Headshot Photographer and First Impression Architect | Helping founders, executives, and keynote speakers elevate their game | People connector | 14X Podcast Guest | Author | Published wildlife photographer
📍PART 1 of why my first business failed: I had no specific focus.
I was pretty decent at photography at that point, but I would have done any kind of photography if someone hired me for it. Which may seem like a good strategy when you’re starting a business right? Why limit the number of potential clients?
But I was dead WRONG.
The first way this hurt me is that it made my portfolio confusing. Sure, it was good. But it was SO diverse that it made people wonder what they were coming to me for.
The second way it hurt me is that it made my messaging super generic. I didn’t know if I was talking to an engaged couple, a family, a high school senior, a business professional, or a real estate agent. And if I didn’t know who I was talking to, you better believe others didn’t know who I was talking to either!
The biggest takeaway here is that when you try to speak to everyone, you end up talking to no one. Marketing becomes much more impactful when you speak to a SPECIFIC group of people.
I’m thinking Mondays will be when I continue this story. Sound good?
How has speaking to a specific audience helped you with your business efforts? Share below!
#headshots#personalbranding#entrepreneur#growthmindset#photography
Ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of sending daily emails? I used to think customers wouldn't read them, and I'd struggle to provide enough valuable content daily. But I took on a personal challenge this year and am now 80 emails deep, with a 65-70% open rate! 🎯
I realized it's all about the value you provide. I share my journey as an entrepreneur, my reflections, and success philosophy with my audience, and they love it!
Want to know more about how I create engaging daily emails? Check out my newsletter at https://lnkd.in/gaN8tMyk. ✉️
Photo by Mo Schultz Photography
#DailyEmails#ValueDriven#EntrepreneurJourney#MindsetMatters
Hey Filmmakers, Here are 3 Ways You Can Turn Your Passion into Predictable Income...
Ever stare into the abyss of your bank account and wonder, "How am I going to afford Rent?" Been there...
I used to do KILLER work with brands like Timberland and Rukus, but the consistency was a total GHOST...
Fear took the wheel: I said YES to EVERYTHING (even the soul-crushing stuff), sleepless nights became my NIGHTMARE, and YouTube University became my go-to (and kinda not-so-go-to) resource.
The answer wasn't a unicorn.
No Hollywood special effects here!
It was about building LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE INCOME.
Here's how I did it (and how YOU can too!):
1. Retainer Clients: Your Recurring Revenue Stream
Instead of one-off projects, I focused on RETAINER CLIENTS. This meant building RELATIONSHIPS and OVER-DELIVERING on VALUE.
Fast forward? I got my first retainer client for a whopping $35K A YEAR! NOW THAT"S SUSTAINABLE INCOME!
Bonus Tip: LEVEL UP those relationships! Weekly CHECK-INS, funny memes (carefully chosen!), and genuine care go a long way. You're not just colleagues, you're a POWER COUPLE!
2. WINE AND DINE Your Clients (But for Business). Think about dating: fun, exciting, but...is it reliable?
CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS are the same.
They take TIME, EFFORT, and MUTUAL RESPECT.
Wouldn't you rather have a STRATEGIC PARTNER who wants to CO-CREATE YOUR FUTURE (aka, hire you consistently)?
Here's the key: PING THEM! See how you can SUPPORT past and present clients and REMIND THEM of the power of killer content strategy on social media.
3. My "NEW BUSINESS" Secret Weapon: check-ins! EXISTING CLIENTS are a GOLDMINE! I REGULARLY CHECK IN with mine: partners, sponsors, EVERYONE! See if you can offer FRESH SERVICES or REVISIT PAST PROJECTS for an upgrade.
Remember: Consistent communication and genuine relationships are the secret sauce to SUSTAINABLE INCOME!
How do you get repeat clients? Share your favorite STRATEGY below!
#videography#cinematography#filmindustry#photographerlife#filmprenuer#entrepreneurlife#postproduction#filmmakercomedyskits#filmmakersofinstagram#getcreative#videographerofIG#CreativeContent#contentcreator#EntrepreneurMindset#entrepreneurshiplifestyle
Storytelling Photographer | Trainer & mentor for photographers and business owners | Workshops | The Conversion Story online course | Then coffee and CrossFit
🤍Too much emotion, and you’ll put them off.
Emotion definitely needs to be in your storytelling - but don’t over-do it otherwise they won’t believe you and the trust will start to slip.
SO HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Emotion comes in all shapes and sizes, remember - and when we share a story with someone else, the emotion….
….how can I put this?
It just happens 🤷♀️
Here’s an [unintentional] example from the weekend - take a watch of the video I posted to Instagram reels⬇️
[it's super quick]
It's a story.
All be it a very short one.
About my 8-mile run.
I pressed PLAY and winged it.
No rehearsing.
But did you spot where the emotion [unintentionally] crept in?
Totally *not* planned. It just happened.
Because it was real.
It didn’t hit you in the face - there weren’t tears running down my face - but it was quietly there.
And that’s what stories are like.
They're naturally wrapped up in emotion - and it’s the emotion that grabs people.
And that’s how it needs to be in our business too - the storytelling.
Include the emotion, but don’t go overboard.
Please☺️
Drop me a DM if this has got you curious - let’s see where you are in your storytelling - or click on the link in the comments and I’ll drop storytelling tips into your inbox instead.
Until next time
Anne x
PS Tell me where you spotted the emotion!🤍
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🔔 Ring my bell for storytelling tips and advice
#️⃣ Follow hashtag
#annethomasphotography to catch all the posts
#photography#entrepreneurship#growth#photographybusiness#annethomasphotography
Your pricing impacts your positioning.
However, this does not mean you must offer the lowest prices.
The purpose of positioning is to reduce or eliminate the competition.
Your pricing is one of many factors that impact what your customers buy and where you stand among the competition.
If your price is not enough to make you stand out, then gain a better understanding of your competition and determine what you can do to be different.
.
.
#positioning#marketing#graphicdesign#photography#business#graphicdesigner#entrepreneur
Storytelling Photographer | Trainer & mentor for photographers and business owners | Workshops | The Conversion Story online course | Then coffee and CrossFit
😳 How long can you hang for? she asked.
No idea, I replied.
Well let’s see, shall we? she said.
So up I jumped - grabbed the bar - and slowly lowered myself down until I was hanging.
The longest ‘dead hang’ from the others in the challenge was 1:11.
I’ll never hang for that long, I thought.
😮 2:22 minutes! 😮
Who knew a personal branding photographer - a grandma - a girl on a mission could hang for so long?!
~~~~~~~~~
But there you go.
How often do we do this?
🙈 Talk ourselves down
🙉Underestimate our ability to achieve something
🙊 Put obstacles in the way that make it even more difficult
Too many times, if you ask me.
But I think you might JUST surprise yourself.
Especially if you had someone who was in your corner cheering you on - showing you how to do it.
That’s why I’ve put the link to some FREE training that shows you how I do the storytelling thing in my marketing - help yourself - it’s all yours.
Until next time
Anne x
PS Go challenge yourself - hang off something and see how long you can hang on for ☺️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🔔 Ring my bell for storytelling tips and advice
#️⃣ Follow #annethomasphotography to catch all the posts
#photography#entrepreneurship#growth#photographybusiness#annethomasphotography
