Explore every episode of the podcast This Can't Be That Hard
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| 280 - A Real-World Cautionary Tale | 03 Sep 2024 | 00:15:55 | |
I frequently hear from photographers who are thinking of reducing their prices as a way of attracting more clients. While I understand their logic, my advice is always to proceed with caution: the (potential) short-term gain always has to be weighed against the (potential) hit to their business' long-term sustainability. In today’s episode, I'm sharing a cautionary tale about a business that recently shut down due to their financial missteps. This was a business I relied on for my own business, and their sudden and unexpected closure left me and hundreds (thousands?) of other business owners in a tough position. My hope is that this episode creates a silver lining of sorts out of the dark cloud of this story, because I don't want any of you to make a similar mistake in your own business! Resources:
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| 279 - Finding (and Selling) Your Artistic Magic with Ash Kaplan | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:28:42 | |
In this episode, I'm diving in on the artistry of photography - a topic I don't often cover on this podcast... but not to worry: it doubles a business conversation, too! Ashley Kaplan is my guest, talking about how creating truly unique and memorable photographs can be a huge part of your business and marketing plans if you know how to position and sell that difference.
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| 270 - Optimize Your Workflow with Imagen AI with Noella Andres | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:47:44 | |
I consider myself a systems and workflow fanatic. Whether it's a system or a piece of tech, I geek out about tools that help us optimizing and streamline our workflows, not just because I've experienced firsthand how those tools can make or break you in business, but because it genuinely brings me joy to watch people get hours (days! weeks!!!) of their year back by investing in the few hours it takes to get a new set up and running.
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| Ep 180: VIP Days for Photographers with Jordan Gill | 04 Oct 2022 | 00:40:29 | |
VIP Days have been gaining popularity over the last few years as a way for business owners to offer high-touch, high-value services that deliver fast results to their clients. If you've ever wondered how you could expand your photography business, either to increase revenue, stand out from the other photographers in your area, or to allow for more flexibility in your schedule, today's conversation about VIP Days with Jordan Gill of Systems Saved Me is going to get your wheels turning! We're covering:
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| Ep 179: Keep Your Eyes Open | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:12:35 | |
Most of the time on this podcast I give you ideas for how to refine your business, streamline your systems, and improve your workflow. But today I want to talk about WHY doing those things is important. One of the (many) reasons it's good to have a well-run business is so can keep your eyes open for the golden opportunities that are all around you. Sometimes as soloprenuers, we're so busy juggling the many hats we have to wear that we can struggle to see the forest for the trees (especially during the busy season)... and that happens in larger corporations, too. Today, I'm sharing a short story about how a big company failed to do that in the hopes that it will inspire you to re-commit to the customer service that makes our small businesses shine.
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| EP 178: Avoiding Data Disasters with Ryan Hamic | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:39:01 | |
If you’ve been a photographer for any amount of time, you’ve probably had a card malfunction, or a drive corrupt, or watched as Lightroom choked in the middle of exporting a session. Oh 💩, right? In those moments, I always wish I could just pick up the phone and call my own personal IT department to make THEM fix it. This past spring, in the wake of the worst data nightmare that I have personally experienced, I was connected with Ryan Hamic of Zen Flow tech, who - it turns out - is exactly that: on-call tech support for photographers. He's a specialist in data recovery (and helping you avoid losing data in the first place). Tune in to hear my tale of woe, along with Ryan's best tips and secrets for protecting your photography data... this episode could save you thousands of dollars and even more headaches! Links:
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| Ep 177: Booking Clients WITHOUT a Phone Call (Student Success Stories) | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:35:29 | |
For years, I've encouraged photographers to talk to prospective clients on the phone. For a variety of reasons, I believe it's the best way to not only book more clients, but to start the process of working together off on the right foot. But these days, more and more people - photographers AND their clients - are reluctant to pick up the phone... which has led some of my students to explore different ways to initiate contact. Sabrina Jill and Melissa Arlena are students of mine who've been using a different strategy that's been very successful for them. Instead of an initial call, they both use personalized videos to respond to inquiries, and their results have been fantastic. Today, they're taking us behind the scenes on the details of the strategy and why it works! Links:
