Avsnitt
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Have you ever made the mistake of going to the grocery store without a list—or at least a plan? We've all been there, right? And while we might manage to wing it in the produce section or snack aisle, we almost always end up forgetting something essential.
In the early days of my photography business, I actually ran things a bit like those haphazard grocery trips. Every morning, I’d jot down a list of to-dos from memory—relying solely on my brain to keep track of what needed to happen. On my good days, I could just about pull it off. But if one of my kids got sick or something threw me off my game, things would inevitably slip through the cracks.
I talk a lot about how systems transformed my business, but today I'm showing you how that doesn't need to be any more complicated than making a grocery list. If you feel like you're missing opportunities or constantly playing catch up, today's episode is a must-listen!
Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
A few weeks back, I put out the call for your photography-related horror stories... from silly mistakes to dealing with nightmarish clients, to just plain bad luck.
We've all been there. When you're a small business owner, things are bound to go wrong sometimes, and as much as we take our jobs seriously, there's also value in acknowledging the cringeworthy, mortifying, and downright bizarre situations that can come with running your own photography business!
Thanks to everyone who shared their stories to make this episode a real emotional roller coaster. I think you'll be impressed - as I was - at these photographers' ability to keep their cool, problem-solve on the fly, and even find the humor in their misfortunes. And the next time you find yourself in the midst of a photography crisis, hopefully, this episode will remind you to take a deep breath, problem-solve with creativity, and maybe even crack a smile (....and then share it on next year's podcast!)
New around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography businessResources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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In the never-ending battle to stand out from other photographers in your niche, you may have tried many different tacks - whether in your editing style, your locations, or your business model. But have you ever considered that the thing that could push you to the top of your ideal client's list might already be living in their home?
Over 66% of US families have a pet that they consider part of the family, and yet most family photographers don't specifically encourage pets in their sessions or feature pets in their marketing.
Today I'm talking with Monica Adalsteinsson, an Arizona-based pet and family photographer who specializes in blending family photography with pet photography. Tune in to hear practical tips for starting to include pets in your photography, as well as inspiration for how to use that new skill to market yourself in a brand new way.
Visit Monica Adelsteinsson's websiteLearn how to photograph people and their petsUse code "Annemie" for $50 off the Pup Plus Me Method courseNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
I’m all about sharing the mistakes I made in my business to help you avoid making the same ones…. and one of the biggest, most costly mistakes I've ever made was not bothering to create a sale at the holidays for the first 8 years of my business. When I do the math, I estimate that one mistake cost me north of $50K (it still hurts to write that number!)
If the word “sale” makes you cringe inside, then this episode is for you. There are plenty of reasons you can come up with to not run a holiday sale, but today I want to share 5 really compelling reasons why I think you should. Listen in with an open mind - I think you’ll be surprised at what you might learn!
Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
Leah O'Connell has been a family photographer for over a decade, and her success has been a slow crescendo. In this era of streaming movies and Amazon Prime, we often expect everything to happen quickly, but most businesses - perhaps especially photography businesses - take a while to reach the point of sustainability... which is simply a part of the process!
Leah's story is a refreshing reminder that steady, intentional growth is often the key to long-term success. If you’re feeling stuck in your photography business - or simply frustrated by a lack of instant success - today's episode illustrates the power of patience, perseverance, and adaptability - qualities that I believe are essential for any photographer looking to create a thriving, long-term business.
Visit Leah O'Connell's Website:Leah's Free Resources for Photographers, including her Big Picture WorkbookListen to Leah's Podcast: PhotofuelNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
This week's episode is a bit of a departure, but I promise it’s worth the ride: I’m sharing the story of a new business venture my husband and I launched at the beginning of this year.
Think you might be able to guess what it is? I'd be pretty shocked if you did... this new enterprise is about as different from our work as photographers, Airbnb owners, and online educators as it's possible to be.
But as different as it is, it's still business! Tune in to hear about the challenges, the lessons, and the surprising overlaps we’ve discovered along the way, and why the experiences we have as entrepreneurs is relevant to ALL kinds of business—no matter the industry.
Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
As photographers, we walk a fine line when it comes to client privacy. On one hand, we rely on being able to share session photos for marketing and growing our businesses. But on the other hand, a ever-growing number of clients are uncomfortable with their images being shared publicly. It's a tricky line to walk.
For years, I offered some baseline privacy to my clients, and anyone who required more could pay an extra fee. But recently, I realized this approach no longer felt right to me, so I went back to the drawing board and came up with a new privacy plan that puts the control firmly in my clients' hands. Today, I want to share the updates I've made so you can take a look at your own policies and see if they need a refresh as well.
Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
Failure is an inescapable fact of life and business, but how we respond to it is what defines the experience. Whether failure happens in your art, your business, or your personal life, learning how to navigate setbacks with grit and grace is a major stepping stone on the way to success.
