INPUT ARTICLE: Article: No one else knows your motivation to open this business, so you need to make sure that you know why you want to do this. If you lose sight of why you are doing this, there is a possibility of failure. Why did I choose to open a dance studio? What do I want to achieve by opening a dance studio? Who do I hope to help? Why does my community need this dance studio? What am I going to do to set my dance studio apart from other studios in my area? Many new studios fail because they do not control their budget and end up in debt. Be sure to frequently check your budget and know how much you can spend on different start-up costs. I had to spend more in electrical repairs to make sure the studio was up to code, so where can I make some sacrifices in another part of the budget? I do not have enough money saved up myself to fund this dance studio. How can I get the rest of the start-up costs funded? It seems like I am spreading my money too thinly. What equipment or renovations can I cut out for now so that the important elements of my studio, such as the flooring and safety, are better quality? I do not have enough money to buy new flooring for every room of the dance studio. What rooms and type of flooring should I prioritize right now? I was able to get all start-up costs funded, and I have extra money leftover in my budget! How can I save that money and put it toward other studio needs, such as future rent payments or repairs? While you are going through with finding a studio space, renovating and readying it, and getting your marketing strategies going, you might be tempted to take on more tasks. It is best to stick to your plan to not overwhelm yourself and your resources. These additional things can be done at a later, more advantageous time. Avoid buying additional equipment that is not necessary for the studio to function right now. Avoid taking on additional repairs or renovations that are not necessary for the studio space to be up to code and open to welcome customers. Avoid comparing your dance studio to another one in town that you think is "better." Stand by what you can do and what you can offer to your future clientele. Maintain marketing strategies that you can afford. Ignore temptation to take on more expensive, flashier marketing strategies that you see another studio using. If you have stakeholders involved in helping you start up your studio, such as investors, then you need to engage in frequent, honest communication with them. If stakeholders learn that you were dishonest or that you kept some information from them, they will likely withdraw their funding. Communicate if an unexpected necessary but expensive repair comes up. Let them know if renovations are delayed and your timeline for opening has to be pushed back. Tell them what their funding is helping you purchase for your dance studio. Invite them to the grand opening event. Starting your own dance studio is going to be stressful, and it will feel easy to take that stress out on new employees. However, it is important to build relationships with them. They will help you start this studio, and you do not want them leaving you before the studio even opens its doors for customers. Thank them for their help in getting projects completed. Pay them the agreed upon rate and when you say you will pay them. Be honest about how much you can afford to pay them. Recognize their work and dedication at the grand opening event. Reward them with any benefits that you can afford, such as paid time off, insurance benefits, or guest passes to classes for their family or friends.

SUMMARY: Know why you are starting a dance studio. Understand your budget and maintain it. Stick to your start-up plan. Communicate with your stakeholders. Build relationships with your employees.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you're starting a freelance photography business, you need a website to showcase your work so prospective clients can see what they can expect. You can also use your site to allow potential customers to get in touch with you, schedule your services, and deliver your finished photos. Make sure the site is easy to navigate, and contains only your best photos. If you don't know much about building a website, WordPress is a good place to start because they have templates and themes designed specifically for photography. It's a good idea to incorporate a blog into your website. Post a new photo with entry, so clients can see what you've been up to recently. In addition to a website, social media is an ideal way to market your services online. Photography is a visual medium, so a great photo can quickly go viral and familiarize potential clients with your work. Create Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts, so you can show off your work in a setting where it's much easier for people to share it. Include links to all of your social media accounts on your website, so potential clients can easily find them. Word of mouth can be an effective way for freelance photographers to get new clients, so it helps to have business cards that you can give to family, friends, and existing clients. They can pass the cards onto people they know who might be interested in your services. Create a distinct look for your business cards by including one of your photos on it. It can be a self-portrait so clients remember you specifically or a photo that you're particularly proud of and showcases your skills. Make sure that your cards contain all of your contact information, including your web address. You want potential clients to be able to find your online portfolio. Hopefully, word of mouth will spread about your photography skills, but you don't want to wait around for jobs to come to you. By making connections with related businesses, you may be able to find new clients. For example, if you want to work as an event photographer, you might contact wedding or party planners, catering halls, and other event-related businesses to introduce yourself and your work. That way, if a person planning an event asks for a recommendation for a photographer, your contact can pass your name along. If you're interested in working as a commercial or product photograph, you might try to find a contact at a marketing or public relations firm. When you're just starting out as a freelance photographer, building word of mouth is key. That's why it often helps to do some jobs for free -- you can gain experience and generate a buzz with potential clients. If you're specializing in special event or portrait photography, ask family and friends if they need any photographs taken. If you hope to break into commercial or product photography, see if there are any small businesses in your area that might allow you to shoot photos for their marketing materials. You may also want to consider holding sessions where you don't charge for the session itself. Instead, the clients only pay if they decide to purchase prints from you. That can be an effective way to lure new customers in and still make some money. Make sure to ask all of your free clients for testimonials after you take the photos. If they're positive, you can use them in your promotional materials or as references for potential clients. If your free clients have any criticisms of your work, use them to improve your skills and services.

SUMMARY:
Create a website. Establish social media accounts. Print up business cards. Network to generate leads. Do some free assignments.