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| Ep 176: Unusual Marketing Strategies for Photographers with Raymond Hatfield | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:43:34 | |
One of the most common questions that I get asked here at This Can't Be That Hard is: “How do I get more photography clients?" Right? It's the photography marketing magic bullet (say that 10 times fast!) that we are all looking for. But as you know by now, I’m a believer that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for your marketing. It’s about trying different things, seeing what sticks, and above all, staying consistent. That said, I sure do love sharing fun, interesting strategies when I hear about them.... Today’s guest, Raymond Hatfield of the Beginner’s Photography Podcast is sharing a unique marketing tactic that worked like gangbusters for him. It’s a fun twist on marketing that I think will get your wheels turning and leave you with a smile on your face! Links:
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| Ep 175: The Path to Profitability as a New Photographer | 30 Aug 2022 | 00:34:01 | |
When your first start your photography business, you need to make a plan for a period of time where you're building your client base up. It's normal to run at a loss for a year or two, but you need to have a plan in place for moving from that deficit into the land of profit. (If your profitability runway is too short, you’ll risk feeling like a failure. If it’s too long, you may never get off the ground) There are so many things to think about when you run your own small business that it can be difficult to find the right balance between marketing, education, customer experience, and of course pricing yourself profitably. Today, I want to spend some time talking about how to navigate being a new photographer and share some advice on how to become profitable as soon as possible.
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| Ep 174: Seven Strategies to Reduce Business Stress with Heather Lahtinen | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:50:00 | |
As the busy season creeps up on us, often our stress creeps up right along with it. While some stress is inevitable (more clients = more work to do), it’s important to remember that at least part of the reason we chose to be photographers was to have freedom, flexibility, and control over our schedules and lives, so we need to run our businesses accordingly! This week, my guest is Flourish Academy founder Heather Lahtinen. With over 20 years of experience as a wedding photographer, Heather's got a lot of wisdom to share on finding balance in your business. We talk about how to reframe your overwhelm, and cover 7 practical strategies to reduce your stress this busy season.
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| Ep 173: Marketing in Hard Times | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:22:52 | |
For many photographers, self-promotion can feel a little painful even in the best of times. But what about those days (and weeks and months) when there are much bigger events (rightly) dominating our headlines and headspace? How do you send out a sales email or post about your upcoming mini sessions when those things seem trivial at best compared to what's happening in the world? Balancing the need to book work with our genuine sensitivity can be tricky... no one wants to be an insensitive jerk, but we all have bills to pay, too. Today’s episode gives you a strategy for how to stick to your marketing plan while remaining tactful and tuned in to the bigger picture.
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| Ep 172: Check Your Tech with Colie James | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:41:20 | |
Every photographer uses technology to some degree or another. In this day and age, tech is required for everything from bringing new clients in to giving them a good experience to editing, backing up, and delivering the images themselves. And if you're not careful, it's far too easy to let your “tech stack” get away from you. Today, Colie James and I are having a conversation about the tech you absolutely need, the places where you may be able to consolidate, and strategies for not letting technology overwhelm your brain or your budget.
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| Ep 171: Preparing for the Economic Storm Ahead | 02 Aug 2022 | 00:28:41 | |
When the economic forecast looks dark and stormy, it’s easy to get panicked about whether your photography business is up to the challenge. Panic, though, doesn't help... a plan does. Even in boom times, it's smart to keep our businesses ready for whatever storms may come. In today's episode, Annemie shares four important ways that you can sure up your strategy and take some of the fear out of the unknown. If you are feeling apprehensive about the next few months, or just want to bulletproof your business plan, then this episode will be one to get your gears turning.
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| 269 - Overcoming Unconscious Programming with Renee Bowen | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:39:39 | |
This week, I'm branching out a bit from the strictly business talk to dive into the topic of unconscious programming. Specifically, how the thought patterns and beliefs we form as children can impact our creativity and businesses as adults, particularly around things like money and worthiness.
