Keep It Moving

Between the two of them, Alison & Melissa have combined 27 years in photography, 10 years in IT and have lived through 9 business relocations. Four moves ago Alison was frustrated watching peers grow their businesses in one place while she was starting from over again. She knew she couldn't be the only one relocating and wanting more financial stability. Despite Googling, all she could find were vague blog posts, moderately interesting podcasts but not one truly helpful resource on how to relaunch a business in a new city. Since then, Alison has streamlined a process to relocate and restart my business faster - booking clients within a month of arriving in a her newest location. It is possible to have clients waiting for you on the other side! Alison can help get you there. Melissa pivoted after 10 years as a wedding photographer to lifestyle newborns and then moved her photography business twice in 2 years. Each time she used SEO to get found on Google. As a former IT nerd, Melissa has a knack for taking technical things and making them simple and relatable. She's using that superpower for good and helping photographers tackle their website SEO and get booked by their ideal clients! We’ve coached each other through all this via Marco Polo and now we're bringing our Polos public! On this podcast we’ll give you actionable steps to help keep you and your business moving.

Replay: Best Photography Business Books on Audible 11/24/2025

Replay: Best Photography Business Books on Audible 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 Miller Your brand isn't about you—it's about your client as the hero. This book teaches you how to clarify your messaging and why your website copy matters. Both of our websites are built on the StoryBrand framework. by Donald Miller This is the practical how-to guide. Step-by-step instructions on website structure, lead magnets, email nurture sequences, and sales funnels. We keep this one dog-eared and highlighted. by Mike Michalowicz Helps you identify which niche you love AND which is most profitable. This book helped clarify that extended family sessions are our sweet spot—high energy, high value, high profitability. by Jen Sincero All about money mindset. If you've struggled with pricing, worth, or believing you deserve to charge premium rates, this book addresses the psychology behind your blocks. by Mike Michalowicz A complete system for managing cash flow in your photography business. Especially valuable when relocating or when your tax structure changes. Re-read this as your business grows. Additional Books Worth Reading Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk - Social media strategy and content Atomic Habits by James Clear - Building systems and routines 100 Million Dollar Offers by Alex Hormozi - Creating irresistible service offers The E Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber - Systems for scaling Website Tool Mentioned makes it easy for photographers to design and update their own websites without needing to hire a web designer. No coding required—it's like Canva for websites. Alison saw her SEO search results triple in six months after switching to Showit. Pro tip: Start with a template (find them on Etsy for $50 or in Showit's design library) rather than building from scratch. It's much faster and more effective. Get Your Strategy in Place If you're feeling overwhelmed about which business areas to focus on first, Melissa has created to help you build content and identify what your audience is searching for. Ready to map out your photography business for a move or restructure? Alison offers a to discuss your goals and next steps. About Keep It Moving: A podcast for ambitious female photography business owners who are restructuring, relocating, or scaling their operations while juggling it all. We're here to help you do business better. /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/39130865

76: Email Marketing for Photographers: Getting Out Of The Spam Folder 11/17/2025

75: Quarter 4 Confessions: The Goals We Forgot We Set 11/10/2025

74: Mini Mentoring with Mollie S Moving from Texas to Florida 11/03/2025

73: Why I Finally Hired a Coach (And You Should too!) 10/27/2025

72: Blogging for SEO: How to Blog Photography Sessions That Actually Book Clients 10/20/2025

