Top 5 Tips for Converting Your Newborn Leads

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Have you noticed how lately converting leads for Newborn Sessions seems to be more difficult than before?

At times it can feel like an uphill struggle when conversions aren’t going well – and it can leave you questioning if your work is good enough, or what you’re doing wrong. Why aren’t they booking you? 

Is it because of the cost of living crisis? Is everybody really just “shopping around” for the best deal?

As it’s always the case, reality is a little more complex and what you are experiencing is the result of a few factors combined:

  • Newborn photography is now a highly competitive, overcrowded market
  • Photographers are now more prepared when it comes to marketing, and ready to invest time and money on different platforms
  • Yes, people are a little more careful when it comes to spending money… But more than anything, they are continuously presented with high quality options, sometimes at incredibly good prices

While most of the above is outside your control there are still strategies you can implement to boost your conversion rates and turn those leads into loyal clients.  

Now let’s tackle the challenge head-on, in this blog post we will share the top five tips that should significantly help you improve your conversion rates and transform leads into clients; let’s get started! 

Tip One – Respond Promptly to Leads and Enquiries 

We all know the saying, “Time is of the essence” and this is certainly true in the world of newborn photography. Prompt responses to leads and enquiries can make all the difference in converting potential clients into bookings.   

However, we understand that when you’re busy capturing those precious newborn moments it can make it challenging to respond as quickly as you’d like.   

When it’s not feasible to answer messages and emails within minutes and – for busy times – ensure you have a good, clear, automated response that directs your client to your social media and reassures them that you will be in touch very soon. 

Make sure you keep an eye on your messages and emails, and allocate time to respond properly as soon as possible.  

  • Respond within minutes whenever possible
  • Have automated responses for busy times
  • Reassure a full response as soon as possible

Tip Two: Test Your Replies & Pitch Your Tone Right 

When responding to enquiries, finding the right balance between friendly and professional is crucial – as it is to test a few different replies to see which one guarantees the highest conversion rate.

For example, start by testing a shorter and slightly longer version of your email. Also, compare the response rate when giving more information about your prices directly in your email, instead of referring to PDFs or websites.

It’s also essential to strike the right tone in your communication. Being overly casual (“Pally pally”) can come across as unprofessional, while being too formal might create a barrier between you and your potential clients. 

Consider tailoring your tone to match the client’s level of enthusiasm. by striking the right balance, you’ll create a positive impression and build a good customer rapport, increasing the likelihood of them booking a session. 

  • Avoid filling your emails with information about you – focus on THEM
  • Offer congratulations and build be personal: if using templates, make sure you personalise them as much as possible! 
  • Test different replies to enquiry to achieve high response rate

Tip Three: Don’t Make Clients Work Too Hard! 

In today’s fast-paced world, potential clients expect quick and convenient access to information, especially when it comes to pricing. Avoid making them work hard to find your rates, or jump through hoops! 

Instead of sending them links to lengthy price guides or directing them to navigate through your website , provide some clear and upfront information in your initial response; with at the very least your session fee and the price that packages start from. 

By presenting your pricing information clearly and directly, you’re not only making their decision process easier and information quicker to re-visit but also demonstrating your professionalism and commitment to excellent customer service.

  • Remember that your clients are as busy as you are
  • Ensure your first email is succinct 
  • Make sure prices are easily retrievable

Remember that providing information about your services is totally part of your job: so don’t “punish” a client who have missed pricing information on your website by directing them to the same page they are coming from: take the time to help them and you will be rewarded.

Tip Four: Provide Direct Answers to Client Questions

As a follow on to Tip Three, when a potential client asks a particular question about your pricing or services, don’t leave them guessing. Answer their questions directly in your response, for example, if they ask for the price of a newborn session with all the images on USB, tell them! Don’t just direct them to a brochure or website. Of course you can make it clear that other options and products are available too! 

Imagine you’re shopping for a sofa, and you ask the salesman about the price of a specific model. How frustrating would it be if instead of giving you a clear answer, they handed you a thick brochure and told you to find the prices yourself? 

Just like in retail, excellent customer service is crucial to photography. If a client is comparing multiple photographers and you are the one who provides clear, direct answers to their questions, you’ll undoubtedly stand out as the more helpful and professional choice. 

Remember that providing information about your services is totally part of your job: so don’t “punish” a client who have missed pricing information on your website by directing them to the same page they are coming from: take the time to help them and you will be rewarded.

  • Provide excellent customer service from the beginning so your client has faith in you
  • Be clear, direct and helpful
  • Answer specific questions without referring to links/websites 

Tip Five: Follow Up! Don’t Underestimate the Power of Persistence 

We cannot stress this one enough! In today’s fast-paced world, people often delay important decisions, putting off responses ‘until tomorrow’ With hectic schedules and endless to-do lists, expecting immediate responses or on-the-spot decisions is often unrealistic. 

Don’t assume that a lack of immediate response signifies disinterest. Instead, take proactive steps to follow up with potential clients and keep your services fresh in their minds. Invite questions and offer further information to encourage engagement and demonstrate your dedication to meeting their needs. 

A well-timed follow up can make all the difference between a lost opportunity and a successful booking. Trust us, it works! We’ve even had people thank us for reminding them when they thought they’d left booking too late. 

To help you with this process, you should also consider using WhatsApp Business for one of your touch points: this is an excellent tool as it allow you to send media files (images, videos, PDFs) in an easy way and without the need for annoying links.

Of course, you won’t win them all this way, but what have you got to lose? Try to follow up the day after their initial enquiry, then a few days later and then, if necessary, a little closer to their due date. It costs nothing but your time and could result in a significant pay off! 

  • Keep communication open
  • Gently remind them of you and your services
  • Share nurturing content like galleries, slideshow, useful blog posts

In the current over-crowded market, converting your leads requires patience, persistence and creativity – most likely, your leads have also enquired with other photographers, so make sure to delight them from the get go!

