Bokeh - The Photography Podcast

What are you doing to stand out amongst the throngs of photographers in your market? A strong, distinct brand position is a great place to start. In these special Brand Position Consultations, we explore developing unique brand positions with professional photographers.In episode 455 of the Bokeh Podcast, Cody McCracken joins us to explore potential brand positions that tie in his desire to build relationships with his clients and make them feel comfortable in front of the camera!The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you byPhotographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You're Photographing.You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow onSpotify, add to your playlist onStitcher,or listen onOvercast.Brand Position: The unique value prop that our businesses offer to our market.Benefits of a Clear and Distinct Brand Position:A. Enables Potential Clients to Immediately Know Your UVPB. Filters Irrelevant Potential ClientsC. Simplifies/Focuses Marketing EffortsD. Encourages Better Time ManagementBased in: Small Town VirginiaFocused on: Weddings (4:41)Target Customer’s Biggest Pain Points (9:48)Ideal Client (12:32)Nathan’s Future Brand Position (17:26)Why Cody Became a Wedding Photographer (21:14)1. Wanted a business of his own.2. Wanted to build friendships with other couples.3. His competitive personality empowers him in this business.Cody’s Competition Analysis (31:57)Potential Brand Position: I make you feel comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.Linksonefocusphotos.comStorybrand by Donald MillerPeter McKinnonKatelyn James

With so many automations and softwares, creating efficiency in your business is simpler than ever. What are you doing to go beyond that efficiency to create an amazing client experience?In episode 454 of the Bokeh Podcast, Dauss Miller joins us for his second interview on the podcast to discuss creating personalize client experiences. Listen in as he shares about the importance of managing expectations, along with three principles to giving your clients an experience to remember.The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you byPhotographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer andMiilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing.You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on theApple podcast app, follow onSpotify, add to your playlist onStitcher,or listen onOvercast.Favorite Addict (1:42)Customer Experience: Connect on a personal level with your clients. (5:11)Delegation/Outsourcing (6:05)Book Recommendations (10:30)Crushing it by Gary VStart with WhySubtle Art of Not Giving a FuckSimon Sinek’s Ted TalkCaptivate by Vanessa Van EdwardsThe Art of Thinking ClearlyThe Illusion of Money by Kyle CeaseUnFuck Yourself by Gary BishopClient Experience Beyond a CRM (22:14)Marketing to Cold Leads with a Lead Magnet (23:34)Educating Clients & Managing Expectations (30:00)1. Questionnaires (31:33)2. Emails (33:30)3. MeetingsPersonalized Client Experiences (41:09)1. Asking Powerful Questions2. Listening3. Consistency in Showing Up for ClientsGift Giving (48:12)Linksinstagram.com/daussfotodaussmiller.comFB ProfileFB GroupEpisode 256

Did your experience during COVID cause you to take a second look at your contracts? Whether you were faced with rescheduled weddings or completely cancelled weddings, we know the impact COVID has had on our industry.In episode 453 of the Bokeh Podcast, Samantha Clarke, photographer and lawyer, joins us to share four elements that you're likely missing from your contract and need to add to better protect your business.The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you byPhotographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer andMiilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing.You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on theApple podcast app, follow onSpotify, add to your playlist onStitcher,or listen onOvercast.Disclaimer: While Samantha is a lawyer, she’s not our lawyer or your lawyer. Please see your local lawyer for legal advice.Brand Position: Modern photography for stylish people. (2:30)Customer Experience: Understand what’s important to your clients and share what the process of working with you is like. (8:56)Time Management: (15:23)- Prioritize top 3 things on her to-do list.- OOO NotificationsDelegation/Outsourcing: (21:46)- Editing- Album Design- TaxesDecide what your non-negotiable are.Book Recommendations: Building a Storybrand by Don Miller (31:28)bokehbookshelf.comSamantha’s Background (36:07)Elements Missing From Your Contracts (38:25)1. Force Majeure Clause - An act of superior strength (acts of god, nature, pandemics, war, civil unrest, etc). (38:25)2. The Safe Working Environment Clause - Observing limits and laws of local government for the current pandemic. (44:10)3. Postponement or Cancellation Clause - To explain how clients can do either with you, including policy, timeframes, etc. (48:42)4. Rescheduling Addendum - Notes the new dates for which they should be paying you. (52:04)Resources (57:57)Legallyset.comThelegalpaige.comPaige’s EpisodesLinksSamantha-clarke.comSamantha-clarke.com/instagramEpisode 52

