EP 24: elevating your photography business with unforgettable client experiences
Hey everyone! Today I'm diving into a topic that's close to every photographer's heart: crafting unforgettable client experiences in your photography business. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly talented and insightful Emily Magers to talk about how to make your photography business stand out, not just through your art, but through the experiences you provide to your clients.
Starting with the Basics
First things first, if there's one thing Emily and I both cannot stress enough, it's the importance of organization and a seamless process for your clients. Whether you're a fan of HoneyBook, Dubsado, or another CRM, making sure your clients have an easy and stress-free experience from start to finish is key. For me, embedding HoneyBook forms directly on my website ensures that inquiries go straight into my CRM, helping me stay organized and responsive. Emily, on the other hand, prefers a bit more manual control to keep her HoneyBook neat and exclusively for booked clients. Different strokes for different folks, but the core idea remains the same: organization is paramount.
Developing the Experience
A super eye-opening part of our conversation was when Emily shared how much she valued giving a personalized and hands-on approach to each of her clients. From custom guides that showcase your expertise to thoughtful gifts that make your clients feel special, there are so many creative and authentic ways to enhance the client experience. Emily even shared how she surprises her clients with Polaroids from their wedding day before she leaves the event, giving them an immediate and tangible memory to cherish. How cool is that? It's these small, thoughtful touches that can seriously elevate your clients experience from good to truly unforgettable.
Listen and Observe
Listening and observing are your superpowers when it comes to client experience. Ask intentional questions, get to know your clients on a deeper level, and use that knowledge to personalize their experience. Be observant, adapt your approach to each client, and never underestimate the power of truly listening to what your clients want and need.
Gifts and Guides Are Not Everything, But They Can Be Anything
It's easy to get caught up in the idea that client experience equates to lavish gifts or detailed guides. While these can be fantastic tools, Emily reminds us that the essence of client experience is in how you make people feel. Sometimes, a simple, heartfelt note can be just as impactful as any gift. The key is to be genuine, thoughtful, and to add touches that reflect both your personality and your clients'. Creativity knows no bounds here.
Join Us for an Unforgettable Experience at Evolve!
Emily and I want to extend an invitation to all of you to join both of us at this year's Evolve workshop in Santa Barbara. It's an amazing opportunity for photographers to learn, connect, and grow in an intimate yet vibrant setting. It's not only going to be an educational experience but we promise that it’ll be a lot of fun, too! Who doesn't love a good party with like-minded creatives? We both have discount codes for you, so don't hesitate to reach out. (Mine is listed below!)
Let's Keep the Conversation Going
I hope this conversation has inspired you to think about the client experience in new ways. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the beauty of being an artist lies in bringing your unique take to everything you do, client experience included.
About Emily Magers:
Emily Magers is a luxury wedding photographer and educator based in Los Angeles traveling worldwide. She focuses on documenting wedding days through a candid and true to life approach while aiming to capture the humanity of moments.
Find Emily online:
Instagram: @emily.magers
Website: www.emilymagers.com
Level up with Emily! Dive into her client experience course, and explore more education and mentorship opportunities at https://education.emilymagers.com/.
Connect with me Online:
Show Notes: summergracephoto.com
Instagram: @summergrace.photo
Shop My Presets Here!
Special Announcement for my listeners:
For 10 years, Evolve has been fostering the coolest experience in our industry. And trust me, they deliver. It's all about hands-on learning, extraordinary photo ops, and connections that spark inspiration, even for seasoned pros like me. So if you're ready to level up your photography game and have the best time while doing it, then let's make this happen together at Evolve Workshops.
Snag your $200 off now with the code SUMMER at evolveworkshops.org.
Don't miss out on creating memories and masterpieces with us where community truly is our superpower. See you at Evolve.