71: 10 Ways To Get New Photography Clients 10/13/2025

70: Tantrums, Meltdowns and Keeping Your Cool 10/06/2025

69: Mini Mentoring with Melanie near Tulsa, OK 09/29/2025

68: Hotels & Hustle - Get Away to Get It Done with a Workcation 09/22/2025

67: Q3 Check In: The Good, The Bad, & The Chaotic 09/15/2025

66: Stop Marketing Your Photography Business Like a Hot Mess 09/08/2025

66: Stop Marketing Your Photography Business Like a Hot Mess Ever scramble to throw together a mini session at the last minute and then hate your life while trying to market it? Yeah, we've all been there. And honestly? It's exhausting, stressful, and completely avoidable. Marketing your photography business doesn't have to feel like a constant fire drill. In this episode, Melissa and Alison are pulling back the curtain on the ONE thing that will transform your entire approach to marketing your photography business: an actual annual marketing calendar. We know, we know - you've heard you need to be "marketing all the time." But that's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about sitting down with a calendar (yes, like pen and paper), reverse-engineering your year, and creating a marketing runway that has you booking clients WEEKS before your sessions instead of panicking days before. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Why planning your marketing calendar 8-12 weeks in advance will save your sanity (and get you fully booked faster) The exact timeline you need for marketing Santa sessions, fall minis, and other seasonal events How to reverse-engineer your marketing runway so you're never scrambling again Why blocking off editing time is just as important as blocking off shooting dates The VIP waitlist strategy that lets you test offers before you fully commit How to batch your marketing content so you're not reinventing the wheel every week Why your clients NEED that long lead time (hint: they hate figuring out what to wear too) How to plan around PCS dates, deployments, school schedules, and family life Plus, Melissa and Alison share their own "oops" moments of last-minute planning and what they learned from being reactive instead of proactive. Resources Mentioned: Target $5 annual wall calendars (July to July) Plum Paper planners for VIP list forms Google Calendar for marketing planning Ready to stop the marketing madness? Block off 2 hours this week to audit what worked last year, dump out all your event ideas, and start putting actual dates on the calendar. Then tag us on Instagram @keepitmovingpod with #keepitmovingpod - we want to see your planning process! Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: Thinking about a pivot or transition in your photography business? Book a with Alison to talk through your next move. Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them here: Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings—no ads required: Links: or Get Melissa’s Free Find Alison on IG Find Melissa on IG Used #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/38109695

Summer Bonus : From Writer's Block to Marketing Machine 09/01/2025

Summer Bonus : From Writer's Block to Marketing Machine Have you been wondering how AI and ChatGPT fit into your blogging strategy? Or maybe you're still stuck on the "should I even be blogging" question altogether? I had the pleasure of chatting with Kim Box on the Motherhood Anthology podcast about all things blogging – from overcoming writer's block to using AI as your brainstorming partner (not your ghostwriter). We covered everything from the evolution of blogging for photographers to practical strategies for turning one blog post into a week's worth of marketing content. Here's the thing about blogging that's changed dramatically since the early days: we're no longer blogging for our past clients who've already booked us. We're blogging for our future clients – the ones who are Googling "what to wear for family photos" at 11 PM or searching for "lifestyle newborn photographer near me" while bouncing a crying baby. Every FAQ you answer, every helpful tip you share, every local resource you recommend becomes a way for potential clients to find you organically. And yes, we talked about the elephant in the room – AI. Here's my take: ChatGPT can be an incredible brainstorming partner, but it should never be your ghostwriter. The moment you copy and paste generic AI content onto your website, you've lost what makes you uniquely valuable to your ideal clients. What You'll Learn: Why modern blogging is about attracting future clients, not entertaining past ones How to turn one blog post into a full week of marketing content across all platforms The right way (and wrong way) to use AI tools like ChatGPT for content creation My simple FAQ strategy that generates endless blog post ideas How to overcome writer's block without sacrificing your authentic voice The biggest mistake photographers make with homepage keywords on blog posts Resources Mentioned: The Blogging Club Membership: Google Search Console Setup Guide: Picture Perfect Rankings: Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: -Connect on Social: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Connect on Social: /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37549390

Summer Replay : Marketing Mondays: How to Stop Working IN Your Business 08/25/2025

