Are your resolutions the same for 2010 as they were for 2009? Whether you want to lose weight, break a bad habit, or make an improvement in your life, most resolutions are broken shortly after the new year begins because they can be difficult to stick to. This year, Collages.net created a list of ten big ideas that you can accomplish in 2010 to experience both personal and professional success.

1. Implement Collages.net's cycle of success into your studio’s workflow.
You know how to take great photos, but do you know what to do before, during, and after the time you shoot an event to maximize profits? Take the guesswork out of creating the plan of action for your next event. Collages.net has visualized a proven cycle of success used by our most successful photography studios. This plan of action takes you from the time an event or session is booked through the time you send thank you cards to your clients.

2. Spend more time marketing your studio.
Whether you’re just starting out or are a veteran, marketing your photography studio is key to booking clients. If potential clients don’t know you exist, how can they book you? Make your presence known by marketing your studio in creative ways. Collages.net has compiled several simple, but effective marketing tips that are updated every month and are proven to grow your business. Try implementing some of these suggestions into your studio’s workflow this year. What do you have to lose?

3. Blog regularly.
It's a fact - the more unique and relevant content you have posted to your blog or website, the better your SEO will be. Blogging regularly will also keep past and future clients addicted to your blog and studio. Post every wedding, event, portrait, and engagement session you shoot on your blog with relevant content and descriptions of your photos to give your visitors a sense of your personality. Blogging can too easily get lost in the shuffle because it can be time consuming. However, the rewards of consistent blogging are huge. If you don’t believe us, ask a few of our favorite bloggers.

4. Exercise more often.
Stretch, stretch, and stretch even more! Relieve your sore back, neck, and shoulder muscles after long days of shooting. Consider yoga - a relaxing, low intensity workout that stretches your muscles and clears your mind. For wedding photographers who often spend hours on their feet, try low impact exercises like swimming or biking. The more you exercise, the better you’ll feel after a long day on your feet. It will also help you stay more alert as you sit at your desk editing images.

5. Jump into social networking.
Social networking benefits your studio in numerous ways. Not only can you connect with other professional photographers, but also vendors, past clients, and future clients. Facebook and Twitter are two free and easy-to-use sites that allow your studio to connect with a limitless number of potential clients. Social networks also provide the support you need. Join your community of peers on social networking sites to share information that is relevant to you both personally and professionally. If you are not sure what to do on Twitter, check out what other professional photographers do on Twitter on our Twitter 101 for Professional Photographers blog post.

6. Update your studio’s product samples.
Do you have samples that show off brides wearing puffy, cap sleeved dresses that look like they came straight from 1985? It might be time to update your samples. Even if you’ve purchased samples within the past year, make sure your studio has samples of every product you offer including brilliant albums, high gloss finish books, and press printed cards in multiple sizes. If you do not show the products, your clients will not buy them.

7. Sell cards differently to gain more referrals.
Your studio may push cards for major holidays and as save the dates, wedding invitations, and baby announcements, but this year, think of cards in a different way. Try selling cards to your clients close to cost and view the small mark up as a marketing expense. When you include your logo and contact information on the back of press printed cards, your clients are doing all of the marketing work for you! When you sell your studio’s cards at a lower rate, your clients will be more likely to make the purchase and will happily send them to friends and family members who are all potential referrals for your studio.

8. Eat a healthier diet.
In addition to exercising, try eating a healthier diet to experience more energy. Pack low fat, high protein snack bars in your bag along with nuts, dried fruits, and other healthy snacks to keep your energy up and hunger down when shooting an event or portrait session. Instead of frequenting the nearest drive through after not eating a bad vendor meal, prepare ahead! Make a healthy dinner before the event and keep it ready in the refrigerator for when you get home. If you can’t make it home without eating, opt for healthier options. Your stomach will thank you in the morning. Most importantly, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. When the long day of editing hits you, head for water instead of your normal caffeine fix. Don’t get us wrong, caffeine has its place, just not as a replacement for water.

9. Spend more time with your family and friends.
One of the keys to a happy life is balance. Nobody can be happy when there are no breaks from work. Thankfully, Collages.net understands this balance and provides a studio workflow solution that will keep you from those long all-nighters so you can spend more time with your family and friends. Doesn’t that sound nice? Think about all the time you spend designing albums. Do you want that time back? Collages.net will give it to you with our $1 an image album design workflow that maximizes an effective online workflow for you and your clients. Yes, dreams really can come true.

10. Take the time to relax and focus on yourself.
Nobody can do it all, all the time. Remember to take some time out of each day to focus on yourself, even if it’s just for five or ten minutes. When you really need it, splurge on a massage to recover after a long day of being on your feet or treat yourself to the new piece of gear you’ve been eyeing for months. Remember that Collages.net’s sole purpose is to make your life easier, so give yourself a break by outsourcing print fulfillment and album design. You deserve it! If you are ready to streamline your studio’s workflow and make your life easier this year, call us and we will help.