#53: Using Automations and Boundaries to Create a Business You Love with Colie James
Release Date: 05/26/2022
#122: How Rachael Transformed Her Brand Session Experience
Take It Personally
Rachel, of Rhody Ray, shares her journey from having a scattered approach to photography to niching down and strategizing her brand photography business. Through the Build a Strategic Brand Session training and Rebrand coaching, Rachel was able to have a plan to transition from wedding photography to brand photography, while keeping her clients top of mind. Rachel discusses the challenges of shifting her brand's focus, the importance of strategic planning and client questionnaires, and how pitching to potential clients has enhanced her business and confidence. Her experience with returning...
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#121: The One Thing You Need to Sell Out Your Mini Sessions
Take It Personally
So often I hear from other photographers that their mini sessions were a failure. When asking them about it, they share they only promoted it a few times but because no one was booking, they stopped sharing about it. This mistake of essentially quitting before starting is something I commonly see with mini sessions. The only way to fill your mini sessions though is to talk about them! Many photographers get really in their head about marketing their mini sessions, but their mindset around it is so important, which is the topic of this episode. Any time you are struggling to market your mini...
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#120: How Sean Booked 30 Mini Sessions as a New Photographer
Take It Personally
In this episode of Take It Personally, Sean, owner of Unique Unicorn Photography, shares his transformative experience with the . Initially struggling to attract clients after deciding to fully commit to their photography business, Sean and his wife discovered mini sessions as a strategic entry point for client acquisition. The episode delves into how this approach not only built their portfolio rapidly but also significantly increased their client base by booking 30 families during a single weekend. Sean discusses the importance of marketing, branding consistency, and the value of community...
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#119: How I Consistently Have High-4-Figure Mini Session Days
Take It Personally
In this episode, I share my successful strategy for conducting high-4-figure mini session days! Since starting mini sessions in 2020, I have seen significant revenue growth and average $7,000 on these mini session days. I'll be sharing an overview of the simple strategy I have in my business that allows me to accomplish this. Here are the main highlights from this episode: 00:52 My Mini Session Journey: From Start to Success 01:58 Strategic Insights: Transforming Mini Sessions into Brand Builders 03:29 Yearly Growth: A Deep Dive into My Mini Session Evolution 05:55 Maximizing Profits with...
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#118: Do I Really Need an Email List as a Local Business?
Take It Personally
The topic of email marketing seems to be coming up more and more both inside of , my group coaching program, and just in general. When I am talking to other creatives, it's always things like, "Do I really need an email list? Should I start using email as opposed to social media?" I've utilized email marketing in my business and am a huge believer in it. But I personally have a few issues with how email is being sold to a lot of creative entrepreneurs, specifically local service providers, like photographers who serve a local market. If that is you and you've had related questions about...
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#117: Leveraging AI in your Photo Business with Tech Savvy Creative
Take It Personally
Dawn is a former software engineer, turned wedding photographer, who pivoted back to technology to assist creatives in overcoming their intimidation with tech. Dawn is currently juggling roles as a Product Marketing Manager at Flodesk and running Tech Savvy Creative. In this episode, she shares her journey and the importance of integrating technology into creative professions. Topics we discuss in this episode are the transformative power of AI in photography, tools like ChatGPT for content creation, highlighting how AI tools can significantly save time and enhance productivity, and tools for...
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#116: How I'd Handle Business Money Differently If I Were Starting Over with Gina Knox
Take It Personally
One of my goals at the beginning of 2024 was to act like a grown up when it comes to my finances, and I have to say, I'm killing it so far–and that is in huge part to the program 6 Figure Saver. I'm thrilled to have Gina Knox, the financial coach behind 6 Figure Saver, on the podcast today. Gina is known in her circle as Money's Mom, and helps entrepreneurs with variable income save six figures in their businesses. In under three months, I've saved just shy of $40,000 in this program without cutting expenses or strict budgeting. Instead, Gina emphasizes the significance of spending on the...
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#115: Using Blogging to Connect with Ideal Clients with Kate Wark
Take It Personally
Kate has been on the podcast before talking about , and I love what Kate is doing with her business. Her photography business sort of started “accidentally” and after working together in , she was able to drop down to part-time in her 9-5 to be able to spend more time on her photography business. Alongside taking brand photos, Kate also helps clients with copywriting! She took her PR skills to be able to grow another arm in her business where she offers blogging services to creatives. Visuals are a huge part of personal branding, but messaging is so important too. Kate is sharing tips...
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#114: Why Personal Branding is CRUCIAL as a Photographer
Take It Personally
I did my annual mini session day in January, and I had multiple photographers be a part of it. They admitted to me they felt uncomfortable on the other side of the camera. It essentially allowed them to have more empathy for their clients because they can understand how it feels being in front of the camera during a branding session. I think this is a crucial part of building a personal brand and specifically as a brand photographer. You can tell your clients everything about how branding photos are important and how people will connect with photos of themselves more and they can help them...
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#113: What to Post If You Want to Book More Clients
Take It Personally
In the last episode of Take It Personally, we talked about attracting your dream clients and treating social media like a giant networking event. A second part to this is related to a question I get asked frequently in various ways: “What should I be posting?” If you’ve wondered what you should post if you want to book more clients, grow your business, stand out as a brand photographer, etc., this episode will be covering it all. Here are the main topics discussed: Getting back into a place of service and figuring out how you can help Using frequently asked questions for content...
info_outlineColie James is a family filmmaker turned Dubsado and systems guru. She is based out of Colorado, has been married 21 years, has an almost 12 year old, and a love for Disneyland.
In this episode, we talk all things automations, systems, Dubsado, and more. Here are a few highlights:
- Colie’s background and how she got started with automations
- What a CRM is
- Automating emails and how you can still sound personable
- Using gifs to add personality to your emails (and how Colie makes her own gifs!)
- Colie’s favorite CRM and another great system for photographers
- Setting your website up to help clients clearly understand what it is you do and offer (and how that can possibly allow you to skip over client phone consults)
- How to figure out what CRM is right for you
- Colie’s process from contact form to proposal to onboarding
- Simplifying emails and using a system so you don’t have to hold all the information in your head
- Getting people into your CRM even if they don’t go through your normal contact form or process (i.e. they reached out over Instagram DMs)
- How automations can help you stick to your boundaries
- Always tell the client when they will hear from you next
- How to get started with automations
- Setting up your systems before hiring a VA
- Info on Colie’s VIP days and online course
This was a great conversation with Colie as she truly is an expert in all things CRMs and automations. We share a love for Dubsado, and it was so fun to hear about her processes and how systems can make businesses (and lives) run smoother.
You can connect with Colie on Instagram @coliejames or her website is coliejames.com. She has information about her VIP days here!
If you are ready to up-level the back end of your business and make your life easier, you can check out Dubsado here or use the code MADDIEPESCHONG to get 20% off your first month or year.
Full show notes here
Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in!