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The Systems and Workflow Magic Podcast
How to Forecast Expenses for a More Profitable and Sustainable Business As You Enter 2025
š In this actionable episode of the Systems and Workflow Magic Podcast, host Dolly DeLong dives into the often-overlooked power of forecasting your expenses to transform how you run your business. Inspired by a simple yet life-changing bookkeeping system created by her husband (Ty), Dolly shares practical tips and personal insights on how to plan for high and low months, understand your overhead costs, and set realistic income goals for sustainable growth.
Whether you're a photographer, educator, or service provider, this episode is packed with strategies to help you treat your business like a businessānot a side hobby. So, if youāre ready to step into 2025 with clarity, confidence, and a financial system that works for YOU, this episode is a must-listen! š”
š Access FULL episode + transcript + shownotes HERE
Mentioned Resources & Links
š The Bookkeeping Template For Creatives
š The Emails Needed For Your Next Launch (Free PDF)
Connect with Dolly DeLong Education
š»Website
š±Instagram
š„YouTube
Thanks for joining me on The Systems and Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:
ā Sign up for weekly reminders to stay updated on all things systems, sops, and workflows to impact the backend of YOUR business! You can snag freebies here: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/business-tools
š„³Post a screenshot and some of your favorite key takeaways on your IG story, and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can repost it!
šaffiliate links included, which means I might make a lil' money when you click. IĀ onlyĀ recommend people, products, & programs I use & ā¤ļø
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210. Black Friday 2025: Five Days of Deals for Family Photographers
21:51||Ep. 210If youāre a family photographer whoās ready to simplify your systems, strengthen your marketing, and finally feel organized heading into a new year, this special Black Friday episode is for you! In this behind-the-scenes catalog-style walkthrough, Iām breaking down every single deal happening November 24ā28, 2025, inside Dolly DeLong Education.Whether you're watching this on YouTube or listening via the podcast, this is your go-to guide to bookmark so you can return to each deal on the exact day it goes live. And yes ā even if youāre listening in the future, these resources remain available in my shop year-round! (YAY!)Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Read the full blog post that goes with this episode (that way, you get all the links mentioned): https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/black-friday-deals-family-photographers-2025/āø Watch the YouTube video version of this Podcast: HEREāø Check out the 5 Days of Deals HEREāø Missed the Sale but want to see the shop? Check it out HERE Connect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.black friday deals for photographers, family photographer black friday sale, creative business black friday 2025, bookkeeping for photographers, digital product launch system, photographer launch planner, client experience workflow photography, dubsado for family photographers, family photographer crm workflow, long form content workflow, blogging system for photographers, podcast workflow for creatives, youtube workflow for creatives, photographer marketing membership, marketing system for photographers, backend systems for photographers, photography workflows trello, launch planning for creatives, photographer marketing strategy 2025, systems and workflow magic podcast
209. Why Some Family Photographers Stay Fully Booked (and Others Donāt): 8 Business Foundations Youāre Probably Ignoring
29:05||Ep. 209Ever look at another family photographer whoās booked out months in advance and think, āWhat are they doing that Iām not?ā Spoiler: itās not talent, itās not the āoversaturated market,ā and it is definitely not that youāre not good enough.This episode (originally recorded as a YouTube video and repurposed into the podcast) breaks down the eight core foundationsāor ācogsāāthat keep your family photography business consistently booked instead of stuck in that exhausting feast-or-famine cycle.Whether youāre a few years into business or youāre finally ready to take it seriously as a real, sustainable business, this oneās meant to lovingly call you out and show you exactly where to focus next.Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Read the full blog post that goes with this episode (that way, you get all the links mentioned): https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/consistent-bookings-family-photographers/āø Watch the YouTube video version of this Podcast: https://youtu.be/FIjZ3Yv1byAāø The Family Photographer's Marketing Society: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/the-family-photographers-marketing-societyConnect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.Consistent bookings for family photographers, feast or famine photography business, family photographer systems and workflows, how to price family photography sessions, know your numbers creative business, SEO for family photographers, blogging for family photographers, marketing rhythm for photographers, inconsistent editing posing and lighting, family photographer messaging help, brand voice for photographers, do I need a new website for my photography business, email marketing for family photographers, simple workflows for photographers, CRM for family photographers, systems and workflows for small business owners, Dolly DeLong Education podcast, YouTube to podcast repurposed content, backend systems for photographers
