Business Resources

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84 Topics

Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Launch a Limited-Time Offer in 5 Steps

Not sure what to do for Black Friday or want to run a limited-time sale? We got you! In this 5-day series,  we guide you through deciding and setting up a limited sale. This is not a step-by-step guide on how to set up each of these steps within your ShootProof account; instead we focus on the strategy behind these decisions and making the best choices for your business. For questions on specific steps, please leave a comment on the corresponding article and tag me (Megan!). Each video is about 12 minutes long, so in under an hour you can watch each of the videos, outline your steps, and be ready to launch your offer!  Step 1: Choose Your OfferIn this article & video, potential offers are suggested for your selection, along with rationale for which might be the best choice for you and your business.  Step 2: Set Up Price SheetsShould you just add your offer to an existing price sheet or set up an entirely new one? Pros & Cons are discussed in this article & video.   Step 3:

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Megan
1 year ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Blog Prompt: How to Navigate Your Galleries From a Client Perspective

Start blogging to connect with (and book) more clients!Take advantage of all of the amazing benefits of content marketing- you can send these blog posts out as emails to your subscribers, use the blog as inspiration for your social media posts, or even use the prompt to make a video! Remember, your audience is your clients and future clients! Over time, the blogs you write will build a story of working with you, what experience they can expect, and educate your clients on the ins and outs of YOU being their photographer.   Here is this week’s prompt:Write a blog showing your clients how to interact with their images in their galleries! ShootProof is versatile, and therefore photographers can have variations in their customer experience. Create a guide for your clients to make it easy for them to follow the flow you’ve created. As a bonus, you’ll get to spot-check your setup and make sure it’s perfect!How to log in as a client- start by sending yourself a Gallery Release email, and clic

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Jill Nissen
1 year ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Blog Prompt: Black Friday Sales

Start blogging to connect with (and book) more clients! This blog prompt is mentioned in Day 4 of the series launched for Black Friday 2020:  Your audience is your clients and future clients, and your platform is your website. Over time, the blogs you write will build a story of working with you and what experience they can expect, as well as educate your clients on the ins and outs of YOU being their photographer.   Your prompt:Black Friday sales! (or Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday, or any sales holiday of your choice. What is your offer? A new product for your clients,  existing products bundled together in a new package, or a discount for your existing galleries? Outline the details- is this a new product? A new service? Describe the product or experience. What is the expected turn around time? Is this something they can give for an upcoming holiday? How do clients take advantage? Do they need to join a waitlist, have a gallery access link and password?  When does it end?

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Megan
1 year ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Blog Prompt: Holiday Photo Offerings

Start blogging to connect with (and book) more clients! Take advantage of all of the amazing benefits of content marketing- you can send these blog posts out as emails to your subscribers, use the blog as inspiration for your social media posts, or even use the prompt to make a video! A checklist of options is included after the blogging prompt. Your audience is your clients and future clients. Over time, the blogs you write will build a story of working with you and what experience they can expect, as well as educate your clients on the ins and outs of YOU being their photographer.   Your prompt:Believe it or not, it’s time to plan holiday photos! Create a plan and clearly communicate it to your clients. These prompts will get you started, but you may have additional details to share. Leave a comment below if we forgot anything!Are you doing set dates for holiday photos? Do you have available session times left? Share set details- are you in a studio, at a farm, in a field, in client’

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Megan
1 year ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Blog Prompt: Client Payment Plans

Start blogging to connect with (and book) more clients! Take advantage of all of the amazing benefits of content marketing- you can send these blog posts out as emails to your subscribers, use the blog as inspiration for your social media posts, or even use the prompt to make a video! A checklist of options is included after the blogging prompt. Remember, your audience is your clients and future clients. Over time, the blogs you write will build a story of working with you and what experience they can expect, as well as educate your clients on the ins and outs of YOU being their photographer.   Your prompt:Do you offer payment plans for your clients? Clients appreciate knowing the options that they have when hiring you. Sharing details of payment options has the potential to remove a barrier for your clients and starts an open conversation about the price (and worth) of your work. Do you offer payment plans? Are they through you (such as using installments with ShootProof Invoices) or