Hi, I am Giulia (weird, uh? It sounds like Julia – but it’s written with a “Gi”) and I am the founder of Grow Your Photography Studio.

I am known for my no-BS, hands-on approach to helping newborn photographers get more clients and grow a business they actually enjoy running. I believe marketing should not be a “necessary evil” and that taking action is the first and most fundamental step toward success.

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

We don’t do sales calls, but if you feel we might be a good fit you can book a free discovery call to work with me for an hour and see how that feels.

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SEO For Newborn Photographers: Google Search Console Guide

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As a newborn photographer, getting your work seen by potential clients is crucial for growing your business. Most of this visibility comes through online search results in the current digital era, making search engine optimization (SEO) a crucial component of your marketing plan.

Google Search Console, a powerful, free tool from Google, can provide invaluable insights for your SEO efforts. This guide will walk you through the key aspects of Google Search Console that every newborn photographer should know and use to their advantage.

What is Google Search Console?

SEO for Newborn Photographers

The Google Search Console, or GSC in short, is a free tool that allows you to keep track of, maintain, and troubleshoot the performance of your website in Google Search results and other search engines that may use Google’s data.

Think of it as your website’s health check tool.

It doesn’t just provide insights; it also alerts you when Google encounters issues with your site and guides you on resolving them. Plus, it’s incredibly user-friendly, even if you’re not a tech whiz!

How Google Search Console Can Improve Your Website’s Performance

Google Search Console’s magic lies in its ability to:

  • Verify that Google can discover and navigate your website. GSC plays a crucial role in confirming that Google’s web spiders can access your content, a vital factor for your visibility in search results.
  • Rectify indexing issues. GSC is a useful tool in identifying and addressing any of your website’s pages that aren’t correctly indexed.
  • Analyse Google Search traffic information for your site. It enables you to learn which queries are leading traffic to your site and assess your site’s comprehensive visibility and standing in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
  • Send alerts when Google identifies problems on your site. GSC will promptly inform you if any issues arise, such as spam or indexing complications.
  • Indicate which websites are linking to yours. Monitoring backlinks is a crucial component of SEO, and GSC facilitates this process effectively.

The Interface and Main Features of Google Search Console

How to use Google Search Console to improve SEO for Newborn Photographers

Google Search Console and SEO for Newborn Photographers

The GSC dashboard is like a command center for your website. Here are some key features:

  • Overview: As soon as you log in, you’ll see your website’s performance, including total clicks, impressions, and the average click-through rate (CTR) and position. You can link Google Analytics for additional, in-depth user behavior analysis.
  • Performance: This tab provides more detailed information about your site’s performance, such as specific search queries that lead users to your site.
  • URL Inspection: Here, you can check individual URLs to see if they’re indexed and if there are any problems.
  • Coverage: This section shows you which pages are successfully indexed, which aren’t, and why.
  • Sitemaps: This is where you submit your site’s sitemap to help Google find and index your content.
  • Mobile Usability: With more people using their mobile devices to browse the web, this section is crucial as it will identify issues that might affect a mobile user’s experience on your site.
  • Links: This section provides information about where your site’s traffic is coming from, including external and internal links.

Remember, Google Search Console is like your silent partner in SEO, giving you vital feedback about your website and how it’s interacting with Google’s search engine. It’s an essential tool for any newborn photographer aiming to improve their online visibility.

Google Search Console Reports and Features

Performance Report

This report is a goldmine for newborn photographers wanting to understand how their website performs on Google. It shows the number of clicks your website gets from search results, the number of times it appeared in search results (impressions), the click-through rate, and the average position of your site in search results. Use this data to make informed decisions about your SEO strategy.

URL Inspection Tool and SEO for Newborn Photographers

As a newborn photographer, your portfolio is crucial. The URL inspection tool allows you to check the indexing status of each page on your website, including your portfolio pages and any other web pages. Use this tool to troubleshoot any issues that could prevent your web pages from appearing in Google’s search results.

Page Indexing Report

This report shows which of your website pages Google has indexed. An indexed page is one that Google has found and can include in search results. Use this report to ensure all your critical pages – such as your homepage, portfolio, and contact page – are indexed.

Sitemaps Report

Your website’s sitemap is a roadmap for Google’s bots to find and index all the pages on your site. This report displays your sitemap submission history and alerts you of any issues. Ensure your sitemap is updated and error-free, so Google can easily find all your content.

Page Experience Report

User experience is vital for any website, and a critical factor when improving SEO for Newborn Photographers. This report provides information about how your website performs regarding loading speed, mobile usability, and secure connections. A good page experience can keep potential clients on your site longer, increasing their chances of booking a session.

Enhancements Report

This report shows information about any structured data Google detects on your website. Structured data can enhance your search results, potentially improving the visibility of your photography site and increasing click-through rates.

Manual Actions Report

Manual actions are Google’s penalties for websites that violate their guidelines. As a photographer, your online reputation is crucial. Check this report and take immediate action if any issues are detected.

Links Report

This report helps you understand your site’s backlink profile. Backlinks are important as they are a ranking factor for Google. Knowing who links to you and which pages get the most links can help you strategize your SEO efforts.

Shopping Report

This report is for you if you sell photography-related products or services on your website. It shows data about any issues with your product-related structured data, which can affect how your products appear in Google’s search results.

AMP Report

AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) is a technology that makes web pages load faster on mobile devices. If you use AMP, this report will show any issues preventing Google from indexing your AMP pages. Fast-loading pages are crucial for a good user experience, so fix any issues this report brings up.