Summer Replay : Marketing Mondays: How to Stop Working IN Your Business If you're tired of feeling like you're always working IN your business instead of ON your business, this episode is for you. We're breaking down the concept of Marketing Mondays – dedicating at least one day a week to focus on marketing tasks that actually move the needle. The truth is, we've all been there: busy season hits in the fall, we get caught up in client work, and suddenly we stop marketing. Then January rolls around and our calendars are empty because we weren't nurturing our pipeline. Sound familiar? Today we're sharing our real marketing systems – not the pretty Instagram version, but what actually works when you have limited time, kids at home, or a full-time job on top of your photography business. From Melissa's recording days where she batches 10 SEO tips at once, to Alison's Google Tasks system that keeps her accountable, we're pulling back the curtain on how we execute consistent marketing. What you'll learn in this episode: How to identify your "minimum required effort" for marketing each week The tools and systems we actually use to stay consistent (Google Tasks, Meta's native scheduler, and more) Why you don't need to be on every platform – and how to choose the right ones for your business How to batch content creation to save time and mental energy Real examples of how we repurpose one piece of content across multiple platforms Resources Mentioned: Episode 27: Taking One Blog Post and Turning It into a Week of Marketing Episode 46: Time Blocking Your Calendar The Blogging Club: (use code KEEPITMOVING for 50% off first month) Google Tasks for recurring marketing reminders Meta's native scheduler for Instagram and Facebook posts Trello for organizing evergreen content Your Next Steps: Work with Melissa: SEO Self Audit Checklist: 35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: Connect on Social: Work with Alison: Free Moving Checklist: Marketing Funnel Basics: Connect on Social: /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37380775

Summer Replay : Evergreen Content That Works While You Sleep 08/18/2025

Summer Replay : Our Favorite Keyword Research Tool + How We Use It Daily 08/11/2025

65: The Truth About AI Search (Spoiler: It's Still Just SEO) 08/04/2025

65: The Truth About AI Search (Spoiler: It's Still Just SEO) Have you been seeing those "SEO is dead" headlines all over your feed lately? Yeah, me too. And honestly? I'm getting a little fired up about it. So here's the deal – everyone's trying to tell you that AI has killed SEO and now you need to learn some fancy new "AIO" (AI optimization) strategy. They're launching courses, hosting webinars, and basically trying to convince you that everything you've learned about getting found online is now useless. But I'm here to tell you the truth: it's all BS. I literally tested this myself. I hopped on ChatGPT (not even logged in) and asked it to recommend photographers for a casual, at-home newborn session near Charlottesville. Want to know who came up first? Me. And I haven't done a single "AI optimization" on my website – just good old-fashioned SEO that I've been doing for 15 years. The reality is that AI platforms are pulling their information from the same places they always have: search engines like Google. So if you're not showing up on Google, you're probably not showing up in AI searches either. The secret to being found on AI platforms? It's literally just SEO, guys. What You'll Learn: Why AI searches are actually just pulling from Google (and what that means for you) The real-world test that proved SEO still works for AI platforms How to optimize your website copy for the conversational nature of AI searches Why your social media posts now have a longer lifespan than ever before The four SEO pillars that will get you found in both Google AND AI searches How to beef up your homepage copy to capture those detailed AI conversations Resources Mentioned: Picture Perfect Rankings Done-For-You SEO Services: Group SEO Coaching Program: The Blogging Club with AI Tools: Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: -Connect on Social: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Connect on Social: /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37548715

Summer Bonus : The SEO Strategy That Saved My Photography Business 07/28/2025

Summer Bonus : The SEO Strategy That Saved My Photography Business Hey there! While Alison and I are soaking up those summer vibes until September, I'm not leaving you hanging. I'm sharing some of my favorite guest appearances from this past year – the ones that had you frantically taking notes and diving into implementation mode. This week, I'm bringing you my conversation with Colie James from the Business First Creatives podcast. We dive deep into something that literally transformed my photography business from struggling to fully booked: SEO. And before you roll your eyes and think "SEO is too complicated" or "my Instagram is doing just fine, thank you very much," hear me out. I came from a corporate IT background, so when I started my photography business fifteen years ago, I knew I needed more than just a pretty portfolio. I needed people to actually find me. Fast forward to today, and SEO has been the backbone of every successful move I've made – from wedding photography to newborns and families, through multiple relocations as a military spouse. What you'll learn in this episode: Why most photographers are making the same SEO mistakes that are actually hurting their rankings The simple keyword strategy that transformed my business from crickets to constant inquiries How to research blog post topics that your ideal clients are actually searching for (hint: it's not just "what to wear") The truth about SEO timelines – and why 18 months isn't as scary as it sounds How to leverage your local business connections to boost your Google rankings The AI tools I'm using to streamline content creation without losing my authentic voice Why image naming and alt text are make-or-break for photographer SEO Resources Mentioned: Google Search Console (free SEO tracking tool) Keywords Everywhere tool for keyword research Melissa's Keyword Research 101 Course: The Blogging Club membership: ChatGPT for content brainstorming and meta descriptions Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: -Connect on Social: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Connect on Social: /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37378715