One thing that holds many photographers back from going full-time is the lack of consistency in income year round. Caroline Axvig has found the solution—monthly photo subscriptions.In episode 452 of the Bokeh Podcast, Caroline joins us to share how her monthly photo subscriptions for bloggers and influencers allows her to expect consistent income on a monthly basis! Listen in as she highlights how she's structured these subscriptions and why they're successful in her business!The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you byPhotographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer andMiilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing.You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on theApple podcast app, follow onSpotify, add to your playlist onStitcher,or listen onOvercast.Brand Position: I create on-brand lifestyle imagery and provide brand coaching for small businesses, bloggers, and influencers. I believe that my combination of creativity and community will help you grow your audience and reach your goals. (01:57)Customer Experience: Get to know each individual customer as a person. (11:09)Technique for Time: Blocking Sundays off from work. (15:45)Delegation:Recent experience with a workflow/office assistant.(21:02)Book Recommendations (25:58)Brene BrownDeep Work by Cal NewportProfit First by Mike MichalowiczMonthly Photo Subscription (29:21)3,6,12 month subscriptions.Review the Subscriptions Here >>Why Subscriptions (34:07)1. Consistent income2. Clients feel like co-workers rather than customers.3. Spending time with like-minded entrepreneurs.4. New creative challenges every week.Drawbacks to Subscription Model (38:44)1. It is a lot of work to turn around quickly.2. It’s hard to raise/change prices with recurring clients.Caroline’s Workflow for Quick Turnarounds (43:07)Linkscarolinethephotographer.coinstagram.com/carolinethephotographercarolinethephotographer.co/membership

Are you ready to make 2021 a year of growth by becoming the next version of you?In episode 451 of the Bokeh Podcast, Shaun Austin joins us for his sixth interview on the show to discuss the how he finds motivation to consistently try being a better version of himself. Listen in as he shares 3 principles to implement for growth, along with the impact that your relationships have on this process.The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you byPhotographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You're Photographing.You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow onSpotify, add to your playlist onStitcher,or listen onOvercast.Toughest Lesson During COVID-19 (3:11)Not being in control of things that he wants to be in control of.Learning He Doesn’t Have Control (6:32)Celebrating Relationships & Life Story Online (18:01)Continued Motivation to Be Better (22:52)Consistent Improvement vs. Showcasing Improvement (28:24)Why Shaun Started Staying Consistent (38:22)3 Principles to Enable Change (42:46)VisionPlanConsistencyVision (43:05)- Quarterly Vision Goal - Look to see where you want to go.- Discover through curiosity & uncover with the team.- Write it down and find what can move you towards or away from the goal.Planning (47:42)- Task- Timeframe- End GoalConsistency (51:45)- Road block: consistent things not working.- Set expectations for consistency.Role of Relationships in Becoming the Next Version of You (1:00:16)Linksinstagram.com/shaunaustininstagram.com/kissbooksFacebook.com/kissbooksThe Stack by Shaun GordonArmchair Expert - Dax SheppardUnstuckologistShaun's Other Episodes:Episode 18 - In Pursuit of SimpleEpisode 77 - The Importance of Being IntentionalEpisode 187 - Workflow Wednesday: Album Sales Pt 1Episode 189 - Workflow Wednesday: Album Sales Pt 2Episode 234 - State of the Industry

Building a unique brand isn't an easy task nowadays. We're inundated with consistent messaging to follow the latest tips and hacks to building a better business—encouraging us to do exactly what everyone else is doing.What if you took a look at your life and your past and built a brand based on your passion? In episode 450 of the Bokeh Podcast, Maranda Joiner joins us to discuss how she encourages her clients as a brand strategist to open up about their lives, build a brand based on their passions, and find a target market that they can serve. Listen in as she walks us through the process of exploring and building a brand based on your passion!The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you byPhotographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer andMiilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing.You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on theApple podcast app, follow onSpotify, add to your playlist onStitcher,or listen onOvercast.Brand Position: Helping entrepreneurs figure out what to say on social media by helping connect their passion into purpose to make money. (1:57)Customer Experience: Make people feel heard, seen, and understood. (7:07)Technique for Time (13:57)Book Recommendations: (21:03)The E-Myth by Michael GerberThe Secret of Teams by Mark MillerStart With Why by Simon SinekBuilding a Business on PassionTying Your Purpose from Your Past (30:36)Passion vs. Viable Business (37:31)Turning Your Passion into a Viable Business (41:30)1. Start doing the work in the beginning before deciding on making it a business; test the market.2. Think about your target market and ideal client to know who you're creating your business for.3. Talk to your audience.Finding Your Target Market (48:29)1. Find similar businesses to yours' and study their audience.2. Look up books similar to what you do and read the reviews.3. Talk to your existing audience.Chik Fil A (55:38)Links:marandajoiner.cominstagram.com/marandajoinerfacebook.com/marandajoiner