Specific Uses for Newborn Photographers

Google Search Console is an indispensable tool for newborn photographers who want to optimise their websites for Google’s search engine. It offers many features and reports that can guide your SEO for newborn photographers and content strategies. Here are five specific ways newborn photographers can leverage Google Search Console:

1. Understanding Search Queries Related to Newborn Photography

One of the top benefits of Google Search Console is its ability to show you the SEO keywords people use to find your site. As a newborn photographer, you can understand the specific phrases potential clients use.

Are they searching for “newborn photographer in [your city]” or “best newborn photoshoot ideas”? Knowing this helps you tailor your website’s content and SEO strategy to match these queries, thus attracting more relevant traffic.

2. Identifying High-Performing and Low-Performing Content

Google Search Console’s Performance Report doesn’t just show your website’s overall performance and how individual pages are doing. This information is golden for you as a photographer.

For example, are your blog posts about behind-the-scenes details getting more clicks than your portfolio pages?

Or is a specific blog post about newborn safety measures during photoshoots performing poorly?

By identifying these high and low performers, you can adapt your content strategy, focusing on what works, improving what doesn’t, and incorporating relevant keywords.

3. Identifying Technical SEO Issues That May Be Affecting Image Search Results

As a photographer, image search results are crucial for you. Google Search Console can alert you to any technical SEO issues hindering your images’ visibility in search results, such as missing alt text or slow loading times.

By resolving these issues, you can ensure that your beautiful newborn photos are found and appreciated by potential clients.

4. Monitoring Backlinks to Your Newborn Photography Website

Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, are an important factor in SEO. They drive traffic and signal to Google that your site provides valuable information.

Google Search Console’s ‘Links’ report shows you which sites link to you, the specific pages they’re linking to, and the text they use. This information can help you understand which of your pages are seen as valuable resources, informing your future content strategy.

Conclusion

Google Search Console is a powerful tool that significantly impacting your SEO efforts as a newborn photographer. By understanding and utilising the wealth of data and insights GSC provides, you can improve your site’s visibility and Google ranking in Google’s search results, attract more relevant traffic, and ultimately grow your business.

Remember, SEO is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process of optimisation and refinement. So, start using Google Search Console today and let the data guide your SEO and content strategies for better online success.

Search Console and SEO for Newborn Photographers: FAQs

How can Google Search Console help improve my SEO as a newborn photographer?

Google Search Console provides valuable insights into your website’s performance in search results. It shows you the queries people use to find your site, how individual pages perform, and any technical SEO issues affecting your visibility. You can use this data to optimise your content and SEO strategies, helping you attract more potential clients.

How does Google Search Console help with image search results?

Google Search Console can alert you to any technical SEO issues that might affect your images’ visibility in search results, such as missing alt text or slow loading times. By resolving these issues, you can ensure potential clients more easily find your beautiful newborn photos.

What is the benefit of monitoring backlinks on Google Search Console for my newborn photography website?

Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, are an important factor in SEO for Newborn Photographers.

They drive traffic to your site and signal to Google that your site provides valuable information. Google Search Console’s ‘Links’ report shows you which sites link to you, the specific pages they’re linking to, and the text they use. This can inform your future content strategy and help you understand which of your pages are seen as valuable resources.

I am a newborn photographer, and my website is new. How can Google Search Console help me?

As a new website, Google Search Console can help you ensure that your site is accessible for Google to crawl and index, which is crucial for appearing in search results. It can also provide valuable insights into how users find your site and which of your pages are performing best, helping you focus your SEO efforts more effectively. It can also alert you to any issues with your site that might affect its performance in search results.

Hi, I am Giulia (weird, uh? It sounds like Julia – but it’s written with a “Gi”) and I am the founder of Grow Your Photography Studio.

I am known for my no-BS, hands-on approach to helping newborn photographers get more clients and grow a business they actually enjoy running. I believe marketing should not be a “necessary evil” and that taking action is the first and most fundamental step toward success.

Feeling on the brink of burnout? Read our guide “Photographers on the brink of burnout“

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

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Facebook Ads for Photographers – 5 most common mistakes

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Facebook Ads have always been a big part of our coaching The Marketing Mastermind for Newborn Photographers, but there is no doubt that they are becoming increasingly popular among Newborn Photographers.

While there are great courses available to get started with Facebook Ads, learning to use them effectively to get bookings for Newborn and Cake Smash sessions takes experience, patience and knowledge of the mechanics of advertising.

To help you get started, or improve your ads, here are the 5 most common mistakes I see photographers doing with Facebook Ads.

1 – Wrong Targeting (including Lookalike audiences)

Facebook knows more about your clients than you do, trust me.

With relatively new accounts, trying to force Facebook to only target those you believe are your “ideal clients” can do more harm than good – as it restricts the domain “the algorithm” is operating on.

Especially with Custom and Lookalike audiences, if your numbers are low (small following, not posting regularly, not done much advertising in the past) you risk seeing high advertising costs and not very good results.

2 – Ads Don’t Sell

Think about it this way: even when your ads are set to bring direct sales (for example an ad that links to a booking page) they are not the only element of your “funnel”.

At the very least, you have:

  • The product you are selling (is there enough demand? Have you sold it before)
  • Its pricing (not everything can be sold with an immediate profit via ads)
  • The product page, landing page or your own process for dealing with leads
  • The ad itself, with its campaign objective, targeting, copy, images

Each element contributes to your “conversion rate”, and I have seen so many times photographers saying their “ads don’t work” when the problem was somewhere else in the process.

3 – Wrong copy

An ad is not a post.

I see so often ads that look and sound like a post, written thinking that the person on the other side:

  • Knows exactly what you are talking about and how your session works
  • Knows you
  • Will stop everything they are doing and sit down to read your ad in detail

Copy that works should answer at least 3 questions:

Who should be reading?

What is in it for them (yes, because nobody wakes up in the morning thinking “uh, I can’t wait to read another ad so I can spend more money!)?