This week's guest is Alison Hatch, who is sharing the difficult journey she experienced taking over the Photo Native conference. Navigating financial struggles, emotional hurdles, and the sting of failure, her story is a powerful reminder that these challenges are part of the growth process. Alison shares how taking big risks—despite the fear of failure—allowed her to grow both personally and professionally.
Failure is a natural part of business and personal growth. I hope Alison's story will encourage you to keep moving forward, take risks, and embrace the inevitability of failure as an essential part of success.
Visit Alison's website: AlisonBHatchPhoto.com and sign up for Alison’s Film Soup CourseListen to Alison's podcast: Photographer's CreateNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
Starting a photography business was one of the biggest bets I ever made on myself — until I did it again post-divorce. Both of those crossroads were both terrifying and a bit exhilarating.
Check out Rebecca's full portfolio for more inspiration: Rebecca's Website Grab your FREE guide now: Conscious Composition + Color Guide
Today my conversation is with another photographer who has bet on herself in similar ways. Rebecca Honeycutt, is a lifestyle children's and family photographer in Portland, OR, and today she's sharing her inspiring story of betting on herself and building a thriving photography business, even when the odds seemed stacked against her. And as much as I appreciate a good dose of inspiration, what I love most about this conversation are the concrete steps Rebecca shares that helped her make those bets... including working with a financial planner and diversifying her offerings.
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
I frequently hear from photographers who are thinking of reducing their prices as a way of attracting more clients. While I understand their logic, my advice is always to proceed with caution: the (potential) short-term gain always has to be weighed against the (potential) hit to their business' long-term sustainability.
In today’s episode, I'm sharing a cautionary tale about a business that recently shut down due to their financial missteps. This was a business I relied on for my own business, and their sudden and unexpected closure left me and hundreds (thousands?) of other business owners in a tough position. My hope is that this episode creates a silver lining of sorts out of the dark cloud of this story, because I don't want any of you to make a similar mistake in your own business!
Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
In this episode, I'm diving in on the artistry of photography - a topic I don't often cover on this podcast... but not to worry: it doubles a business conversation, too! Ashley Kaplan is my guest, talking about how creating truly unique and memorable photographs can be a huge part of your business and marketing plans if you know how to position and sell that difference.
Unlock your photography potential with Ashley Kaplan's Education site, where you can apply for mentorship or dive into her signature course, A Sense of Place. Explore more of her work and offerings on her main website.
Ashley has mastered the skill of differentiating her work from her competition's... so much so that she is able to command higher prices and stay booked out months in advance. Tune in to learn how to lean into your inner artist to create a business that not only fills your bank account but also your artistic soul.
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
As creatives, I think we tend to overcomplicate things (right!?), but I'm all about making it simple for you to run a profitable photography business, and sometimes the simplest way to do that is to make sure you are squeezing every last drop of value out of what you're already offering.
In that vein, today I'm sharing some strategic ways to maximize your sales opportunities and earn more from your photography business by implementing some tried and true sales and marketing strategies in a way you may not have considered before.
Learn how to set up a membership program in your business with Revenue on RepeatNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
When I met Tiffany Crenshaw earlier this year, I knew I wanted to bring her on the podcast... and when she suggested a chat about not only the importance of showing diversity in your portfolio but also how exactly to go about making that a reality, I knew this episode was going to be a powerful one.
Tiffany is a lifestyle photographer in Alabama, and in our conversation, she highlights the reasons why showing people a representation of themselves in our work matters. She shares her personal experience as a Black photographer in a niche where that makes her stand out, and offers practical advice, like conducting intentional model calls and engaging with local cultural communities to build a more diverse client base for all photographers.This episode really highlights the importance of intentionally stepping outside of our comfort zone to build a more inclusive businesses, and I'm grateful to Tiffany for her willingness to have this important discussion and share her insights with us.
Grab Tiffany's guide to setting up diversity model callsGet 20% off one-on-one mentoring with Tiffany through the end of 2024 when you mention TCBTH!New around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
I used to think I had a "black thumb" when it came to gardening, but back in 2020 when I had time to pay attention to my yard for the first time ever, I was surprised to discover that I had a bit more of a knack for it than I realized!
Maybe that's less surprising now that I look back and see all the parallels between growing a garden and running a thriving business. Many of the skills I've learned in my business - things like patience, perseverance, and being willing to experiment and adapt - are the same skills you need to be a successful gardener.
But one of the biggest lessons I've learned - both in business and in my back yard - is the value of having "perennials"; those repeat clients that come back year after year through a membership program. Instead of relying solely on one-time "annual" clients, a membership gives you that steady, predictable revenue stream, just like perennial plants that come back year after year and make your garden look beautiful with much less work. They take some upfront work to set up, but it can pay off big time in the long run.
So today I want to talk about how you can start thinking about your business like a garden, and consider how you can plant the seeds for more sustainable growth.
Learn how to set up a membership program in your business with Revenue on RepeatNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
Every photographer reaches a point in their business where they're ready for the floodgates to open. You flip the switch on the virtual "open for business" sign, take a deep breath, and hope that the clients rush in.
