This Can't Be That Hard
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Today Im sharing a story I find pretty mortifying. As a professional photographer, I have dedicated countless hours to not only organizing my clients photos, but also preaching the importance of good backups and organization... ...and yet the shameful truth is that my own familys photos are mostly a jumbled, unedited mess. Suffice it to say when I sat down to put together a slideshow for my sons 18th birthday, I was scrambling. But my story has a happy ending, and its all thanks to Pic-Times new AI search feature... a feature Id previously thought was only really applicable to wedding photographers. Today Im sharing not only how I used their tech to save my butt for this project, but more importantly how it opened my eyes to the ways that other family photographers could use this tool to both organize photos and create a better experience for their clients. We will touch on educating clients about the AI tool, how I plan to personalize client proposals and how I think offering searchable online galleries will provide huge value for clients long-term. __ ____ __
When I find a way to work smarter, up-level my client experience, and stand out from the crowd - especially when the strategy is so easy to implement - the first place I want to share it is right here on the show! Daynas joining me to nerd out about not one but two new pieces of affordable tech that weve been using and loving, and that we think have the ability to uplevel your photography business in a big way: Convert Box and Manychat. Not only will we share specific ideas for how to use these to capture more leads, convert more clients, streamline your workflows, and better your client experience, but we will also talk about the finer details of balancing the world of evolving technology with personalized touchpoints along the way. __ ____ __
Its often hard for clients to have a clear vision about how they can or should display their photographs in their homes, so getting them to purchase products and larger print collections can be challenging. Family photographer Sharisse Rohan is using customized digital wall mockups to overcome that hurdle with her clients and its working brilliantly! In this episode, Sharisse shares her exact process for building this into the Simple Sales framework, including how it has increased her product sales by a whopping 25% over the last few months! Sign up for the Win Your Workflow Giveaway at thiscantbethathard.com/giveaway https://upvir.al/156708/giveaway __ ____ __
Right about now, a lot of portrait photographers are crawling out of their slow-season dens and gearing up for the inquiries, sessions, editing, etc. that come with the change in weather. Most of us spent the slower months optimizing our businesses behind the scenes - which is great! - but the transition from learning and planning to actually implementing can be a rough one. If youre not equipped with a plan, its all too easy to slip right back to old habits you were trying to get past (Im speaking from personal experience here). Cue todays conversation with Sabrina Gebhardt. Sabrina is a master at helping photographers thoughtfully managing their time and gracefully grow their businesses alongside their daily lives. We talk about how to successfully transition back into your busier seasons without losing all the work youve put in during the slower season. This episode will leave you feeling equipped and inspired to make it happen! __ ____ ____ __
One of the main things that can set you apart from your competition is the customer experience you provide. This isnt limited to how you handle issues when they arise, but includes the way your clients feel when they work with you - from the moment they reach out to inquire with you until the moment they write a review and each step in between. Customer service will always be a cornerstone of your business, but the way you go about providing it will - and should! - evolve over the years as new technology becomes available and new expectations become the norm. Join me today to do some pondering on how we can continue to provide excellent customer service in our businesses in 2024 and beyond. __ ____ __
An estimated 1 in 5 people fall on the neurodivergent spectrum, which means that you have probably worked with a client who is on that spectrum… even if you didnt know it at the time. As we all strive to give our clients an elevated experience, taking stock of how we can better accommodate all of our clients’ needs should be at the forefront of that conversation. So this week, Im talking with photographer Stacey Feasel who has years of experience working to improve the photography experience and provide accessible options for all people. Stacy and I dive deep into how to better accommodate and work with neurodivergent clients, practical tips for gathering important information from clients beforehand, choosing photo locations and settings, and handling sessions with sensitivity. Whether you’ve already taken steps to make your business more accessible or want to improve your skills, this episode is full of valuable lessons to apply immediately. __ ____ __
