at the posts of online businesses, you’ll see how aesthetically pleasing their branding and marketing collaterals are. In today’s digital world, looks and design matter more than before. With that said, if your photo printing business still uses colours, fonts, and branding from the early 2000s, it’s time to redesign them.
You don’t have to go and change your brand name. But if you want to, you are free to do so as well. First, decide on a theme. Choose three to four colours that you’d like your business to work on. Then, start to look for new fonts that you can use for your collaterals.
Make sure to be uniform when it comes to your fonts. It’s best if you’ll only limit your font styles to two. You might think that the fonts aren’t a big deal. But, they affect your brand’s professionalism via uniformity. Redesign your brand. Keep in mind that simplicity and attention to detail are the way to go.
3rd: Offer products and services that aren’t only aesthetically pleasing but also, useful.
It can be hard to think of and create product bundles that people would purchase from a photo printing shop. After all, people these days can purchase their home photo printers. In short, the products and services that professional photo printing businesses have can now be done at home by people.
So, what do you offer now? Let’s take aesthetics into account once again. Since people now go for cute designs, why don’t you offer a product bundle of photo prints with an aesthetic picture frame? Now, these picture frames might cost your business some additional expenses.
What you can do is work with other businesses that sell picture frames. You can also collaborate with small businesses or starting artists for their craft. If you have the talent or budget for creating your frames, that would be great as well.
One great thing to remember is to go for unique designs. As much as possible, don’t just go for ones that other businesses are already offering. Set your brand apart from the competition by offering unique products and services.
4th: Engage with your audience and be creative, yet direct with what you’re offering.
Last but not least, always engage with your target audience. As you start your online journey, engagement is the key to reaching the right people. It’s as important as being creative with your posts, product promos, and marketing schemes.
Also, make it a habit to always be direct with what you’re offering. Cut to the chase and remove unnecessary details that will only make your point vague. Be creative too with your posts. Using slang and trendy catchphrases will help you attract people who can be your potential clients.
Answer queries from all your interested audience. Be patient with their questions and requests. How you interact with your audience can make or break your brand’s reputation. Stay engaged and be creatively direct with what you’re offering.
Work on these four first and see how it goes before you make another move.
There you have it. These are the 4 simple ways to modernise your photo printing business. Start and focus on these 4 steps first before you take a bigger step that could put your business at risk.
Leverage and make the most out of your social media presence. Trust the process and don’t rush anything to happen. It can be a slow process before you reach your target audience and make a name for your brand. But, as long as you continue to work hard and improve your strategies, you’ll get to where you want to be in no time.
About the author:
Bianca Banda is a writer for DS Colour Labs Ltd (DSCL), a professional photography lab that offers a vast range of products and services to aid every photographer’s needs.