More often than not, though, we spend a good chunk of our businesses' early years (and sometimes later years) trying to find our people... and that process can be more frustrating than we care to admit.
Today I'm talking with Bobbi Barbarich about exactly how to figure out what it is that makes your art stand out in a crowded market, and (more importantly) how to translate that into a marketing strategy that converts.
Bobbi has over 15 years of experience in the industry, and she's developed a unique approach to marketing her business that goes beyond just showcasing the quality of her photos. She explains how she's focused on communicating the values and voice behind her work, which has allowed her to connect with her ideal clients and book them at higher prices. I can't wait for you to listen to this episode; it's a unique perspective on marketing that we've never covered on the show before, and it's sure to inspire you to do some fine-tuning of your own messaging.
Links:
Bobbi's Education Website Bobbi's Documentary Mini-CourseUse code TCBTH15 to save 15% when you buy before Aug 15th, 2024 Learn how to shoot better candids to book more clients. Follow Bobbi on InstagramNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography businessResources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
There's a lot of talk in the photo community these days about inquiries being down, which inevitably leads to talk (and a whole lot of insecurity) about pricing.
The truth is, pricing may be a factor in the decreased inquiry equation... but it's only one factor. And the truth is that changing your prices without taking the time to evaluate the broader equation may do more harm than good.
If you've been considering a shift in your prices (or any other area of your business), today's episode is for you. I'm covering the 5 parts of the business equation, especially when there are fewer jobs to go around.
Take the Business Alignment Quiz New around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Link:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
It's often when I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place I come up with my most brilliant ideas... and I know I'm not the only one. Pressure has a way of forcing us to think outside the box and get creative about solutions we might not have otherwise considered.
Watch BTS of a full Mini Session at styled location as Paula captures 60+ sellable images in under 45 minutes, to learn how too can do the same! New around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Paula Brennan, my guest today, likewise found a creative solution in a time of need, and it revolutionized her business. Paula is a personal brand photographer known for her creative (and wildly popular) approach to mini brand sessions. But these aren't your typical mini sessions: she's figured out a way to maximize her time and resources while also allowing her clients to participate in something bigger than just a "brand shoot."
Whatever your niche, Paula's ideas will get your creative juices flowing... my mind was spinning with the possibilities! Tune in to hear all the details on how she is able to supercharge her income with this smart strategy.
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
Pricing is probably one of the hottest topics in the photography education space. As someone who feels so strongly about helping photographers price themselves profitably that I've made it a cornerstone of my education business, I am always excited to bring you a fresh take on pricing... and today's show is exactly that.
Harvard Business Review elements of value pyramidSelf-hypnosis app "Magnetic"Profit First book
This episode features a guest appearance by Kristin Sweeting, who's sharing her insights on the psychology of pricing. She starts by acknowledging how emotional pricing can be, bringing up all sorts of insecurities and fears from our past and talks about how we can use an "anchor package" to expand what clients think is possible. This is one of Kristin's most popular episodes, and I thought it would be a good one to percolate on this time of year. Enjoy!
Links:
New around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography businessResources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
When I first started in this business, branding and online presence were not my strong suits. Over the years, though, I've come to realize how important it is to represent yourself well online... and after going through a massive website overhaul, I am even more attuned to how much work it takes to do that on a website!
Connect with KP and Jessie at their website - Ink Pot CreativeSign up for Strategy Sunday, Inkpot Creative®’s weekly email series that helps boundary-pushing creatives intentionally market to dreamy clients so easily it feels effortless.Follow Ink Pot Creative on InstagramNew around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
Enter KP and Jessie from Inkpot Creative. Today on the show, they are sharing some of their favorite tips for injecting that hard-to-define "you" into your website. They cover everything from visual branding elements to building trust to storytelling tricks that can help potential clients feel like they know you before even getting on a call.
I know website updates can feel daunting, but these small tweaks can make a big difference, so get out your notepads, and let's dive in.
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! -
I consider myself a systems and workflow fanatic. Whether it's a system or a piece of tech, I geek out about tools that help us optimizing and streamline our workflows, not just because I've experienced firsthand how those tools can make or break you in business, but because it genuinely brings me joy to watch people get hours (days! weeks!!!) of their year back by investing in the few hours it takes to get a new set up and running.
Get 1500 Free Edits when you try out Imagen AI Connect with Noella on Instagram Check in with the Imagen.ai Instagram account.New around here? Grab 3 of my most popular free resources to build a profitable, sustainable photography business
That's what tools are supposed to do, after all: allow us to optimize our businesses, serve more clients, and at the same time find that elusive work-life balance we all want. And the tool we're discussing on the show today does EXACTLY that.
I'm chatting with Noella Andres from Imagen AI. Imagen AI is helping photographers find more freedom by doing the heavy lifting on culling and editing so we're free to focus on the areas that really matter when it comes to customer service and growth.
Links:Resources:
Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review! - Visa fler