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| Ep 170: Purposefully Part-Time with Erin Brown | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:36:26 | |
In the world of photography education, there seems to be an assumption that everyone is after the same goal: to make 6 figures and have a completely full roster of clients that’s booked out 3 years in advance. But there’s a very large subset of photographers for whom that doesn’t resonate… because that’s not in alignment with what they want or need from their businesses. Erin Brown artfully dubs herself a “purposefully part-time photographer,” and in this episode, she's sharing some of the specific challenges that part-time photographers face, as well as how to stay true to your own goals in a world that tells us we should always want to do and be more.
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| EP 169: An Idea for Capturing Ideas | 19 Jul 2022 | 00:17:14 | |
Have you ever had a brilliant idea while driving or walking the dog that felt so clear and exciting at the moment, but then even a few minutes later when you try to write it down… it’s gone? This has happened to me so frequently that I actually created a system (shocking, I know!), not only to capture the ideas that occur to me (even at the most inopportune times), but actually get them into my workflow so I can act on them later. Today, I’m sharing that system with you in a short but actionable episode. Get your pens ready, you’ll want to take notes for this one!
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| EP 168: Preventing Problems with TheLawTog® Rachel Brenke | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:44:07 | |
Dealing with the legal side of running a business is complicated, confusing, and can feel like an overwhelming item on your to-do list... but the cost of NOT addressing it can be enormous. Luckily for us, Rachel Brenke - better known as The Law Tog - has spent the last 10+ years using her expertise as both a lawyer and a photographer to make the legal side of things accessible to us as creatives. Today on the show, Rachel and I talk about the importance of creating a great client experience, and how taking a thoughtful approach to educating your clients will not only create a rave-worthy experience but can help avoid potential legal issues as well. Links:
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| EP 167: Breaking the Rules | 05 Jul 2022 | 00:31:47 | |
It's not uncommon for my new Simple Sales students to have lots of questions about the "rules" of the system. If they change this thing or tweak this step, will the system still work? Today I want to discuss the three modifications I most commonly get asked about in our Facebook group - how I have seen them work (or not work) for other photographers, and why I think that is. If you are new here and haven’t yet learned the 6 steps to the Simple Sales System, you may want to save this one until after you watch the masterclass (at www.thiscantbethathard.com/simple). And if you're looking for support around the business side of photography, join our Facebook Group where we talk all things photography business.
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| EP 166: The Business of Filmmaking with Courtney Holmes | 28 Jun 2022 | 00:53:19 | |
Adding films to your photography business can be a great way to up-level your client experience, and can be rewarding both artistically and financially. That doesn’t make it an easy transition, though! The business of offering films to your clients is totally different from the business of offering still images. If you've ever considered adding films to your repertoire - or if it's something that you've tried and had a hard time making it work - then today's conversation is going to be a great one for you. LINKS: Download Courtney's Free Guide: Getting Started with Films on Your Camera Sign up for the Simple Sales Masterclass where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love.
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| EP 165: When Should You Raise Your Prices? | 21 Jun 2022 | 00:24:29 | |
We all get to the point in our business where we need to raise our prices. But if you aren’t taking the time to understand why your prices need to go up (and even more importantly, how you're going to align that price increase with your overall business model), you're setting yourself up to fail. Today I'm covering 5 questions you should ask yourself before you increase your prices and walking you through the exact steps you should take to successfully raise your prices.
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| EP 164: Clone Your Best Clients with Heidi Thompson | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:27:47 | |
You know when you have that perfect client experience? From the moment they reach out, they're excited to work with you, there's no pushback on your pricing, the shoot is a breeze, and when you deliver their images they absolutely gush? It’s just an amazing experience from start to finish. Don’t you wish you could clone those clients? Today’s guest, Heidi Thompson, is showing us how to do exactly that. Heidi’s method for finding and attracting your bluebird clients is different from anything you’ve heard before, so get ready to get inspired! Links:
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| EP 163: The Importance of Taking a Break | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:20:38 | |
When you're a solopreneur, your to-do list can feel never-ending. Taking a break, stepping away, or even (gasp!) going on vacation can seem like a luxury reserved for the non-self-employed. After twelve years in business, I wish I could say I no longer have a hard time taking time off from work, but to be honest, it's still something I struggle with. That said, I've finally come to understand that breaks are not an indulgence but a non-negotiable requirement for the health of my creative business - as important as marketing or client communication - and have to be taken, even when I think I shouldn't (or perhaps especially then)! If you can relate to the fear of stepping away from your to-do list, today's episode is just for you.
