About a year and a half ago, I first heard about the 101 in 1001 project and started a list of fun date ideas for Ryan and me. And we're pretty much on track to finish. Technically we're behind by 6 or so activities. And of course there are some items on the list that we have no desire to do anymore. A couple aren't even logistically possible in the time we have left. And that's ok. Because at the end of the 1001 days, I want to be able to look back and say that we danced in the rain, kissed in elevators, took pictures in photo booths, watched sunsets, started traditions, and just enjoyed being together. And if it takes lists like this to keep the romance alive in our relationship, then bring on the corny lists!
If you've never heard of the 101 in 1001 project, check out DayZeroProject.com. Basically, you make a list of 101 things you'd like to accomplish and you give yourself 1001 days to do it in. Simple enough. But of course that's not challenging enough for me, so I make my lists themed. Like I said, I have a date list for Ryan and me and now I have a list for my photography business.
But I am bending the rules a little bit this time. I know that my goals and dreams for my business will change over the next 2.5 years, I will allow myself to revise my list every January. And I'll leave a few empty spaces at the end to fill in as I become inspired. I will not, however, fill in tasks that I have already completed just to cross them off! (although I do this on a regular basis on my to do list)
The math on a 101 in 1001 works out to one item every 9.9 days. That's frightening. And it's such a long list to start with that it's really hard to decide what to do first. But I don't want this to be a high-pressure thing that just ends in frustration. I want it to be exciting and encouraging!
I'll blog tasks as I complete them and link to them on this list. I have no idea where to start (although there are a few of these I specifically want to accomplish in the next 6 months), but I'm diving in!
Start date: January 31, 2013
End date: October 29, 2015
- Website overhaul - completed 3.2.13
- Complete my branding and LOVE it!
- Print customized paper products
- Develop my packaging
- Compile a list of 50 great places to shoot in Hampton Roads
- Have a successful customer referral program
- Add testimonials to my website
- Guest blog for another photographer
- Systematize my entire business - (email templates, wedding info sheet, wedding workflow checklist, tips for brides and grooms, client experience surveys)
- Choose an album company and order a sample album - completed 8.7.13
- Build wedding collections - completed 8.28.13
- Create a beautiful office space
- Create a website to go with the blog
- Update my bio photos yearly
- Blog four days a week for 3 months - completed 4.30.13
- Blog five days a week for a month
- Start a new blog series with at least 8 posts
- Instagram twice a day for two months - completed 6.30.13
- Facebook post daily for 1 month
- Reach 500 FB followers
- Make Pinterest work for my business
- Make Twitter work for my business
- Keep my email inbox down to 5 emails of less for a month - completed 7.12.13
- Start an email list and send newsletter updates at least once every two months - completed 8.21.13
- Put a limit on my social media time
- Upgrade my camera - completed 5.31.13
- Purchase a new lens - completed 12.16.13
- Purchase a tablet to use at client meetings - completed 11.11.13
- Buy a glamorous camera bag
- Build a wardrobe of wedding photographer clothes (and shoes!) - at least 6 outfits & 3 pairs of shoes
- Experiment with and decide on my lighting style
- Make a promotional video
- Cut wedding editing time to under 3 hours
- Create or buy album design templates - (found software) completed 8.6.13
- Complete a photo challenge every year
- Write my ideal client profile - completed 3.27.13
- 2nd shoot 50 weddings
- Book a destination wedding
- Shoot twelve weddings
- Shoot a trash the dress session - completed 7.11.13
- Shoot a day after session
- Shoot a friend's maternity session
- Shoot a gender reveal
- Shoot another photographer (paid or trade)
- Shoot a proposal
- Shoot in DC
- Shoot in NYC
- Shoot in the snow
- Shoot something "just for me" every 6 months
- Borrow a film camera and shoot a roll for fun
- Makeover a piece of furniture for a shoot
- Do four wedding styled shoots that completely represent my brand - one completed
- Take part in an Orchestrated styled shoot
- Shoot for my branding words
- Plan a vacation around an out of town wedding
- Attend 3 weddings as a guest and love every second of it - one completed
- Take a self portrait once a month for a year.
- Display our wedding vows in a meaningful way - completed 3.13.13
- Yearly anniversary shoot with Ryan - two completed
- Book a session with a photographer I love
- Upgrade our wedding album
- Collect wedding photos from my parents and grandparents for a wall gallery
- Make a wall gallery of at least 9 pictures that make me smile
- Go an entire day with no email, text, Facebook, or instagram
- Go on 5 photo walks - one completed
- Enter a photo competition
- Start submitting weddings to publications - completed 2.11.14
- Have a booth at a bridal show
- Seek out and meet with a mentor
- Start a post-wedding tradition with another photographer
- Find a way I can give to others through photography
- Donate a portrait shoot to a charity auction
- Go full time in photography - completed 1.8.14
- Join a professional photographer's association
- Set and keep office hours
- Attend 10 networking events - two completed
- Have lunch/coffee with another wedding professional 4 times a year
- Throw a themed party for other wedding professionals
- Attend WPPI
- Meet Katelyn James and Justin & Mary - one completed
- Attend 2 photography workshops - one completed
- Create postcards for the vendors I work with for their marketing
- Read 6 business books
- Find 5 ways to differentiate myself and my business
- Have a canvas giveaway
- Create a new client kit
- Compile a list of fabulous vendor suggestions for my brides
- Put together date night gifts for wedding clients - completed 5.21.13
- Send Christmas ornaments to wedding clients - completed 12.1.13
- Send anniversary cards to my wedding clients
- Send a card and gift to someone to encourage them
- Redo the website again
- Get a new logo professionally designed - completed 2.21.14
- Get product samples for every product I offer
- At the end of 1001 days, make a new list