How can they get it (a call to action)

4 – Not tracking the difference between your Instagram and Facebook ads

There is a massive difference in advertising results between Facebook and Instagram, so when advertising on both platforms you should monitor very closely how your budget is being spent, and the results you are getting from each.

5 – Trying to convert leads from ads like you convert your website enquiries

This is also something I see quite often, not adapting the enquiry workflow to take into account where your leads are coming from.

You see, the biggest advantage of social media advertising is that you can reach potential clients before they start researching on their own – and before your competitors reach them. So by default, some of the leads you get will be colder (some also will find out that actually what you offer is not for them) and less informed about how newborn sessions, cake smashes or any other photoshoot works.

They will also spend a little time researching other options (spoiler alert: your other clients do exactly the same, you just don’t see it!) so they will need more nurturing.

As I always say to my clients, if you are not prepared to deal with this…. ads are not for you!

3 tips in this sense:

  • Don’t do Messenger ads and then immediately ask people for their email address when they contact you. The advantage of Messenger is the immediacy of the interaction, remove that and you might as well use a different campaign objective
  • Send out a standard reply to enquiry email, which is the same one you use for your website enquiries and it is not tweaked for the ad campaign you are running
  • Follow up on your leads (if you don’t, someone else will)

Last, but not least…

Possibly the most important thing to remember is that advertising and marketing, exactly like photography are a craft – that requires knowledge, experience and training.

While I always encourage photographers to try Facebook Ads, only do so if you are willing to spend time and money to learn how to make them work for you.

If you expect things to work overnight… chances are you will be disappointed and end up feeling frustrated.

Hi, I am Giulia (weird, uh? It sounds like Julia – but it’s written with a “Gi”) and I am the founder of Grow Your Photography Studio.

I am known for my no-BS, hands-on approach to helping newborn photographers get more clients and grow a business they actually enjoy running. I believe marketing should not be a “necessary evil” and that taking action is the first and most fundamental step toward success.

Feeling on the brink of burnout? Read our guide “Photographers on the brink of burnout“

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

Most of the times, all you need to do for your ads to work is to let

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Conscious Business for Photographers: an introduction

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I have thought long and hard about using the word “conscious” in an industry that offers luxury services, but after a year of work, I still believe this might be the best way to define this new – or better, different – approach to business.

So let’s begin by defining what “conscious” means.

Simply put, “conscious business” is a way of seeing business as a human matter (and experience) because the reality is that every interaction with our clients – from marketing to sales – IS an interaction between two human beings.

Yes, the very same way we claim that our clients forget there is a human on the other side… we also often forget our “clients” are human, going through our same worries, fears, stresses and doubts.

But why does this matter?

In the words of Brené Brown:

“All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best. It keeps me out of judgment and lets me focus on what is, and not what should or could be.”

Brené Brown

Now if we see business as a human matter the choice for us business owners is simple: we can choose to make every act of business, or interaction with our clients (from marketing to sales, remember?) one that enriches our clients’ lives and fosters trust and respect or choose the opposite instead.

But pay attention: I am not suggesting you let others take advantage of you – in fact, setting strong boundaries and clear business practices is one of the 3 pillars of conscious business.

The 3 pillars of Conscious Business for Photographers: Ask for permission

One of the most common mistakes I see in marketing and sales is to just assume that everyone who contacts us asking for info is doing so because they want to buy from us (or book) there and then, and because of this we are entitled to chase them, follow up, and then consider them “time wasters” if they don’t take part to this fast and furious exchange.

Think about your own experience entering a shop.

Do you prefer being given a little time to look around and compare, and ask questions, or being followed around by someone who won’t let you go unless you explicitly tell them in 4 languages that no, you are not ready to buy?

A simple way for you to address this when people contact you is to… ask.

Especially when running ads, I strongly invite you to ask a simple question “I’d love to send you more details for your specific request, are you looking into booking a session as soon as possible or simply gathering information?” (now this is very formal, so adapt it to your style).

Other questions you might want to ask:

“I need to talk with my partner”

“Of course, no problem! Would you like me to get in touch next Tuesday to remind you of the deadline for this offer?”

or

“Of course, no problem! Would you like me to get in touch next week to check if you are interested in booking a session then?”

Silence in reply to this question is an answer.

Boundaries


Yes, assuming people are doing their best does not mean excusing their behaviour, not holding them accountable.

At the same time, trusting people does not mean allowing them to take advantage of us.

Brené Brown (Dare to Lead) explains this perfectly when she says that the most compassionate and generous people are also the most “boundaried”, but that most people struggle to set clear boundaries.

You can read more about boundaries and how to set them in this article, but I will give you another practical example.

In your contract, you most likely have some clauses or terms that you absolutely want clients to know about: cancellation terms, delivery times, or simply opening hours and how to contact you for business-related matters.


Well, having them in your contract is great – but even better is pointing those terms out to your clients ALSO in the email that accompanies the contract asking if there are doubts or questions. 

This means you are not only “legally” protected, but you have also shown your clients that you are clear and firm about your terms – and not scared to enforce them.

“It turns out that we assume the worst about people’s intentions when they’re not respectful of our boundaries. It’s easy to believe that they are trying to disappoint us on purpose.” 

What if everybody in the marketplace did the same?


This has always been my guiding principle for creating my own ads, but it works for most business practices.

When you are in doubt about doing something, in marketing or business, ask yourself: what would happen if everybody in my industry did the same?

Think about Venture (and they are not alone): they have forever affected negatively the way some people think and view newborn photographers, making your potential clients more sceptical and difficult to deal with.

The examples, unfortunately, are endless.

Offering “free downloads” just in order to harass people with salesy newsletters, free calls that are sales calls, etc… etc… etc…

As you can see, Conscious Business is nothing complicated – or particularly new.

As I always say, it simply is a way of treating every business act as an act of care.

