Keep It Moving
We're sharing why hiring a photography business coach is one of the best investments for your business—and exactly how to find the right fit for your specific needs. On this episode: Finding a coach: podcasts, recommendations, and being open to unexpected opportunities How to vet a coach before hiring Different coaching models: one-on-one, group coaching, and masterminds Looking for More Guidance? If you're overwhelmed about where to start with your website strategy and content, Melissa has created to help you build out your foundation. If you're considering coaching and want to...
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This episode is a re-share of an interview we did with Sabrina on her podcast, Shoot It Straight. Sabrina is a fellow photographer and business educator. We talk a lot about navigation transitions in photography and in business. Its that "messy middle." Enjoy this bonus episode and as always, let us know what you think on the Gram. Links: or Get Melissa’s Free Find Alison on IG Find Melissa on IG
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We're looking for photographers to be featured on future Mini Mentoring episodes! Mini Mentoring is a series where Alison & Melissa get the low down on a real life business owner in need of more business. Whether that’s because they’ve relocated, or pivoted niches we’re walking through their business can giving them our recommendations to keep it moving. Kristina Graff moved from New Mexico to Washington state two years ago - talk about a change of scenery! She's gone from fully booked in NM to struggling to fill short sessions in WA. She's a senior and family photographer...
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This is not a normal business episode. It may seem like left field for our norm, but in that waiting period of re-establishing yourself, your business, or niche, you need to live your life. Amy's podcast, is all about building community wherever you are through hosting. We discuss everything from Alison's personal background on holiday hosting to super easy, no-planning parties with the neighbors. On this episode we chat: How to include your kids in party prep Small party ideas to meet your neighbors How moving challenges our holiday events Adapting to new communities Amy...
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We're diving deep with Dolly DeLong, a family photographer and systems guru who learned how to scale her business while juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship. Dolly shares the exact frameworks and strategies that helped her build a thriving photography business without sacrificing her sanity—and she's breaking down how photography business systems can transform how you manage clients, marketing, and everything in between. On this episode: How to build backend systems, SOPs, and workflows that actually work for family photographers The PIGGFEL framework for strategic marketing and...
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We're breaking down SEO for photographers in plain English to show you why it matters so much for your business—because the people finding you through search spend the most money and book the easiest. On this episode: How to choose the right keywords your ideal clients are actually searching for Optimizing your homepage to clearly answer who you are, what you do, and where you serve Setting up Google Search Console and image SEO to drive consistent traffic Episodes from the show: Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers...
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We're sharing our favorite business books to read during your holiday travels—the ones that actually changed how we run our photography businesses. Whether you're relocating, restructuring, or ready to scale, these books tackle pricing, marketing, niching, and making money as a photographer. On this episode: Website tools and platforms that make updates easy without hiring a designer Five must-read business books every photographer entrepreneur should read How to pick just one actionable idea from each book to implement immediately Top 5 Business Books for Photographers by Donald...
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We're diving into the technical side of email marketing today because what's the point of crafting the perfect marketing email if it never actually reaches your clients? Let's talk about sender reputation, engagement strategies, and how to make sure your mini session announcements don't end up in digital purgatory. On this episode: Setting up email authentication and building sender reputation Warming up your email list with engaged subscribers Creating a consistent email schedule year-round Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from...
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We're back with another quarterly check-in where we're sharing what's working, what we've let go, and how we're pivoting our businesses as we head into the new year. Spoiler: sometimes the best business move is knowing what not to do anymore. On this episode: Hiring support and building systems Letting go of offers that no longer serve you Shifting focus from revenue goals to profit Podcast - on - Use code ALISONBELL to get your first whole week FREE. Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix...
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We're looking for photographers to be featured on future Mini Mentoring episodes! Mini Mentoring is a series where Alison & Melissa get the low down on a real life business owner in need of more business. Whether that’s because they’ve relocated, or pivoted niches we’re walking through their business can giving them our recommendations to keep it moving. Mollie Salazar is a wedding and family photographer moving from Texas to Florida and she’s got tons of lead time! The stressor is that Mollie is the primary breadwinner for her family of 4 - including some expensive...
info_outlineRe-Airing: Our Chat with Colie James About Marketing That Actually Works
We had such an amazing conversation with Colie James on her Business First Creatives podcast that we just had to share it with you all! Colie invited us on to talk about marketing strategies, and honestly, we got so real about what's actually working (and what we've totally abandoned) in our businesses.
If you don't know Colie, she's a business systems expert who helps creative entrepreneurs streamline their workflows and grow profitable businesses. Her podcast, Business First Creatives, is all about the behind-the-scenes business strategies that actually move the needle – which is exactly why this conversation was so good!
We dove deep into our Marketing Monday routines, why we're both considering ditching Instagram for YouTube, and how AI has become our "employee of the month." Plus, Alison shared her genius scouting trip strategy that helped her book clients before she even moved to Hawaii, and Melissa talked about why her five-minute homepage audits are her best lead conversion tool.
What You'll Learn:
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The real reason why getting found is harder than creating beautiful work
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How to use AI as your "employee of the month" (seriously, best $20/month we spend)
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Why Alison's rankings dropped when she got "content" with her SEO success
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The power of five-minute audits for converting leads into paying clients
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How scouting trips and model calls can skyrocket your business in a new location
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Why we're both considering ditching Instagram for YouTube
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The art of batching content when you're feeling motivated (not forcing it on a schedule)
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Email marketing strategies that actually work for photographers
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Why sometimes the best marketing happens when you blow dry your hair and change shirts five times
About Colie James: Colie is a business systems strategist and the host of Business First Creatives podcast. She helps creative entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses through smart systems and strategic thinking. Her no-nonsense approach to business growth is exactly why we love chatting with her!
Resources Mentioned:
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Colie James' Business First Creatives podcast
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ChatGPT for content creation and repurposing
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Flodesk for email marketing
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Descript for video editing
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Trello for content planning
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Google Tasks for marketing organization
Your Next Steps:
-Work with Melissa: https://pictureperfectrankings.com
-SEO Self Audit Checklist: https://pictureperfectrankings.myflodesk.com/self-seo-audit -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/35-blog-post-ideas
-Work with Alison: https://alisonbellphotographer.com/how-to-move-your-business
-Free Moving Checklist: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/checklist
-Marketing Funnel Basics: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/funnel
-Check out Colie James: Business First Creatives podcast
Links:
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Find Alison on IG @keep.it.moving.podcast
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Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings
Used #keepitmovingpod on socials!