Most portrait photographers are accidental entrepreneurs - theyre talented artists who wake up one day and think, "hey... maybe I could actually make some money doing this thing I love!" Fast forward a few years and the vast majority of those artists have closed up shop, not because they didnt have the talent, but because running a business - no matter how small - can be super-challenging. If any of this resonates, you probably already know you are in the right place. I started this podcast years ago after I created a system that helped me build a profitable, sustainable photography business. That system - The Simple Sales System™️ - is now used by thousands of photographers worldwide to make more money in less time while still providing an amazing customer experience. Today Im sharing the first episode of a brand new, ten part podcast mini-series where well deep-dive the system, how it works, why it works, and who it works for. Whether youre new to the podcast or have been using the Simple Sales System for years, Im excited to share this new series with you... its informative, fun, and - dare I say - even a bit entertaining! Plug in your earbuds and get ready to binge the whole series on your favorite podcast platform! __ ____ __
For a long time in my career, I shied away from the idea of affiliate marketing… and thats a decision I kick myself for now! Most of us make recommendations every day without even thinking about it (read this book, check out this show, I love this shampoo, etc). Combine that with the fact that in creative businesses, we face inevitable ebbs and flows in revenue, and diversifying your income with affiliate marketing becomes a no-brainer! Today, Dayna and I are diving into affiliate marketing, both as a broader concept and to introduce the re-launch of our own TCBTH affiliate program. Listen in to learn how making genuine recommendations about products you already know and love can earn you (significant!) passive income without a major time commitment. __ ____ __
A photography business comes with a lot of flexibility; we can choose the hours or days we want to work, who we want to work with, and when or where we shoot. But one thing that we dont always have control over is change... and when a massive change occurs, its basically like starting all over again. Like it or not, many photographers face some at least one major change in their careers, whether due to change in circumstances, a major shift in the type of work theyre doing, or a geographic move. And all of those changes come with some pretty intimidating hurdles. Today, Alison Bell is joining me to share her expertise in relocating a photography business. Alison has moved her business 7 times due to her husbands career in the military, so shes become a pro at picking up and restarting her photography business. Shell share her checklist for preparing to move as well as strategies for getting started in a new location. If youre planning a geographic move or any other big change, you wont want to miss this episode! __ ____ __
Raise your hand if you’re the kind of person who agonizes over decisions. If you write long pro/con lists or take months to decide on the next move, I’m looking at you! While that kind of thoughtful, contemplative approach is to be commended in many areas of life, in others, theres potential for getting stuck in analysis paralysis… and that can be deadly when it comes to business. Instead, as scary as it sometimes is, I try to live by the philosophy that there are truly no "mistakes" in business… only lessons learned. Within responsible reason (no going broke, please!), as long as you learn and grow, risks lead to progress even when plans dont pan out. Staying stuck and fearing failure helps no one. Instead, I want to encourage you to ask yourself "whats the worst that could happen?" when considering opportunities to push your business forward. Lets get unstuck by abandoning the idea of mistakes and find the freedom that comes from accepting uncertainty and imperfect choices as normal parts of the learning process. __ __
As wrap up the first month of the new year, its the perfect time to dream big about our goals and aspirations. But how do we actually achieve those dreams? Today Im talking with Kristin Sweeting about her proven process for life and business design that has helped so many creatives go from dreaming to achieving. If youve ever found yourself saying "must be nice" about someone elses life (or business), then this episode is just for you; Kristins perspective is going to turn that feeling on its head. I hope you gain as much value from our conversation as I did in having Kristin on the show. Enjoy! __ ____ __
If youve ever felt intimidated by (or even mistrustful of) using flash during a portrait session, then this episode is for you. My guest this week is Kim Hildebrand, a family photographer from Seattle who swears by using flash in her in-home shoots. We dive into the differences between flash and strobes, how to get started with flash on a budget, and how to make your flash photos look natural instead of overly-lit or "flashy". Kim shares great tips on gear, positioning, and practice. If youre interested in weather- and bad light-proofing your portrait offerings, this episode will give you the confidence to get started! __ ____ __
Its the time of year when we all have stars in our eyes and big visions for the year ahead, but how to we take those visions and make them a reality? Today Im sharing my favorite method for actually achieving goals - first by identifying what you need to do to make daily progress and then by committing to taking small action every day. I know youve probably heard this advice before, but it bears repeating, because small daily habits can make a huge difference over 12 months. Lets all make 2024 the year that our resolutions become reality! __ __