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| EP 162: The Four Types of Buyers with Courtney Fanning | 31 May 2022 | 00:31:28 | |
As photographers, we spend a lot of time focusing on our visual storytelling, but as entrepreneurs, our written communication is just as important. Like it or not, your words are as likely as your photographs to land you your next job... or to lose it. Today, creative copywriting specialist Courtney Fanning is sharing the 4 different types of buyers in the world, and how we can use our writing to connect with each of them. Don't forget your pencils, people - this is a jam-packed episode you’ll want to take notes on! Links:
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| EP 161: What Waiting Costs | 24 May 2022 | 00:13:32 | |
One of the easiest traps entrepreneurs can fall into is filling our time with the busywork of running a business, and in so doing, postponing or missing bigger opportunities or changes that could dramatically improve our businesses and our lives. A lot like having a baby, there is never a “perfect” time to make changes - especially big ones - in your business. There’s always going to be a good reason to wait - but what does waiting cost you? Today, I’m talking about a skill that is essential to master as an entrepreneur: how to prioritize and tackle the bigger, longer-term projects that keep your business moving forward. Listen to Episode 15 Join the free This Can’t Be That Hard Facebook Group - the most supportive, business-focused group for photographers out there! Learn how to create even more stability in your income with Revenue on Repeat. Resources:
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| 268 - The Transformative Power of the Simple Sales System with Mackenzie Romagni | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:15:45 | |
Simple Sales turned four years old at the beginning of the year, and since it first landed on the scene back in 2020, thousands of portrait photographers have used it to run more profitable, sustainable businesses. Resources:
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| EP 160: Being a Catalyst for Creativity with Paige Ray | 17 May 2022 | 00:31:59 | |
If you believe a task or a project is going to be easy, the smallest roadblock can seem insurmountable. But if you're mentally prepared for a challenge, those roadblocks become an expected part of the journey. A lot of photographers go into business believing that their side hustle won't require much effort - what's so hard about doing something you love and getting paid for it, right? Running a business - even a simple one - is a major undertaking, and expecting otherwise is setting yourself up for frustration and failure. Today, I’m talking with Paige Ray about what it means to be a creative, the journey we take, how universal our insecurities are, and most importantly how finding our community can help us normalize and prepare for challenges we all face.
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| EP 159: If You Hate Selling, You're Doing it Wrong | 10 May 2022 | 00:20:34 | |
The most common complaint I hear from other photographers is that they hate trying to get people to buy. On one hand, I get it - there’s something inherently uncomfortable about tooting your own horn and asking people for money. On the other, I worry that mindset is hurting you! Years ago, working in New York City in a totally different industry, I learned the difference between what makes selling feel gross and what makes it feel really good. Today, I’ll be sharing those lessons with you and giving you 4 steps to start approaching your sales from a place of authentic service, instead of a place of greed or manipulation. Sign up for the Simple Sales Masterclass where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the free This Can’t Be That Hard Facebook Group - the most supportive, business-focused group for photographers out there! Resources:
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| EP 158: Investing In Yourself with Cassidy Parker Smith | 03 May 2022 | 00:28:09 | |
Have you ever heard the term “your strength is in your struggle?” The Simple Sales System was born as the result of a life transition that forced me to take a good hard look at my business and my numbers. Once I got over the struggle of doing that (and saw the massive results it created in my business and my life), I wanted to help other photographers do the same thing, ideally before they were forced to do so by events outside of their control. Today, Cassidy Parker Smith is sharing about the set of personal circumstances that forced her to make some hard changes in her business, and how that struggle actually turned out to be one of the strongest things she has ever done... for herself, her family, and her business.