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Megan
1 year ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Blog Prompt: The Products You Sell & Why Your Clients Need Them

This is the second installment in our Blog Prompt series. These prompts will be posted bi-weekly, providing you  inspiration for 2 blog posts a month! The goal of this activity is:Give you, the photographer, a blog prompt you can write about to educate and inspire your clients Help you take advantage of all of the amazing benefits of content marketing- you can send these blog posts out as emails to your subscribers, use the blog as inspiration for your social media posts, or even use the prompt to make a video!Remember, the audience you’re writing to is not the photographers who will find your link here, but your clients and future clients! Over time, we will be building a story of working with you, what experience they can expect, and educating your clients on the ins and outs of YOU being their photographer. For bonus points, you can even use the blogs you write as content for your email list. Talk about a win-win! What other ideas do you have for getting this content in front of you

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Megan
1 year ago
Rachel
ShootProof Team Member
RachelShootProof Team Member
published in Business Resources

Client Experience Checklist (PDF Download)

Your clients are your best marketing channel–even better than Instagram.  And that’s why *every* photographer should have a client experience checklist! Our team made one for you–just grab it here.   Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do. –Walt Disney    Image by ShootProof Pro Eirik Halvorsen

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M
1 year ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Blog Prompt: How Your Clients Can Work With You Right Now

This is the first installment in our Blog Prompt series. These prompts will be posted bi-weekly, providing you  inspiration for 2 blog posts a month! The goal of this activity is:Give you, the photographer, a blog prompt you can write about to educate and inspire your clients Help you take advantage of all of the amazing benefits of content marketing- you can send these blog posts out as emails to your subscribers, use the blog as inspiration for your social media posts, or even use the prompt to make a video!So, here’s your assignment, should you choose to accept it:Write a blog post about how to work with you right now. Answer the questions your clients will have, such as:What types of sessions are you currently offering? How are these sessions different from how clients have worked with you in the past? What precautions are required for your state/town/country, and how are you executing those?   How are you executing sales sessions? How will the client receive the products they buy

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Megan
1 year ago
A
AprilConversation Starter
posted in Business Resources

Do YOU watermark files for Social Sharing

Hi.  I recently succumbed to the Front Porch Sessions, which were super fast sessions, low cost sessions (basically the opposite of my biz model) that included files for social & option to order more (prints and digis).  This is the first time I’ve ever offered files of any kind inclusive of a shoot, but I caved after seeing so many others do it.  I am intended on making those avail with a watermark, but I’m curious what others do.  I know I’ll lose sales if they aren’t watermarked…. 

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J
1 year ago
A
AdrianneYanezConversation Starter
asked in Business Resources

New here! Are there recordings to any previous webinar sessions?

Hi everyone!  Im new to this community and would love to go back and watch a few previous sessions.  Is that an option? If so, where can I get access? TYIA. Adrianne  

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Megan
1 year ago
DavidGrupa
DavidGrupaHelper
posted in Business Resources

Add a New Revenue Stream with Team Sports Photography

If you’re looking for a way to fill in the gaps during the slow season and gain additional revenue by adding a new niche to your repertoire, check out this program tomorrow at 12 noon CDT. I’ll be discussing the things we did right or neglected to consider when we added team sports photography to our portrait studio. Let’s talk about the benefits of adding this profitable genre to your lineup! Sign up here: https://shootproof.community/events/building-a-volume-sports-photography-brand-with-david-grupa-21 I hope to see you tomorrow! David

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Megan
2 years ago
Kelly1234
Kelly1234Conversation Starter
posted in Business Resources

Coronavirus Photography Guidelines

Does anyone have a set of guidelines for coronavirus? We're looking for a set of guidelines for how to shoot a wedding or event, a set for staff on how to interact, and one for a studio space with the type of signage you may want. I'm hoping to purchase a set from someone before going too far down the path of developing it myself. Things like: 1. It is suggested that all group photos will be taken outdoors when possible 2. Photographer will try to maintain 6 ft of distance when possible. 3. Staff will wear a mask.