208. 4 Blog Post Ideas to Boost Your Family Photography SEO This Winter
13:24||Ep. 208Big news, family photographers.. the holidays are almost here, and now is the perfect time to start planting those SEO seeds for next year! In this episode, Iām sharing four blog post ideas you can start writing right now to help your photography business get discovered on Google (and yes, even in ChatGPT searches!) long after the holiday season.Whether youāre a family photographer, newborn photographer, or creative business owner who wants to show up more consistently online, youāll learn how to:⨠Choose blog post topics that attract your dream clients⨠Create SEO-friendly posts that perform in both Google and AI search tools⨠Repurpose your blog content for social media and email marketing⨠Build long-term visibility for your photography business during slower seasonsResources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Get all of my Black Friday 2025 Deals (dropping the week of November 24th-November 28th): https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/black-friday-deals-2025āø Watch the YouTube video version of this Podcast: https://youtu.be/HE_cDS43HmYāø The Family Photographer's Marketing Society: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/the-family-photographers-marketing-societyConnect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.winter family photo ideas, family photographer SEO, SEO for photographers, family photography blogging, winter photography marketing tips, content ideas for photographers, long form content marketing for photographers, indoor family photo ideas, lifestyle newborn sessions winter, local SEO for photographers, blogging for photography business, evergreen marketing ideas for creatives, how to blog for SEO photography, family photographer marketing society, systems and workflows for photographers
207. 3 Things That Make Your Business Look Outdated (and How to Fix Them)
14:54||Ep. 207Have you ever visited a business online and couldnāt tell if they were still openāor if theyād shut down years ago? š This episode was inspired by Dollyās recent family fall break trip to Buffalo and Rochester, New York, where she experienced that very frustration firsthand!Whether youāre a family photographer, a creative entrepreneur, or a small business owner, you might be unintentionally putting doubt in your potential clientsā minds. Today, Dolly shares three simple, quick updates you can make to your website and marketing to instantly show clients that your business is alive, thriving, and ready to serve them.These tips are all about keeping your business active and relevantāwithout adding more overwhelm to your plate. Read the entire blog post that goes with this podcast episode hereResources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Watch the YouTube video version of this Podcast https://youtu.be/sZEYB0XBTcMāø The Family Photographer's Marketing Society: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/the-family-photographers-marketing-societyāø Get 50% OFF of Flodesk HERE (for email marketing) https://flodesk.com/c/DOLLYDELONGEDUCATIONConnect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.show your business is active, small business marketing 2025, family photographer email marketing, update website footer, keep social media current, small business visibility tips, showing your business is open, how to update your website footer, stay consistent on Instagram, email list for photographers, marketing systems for creatives, family photography business growth, systems and workflow magic podcast, dolly delong education, simple marketing tips for small business, how to show youāre still in business
206. How to Automate Your Family Photography Workflow Using Dubsado, Zapier & Trello
23:45||Ep. 206Ever wish your client workflow could run a little more smoothly ā without you spending hours managing inquiries? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Iām sharing the exact automation that saves me hours every week as a Nashville family photographer.Youāll get a step-by-step look at how I connect Dubsado, Zapier, and Trello to automatically organize new client leads ā so nothing falls through the cracks and every client gets the same consistent experience.Whether youāre a visual learner who loves Trello or a systems-curious creative ready to automate more of your business, this quick tutorial will walk you through the full process (and yes ā Iām holding your hand the whole way through!) Want the FULL blog post of this podcast? Click HEREResources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Watch the YouTube video version of this Podcast (so you can get a full visual of how I break everything down): https://youtu.be/iRSX8mf8HCAāø Dubsado (30% off affiliate link):http://dubsado.com/?c=dollydelongeducationāø Showit (affiliate link):https://showit.com/r/40ggld0māø The Contact Form That Wows Training (Free!):https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/create-a-contact-page-that-wowsāø The Ultimate Family Photographerās Workflow: https://dollydelong.thrivecart.com/family-photography-workflow-blueprint/Connect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.family photographer workflow automation, Dubsado tutorial for photographers, Zapier setup for creatives, Trello workflow for photographers, client experience automation, photography systems education, how to automate client inquiries, Dubsado Zapier Trello integration, family photography business systems, creative business backend workflows, automation with human touch, Dubsado tips for photographers, Trello templates for photographers, workflow automation tutorial, family photography business consistency
205. Black Friday Summit 2025 Launch Debrief
38:05||Ep. 205Ever wondered what it really takes to host a virtual summit? In this episode, Iām joined by my friends Bekah Read and Mara Kucirek to pull back the curtain on our 2025 Black Friday Summit. Together, we share a full launch debriefāwhat worked, what didnāt, the data behind 758 signups and 137 All-Access Pass sales, and the behind-the-scenes life moments that happened while running this summit as busy moms and business owners. Whether youāre planning a Black Friday promotion or dreaming of hosting your own virtual summit, this honest conversation is packed with lessons, encouragement, and strategies you can use right away.What Youāll Learn in This EpisodeThe planning process behind a 3-day Black Friday summitHow we grew our email lists by over 700 signups through organic marketingThe role of sponsorships, private podcasts, and an All-Access Pass played in our resultsNumbers, data, and conversionsāfrom 758 signups to $4K+ in salesWhat weād do differently if we host again in 2026And so much more (click here to read the blog post)Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Watch the YouTube video version of this launch debrief:āø Get The Simplified Black Friday Planning Kit: HEREāø Snag the All Access Pass for The 2025 Black Friday Virtual Summit: HEREāø Follow Mara Kucirek: HEREāø Follow Bekah Read: HEREāø Follow Ellen Yin/Cubicle To CEO: HEREConnect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.Black Friday Summit 2025, virtual summit launch debrief, Black Friday business strategies, how to host a summit, online summit marketing, Black Friday email marketing, Black Friday sales tips, planning a virtual event, summit sponsorship ideas, organic list building for summits, Black Friday launch recap, private podcast Hello Audio, small business Black Friday strategies, virtual summit lessons learned, collaborative launches, behind the scenes summit hosting, Black Friday planning kit, summit debrief podcast, Black Friday launch 2025, summit results and takeaways
204. Blogging for SEO: What Family Photographers Should Write in November
12:20||Ep. 204Itās officially Q4 of 2025āand if youāre a family photographer, youāre probably deep in busy season. But hereās the truth: now is also the perfect time to plant seeds for 2026 with long-form content that keeps working for you long after the editing rush is over.In this episode (repurposed from my YouTube channel), Iām sharing three SEO-friendly blogging ideas you can batch out this October to attract dream clients, show up in search results, and position yourself as the go-to photographer in your city.Whether youāre a family photographer wanting to book more sessions or a small business owner looking for sustainable marketing ideas, youāll walk away with practical, keyword-rich content strategies you can implement right away.Hereās what youāll learn in this episode:Why Q4 blogging matters for long-term SEO and future bookingsThree blog post ideas that make you the searchable answer for potential clientsHow to use your existing client galleries to showcase wardrobe inspiration and style guidesAnd so much moreRead the entire blog post hereResources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Watch the YouTube video version of this training (with visuals!) ā https://youtu.be/anbj_bb8QVkāø The Family Photographer's Marketing Society: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/the-family-photographers-marketing-societyConnect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.family photography blogging ideas, q4 content marketing for photographers, blogging for family photographers, best family photo locations november, what to wear for november family photos, family photography SEO, how to use family photos after a session, content ideas for family photographers, long form content for photographers, blogging tips for photographers 2025, family photography marketing strategies, dolly delong education podcast, family photographers marketing society, systems and workflows for photographers, SEO content for family photographers, holiday photo session marketing, sustainable marketing for small business, organic marketing for photographers, blog content ideas for photographers, repurposing content for family photographers