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| EP 157: Money Doesn't Make the Model | 21 Apr 2022 | 00:21:12 | |
There's more than one way to run a successful small business... photography or otherwise. But with all the variety out there, successful businesses share one important trait: they are fully aligned under one of three models - The Donkey, The Unicorn, or the Workhorse. Back in episode 38, I described each of these business models in detail (so if you haven’t listened to that yet, I’d suggest doing so), but today I want to dive deeper on clarifying how you can determine which business model you are. Hint: it’s more than just your pricing! Resources:
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| EP 156: Life After Photography with (my fiance!) Riley MacLean | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:46:12 | |
I'm always surprised when people express an interest in my personal life... you come here for photography business strategies, not the latest on this single mom's love life, right? Well, today you're going to get a bit of both. Back in February, I announced I'd gotten engaged, and instantly started getting pinged with questions about who this guy was and what our story was all about. So today, I asked Riley to join me on the show for a little introduction. But just in case you're worried that this is going to be all fluff, I promise: I wouldn't have had him on if I didn't think he had some value to share with you. As a wedding photographer of 15 years, Riley took Covid as the sign and opportunity he needed to pivot to the next leg of his career journey, and I think you're going to get a lot out of his insights on the art of photography, the business of being a lifelong creative, and how to live life on your own terms. It's a peek behind the curtain with a bunch of valuable business lessons all tied in... hope you enjoy! Links:
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| EP 155: Riding the Financial Waves with MicKallyn Elis | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:38:19 | |
A few weeks ago my refrigerator (finally) died. I knew it was on the outs, so it wasn’t totally unexpected, but surprise expenses like that can be a big bummer, right? Today’s guest, MicKallyn Elis, calls those kinds of surprises “Oh 💩! Expenses”, which is exactly how I feel about them! MicKallyn is a financial coach who specializes in helping solopreneurs gain control of their finances. She understands that in a business like photography, income can fluctuate, and in this episode, she's sharing her brilliant strategy for anticipating those ups & downs so you can feel more in control of your finances. LINKS: The Cash Coach Pro Website
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| EP 154: Navigating Niching Down with Tavia Redburn | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:30:56 | |
It’s easy to fall into the trap of advertising that we do ALL THE THINGS - saying "no" to work that comes your way can be scary, especially when you’re first starting out as a photographer! But the last thing you want is for your business to come across as a “jack of all trades, master of none.” The fact of the matter is that niching down can really benefit your business… if you do it the right way. Today, I’m talking to Tavia Redburn about how she successfully niched down into one of the most esoteric subgenres of the field: birth photography. If you’ve been thinking about getting more specific in your business, Tavia gives us a step-by-step process for how to do that (without losing all your income in the process)!
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| EP 153: Connecting with Clients | 29 Mar 2022 | 00:22:44 | |
When photographers want to increase booking rates, we tend to think about the things people see BEFORE they reach out to us - our social media or our websites. And although working on those can bring more inquiries in, a much easier issue to address is what happens AFTER they reach out... getting the people who inquire to you to actually hire us. The number one factor that will sway someone to hire you over the other photographers they've found is connection. Authentic connection can feel vague and hard to achieve, but connecting with a potential client can actually be pretty straightforward. In today's episode, I'm sharing 3 steps to creating an intentional connection with your future clients to put them at ease, see your unique value, and ultimately book with you. Resources:
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| EP 152: Better Business Boundaries With Sabrina Gebhardt | 22 Mar 2022 | 00:36:45 | |
Several years ago, right in the middle of one of her busiest seasons at work, Sabrina Gebhardt had a series of major, totally unpredictable personal issues hit all at once - a health emergency, a natural disaster, and a death in the family. When you run a solo business, you can't just call in sick... you have to manage the explanations, the reschedules, and the apologies, even when you may not be feeling up for it. Today, Sabrina's sharing the lessons she learned from that situation, and how the boundaries she's set in response have changed her business - and her life - for the better.
