Running a photography business as a military spouse comes with a handful of challenges, the biggest being having to move your business around every few years. This lifestyle offers the opportunity to explore different landscapes and parts of the world, which my portfolio will be forever thankful for. However, it also requires an intentional business model that can thrive amidst change. The constant flux of relocating has been both a blessing and a curse, offering fresh starts but at the same time demanding strategic adjustments to maintain business momentum.
This will be the second time I’ve moved my photography business across different states and these are the things that I’ve done to help ensure that my transition to a new area is a smooth as possible.
Optimizing for New Horizons:
As you prepare to move, recalibrating your website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) becomes a critical step. SEO for photographers is not just about showcasing your portfolio; it’s about making sure your business is discoverable in its new location. Update your website with location-specific keywords, and tweak metadata to reflect your new service area. This digital renovation helps search engines recognize your business as a relevant result for potential clients in your new area, ensuring you don’t lose visibility during the transition.
want to know more about the intricacies of SEO? Check out my SEO guide for more info!
Social Media Strategies: Making Connections
I think a lot of us would agree that social media is huge for our businesses. This is especially true when you’re entering a new market.
Using Location to Your Advantage on Instagram Incorporate location tags in your Instagram content to enhance local visibility before your move. These tags not only increase the chances of your work being seen by the local community but also facilitate connections with potential clients and fellow creatives. You can do this by using the location tagging feature within your post but don’t forget to throw some location hashtags in there too! Boost it wherever you can.
Finding Community on Facebook Engage with your new area before you arrive by joining local Facebook groups. Participation in these communities can offer insights into local events, trends, and networking opportunities. This allows you to plant roots in your new home and to start building relationships, even from afar.
Increase your Online Engagement If you have the time, expanding your social media horizons can be really beneficial in a time of transition! If you aren’t super active on Pinterest or TikTok, or whatever they’re calling twitter these days, maybe take a stab at upping your activity on those platforms too to increase your reach and your engagement.
Building Relationships: The Key to Local Integration
Establishing connections with local photographers and other small business owners can really boost your integration into the new community. Instagram DMs are a really great starting point for collaboration and mutual support, paving the way for deeper professional relationships and opportunities. Networking within your new area is truly invaluable; offering mentorship, friendship, and collaboration opportunities that can help you and your business flourish in its new setting.
Maintaining Roots: The Role of a Registered Agent
And now for the logistical side of moving 😅 For military spouse entrepreneurs, maintaining a stable business foundation across states is crucial. Hiring a registered agent in your original state of business registration can offer a seamless solution. A registered agent provides a consistent physical address for legal and tax correspondence, ensuring that your business complies with state requirements despite any relocations. They can also handle your yearly paperwork, including filing documents and managing yearly registrations.
Hiring a registered agent allows you to focus on the growth and day-to-day operations of your photography business, secure in the knowledge that the administrative backbone of your business is taken care of, regardless of where the military takes you.
Transitioning your photography business to a new location requires more than just logistical planning; it involves strategic digital and social positioning. By focusing on SEO, being intentional about your social media, cultivating local connections and setting yourself up with a registered agent, you can ensure a smooth transition for your business. Want to chat more about the realities of this? Send me a DM on instagram! And if you’re ready to learn how you can build and grow a full time photography business as a military spouse, be sure to check out our upcoming retreat in Rosemary Beach, Florida where you’ll get to learn everything you need to run your business from two military spouse entrepreneurs.