Summer Replay : Blog Better Than A Bot, How to Stand Out in an AI World 07/21/2025

Summer Replay : Blog Better Than A Bot, How to Stand Out in an AI World AI-generated content is everywhere, flooding the internet with bland, forgettable posts that all sound exactly the same. So how do we make our blog content stand out to both Google and our dream clients in 2025? Here's the thing - we're not anti-AI. Both Alison and I use it regularly in our businesses, and we think you should too. But we're seeing a huge problem with how photographers are using it for their blogs. They're letting AI completely replace their voice, their stories, and their personality - the exact things that make content memorable and convert readers into clients. The result? Blog posts that cover all the right information but fall completely flat. They're thorough, they hit all the SEO marks, but there's nothing that makes you remember the photographer who wrote them. And in a world where we're all competing for the same keywords and topics, memorable is everything. What You'll Learn: How to use AI as your work bestie (not your replacement) to save time on content creation Why Google's E-A-T guidelines favor human-driven content with personal stories and expertise The biggest mistake photographers make when outsourcing or using AI for blog content How to inject personality and stories into your posts even if you "hate storytelling" Why "what to wear" posts don't have to be boring (and how Alison owns her hatred of them) The difference between using AI to create original content vs. repurposing your existing voice How to make your blog posts more memorable than your competitors who are all covering the same topics Why human connection will always win, even in our AI-dominated world Key Takeaways: "I want you guys to use AI to repurpose your content, especially when you write your blog post and repurpose it out. But the biggest thing is I want you to use AI to save you time, but not replace you entirely." "There's no replacement for human understanding, connection, and voice." "You're not producing memorable content. Like, it's just kind of falling flat... There's no stories anymore. There's no personal stories." "If there's nothing that's telling a story... and they all spit out the same information, and there's nothing memorable about it... They're all using AI saying the same thing." "Google may start prioritizing content that with human signals and expertise... success and SEO will come from blending AI with authentic human driven content, offering valuable personal stories and expert opinions." Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT for content assistance and brainstorming Shannon McKinstry's Instagram expertise and storytelling approach Jen Olmstead from Tonic Site Shop (Friday emails) Creative Moms Focus podcast Google's E-A-T guidelines (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) The Blogging Club membership with 50% off first month (code: KEEPITMOVING) Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: -Connect on Social: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Connect on Social: /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37378535