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Dajuan
2 years ago
Matt Specht
Moderator
Matt SpechtModerator
posted in Business Resources

Flat Lay Photography

Happy Tuesday! With everything going on in the world lately, it seems more difficult to get out and shoot. I’ve been seeing a lot of different suggestions for shooting at home. This reminded me of a great photographer/videographer I follow on YouTube - Peter McKinnon.  Check out his video on doing Flay Lay Photography. The thing that really stood out to me was the little details he focuses on when doing flat lay. Anyway, have a great week and enjoy the video!    

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Matt Specht
Moderator
2 years ago
ChristopherHall
ChristopherHallConversationalist
posted in Business Resources

Cole's Classroom Podcast

Wow... Just found out I'm being featured in the first episode of Cole's Classrooms new Podcast. No pressure there then....Super excited though.   The episode is being released on Tuesday 26th May    

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Megan
2 years ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Change.org Petition: The Photography Industry Supports the Fair & Equitable Treatment of Photographers of Color

Dr. Tomayia Colvin, founder of The  Photo Cookout, author, and educator has created a petition for changes in the photography industry to support fair & equitable treatment of photographers of color.  You can read more and sign the petition here.

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Megan
2 years ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Introducing: Find Your Focus Podcast

The team at Cole’s Classroom has created a brand-new podcast JUST for photographers! The first five episodes are available now for your listening pleasure.  The podcast covers it all- the real, the raw, and messy stuff in between (because life and business can get messy sometimes). It will cover what you need to know about navigating your photography business (especially during such a strange time), how to effectively advertise your business, standing out in a saturated market (when everyone and their dog has a DSLR), and how to power through times when you may not have as much confidence in your work. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts 

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Megan
2 years ago
ChristopherHall
ChristopherHallConversationalist
posted in Business Resources

The Positive Effect Of Lockdown On My Photography

Not sure if this will help anyone but I recently share a post on my blog about my struggles during the lockdown and how I am still being positive. Hope it helps someone.   https://www.cjhphotography.co.uk/2020/05/17/the-positive-effect-of-covid-19-and-the-lockdown-on-my-photography/   Chris  

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ChristopherHall
2 years ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Photographers Unite: Register now!

ShootProof, Táve, and Design Aglow are proud to support an unforgettable educational event that directly benefits communities impacted by COVID-19. We’re joining industry leaders to raise money for the Coronavirus Global Relief Fund.    All of the instructors are donating their time and there’s no fee to attend. The only request is that attendees make an optional, charitable donation, for any amount.   Even though we may be apart, we can gather together virtually to make a difference and learn new skills, too!   Who can you learn from during this event? Glad you asked! You may recognize some of these names: Sam Hurd, 37 Frames, Luke Edmonson, Citlalli Rico, Tyler Wirken, Chris Knight, Tomayia Colvin, Jerry Ghionis, Fer Juaristi, Sara Monika, Jide Alakija, Joseph Radhik, Victor Lax, Kesha Lambert, Blair DeLaubenfels, Pye Jirsa, Gabe McClintock, Elena Blair, Roberto Valenzuela, Dave Moss, Cliff Mautner, Susan Stripling, Lindsay Adler, Jesh de Rox, Kanayo Adibe, Chrisman Studios, S

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Megan
2 years ago
C
ChrisSempleConversation Starter
posted in Business Resources

Selling portrait shoot vouchers

I’m a long -time Tave (11 years!) and shootproof user and there is a gaping hole in the services. With wedding business wiped out this year, I'll be turning to portraits to survive (and hopefully thrive!)   I wish to sell shoot vouchers easily & automatically. I want to be able to automatically schedule sessions or integrate with acuity. (or similar service) I hope you can understand what I am wishing for? It's something I'd hoped Tave would have sorted years ago to be honest. Maybe there is a work-aroung way to do this now? The option to have a proper start to finish solution for fast efficient processing of lots of clients is the dream! Can you please feed this request up to the bosses and make it real? -thanks!  

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Megan
2 years ago
Andrew
AndrewConversationalist
posted in Business Resources

Fun sale idea for Senior Portraits!