203. Why You Should Replace Your Website Contact Form with a CRM Form (Quick Tip For Family Photographers)
13:23||Ep. 203Are family photographers ready to simplify and automate the backend of their business? In this episode, Iām breaking down the very first step in your client experience: your contact form. Instead of relying on the standard form that comes with your website template, Iāll show you how to replace it with a Dubsado lead capture form so that new inquiries automatically flow into your CRMāsaving you time and eliminating the risk of losing leads.Whether youāre on Showit, Squarespace, or another platform, this tip will help you create a smoother, more professional client journey from the very first touchpoint.What Youāll Learn in This Episode:Why replacing your default website contact form with a Dubsado lead capture form is a game-changerThe exact steps to embed your CRM form into your website (using Showit as the example)Which fields to include (and which ones to skip!) for a streamlined inquiry processHow this one small change can automate your lead management and prevent missed emailsA free training resource to help you build a āContact Page That WowsāRead the entire blog post here Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Watch the YouTube video version of this training (with visuals!) ā YouTube Channelāø Get 30% OFF of Dubsado Here: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/dubsado-coupon-codeāø Want the free training mentioned? Create a Contact Form that WOWS: https://systemsandworkflowmagic.com/create-a-contact-page-that-wowsāø Showit (get 1 month free with my link): https://showit.com/r/40ggld0mConnect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.dubsado contact form setup, automate family photography business, showit dubsado integration, dubsado crm tutorial, dubsado for photographers, embedding crm forms showit, dubsado workflow automation, contact form automation for photographers, family photographer business tips, backend systems for photographers, lead capture automation, automate client inquiries, dubsado lead capture tutorial, streamline photography business, dubsado vs honeybook for photographers, dubsado for creatives, automating photography inquiries, photography crm setup, workflow tips for photographers, contact page that wows
202. How to Segment Your Email List for Black Friday 2025 Using Flodesk + Showit
21:02||Ep. 202Are you a service-based business owner already thinking ahead to Black Friday 2025? In this episode, Iām pulling back the curtain on how I prepare months in advance, specifically, how I segment my email audience as early as August, so I know exactly who to promote to by November.Iāll walk you through how Iām using Flodesk (my email service provider) and Showit (my website host) to create smart segments, confirmation pages, and primed audiences that are ready for my Black Friday branding photography offer. This is the same strategy I use with my launch clients, and itās one you can start applying to your own Black Friday prep today.Whether youāre a family photographer, a service-based business owner, or someone whoās tired of throwing together last-minute sales, this episode will help you:Understand why segmenting your audience months ahead of Black Friday sets you up for successLearn how to use Flodesk to create segments for your warmest leadsSee how Showit can support your email strategy with simple confirmation pagesRead the entire blog post hereResources & Links Mentioned In This Episodeāø Watch the YouTube video version of this training (with visuals!) ā YouTube Channelāø Flodesk (get 50% OFF your first year with this code): https://flodesk.com/c/DOLLYDELONGEDUCATIONāø Showit (get 1 month free with my link): https://showit.com/r/40ggld0māø Ready to map out and plan your Black Friday for 2025? Get The Simple Black Friday Planning Kit HERE Connect with Dolly DeLong Educationš» Websiteš±Instagramš„ YouTubeThanks for joining me on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode:ā Sign up for weekly reminders + free resources here ā Business Toolsš„³ Share a screenshot of this episode on your IG story and tag me @dollydelongeducation so I can cheer you on!š Affiliate links included. I only recommend products I personally use and love.black friday prep 2025, flodesk email segmentation tutorial, showit confirmation page black friday, small business black friday planning, email marketing for family photographers, flodesk segments black friday, showit website strategy, pre-launch runway black friday, black friday marketing systems, branding photography black friday special, q1 booking strategy photographers, service-based business black friday prep, email workflows for black friday, warm audience segmentation, black friday email marketing flodesk, black friday launch strategy small business, showit flodesk integration, black friday deals for family photographers