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| EP 151: 3 Ways to Increase your Income WITHOUT Raising your Prices | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:20:36 | |
Want to make more money? I mean… who doesn’t?!? But most of the time, we think the only way to make more is to charge more. Not true! Today, I’m sharing three super-effective strategies for earning more money that you can implement quickly and easily in your business without raising your rates (or worse, discounting your work to try and get more clients). Resources:
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| 267 - Embracing your Hot Mess Success with Jessica Arden | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:34:01 | |
Everyone's journey as a photographer is different, and learning to trust the ride can be really difficult... especially in this age of social media, where comparisonitis runs rampant. Today's guest is my long time friend Jessica Arden (I even shot her wedding!), who lovingly describes herself as a "hot mess success." Jessica's journey as a photographer has taken several turns, from weddings to families to newborns and now boudoir photography.
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| EP 150: Getting the Byline with Carolyn Fong | 08 Mar 2022 | 00:44:06 | |
If you’ve ever stared longingly at the photo byline in a major publication and wondered “how can I get THAT job?!?" today’s interview is for you! For the last couple of years, Carolyn Fong’s portraits have frequently been seen illustrating stories in top news publications and ads for major brands, but the path to get there was neither short nor easy. In our conversation, Carolyn shares the details of her journey and what she’s learned along the way.
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| EP 149: Defending your Art with Cornell Watson | 01 Mar 2022 | 01:03:31 | |
Since his last guest appearance on This Can’t Be That Hard, a lot has happened in Cornell Watson’s career. Most of it has been hugely positive: he’s become a regular contributor to several major news outlets, including the New York Times and the Washington Post; he’s received several awards, including a grant from the Alexia Foundation, and - last summer - was offered an artist’s residency at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History at UNC-Chapel Hill. Last week, though, the exhibit set to display the work created during that residency was abruptly canceled by the university. Cornell joins me in today’s episode to tell his version of the story - a complicated one that serves as a great reminder of the power and importance of our work as artists. First interview with Cornell on TCBTH
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| EP 148: Pitching Yourself with PR Expert Gloria Chou | 22 Feb 2022 | 00:21:06 | |
Gloria Chou is an expert when it comes to P.R. and how to pitch yourself. And maybe “pitching yourself” isn’t on your radar as something you believe you need to do, but it should be! Think about it: you’re pitching yourself when a client contacts you, when you’re applying for a job, when you’re asking to be considered as a speaker at a conference or a guest on a podcast… as entrepreneurs, we’re really pitching ourselves all the time! So today, Gloria’s sharing her CPR method for nailing your pitch each and every time. Resources:
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| EP 147: What's Holding You Back in your Business? | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:11:07 | |
The Pareto Principle (aka the 80/20 rule) tells us that only 20% of our actions are responsible for 80% of our success… so the big question is: how do we find that 20% and do MORE of it? Well, one thing that definitely WON’T help find the 20% is dragging your feet on taking action. Today I want to remind you that the thing that makes your art better - getting out of your own way and trying (and yes, sometimes failing), will also ultimately make your business better… then inviting you to dive in. Resources:
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| EP 146: Bonus! Student Stories | 10 Feb 2022 | 01:04:48 | |
It’s hard to write the show notes when you haven’t listened to the episode, but that’s exactly what I’m doing, because this episode was fully managed - from concept to final edit - by my amazing marketing wingwoman, Dayna… and I’m not going to listen to it until it drops. What I CAN tell you is that it features the stories of five of my amazing students, and who doesn’t love a good story? I seriously can't wait!
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| EP 145: Work-Life Balance is a Work in Progress | 08 Feb 2022 | 00:15:22 | |
If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram and found yourself gazing longingly at someone else’s perfect-looking life, wondering why you don’t have your ish together like they do, this episode is for you. Given that I’m always talking about systems and streamlining and automating, I don’t doubt that some people might imagine that I’ve got it all figured out, particularly when it comes to business. Well - spoiler alert - I don’t... And I really don’t want you to think I do. We all live messy lives, and some seasons are messier than others. Today I’m giving you a peek at the chaos behind the curtain. Join me! Resources:
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| EP 144: Three Ways To Make A Living as a Photographer | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:27:41 | |
For years, you’ve heard people talk about the two main choices you had for running a photography business: in-person sales and all-inclusive sales. Both of those models can be successful if they’re managed right, but both also have some pretty significant drawbacks - all-inclusive photographers are leaving (big) money on the table and giving their clients a less complete experience, and IPS photographers spend A LOT of time and energy on the sale part of every session, limiting their ability to take on more work (or have a life outside of work). In the last two years, a new system has been gaining momentum, and today I’m sharing how the new system combines the best features of both old systems while avoiding the big pitfalls.