“The Shift: Conscious Business for Photographers” is one of the 4 core programs of our coaching, together with the Marketing Mastermind for Newborn Photographers, the Perfect Pricing Blueprint and Pathway to Creation: Creative Marketing for Photographers.

To learn more about our hands-on approach to marketing that works to get you bookings, visit www.growyourphotographystudio.com

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Marketing for Photographers is changing – Welcome to Grow Your Photography Studio v2.0

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5 years ago, when I took my first photography client on board, I felt like I was going back in time.

So many tools and strategies that were well known and widely used in other industries were not only unknown to photographers but were also rejected and dismissed whenever I mentioned them in photography groups (and my gratitude goes to Maddy Rogers for trusting my words before anyone else).

Despite my frustration, I knew those strategies were going to be very much present in the future of this industry… and I could see that from my clients’ results.

My “marketing life” was so easy back then.

Then, 2020 and lockdown arrived… and I remember waking up the morning after the announcement more determined than ever to keep everybody focused, to help everybody be ready for the next steps.

The moment lockdown began, I knew marketing would change forever and I wrote so everywhere.

I knew social media and ads were the easiest and fastest go-to tool for businesses to sell, so I knew “fast” marketing would become harder.

I also knew that there was no “going back to normal” because those unable to work due to restrictions would want (and need) to catch up when reopening.

Of course, what I could not foresee were a war and recession and so here we are, 5 years later, surrounded by trainers and photographers who have now discovered the tools and techniques my clients have been using for years.

Am I worried?

No, because to me, that is the past of marketing. That age is gone forever, and photography is not the first industry going through a shift of this magnitude.

That’s why my priority for the last 6 months has been defining what’s needed for us all to succeed in the next 5 years.

There has not been a day where my brain has not been processing and observing, and then processing some more.

Feedback from photographers, other coaches, and trainers, mixed with my own perception and experience.

And now things are clear.

There are four things needed for us to stay sane, ahead of others and profitable in the next 5 years:

1 – More unique and new FAST strategies (and yes, this includes social media and ads)

With so many walking on the path we have paved, the “usual” won’t keep working forever.

And for sure, you don’t want to end up fighting over a £20 session fee with every photographer around you.

This is why the Marketing Mastermind will always be a big part of the coaching.

The Marketing Mastermind for Newborn Photographers is a 1-to-1 marketing coaching with 3 unique characteristics:

  1. It offers hands-on help to get you bookings. From advertising to writing posts and landing pages, we do the work together
  2. It is 100% tailored to your studio. We don’t copy and paste strategies because we know that every business is different.
  3. It uses marketing that feels good. No pressuring, pushing people, no dancing in front of your phone just because “reels are the future”.

2 – The ability to connect with our clients on a deeper level 

… trust me – we are all fed up with being sold stuff every moment of every day.

I see it from data, that “tricks” don’t work anymore. Our clients know that if they spend enough time looking around, they will find amazing quality at an amazing price.

So, if you think what makes you unique is either of these things… we have a problem.

Connecting with clients simply means better, more meaningful content that truly shows your clients who you are.

Why? Because that makes you irreplaceable.

But I know creating great content is not easy, especially when writing is involved, and that is why we are introducing “Pathway to Creation: Creative Marketing for Photographers.”

This is all about using your creativity, and photography, to create meaningful marketing content.

We’ll develop creative photography projects, visuals and any format of media that comes naturally to you and we’ll bring it to life for your audience to see.

I won’t be alone in this journey, you will be helped by other coaches, trainers and our partner labs.

3 – Tired yet? Time for a story

When I was in school PE for girls was volleyball. Every week.

Now, if you have ever met me in person, you know there is not one cell in my body engineered for that. Not one, and I don’t even like it.

So, every week was a nightmare, every Tuesday I would try to escape the torture. A whole hour of feeling inadequate and hating it all. Just let me do something else, ANYTHING.

But no, you’re a girl, volleyball it is.

That story, and many more similar ones, are what life feels like if you are not engineered for the mainstream.

And if you enjoy working with me… you are not.

Whether it’s “too short,” too tall, too big, too sensitive, overthinking, too shy, or too much of an introvert.

That’s why alternative views, paths, and ways of doing business matter so much to me, and why the world needs them so desperately now.

But here’s the thing:

No matter how good and needed these “alternative paths” are, if the world doesn’t know about them, if they are not sustainable (mentally and financially) for the ones carving them they cease to exist.

That’s why I am introducing The Shift: Conscious Business for Newborn Photographers.

From how to deal with business when you are highly sensitive to boundaries and kinder, warmer strategies to convert clients… The Shift combines my marketing background and experience as a certified Human Factors Trainer.

4 – And now something most of you already know, the Perfect Pricing Blueprint.

This, too, is here to stay and it continues to help photographers get more conversions and sell MORE without pushing and pressuring people.

So, there you have it, welcome to Grow Your Photography Studio v2!

Want to know more?

Book a 30-minute FREE DISCOVERY CALL

Hi, I am Giulia (weird, uh? It sounds like Julia – but it’s written with a “Gi”) and I am the founder of Grow Your Photography Studio.

I am known for my no-BS, hands-on approach to helping newborn photographers get more clients and grow a business they actually enjoy running. I believe marketing should not be a “necessary evil” and that taking action is the first and most fundamental step toward success.

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

We don’t do sales calls, but if you feel we might be a good fit you can book a free discovery call to work with me for an hour and see how that feels.

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STRUGGLING WITH CHRISTMAS MINIS? GET OUR MARKETING CHECKLIST

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Christmas Minis are quick and easy sessions that should sell themselves, right?

Not necessarily, especially this year.

With so many newborn photographers now doing Christmas minis using a very similar pricing/formula, competition is stronger than ever.

In addition to this, almost nothing these days can be sold without a solid marketing plan and without investing enough time and resources, especially if you are not already well established and can count on a solid client base.

