Tourdesign
Posts: 52
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 24 Aug 2011
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Down time?
Posted: 24 Nov 2011 at 14:44 GMT
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The period between November and January is often much quieter for me. Although I still have active projects, I have much more down time than in the other 9/10 months of the year.
So, what do people do in their down time?
For me, I like to go over the previous year, adjust marketing, update the website etc. I also love computer games, and try to get a new game to play over the xmas period. I'm also a keen motorbiker, and will tinker in sub zero temperatures with parts I have no idea about!
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stalwart
Posts: 283
Location: Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Registered: 20 Dec 2007
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Re: Down time?
Posted: 24 Nov 2011 at 16:42 GMT
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Glad to say I'm busy all year round - and busier than ever at the moment. I'm fortunate that 80% of my work is commercial property, so developer / landlord clients not too bothered if not summer / sunny (although I Ps in nice blue skies) nor any leaves on trees like I suppose hotels, leisure would be.
I wish I could spend more time actively marketing and updating website - I've got probably 30+ recent jobs from the past couple of months I'm keen to get up on the site as new portfolio examples, but takes precious time.
I'm averaging 3 good quality jobs a week at the moment which is great, just trying to find the time to fit them all in. I've had 3 good web enquiries today alone which take time to talk through and write a detailed quote for each.
Last week had a job in London which meant I had to be there at 9am (4am start from home) to then straight after drive up to Edinburgh (8 hour drive), stay the night in a Travelodge and do a job up there the next day, then drive home. Round trip: 950 miles in 2 days.....!
I would say I'd like to take on extra help, but sod's law the moment I do that, I'd go quiet......juggling time is the hardest part of the job, I'd say, as never want to turn down a commission.
Stu
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Tourdesign
Posts: 52
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 24 Aug 2011
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Re: Down time?
Posted: 25 Nov 2011 at 7:44 GMT
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3 shoots a week? That is down time!
Taking on extra hands is great at freeing you up to concentrate on things like marketing and actually running the company and not just being a photographer, but you have to ensure you're able to increase turnover so that you don't lose out. That's why i've expanded to other areas of photography/marketing and not just VT's.
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VTS360Net
Posts: 10
Location: Littleborough, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Apr 2010
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Re: Down time?
Posted: 28 Nov 2011 at 18:37 GMT
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3 shoots a week down time? That depends on what the "shoots are worth"
Like Stu, we are kept busy most of the time, but as we operate in a different market, we would not be happy with just 3 shoots a week.
We normally like 8 to 10 a week, but the value of each shoot is probably less that Stu's.
Yes we have down time (in that we are not processing of shooting.) but in almost 6 years we have hardly had a day off.
So time fillers might be, Marketing. Contacting clients, researching new ideas. Keeping up with Technology. SEO, Web design. Of course there is always new products that need developing, new opportunities that need following up etc etc.... Down Time. No thank you. What would I do with myself.....we are having too much fun for "down time"
Richard
www.360virtual-tours.net
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ddd
Posts: 783
Location: vancouver, Canada
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Down time?
Posted: 1 Dec 2011 at 0:55 GMT
updated: 1 Dec 2011 at 0:56 GMT
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I hate this time of year, I am one of those folks who are happiest when busy. While I do like some time off, I would like it in the summer! living in Vancouver we do not really get winter, just rain. Makes it hard to shoot for fun. Once January 2nd hits I am back to busy for the season.
Speaking of gaming I have been playing TF2 www.teamfortress.com and now its free for anyone, we should have a panoguide team 
Have fun
Dylan
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