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| EP 143: Possum Clients with Aisling O'Brien | 25 Jan 2022 | 00:26:15 | |
You’ve heard me talk about Bluebird clients before - those ideal clients who love your work, happily pay your prices, let you do your thing artistically, then sing your praises all over town. You may also have heard me talk about snake clients - the ones who drain your time and energy, complain about your prices, micromanage your work, then top it all off with bad reviews. This week on the podcast, my guest Aisling O’Brien is introducing a brilliant new mascot to the lineup - the Possum Client. Aisling came up with this addition, and it perfectly describes those clients who seem like Bluebirds (and may return as bluebirds!), but in the meantime, roll over and play dead when the time comes for them to place their order. We all have to deal with possum clients every once in awhile, so in today’s episode, we’ll talk about who they are, and how we can coax them back to life. LINKS: Aisling O’Brien’s Website
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| EP 142: Waking Up Your Website with Carolina Guzik | 18 Jan 2022 | 00:54:40 | |
Websites can be so much work: updating our photos, writing copy, figuring out layout and structure, trying to understand and work on SEO... and the list goes on. Given all that work, is really even necessary for photographers to have a website in this day and age? Carolina Guzik from The Tog Republic joins me on the podcast this week to share her insights on why the answer to that question is a resounding YES. We talk about what the necessary components of a website are, and how a website is never truly "finished," no matter how long you've been in business.
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| EP 141: Setting your Salary as a Solopreneur | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:30:25 | |
As a solopreneur, it’s easy to forget that the money our clients pay us isn’t what we ultimately make - that number gets whittled down by business expenses. And too many solopreneurs just take whatever’s leftover at the end of the month or year and call it a day. But I think you should set a target salary and build it into your pricing (it’s IMPORTANT to make money in your business! That’s why we work!!!), so today on the podcast, I’m talking about how you should go about deciding what to pay yourself.
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| 266 - Broad Work vs. Deep Work | 28 May 2024 | 00:16:44 | |
I recently read a quote by Seth Godin where he distinguished between long work and hard work, describing long work as routine, consistent effort without risk that most everyone makes, and hard work as the innovative, risky, and potentially transformative efforts that some people are willing to make. Both have their place, but there is a point at which just putting in the hours without taking the leap might be holding us back.
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| EP 140: Best Of The Podcast In 2021, Part 2 | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:26:22 | |
Here are some of my favorite moments from this past year, including spotlights from some of my guests who came on and shared their real world stories, their struggles, and their insights and how those things have impacted their careers as photographers. Simple Sales Blueprint Masterclass
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| EP 139: Best Of The Podcast In 2021, Part 1 | 28 Dec 2021 | 00:30:32 | |
When I put podcast episodes together, my goal is always give you something valuable and actionable that you can use in your business. What I love about interview episodes is that new voices and perspectives bring valuable insights to ME as well! After 68 episodes in 2021, I figured we could all use a refresher - a best of the best, if you will - so I put together a quick tour of some of the highlights from my interviews in 2021. Whether you’re a brand new listener or have been around since the beginning, I think you’ll enjoy revisiting some of the best strategies and ideas we’ve talked about this year! LINKS: Sign up for January Jumpstart
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| EP 138: Setting Goals For The New Year | 21 Dec 2021 | 00:20:40 | |
With the new year right around the corner (can you believe it?), it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your goals for 2022. But if you’re like most people, yearly goals can get lost in the flotsam and jetsam of day to day life. So today I want to talk to you about six ways you can identify what goals you’d like to achieve for next year and the best way to do it. Resources:
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