We hope that you and your families are remaining healthy and safe during these challenging times across the globe. Unfortunately, most small businesses are going to be impacted financially in some way by Covid-19.

However, there are a few things you could do now that might be helpful in the coming months. We've put together some advice for small businesses and would like to share them with you. Of course, you should do what is best for you, your business, and your clients. Staying safe and healthy should remain your priority.

1. Accommodate your clients

A savvy business owner will tell you that this is the time to accommodate your client's wishes to the best of your ability. If they want to postpone or cancel an appointment, you should try to accommodate them without imposing any fees or financial penalties. These are not ordinary times, and allowing a client to move an appointment without penalty would be prudent as well as thoughtful.

Reschedule: You could set a time parameter. For example, allow clients to reschedule for some time during 2020. Make future appointments contingent upon availability.

Canceling: If someone chooses to cancel, you will need to decide whether to offer a full refund or impose a small administrative fee. If you opt to impose an administrative fee, keep in mind that a pandemic is no one's fault. Do you want to penalize a client for something completely out of their control?

2. Holding shoots

Some photographers might decide to move forward with photoshoots and events as long as they're maintaining a social distance of 6 feet. If you opt for that approach, we recommend you follow your local health department's guidelines.

Most are encouraging people to avoid physical contact, including shaking hands, with those not in their immediate household. Remember to wash your hands regularly and use sanitizer in between hand-washing, especially if you are touching surfaces around you. Avoid touching your face, and remember to also wipe off your gear regularly.

3. Financial impact

Unfortunately, most photographers and other small businesses will see a significant loss of income for the first part of this year, particularly as more communities and countries move to total lockdown.

Prepare as best as you can for the loss of income over what's likely to be several months. Hopefully, your business plans had a contingency for slow earnings. If it didn't, start by controlling costs and spending. Don't buy any new gear. You might even consider selling off equipment you don't use.

4. New revenue

If you're shut down at home, this is an ideal time to start planning how to make up for lost revenues.

Your plan should also include how to broaden your network of contacts and clients.
Look for new revenue opportunities during the slow down and even once business picks up again to make up for lost income during this shutdown.
Consider shooting new photography genres to pick up more clients.
Also, you might want to offer a broader line of products for clients.
If you don't already sell online, you might consider trying to sell your images to stock photography websites.
Find ways to work with other small businesses to help each other out. For example, event planners often recommend photographers to their clients.

5. Seek sound financial advice

If you don't already have a financial planner, this might be an excellent time to seek some recommendations, interview experts, and select one to work with moving forward. The stock market seems to be a roller coaster right now.

An expert can help you to navigate these difficult times, help your business plan and invest wisely, and even advise you on how to get it back on its feet. They can also help you to create a sound business plan to be ready for the next market meltdown.

Be selective in whom you decide to work with. It's always a good idea to ask other business owners, family, and friends for recommendations. We wouldn't recommend selecting a financial advisor based on an advertisement.

You will want to select someone who can advise you on your savings, financial diversification, and assist with planning for the future, including retirement.

6. Use this time wisely

Without clients to keep you busy, use this time wisely. Set a few hours each day to work on your business.

Use the time to learn more, improve your skills, clean out or categorize your gear, and clean up your studio.
Also, work on those Lightroom files you've meant to tackle.
This is also an ideal time to grab your camera and practice - a lot!
Pull out the photography books you've meant to catch up on and read.
Update your website and image gallery.
Order products for clients and research new products to offer.
Send away for samples of products.
Join some online photography or business forums to stay social with others in the same industry and learn from them.
Lastly, if you don't live alone, enjoy the company of those in your home. If you go out for walks (which can keep you sane these days), remember to bring your camera!

7. Personal vs. professional

It might seem obvious, but don't get so wrapped up in your business that you forget about your own life and preparing to meet this global pandemic head-on and safely!

Heed the advice of your government. Make sure you have plenty of nonperishable foods stored in your home and enough medications to get you through. The most important thing you could do right now is to take their advice SERIOUSLY.

The worst that can happen when you listen to their advice is that you will be well prepared. The worst that can happen if you ignore the experts is that you get sick and/or you expose your family to a life-threatening virus.

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