Summer Replay : Time Blocking, Calm the Calendar Chaos 07/14/2025

Summer Replay : Time Blocking, Calm the Calendar Chaos Feeling like a ping pong ball bouncing between tasks all day? Constantly switching from editing to emails to client calls and ending up mentally exhausted with nothing meaningful accomplished? We've been there. That scattered, overwhelmed feeling where you're busy all day but can't point to what you actually got done. The research backs it up too - every time we switch from task to task, we waste time and mental energy. As military spouses who've moved our photography businesses multiple times, we've learned that protecting our mental energy isn't just nice to have - it's essential for survival. Between client work, family life, and the chaos of military moves, we had to figure out systems that actually work. What You'll Learn: Why task-switching is draining your brain and costing you precious time How to batch similar tasks together for maximum efficiency (like recording 5-6 videos in the same sweater!) The exact scheduling boundaries we use - including "No Meeting Mondays" and "Free Fridays" How limiting client calls to specific days actually improved our client service Why blocking your kids' school days off immediately is non-negotiable The $39 one-time purchase tool that beats Calendly's monthly subscription Military spouse pro tip: How to block an entire year's worth of holidays using your spouse's Liberty schedule The mindset shift that helped us earn full-time income while working part-time hours Key Takeaways: "There's plenty of research to show that we waste a lot of time when we switch from task to task. So if you can time block and do batch create content or batch edit, then you're saving yourself a lot of time and again, mental fatigue." "I only do client calls Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between twelve and two... I was doing them every single day, and I just was like, I cannot waste more time." "Friday and Monday are completely blocked off on my calendar. So I only do meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday." "I am making a very good amount of money for what I am doing - part time work but it is a full time income." "The first thing I do when I get the school calendar is I immediately go into my work calendar and I block off any days the kids are off school. Every single one of them." Resources Mentioned: Calendly (free version available) TidyCal ($39 one-time purchase) Tave scheduling feature HoneyBook Google Calendar Google Calendar tasks for recurring reminders Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: -Connect on Social: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Connect on Social: /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37378105

Summer Replay : 80/20 Rule Small Efforts, Big Results for Photographers 07/07/2025

Summer Replay : 80/20 Rule Small Efforts, Big Results for Photographers Ever feel like you're doing ALL the things in your business but somehow still not seeing the results you want? Girl, we've been there. That's exactly why we're diving deep into the 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle) and how it can completely transform the way you run your photography business. The 80/20 rule isn't some made-up business guru nonsense – it's a real principle that shows there's always a huge imbalance between your input and your results. And once you understand this, you can stop wasting time on activities that aren't moving the needle and start focusing on the 20% of efforts that produce 80% of your results. We're getting real about our own businesses in this episode – like how Alison discovered that her social media clients were spending way less money than her SEO clients, or how Melissa realized she was spending hours creating custom pricing videos that half her leads weren't even watching all the way through. What You'll Learn: What the 80/20 rule actually is and why it matters for your business How to identify which marketing channels are actually bringing in your best clients Why Alison limited her discovery calls to only 3 days a week (and saw better results) How to use your CRM data to make smarter business decisions The specific reports in Google Search Console and Google Analytics that matter most Why putting pricing on your website can actually increase your booking rate How to prioritize which pages on your website need SEO attention first The power of batching and planning (like how we organized 6 months of podcast content in 2 hours) Resources Mentioned: Tave CRM for tracking inquiry sources and client data Google Search Console for blog performance and keyword insights Google Analytics traffic acquisition report Flodesk for email analytics The Blogging Club membership Your Next Steps: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: Links: or Get Melissa’s Free Find Alison on IG Find Melissa on IG Used #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37162360

Summer Bonus : Real Talk About Marketing with Colie James 06/30/2025

Summer Bonus : Real Talk About Marketing with Colie James Re-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: The real reason why getting found is harder than creating beautiful work How to use AI as your "employee of the month" (seriously, best $20/month we spend) Why Alison's rankings dropped when she got "content" with her SEO success The power of five-minute audits for converting leads into paying clients How scouting trips and model calls can skyrocket your business in a new location Why we're both considering ditching Instagram for YouTube The art of batching content when you're feeling motivated (not forcing it on a schedule) Email marketing strategies that actually work for photographers 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: Colie James' Business First Creatives podcast ChatGPT for content creation and repurposing Flodesk for email marketing Descript for video editing Trello for content planning Google Tasks for marketing organization Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: -SEO Self Audit Checklist: -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: -Work with Alison: -Free Moving Checklist: -Marketing Funnel Basics: -Check out Colie James: Business First Creatives podcast Links: or Find Alison on IG Find Melissa on IG Used #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37162340