I THOUGHT THESE WOULD SELL OUT, BUT… THEY DIDN’T!

Ok, first of all… you are not alone.

Also, there is still time.

So if you have not sold out your Christmas mini sessions do not despair, but keep in mind these 3 simple “rules”:

1 – Think out of the box

Christmas Minis (like most minis) are a real challenge when it comes to marketing to a new, colder, audience. Since your profit is lower than full sessions, you need to find strategies that will help you reach as many people as possible… for very little money, or for free.

For this reason, in our checklist, we will include some unusual advertising and marketing strategies that we would not necessarily use to get bookings for your newborn sessions

2 – Don’t alienate your audience

Christmas mini sessions

We get it, you really want this to work.

However, in a couple of months this will be over, and you’ll be back to bumps, babies and newborns… so please try not to overwhelm your audience with Christmas images and posts – especially since it’s still September!

Remember that posting content your audience doesn’t like will affect your reach because Facebook and Instagram simply will not show your content to users who have not engaged with you in a while.

So if you see low (or lower than usual) engagement on your Christmas posts, do yourself a favour and limit the number of themed posts. Instead, plan on using some ads (again, read our checklist for low-budget ideas)

3 – Think about your business as a whole

Especially if you have little time to spend on promoting your studio, make sure you are not only focusing on your Christmas Minis!

If you are far from your goal (sessions you want to sell), or have not even started selling them, please consider whether you can even afford to keep going. Is it worth investing more time and resources in promoting mini sessions?

In our blog post about biases we have discussed The Sunk Cost Fallacy, our tendency to honour already spent resources: we are more likely to continue with a project if we have already invested a lot of money, time, or effort in it, even when continuing is not the best thing to do.

YOUR CHRISTMAS MINIS MARKETING CHECKLIST

So here we go, our list is below and also available as a free download here (printable).

❑ Email your database of clients (need a mailing platform for this? Check out our list of Essential Marketing Tools for Newborn Photographers). If your list of clients includes less than 150 people, you’ll want to plan for some extra promo (for example ads).

❑ Make a list of your best 10-15 clients (with children in the right age range for your minis) and mail them a personal invitation (yes, by post!) or call them. Why? Because it’s personal.

❑ Consider creating a lead magnet to help you gather some new, qualified, leads. A lead magnet is a piece of content that you make available on your website for free and that people can download by giving you their email address.

Of course, you want your lead magnet to be Christmas themed and targeted at your audience.

Ideas are: a PDF template for a letter to Santa, a template for Christmas cards or other themed templates, etc.

The process you want to follow is simple: create a blog post to describe your lead magnet and include a mini form (only requiring name and email address). Ask visitors to fill out the form if they want to receive your file and, when you receive their contact information… well, email them the content with a little reminder of your Christmas Minis (and a few images!). All tools needed for this process are included in our Essential Marketing Tools for Newborn Photographers.

Your lead magnet could be promoted using a Traffic ad, for as little as £2 a day – or could even just be promoted with a boost on your Facebook page.

❑ Create a Facebook event with the goal of using it for Facebook Ads. Ads for events are not the best ads for conversions but you will be able to run them for as little as £1 a day.

Remember: you can’t message directly people who mark themselves as “Going” to your event, but they will read your updates on the event page.

❑ Create an Engagement Facebook ad for one of your organic Facebook posts. As mentioned above, we choose these ads over Conversions (which are the best ads for bookings and sales) to contain costs – since your margin on minis is much smaller than for newborn sessions.

Check out this video to see where to find Engagement/Event ads.

❑ If you don’t have at least 2k followers on each of your Facebook and Instagram profiles, and your database of clients is fairly small (less than 100 contacts) consider partnering with another local business with a stronger online presence.

❑ Create a promo video that you can use on social media – Animoto offers a few great templates in this sense, but you can use almost any tool.

Don’t forget to check these tips for creating promo videos for your studio (source: Facebook).

❑ If you have not done a model call, consider doing one and boosting the post to your local audience – don’t forget to use engagement as a goal for your boost. Also, don’t forget to record some behind the scenes footage (and take a few shots) that you can use for Instagram reels and social media in general

Hi, I am Giulia (weird, uh? It sounds like Julia – but it’s written with a “Gi”) and I am the founder of Grow Your Photography Studio.

I am known for my no-BS, hands-on approach to helping newborn photographers get more clients and grow a business they actually enjoy running. I believe marketing should not be a “necessary evil” and that taking action is the first and most fundamental step toward success.

Need more hands-on help? Book a marketing call with us

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

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ESSENTIAL MARKETING TOOLS FOR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Scheduling posts, sending questionnaires, email newsletters… getting your marketing in place can feel quite overwhelming.

However, as for all crafts, using the right tools can turn an apparently daunting job into a smooth and fast process.

So here it is: our list of essential marketing tools every newborn photographer needs.

Our list includes a few notes and a few free alternatives that are great when you are just starting out (and not only)!

A note about essential marketing tools for newborn photographers

The list is available as a free download here – no email address (or other data) required!

Feeling on the brink of burnout? Read our guide “Photographers on the brink of burnout“

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

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THE PROBLEM WITH BOUNDARIES – HOW (AND WHEN) TO SAY “NO”

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Monday night, one of my early days in business.

There I am, slightly (errrr) overworked, slightly frustrated and anxious because… well, how is everybody else getting so many clients and charging SO MUCH MORE than I am?

Notification: new email.

It’s 9pm.

A client asking me to do something that is not really part of my job – and of course, taking for granted I’ll do it anyway.

The above, of course, is followed by a 45 minutes internal rant, performed while pacing up and down the living room whispering to myself “this is ridiculous” and angrily typing the whole story on my phone for my best friend to read.

Eventually, I decide that NO, it’s not gonna happen. I need to stand up for myself, set boundaries and stop letting people take advantage of me.

