How to Fail Spectacularly in Commercial Photography: A Step-by-Step Guide to Professional Disaster

Welcome back to the blog, folks! It's me, Bigbobby, your go-to guide for all things commercial photography and content marketing. But today, we're switching gears a bit. Strap in because I'm about to share the ultimate blueprint for failure in our world. That's right, you heard me correctly. If crashing and burning in commercial photography sounds like your cup of tea, you're in the right place.

Let's dive into the first big no-no: neglecting your marketing. I've had countless conversations, workshops, and even those quirky 'Marketing Mondays' (which, by the way, hardly ever happen on an actual Monday), and the lesson is crystal clear. Want to fail? Then forget marketing exists. Ignore reaching out to new clients, following up with the old ones, or keeping your website and blog SEO-friendly. The goal here is to become a ghost in the machine, totally invisible to the world.

Moving on to the big void of social media. In today's world, if you're not online, do you even exist? Well, if you're aiming for professional oblivion, staying off social media is the way to go. Despite my love-hate relationship with it, my ventures in content creation and photography don't really give me a choice but to engage. However, if you're looking to tank, make sure you're nowhere to be found online. Let obscurity be your closest companion.

Next up, let's talk about how not to behave. The internet is full of don'ts, but hey, if failure is the goal, why not become the poster child for what not to do? Be that difficult person on set, the one who never manages expectations and always points fingers. Dodge responsibility like it's the plague. This is a surefire way to nosedive professionally.

And here's a pro tip for failing in big cities: resist specialization. In a world where being the best in your niche can set you apart, make sure you blend into the background with a generalist approach. Let those potential clients pass you by as they search for someone who actually specializes in what they need.

But wait, there's more. The photography industry is always evolving, and sticking to outdated practices is a guaranteed ticket to irrelevance. Refusing to adapt to digital innovations? Insisting that the way things were done in 2023 was the peak of photography? Perfect strategies for falling behind.

So, there you have it, my guide to tanking your career in commercial photography. As for me? I'm jokingly planning to overlook the rise of mirrorless cameras as part of my personal failure strategy. What about you? Drop a comment below with your own plans for professional disaster. Let's share our strategies for spectacular failure in this ever-changing industry.