With a new year comes a new start for many in the drone business, and that can bring a multitude of possibilities.
In order to take the right steps toward living the drone life, there are a few things you can do:
PURSUE KNOWLEDGE RELENTLESSLY
As the market for drone operators becomes more saturated, it is important to pursue knowledge as if it were the lifeblood of your business. All metaphors aside, maintaining exceptional knowledge about the ever-changing industry will keep you ahead of the curve when it comes to standing out among the competition.
Drone U‘s growing list of online courses is a great place to start. Why not set a goal to take all of them? Make sure to set a time frame and stick to it.
FIND A NICHE
If you’ve ever heard the Drone U team tell you this before, it’s because finding a niche is vital to one’s success. The everyman drone pilot will have a hard time maintaining standards of excellence across multiple fields. Instead, try to do one thing well and generate a client base by being the best they’ve ever seen.
TAKE RISKS
The gap between failure and success is microscopic. With the drone industry growing and changing so rapidly, the market is positioned to reward those who are willing to step outside of their comfort zone.
Did you have trouble generating new business in 2017? Try cold-calling. You never know what will come of a new venture into the unknown. The road less traveled is often the one that’s most rewarding in the long run.
SET GOALS (AND GO AFTER THEM)
The beginning of the calendar year is the ideal time to clean up your act and set realistic, achievable goals. Don’t just set them. Track and monitor their progress. Programs such as Evernote are fantastic tools that help you keep yourself accountable for the standards you set.
GIVE BACK
By the end of 2018, you’ll be a relatively experienced drone pilot. Why not give back to the community that helped you find your passion? One excellent way to give without breaking the bank is to share knowledge and experience with the Drone U community.
The power of collaboration that Drone U holds within its membership base is a tool that will benefit any business. Giving back not only provides an element of self-fulfillment, but also strengthens the community to ultimately become a stronger resource for all.
Michael C. Jones is an author and the founder and Chief Pilot of California Aerial Media based in San Diego, CA. His passion for flying is nearly exceeded by that of writing. His credits include Yahoo, Mapquest and About.com.