64: The Real Reason Photographers Avoid Their Books (It's Not Math) 06/23/2025

64: The Real Reason Photographers Avoid Their Books (It's Not Math) Y'all, can we talk about the elephant in the room? That pile of receipts sitting on your desk, the QuickBooks notifications you've been ignoring for months, and that sinking feeling every time tax season rolls around? Yeah, we're going there today. This week, we're bringing you Melissa's actual bookkeeper, Jenny Vazquez from Foxtrot Bookkeeping, to spill ALL the tea about why photographers need to stop DIYing their books and start treating their finances like the business asset they are. "I just think putting negative energy towards your money is never good... when you're working on your money or looking at your money, you want it to be positive." - Jenny What You'll Learn: The #1 reason photographers should outsource their bookkeeping (hint: it's not what you think) How often you should actually be updating your books (Jenny's answer might surprise you) The most common bookkeeping mistakes photographers make and how to avoid them Why using your personal Venmo for business expenses isn't the end of the world (but here's how to fix it) The difference between working with an independent bookkeeper vs. your CPA's bookkeeping service When to make the leap from spreadsheets to QuickBooks (and why you probably should have done it already) Smart receipt organization systems that will save you during an audit How proper bookkeeping can actually help you make better business decisions throughout the year Bonus Gold Nuggets: 💎 The Gmail Receipt Hack: Create a new email folder each January (like "2025 Receipts") and set up automation to tag PayPal receipts. Just drag and drop receipts throughout the year for instant organization. 💎 The B&H Photo Strategy: Buy all your camera gear from one retailer so you can log into your account years later and pull all purchase history for depreciation tracking. 💎 The Weekly 10-Minute Rule: Jenny's ideal schedule is just 10-15 minutes weekly to review transactions while they're fresh in your memory. 💎 The Venmo Mix-Up Fix: Accidentally paid a contractor from personal Venmo instead of business? Just email your bookkeeper the receipt - they'll handle the reconciliation magic. 💎 The Subscription Audit: Ask your bookkeeper for a list of all your monthly subscriptions. You might be shocked at what you're paying for and forgot to cancel. Connect with our Guest: Jenny Vazquez - Foxtrot Bookkeeping Instagram: Website: Links: or Get Melissa’s Free Find Alison on IG Find Melissa on IG Used #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/37113730

63: IT Girl to SEO Queen - How Melissa Turned Tech Skills into Photography Gold 06/16/2025

63: IT Girl to SEO Queen - How Melissa Turned Tech Skills into Photography Gold Alison is interviewing Melissa, who literally went from fixing computers in corporate suits to building photography empires with killer SEO strategies. If you've ever wanted to throw your laptop out the window because of alt text and header tags (while simultaneously trying to feed your kids lunch), this episode will save your sanity. What You'll Learn: • Why your keywords are having an identity crisis - Spoiler: Google doesn't know what you do either when you try to be everything to everyone. • The brutal truth about SEO timelines - Real talk: 6-9 months to see decent progress, 18 months to consistently book clients. It's a marathon, not a sprint. • Group coaching vs. done-for-you decoded - Melissa breaks down why both paths work, depending on whether you have more time or money to burn. Bonus Gold Nuggets: • Blog post templates are secretly broken everywhere - Melissa finds websites with EIGHT H1 headers on every single blog post. That's like wearing eight different hats to one event - confusing and not cute. • The blogging club that doesn't make you cry - Because apparently everyone hates blogging (shame on you!), Melissa created outlines so easy that even your overwhelmed mom brain can handle them. • AI prompts that don't sound like robots - She's teaching photographers how to use Claude for personal stories via voice messages, so your blog posts actually sound like you instead of a corporate manual. • The moving photographer's secret weapon - Start your SEO work 6 months before you PCS. Your future self will thank you when you're not scrambling to book clients in a new location while unpacking boxes. Ready to stop letting SEO be the monster under your business bed? strips away all the overwhelm and gives you a clear path forward - whether you want to DIY it or hand it off completely. Feeling stuck? Get a Book with Alison to talk through your biggest business challenges and map out a strategy that actually fits your chaotic, beautiful life. Links: or Get Melissa’s Free Find Alison on IG Find Melissa on IG Use #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/36927525

62: Frustrated to Fearless: How Alison Turned 7 Business Moves Into A Superpower 06/09/2025

061: Email Marketing for Photographers with Mrs. Vondy: The Email Queen 06/02/2025