The people you choose to surround yourself with have a profound impact on you - how you think, how you act, and ultimately, the results you get. The same is true in our businesses. Success in business requires not just strength of craft but strength of mind, and if we want to achieve that success, one of the best things we can do is surround ourselves with growth- and abundance-minded people. As we flip the page into a new year, I want to spend some time talking about mindset... specifically how what and who we choose to surround ourselves with can (significantly) impact your results this year. __ __
Confession time: Do you avoid looking at your businesss financial numbers until its tax season and your accountant MAKES you do it? If you struggle with understanding the financial side of your photography business, you arent alone. Budgeting and forecasting can be daunting tasks (especially to us creative types)! Today Im bringing you an incredible interview with Fractional CFO Danielle Hendon. Danielle walks us through her 6-part framework for understanding your business numbers. From balancing your books and tracking revenue and expenses, to building accurate budgets and cash flow forecasts, Danielle provides practical strategies to get control of your money. If youre looking to improve your income and grow your financial prowess next year, Danielles step-by-step process for financial success will be a huge help! __ ____ __
As the year winds down, you might be looking over your expenses from the year... and Id be willing to bet there are some pieces of software or tech that youre considering getting rid of. Now Im all for keeping an eye on expenses, But before you unsubscribe or cancel that software, I want you to listen to todays episode. The fact of the matter is that good technology - the kind that make tasks faster, easier, or totally automatic - is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to grow your business... you may just have to change your perspective a bit. __ __
Raise your hand if youve ever had a client ask to see their photos during a session... who hasnt!? Conventional wisdom tells us to encourage them to wait for the final, edited images before sharing, right? Well, todays guest is turning that advice on its head. Liz Hansen runs a highly successful (read: 7-figure) boudoir photography business... and credits her success with sharing her photos immediately after her sessions! Today shes talking us through the business model thats working so well for her and sharing some really powerful business advice that applies no matter what your model is! __ ____ __
Standing out in the highly competitive world of photography can feel difficult or even impossible at times. Great photos feels like it SHOULD be enough, but it almost never is... so how can we market our businesses in a way that encourages people to book us on something OTHER than price? The key is making your business impossible to compare to your competition. Today I want to talk about how you can figure out the special sauce only YOU can offer so that you can start focusing your marketing and finding those bluebird clients. __ ____ __
Happy December, and happy final Consistency Club installment of the year! This first year of the Club has been amazing... we’ve seen some incredible success stories of photographers building their email and social followings and - even more importantly - effectively translating that growth into booked clients and money in their bank accounts. All that to say, if you liked being part of the Club this year, get excited: based on your feedback, we’re implementing some changes for next year that we believe will make your membership even more valuable to your marketing strategy in 2024! Here’s a sneak peek at some of what you can expect: __ __ I’m so excited for these changes, and - as ever - so grateful to be on this journey with you. Happy holidays! __ __
Today we are zooming way out to look at the big picture journey of running a creative business. My guest is Brian Hood, host of the Six Figure Creative podcast, and he is breaking down the six levels of freelancing -what it takes to move from one level to the next, and what pitfalls to avoid along the way. Whether youre just starting out in photography or a seasoned pro, todays episode is going to give you some clarity about where you currently are in your business and what goals or steps you might want to set for yourself in the upcoming year. LINKS: __ ____ __
Today were talking about what you do when you have more business than you can handle. Champagne problem? Maybe... but even if youre not there just yet, I want you to listen in... because this is a very real issue that EVERY photographer can benefit from! Jill C. Smith is on the show talking about how she built an associate program in her family photography business. She has 3 associates in her very busy photography business, and has cracked the code on exactly how to find and train your team, then use it to grow your business. Today she’s taking us behind the scenes on her process (and how - if youre still in the growing phase - you can flip this strategy around to build your confidence and your portfolio)! LINKS: __ ____ __
Working in a creative field comes with so many perks, but staying creative in the midst of the go-go-go busy season can be tough. Between the frenetic pace of the holiday season and the pressures of the end of the year, this is often a time when our creative well can start to run dry... at least MINE does. Never fear! Ive got a system (of course I do!) for pulling yourself out of your photo rut. Tune in to hear how I keep my photos fresh all year long. __ __