It’s a big NO, no no no.

It’s my business, my rules.

Or maybe…

… maybe I could make a little exception and DO IT, but make it clear that I would NOT be doing it again.

After all, I am not that busy and I want clients to love working with me. Right? Also, deep inside I know I am charging a lot of money… maybe too much.. What if she gets upset and starts complaining and wants her money back?

Come on, it’s gonna take 30 minutes max – surely it’s worth it if it helps me keep the client?

LET’S TALK BOUNDARIES

To quote Brené Brown:

“When we asked people why they hesitate to set boundaries, the number one answer that emerged from the research was, “I don’t want to make people mad, disappoint others, or make them stop liking me”.  

[…] What’s really interesting is that when we asked the same participants to describe or explain the consequence of not setting boundaries, the overwhelming response was resentment. Followed by anger. Followed by frustration.”

Failing to set boundaries can not only affect our mental and physical health but also eat away our ability to see our own business as an enriching and enjoyable part of our life.

But we all know that, right? 

And still, for most of us “setting boundaries” feels like a constant struggle.

“… when we asked the same participants to describe or explain the consequence of not setting boundaries, the overwhelming response was resentment. Followed by anger. Followed by frustration.“

Brené Brown

A MATTER OF POSTURE

Ever caught yourself all hunched over your desk, and reacted by – inadvertently – tensing all of your muscles in an attempt to sit up straight… just to end up slumping forward again within 10 minutes?

This very much reflects how I used to deal with boundaries in my early days in business – alternating between collapsing and posturing.

Collapsing is giving in to all requests and it often comes from our desire of being liked, of feeling needed, and from our lack of confidence. Collapsing is compromising our needs and integrity out of fear (of losing a client, of facing uncomfortable conversation, of disappointing others…): we keep giving more, so that the person in front of us will appreciate us more, like us more.

We keep giving in, and giving more, even when that means sacrificing something that is important to us.

We keep saying yes, stretching ourselves and neglecting our needs until we eventually “snap”… and lean into the opposite, the “I won’t be a victim anymore”.

Frustrated and exhausted, we go from collapsing to posturing.

Posturing is all about force is our “as previously discussed”, “as per the contract you have signed” – it is overselling, acting superior and wanting to feel important. 

RIGHT… BUT I STILL DON’T KNOW HOW TO SET BOUNDARIES

So what is the alternative to all of this?

If you have ever had to work on your posture or practiced yoga, you already know the answer: force and tension won’t take you far, but finding your core will.

As a business owner, you find your core when what you do and how you do it are perfectly aligned with who you are, and deeply rooted into why you are doing it.

As a business owner, finding your core comes from choosing to walk a path you can truly own as yours.

“Stress is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are” (Chinese Proverb)

When our actions and decisions come from such place we become beautifully strong and equally flexible.

And so do our boundaries.

“Did you just say… flexible?”

Yes, I did. Make your boundaries and give yourself permission to make exceptions.

People have this idea that being “good” and valuing yourself meaning making rules and rigidly keep them – no matter what.

Truth is, the secret to creating proper boundaries is to ensure they are strong and rooted in your beliefs, in your core, but not so rigid that they easily break under pressure.

But how do you decide when to bend a boundary, when is it ok to make an exception?

The answer is simple: when it feels right to you.

Trust your intuition, trust that voice inside you.

If all that voice is saying is “don’t even think about it, you don’t even WANT to work with this person anyway” – STOP. Breathe.

“No” is the right answer. And one that doesn’t need to be justified or explained. 

And by the way, my favourite “no” answer comes from Shonda Rhimes: “I am unable to do that”.

It just feels right and complete to me. It feels good.

“…my favourite “no” answer comes from Shonda Rhimes: “I am unable to do that”.

AND WHAT ABOUT SAYING… YES?

“Yes” is also an answer that does not need to be explained or justified.

So when it feels right to you to bend your boundaries, just do it. Know that you don’t have to be ashamed or justify it – to your photography friends, to your favourite Facebook group or to your mentor.

After all… your business, your rules.

Feeling on the brink of burnout? Read our guide “Photographers on the brink of burnout“

Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first

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HANDLING ENQUIRIES: LET’S TALK PHONE CALLS

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For some of us, the idea of having phone calls with leads can be anxiety-inducing, and even if you have been doing it for a while you could still wonder whether you are “doing it right”.

There are two common traps we have the tendency to fall into:

1- We feel that the goal of the call is to convince our potential client of something: book the session, buy wall art, etc;

And

2 -As a result of the above, we often overwhelm with words the person on the other end of the phone.

If any of this sounds a bit like you, there are 3 steps you can take to immediately improve your approach, and these take us back to the idea that growing a business means building relationships (more on this HERE).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PERSON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PHONE

Before asking about the colour of their nursery, how they want to display their images, spaces for wall art, try to answer this question: “What is more important to your prospect when buying what you sell?”.

Knowing what is important to them will help you understand what to focus your conversation on, and also establish whether they are a good fit (see below).

Let me clarify with an example.

Baby’s mum and dad are both originally from France. Their families and friends, including baby’s grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc are all there.

This might even be the biggest motivation for booking a session: to have photographs they can share with their family and friends abroad to feel closer to them.

Now imagine you spending most of your phone call talking about wall art for their home, while your competitor (having discovered what’s important to the client) chose to focus on extras like additional personalised USBs they could send home, digital slideshows or even albums and other products delivered to the grandparents. 

Who do you think they would instantly love?

Who would make them more excited?

And who do you think would be more likely to get not only the booking, but a bigger sale in the end?

Now, the easiest way to understand what is important to your leads is to simply ask them.

“Over the years I have learned that parents have different ways of thinking about their session, some envision beautiful wall art they can show to family and friends, some are doing it to create memories for the baby and so on… can you tell me more about what is important to you?”

