Avoid the Overwhelm in Photography by Creating Systems with Annemie Tonken

#470 In today's episode of the podcast, I chat with family
photographer and host of the This Cant Be That Hard podcast,
Annemie Tonken about developing essential systems in your
photography business to ensure efficiency, client satisfaction,
and growth. Learn how strategic planning can transform your
operational approach for the better.


THE BIG IDEAS



Embrace Systemization: Treat your photography business
like a well-oiled machine. You'll save time and avoid stress.


Audit Your Processes: Regularly checking your current
processes teaches you where improvements can be made for
smoother operations.


Focus on Fulfillment: Perfect your fulfillment system
first; this ensures your client’s last interaction with you is
memorable and professional.


Use Tools Wisely: Leveraging tools like CRMs can
drastically improve your workflow and client management.




PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN



Audit Your Current Workflow: Review each step in your
current process from handling initial client inquiries to final
delivery of photos. Identify any bottlenecks or repetitive
tasks that slow you down. Document your findings in a simple
spreadsheet or flowchart. This will give you a clear visual
representation of where you can begin implementing
improvements.


Set Up Basic Systems for Marketing, Sales, and
Fulfillment: Implement a CRM tool to manage client
communications and keep track of sales leads. This step is
crucial for maintaining organized client interactions. Create a
checklist for each project phase. This ensures that nothing is
missed and each client receives consistent, high-quality
service.


Automate Repetitive Tasks: Identify tasks that are
repetitive and time-consuming, such as appointment scheduling,
email responses, or social media posts. Find tools that can
help automate these processes. Start small, perhaps with
automating appointment confirmations or thank-you emails, and
gradually expand as you become comfortable with the technology.


Focus on Client Experience: Map out your ideal client
journey from first contact to post-delivery follow-up. Think
about how you want your clients to feel at each stage. Solicit
feedback from recent clients to understand what they loved
about working with you and areas where you might improve the
experience.


Educate Yourself Continuously: Enroll in online courses
or workshops that focus not only on photography techniques but
also on business practices specific to photography. Seek out
resources that offer practical advice on systematizing your
business, such as free video lessons or worksheets that help
you develop efficient workflows.




Resources:


Annemie's systems audit resource -
https://www.thiscantbethathard.com/bpp

Follow Annemie on Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/thiscantbethathard_



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www.DeliverPhotos.com


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Thanks for listening & keep shooting!