If you arent familiar with LifeTouch, they are the ENORMOUS business responsible for most of the school portraits in the U.S. If youre based in America, chances are good that youve sat in front of a LifeTouch photographer at some point in your life... but the experience of buying photos from Lifetouch as a professional photographer and a mom has really put some things into perspective. As some of you know, this is my son Olivers senior year, and he recently went to get his yearbook photo done by a LifeTouch photographer, and today, I want to walk you through that experience. You might not be surprised at what I discovered, but what I hope you take away from today is a sense of extreme confidence in the services we provide to our clients and the prices we charge for those services. As always, Id love to hear your thoughts and your own experiences with school portraits in the Facebook group. Click the link below to join the convo. LINKS: __ __
I love November. Somehow, it feels a bit like a Thursday to me... like even though were not to the finish line yet, were at least in the home stretch. (It doesnt hurt that the weather this time of year in NC is basically perfect )🍂 But although the finish line is in sight, were still in the thick of things. I dont know about you, but all I want right now is for everything to feel easy... which means takeout for dinner, When it comes to marketing, I want it as turnkey as humanly possible... so thats exactly what weve got for you this month! Before we dive in, we cant let the month dedicated to all things gratitude pass by without Your subscription, your feedback, and your success stories humble us and fuel us to keep showing up, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts! In the meantime, treat yourself to a warm, seasonally-appropriate beverage and get ready to stay Consistent with your marketing...even at the busiest time of year! __ __
On the list of ways we are constantly trying to improve our businesses, one thing that might get overlooked is building inclusivity and accessibility in our customer experience. 15% of the population identifies as neurodiverse and that number is growing every day. Today, Rose McAvoy is joining me on the podcast to share simple ways photographers can be more accommodating and accessible for our neurodiverse clients. (Side note: most of these benefit our neurotypical clients as well!) A big thank you to Rose for bringing this topic to the podcast and for this important conversation - I know you all will have so many great takeaways from it. LINKS: __ ____ ____ __
If you havent figured this out by now, I really like technology that can streamline my workflow..... but I really L-O-V-E me some technology that can also make me stand out in the crowd and add a little wow to my client experience. Which is why Im dedicating an entire episode to one of my favorite pieces of software: Loom. (#NotAnAd, just a huge fan!) Today Im outlining 4 specific strategies for incorporating Loom into your photography business that will not only help you save time, but also improve your SEO, boost your booking rates and make the communication part of your business a whole lot quicker and easier. I hope you find some takeaways you can start applying asap - I cant wait to hear which of these strategies you want to incorporate first! LINKS: __ ____ ____ __
Whenever I poll photographers about what they need the most help with, the answer I get (by a factor of 10) is marketing. It seems everyone is always on the lookout for ways to stand out and get themselves in front of a bigger audience. But what if I told you marketing isnt the only way to do that? My guest today is Christina Lenkowski, a PR expert who specifically focuses on helping entrepreneurs and small business owners get featured on podcasts their ideal audience is listening to. And before you say you dont have anything interesting to talk about, I want you to listen to this episode! Christina is sharing unique ideas for how every small business owner can offer value to the right audience.... even you! LINKS: __ ____ __
Holiday sales can be an INCREDIBLE way to add revenue, bring in new clients, and serve your existing clients at the end of the year... ...but not all Holiday Sales are created equal - and during a time of year when everyone (you AND your clients) is busy, you need to be sure youre maximizing your chances for success! This free series will teach you: __ __ To watch (or listen) the rest of this training series go to: thiscantbethathard.com/sleigh http://thiscantbethathard.com/sleigh __ ____ __
How many times have you heard, "The customer is always right?" But thats not always true, and can get downright toxic in the photography business. Today I want to challenge some of the business advice weve all heard that I think may actually be harming your business. We all know how easy it is to get swayed by advice - especially when were new or feeling unsure of ourselves - but Im a big believer in listening to that inner voice when its telling you somethings off. My goal with this episode is to empower you to trust yourself and your process as a business owner. __ __
We don’t make decisions in a vacuum, and neither do our clients. Believe it or not, a huge motivator behind our decisions to buy something (or not) is based on what we perceive those around us to be doing. You only have to look as far as the success of influencers to see this at work. And the same is true of your potential clients. The templates this month help you highlight who you and people are, and also (just as importantly) who they are . Ready to get more consistent with your marketing? Join the Consistency Club https://www.thiscantbethathard.com/club! __ __