Of course, you don’t need to use these exact words. Make it yours, and you will see how easy it is to connect with your people once you have the answer, as opposed to trying to sell your clients something without knowing exactly what they are looking for.

ESTABLISH WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE A GOOD FIT

Going back to our previous example, you might be thinking “Well I don’t want to sell digitals, so they would not be my ideal client anyway”.

Great, it would be even more important for you to discover that information and let the client know that you might not be the right person for them.
If you have ever worked with someone that really was not your client, you’ll understand how important this is.

SET BOUNDARIES AND CLARIFY WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

We all hate chasing clients, and clients hate being chased. 

Before ending the call, define exactly what is going to happen. Here are a couple of scenarios you might find useful:

  1. “I’ll speak to my partner and let you know”

    “That’s perfect, I will email you now and then try to call you next Tuesday. 

    Can I please ask you to email me back, should you decide not to go ahead? I want to ensure I don’t keep trying to contact you again if you are not interested”
  1. If the baby has already arrived and you have a very limited time to get the family in the studio.

    “Ok, if Wednesday 10:30am works for you I will hold the date for 48 hours to give us time to get you booked in.

    I am about to email you a recap of what we have discussed, so you have all the info in writing. I will also send you a second email with the contract, and invoice for your deposit/session fee.

    Should I not hear from you within 48 hours I will only contact you once again to let you know I am closing your enquiry and cancelling your reservation.”

When I first started in business I had a 6-page script to follow for my calls. A perfectly designed tool for sales.

And I hated it.

Fast forward to today, I can unequivocally say that the non-scripted approach I have taken after using my perfect script less than 5 times has been an irreplaceable tool to learn who my clients are, what motivates them, what language they use and – ultimately – to make selling a genuine and easy process.

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3 Steps to a better photography business

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Ever experienced “Editing procrastination”?

You KNOW that session didn’t go as planned and now you are just DREADING the idea of looking at the images. 

Never mind editing them.

But editing procrastination might not be the most dangerous syndrome for a newborn photographer.

Pause for a moment and think your business.

Are you avoiding business or marketing tasks that you struggle with?

Maybe you avoid following up on enquiries because you just DON’T KNOW what to say, and you feel like you are bothering people?

… or you keep putting off planning any adverts, as your mind goes blank when thinking up content?

Is your pricing all over the place but you have no idea where to start to put it right?

You are not alone!

IN BUSINESS AND MARKETING… EVERYTHING IS “FIGUREOUTABLE”

It’s fulfilling and enjoyable to spend time doing things we excel at, and easy to avoid tasks we aren’t so great at.

People tend to be scared of what they are not good at, trying and failing can make them feel inadequate.

We bury our head in the sand and brush things under the carpet, but that feeling does not go away. It keeps us awake at night. It gets louder every time the problem manifests itself again (and believe me, it WILL happen).

The good news?

In business and marketing, everything is “figureoutable”.

The BETTER news is that figuring things out and improving will empower you and boost your confidence.

Yes, because it’s that feeling of “I don’t know what I am doing” that is keeping you stuck and making you wonder whether or not you are “good enough”.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU CAN’T PLAY

As a former piano tutor, I would tell my students “Practice what you CAN”T play’ and this translates very well to the business world.

A dear friend tells her children they only find some school work difficult because they haven’t learnt how to do it yet. She tells them it’s a sign they need more practice and ultimately that they need to ask for guidance from someone who DOES know how to do it.

It’s the same in business.

It doesn’t mean you are BAD at something if you struggle, only that you require some help. 

It’s a bit like having a toothache. It hurts a little bit, so you ignore it to avoid the dentist and save money, then in six months it’s 10 times as bad and will cost even more to get sorted.

Identifying your weaknesses and looking for ways to improve, seeking outside help from those who DO know, will get you on the right path. Far better than ignoring them, knowing full well they are going to come and bite you on the bum somewhere down the line. 

Whether that presents itself as poor bookings, client issues or simply stress you do not need.

Once things click into place, you’ll find yourself enjoying 100% of your business, rather than just 75% and the rewards will be immense.

Part of being a good business owner is not only being able to delegate, but also to identify strengths and weaknesses, and be able to act upon them. 

As “the owner”, you aren’t answerable to anyone but yourself, so it’s easy to slip into a habit of avoiding tasks you are weaker at and playing to your strengths.

Eventually, however, your strengths will suffer because of this – you need the whole choir singing in tune!

For instance, if it’s your marketing you are having issues with, it’s no good being the best photographer in the world if your marketing sucks! 

Without clients, there is no photography business. 

Or if your pricing is your nemesis you could be working your butt off, producing incredible results, but getting nowhere fast.

3 STEPS TO A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS

“Ok, I get it, so now what?”

No matter what you are struggling with, solving your problem requires 3 steps:

1 – Total clarity about the problem itself and what’s causing it

2 – A solid plan

3 – The ability to make decisions when things don’t work as planned: stick to the plan or adjust? This makes the BIGGEST difference.

Achieving all this on your own is hard.

Being too close to the problem can lead to you not being able to see the wood for the trees. Facing your issues head-on can be daunting, so don’t do it alone. Letting someone assist you with their metaphorical axe paves the way for smoother running business, instead of giving up and going back to old habits, which can be all TOO tempting. 

So before you immerse yourself and write the most sophisticated marketing plan the photography industry has ever seen… ASK FOR HELP. 

Sometimes some outside guidance and little tweaks can be your ‘light bulb’ moment and go a long way to improving your confidence, happiness and success in what you do.

Yes, it can be hard releasing your hold on the reins when your business is your baby, but similarly, your baby deserves you to be firing on all cylinders.

If you are ready to finally feel confident and in control of your business, this is the most important page you will visit today.

Book a free business and marketing coaching call using the button below and we’ll help you define exactly how to implement these 3 steps to a better photography business.

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