061: Email Marketing for Photographers with Mrs. Vondy: The Email Queen On this episode, we sat down with Shannon Vondy (aka Mrs. Vondy, aka The Email Queen) to talk about a topic many listeners struggle with - email marketing for photographers. As someone who's been a member of Shannon's email club for over a year and a half, Melissa was excited to bring her expertise to our listeners who are relocating or restructuring their photography businesses. Shannon went from burnt out wedding photographer to email obsessed when she sent ONE email and earned $2,600. After earning an additional $13k that year from email marketing alone, she created The Email Club. Through her Email Club Membership, she's helped hundreds of business owners make thousands of dollars using email all in the time it takes to bake a batch of cookies! She's on a mission to make email the easiest and most fun part of your business. Key Takeaways: Starting an email list is simpler than you think - You don't need freebies or complex welcome sequences to begin. Choose an email provider, create a simple opt-in page, and start emailing consistently. Shannon made $2,600 from her very first strategic email! Email weekly for best results - Consistency is key. You can batch-write four emails at the beginning of the month (they don't need to be long) and schedule them. Unsubscribes are normal and shouldn't discourage you - focus on serving those who want to hear from you. Location changes don't mean abandoning your list - When relocating, segment your lists by location and continue providing value to past clients. Share a mix of location-specific content and universal photography tips to stay top-of-mind, even with clients you may never photograph again. Ready to improve your photography business SEO? SEO doesn't have to be complicated! With 15 years in photography and 10 years in IT, I've cracked the SEO code so you don't have to. Whether you want to learn or have someone handle it for you, my coaching and done-for-you services will help you get noticed online and attract your ideal clients. Visit to make SEO simple and effective for your photography business. Need help with your photography business strategy? As a military spouse photographer who has moved my business seven times, I know what it takes to adapt and thrive! I've gone from hobby income to consistent 6-figure sales through strategic business practices. If you're ready to break through roadblocks, attract dream clients, and finally see the profits you've longed for, let's work together! Book a and let's get your business moving in the right direction. Links: Special gift for listeners from Shannon: Get half off your first year of Flodesk: or Download Used #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/36515235

60: Mini Mentoring with Caroline Eidson in Tulsa, Oklahoma 05/26/2025

60: Mini Mentoring with Caroline Eidson in Tulsa, Oklahoma In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome for our mini mentoring series where we help photography entrepreneurs navigate business transitions. Caroline's journey from wedding photographer to mom of four to relaunching her photography business specifically for families and newborns offers valuable insights for photographers at any stage of business restructuring. Key Takeaways: SEO Strategy for Photography Websites: Focus your SEO efforts on creating dedicated landing pages for each service, not portfolio pages. Landing pages should combine portfolio images, details, investment information, and FAQs all in one scrollable page for better user experience and stronger search ranking. Target Smaller Markets First: When relaunching in a competitive area, consider targeting smaller suburban markets with dedicated landing pages to build domain authority faster while your main city keywords gain traction. Content Marketing That Serves: Create local-focused blog content that helps your ideal clients (like best baby boutiques or family-friendly restaurants) and repurpose these into lead magnets and social media content to maximize your marketing efforts. Looking for help with your photography business? If you're struggling with SEO, keyword research, or creating effective content for your photography business, Melissa offers customized marketing services to help you attract your ideal clients. Her expertise in keyword research and SEO strategy can help you get found online and book more clients. Learn more at . Want to be featured on a mini mentoring episode like Caroline? DM Alison at @keep.it.moving.podcast on Instagram to apply for your own session! Ready to discuss your photography business challenges? Book a with Alison to explore how mentoring can help you create a business that fits your life. Links: or Download Used #keepitmovingpod on socials! /episode/index/show/0289b5cc-1b7e-4734-aabe-9b7783cccf60/id/36515205

59: Batching Working Smarter, Not Harder 05/19/2025

58: Quarter 2 2025 Update 05/12/2025

057: Systems Superstar Colie James on CRMs & Client Communication 05/05/2025

Keep It Moving

TOPICS