Hey all! Hope this finds you safe and healthy! Just wanted to share a quick marketing idea we’ve done the last couple of years and seen some success with.   Around Graduation time, we queue up 2-3 emails to all of our senior galleries saying we wanted to give them a graduation present to celebrate their graduation with them. The emails contain a discount code for $20.20 (previously $20.19 etc) off anything in their gallery. (I’ve pasted this year’s initial email below) We usually send an initial email and a reminder or two about the promo. It’s simple, but a fun way to celebrate with your seniors, provide value and drive some more sales.    Subject:  Dear Class of 2020, We got you a little something...    Body:  Dear Class of 2020, All of us here at Vernon Photo have been thinking of you and your class. I know this year has turned out differently than any of us could have expected. But, your senior year is still one to celebrate and we'd like to celebrate with you! Normally graduati

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Matt Specht
Moderator
2 years ago
GabeTaviano
GabeTavianoConversation Starter
posted in Business Resources

Puzzles during the pandemic

I just left the excellent community call, led by Megan this afternoon. I let everyone in the room know one thing that was working for me and my customers right now (during the pandemic), and that is offering my photography as custom jigsaw puzzles. I am a landscape / travel photographer, but I can also see this working well if you have customers who might have purchased a portrait or wedding photograph from you. I probably should have done what Megan suggested and just provided the puzzle as a self-fulfilled item in my pricelist through my ShootProof store. Will give that a shot soon. I’ve updated my process to provide the puzzle product twice now, and here are the details for both: I started by just providing 241 of my photos in a gallery on Facebook and letting people direct message me the title and size they wanted. You can see the graphic / post for that here → https://www.facebook.com/GabeTaviano/posts/10156847900426784 I then decided to put all of the photos on my personal blog a

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LaurenceSweeney
2 years ago
DavidGrupa
DavidGrupaHelper
asked in Business Resources

Meeting time

Hey Gang -   This all sounds great, but what time zone is this set for? I have 2-3pm, but I’m CDT.

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Megan
2 years ago
Megan
MeganGenius
published in Business Resources

Stop the Bleeding by Patrick Williams

Photographer and ShootProof user Patrick Williams (PWP Studio) has graciously shared his experiences over the last few weeks, along with actionable tips you can take right now to help mitigate the financial impact to your home and business. Feel free to leave questions for Patrick in the comments below! First off, we are in this with you: my studio handles large corporate events. We capture about 25 large large trade shows including WPPI and PhotoPlus Expo, large sporting events including the NFL Draft/Super Bowl, and had contracts on the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Final Four tournaments in ATL and NOLA; by most accounts, we are killing it. Wait, let’s make that past tense – we WERE killing it. Literally 100% of our business has been erased until July at this point. These days our book of business looks oddly similar to what we had 18 years ago when we started: NADA! We are probably worse off than most because this crisis hit while we are dealing with a December breast cancer diagnosis/Jan

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C
2 years ago
The Youngrens
The YoungrensInspiring
posted in Business Resources

✅ How to Audit your Business during this time!

With many of us now having a ton of extra time on our hands due to shoots postponing and rescheduling everybody is talking about how this is an opportunity to work ON your business instead of IN your business.  But what does that really mean? Erin and I reached out to a bunch of our photography friends who are all running incredibly successful and profitable businesses (people like KT Merry, Lin & Jirsa, Abby Grace, Sarah Bradshaw, Duke Images, Chard Photo + others!) and asked them what they think this means for photographers and what they’d suggest people work on. We just shared some of their advice in Part 1 of this series, which is about auditing your website, which you can check out here : Part 1 - Updating Your Website We’re going to be posting a new part each week for the next few weeks as we continue to gather advice from around the industry!

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The Youngrens
2 years ago
Rachel
ShootProof Team Member
RachelShootProof Team Member
published in Business Resources

Your Business Planning Guide (PDF Download)Tutorial

Are you ready to refresh your photography business plan? Want to get control over your business and feel confident in the future? This free planner will help you set achievable goals and fine-tune your brand for success! Grab this free booklet of worksheets dedicated to: Priorities, Processes, Products, and Profits!   Get my guide now!  

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C
2 years ago

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