EP 62: leveling up your photography with paid advertising: a conversation with peyton helm
Hey friends! On today’s episode of Summer School, we’re tackling a topic that can feel a bit intimidating—paid advertising. I’m thrilled to welcome Peyton Helm, an expert in ads for creative businesses, who’s here to share everything you need to know about making them work for you. Since I’m not exactly an ads pro myself, I found our conversation incredibly enlightening, and I’m confident you’ll walk away with some awesome insights for your photography business. Let’s dive in!
Meet Peyton Helm
Peyton started out in wedding photography and filmmaking, and then shifted gears to focus on coaching and paid advertising. His journey from capturing special moments to educating creatives on how to effectively run ads is inspiring—and super relevant if you’re looking to grow your own business.
Why Paid Advertising Matters
Paid advertising can feel overwhelming if you’re new to it, but it’s a total game-changer when done right. The key? Understand the basics before diving in. Peyton emphasizes that running ads isn’t just about throwing money at Facebook or Instagram and hoping for the best—it’s about creating a consistent, profitable, and strategic approach to reaching your ideal clients.
A Tactical Approach to Ads
Forget the idea that ads are just about “boosting” a random post. Effective advertising involves knowing your brand, your audience, and using a blend of brand awareness and lead generation strategies. Peyton encourages wedding professionals to create ads that tell a story and resonate emotionally with potential couples. When your brand message clicks, it attracts the right clients and increases your chances of turning followers into booked clients.
Finding Your Marketing Mix
While ads are amazing, they shouldn’t be your only tactic. Pair them with SEO, referrals, and vendor relationships to create a well-rounded marketing plan. Peyton suggests choosing two or three marketing methods you can absolutely nail instead of trying to master too many at once. Quality over quantity, always!
Starting Small with Ads
If you’re new to paid advertising, Peyton recommends dipping your toes in with something simple—like boosting Instagram posts that have already resonated with potential couples, not just your peers. Instead of sending them straight to your website, direct that traffic to your Instagram profile. That way, they can follow along, get to know your brand, and hopefully become clients as you continue to engage and share content they love.
Overcoming Common Challenges
One of the biggest hurdles? Starting real conversations with potential clients. Peyton’s advice: don’t be shy! Reach out, connect, and learn about their needs. Success with ads isn’t just about the ads themselves—it’s also about refining your sales process, getting your pricing just right, and making sure your brand shines through in every interaction.
Looking Ahead
Peyton’s story shows that mastering paid advertising is a journey. As you learn, adapt, and grow, your business can tap into new markets, book more clients, and stand out in the wedding industry. If you’re ready for more guidance, be sure to check out Peyton’s educational programs at FullTimeWeddingPro.com, or follow him on Instagram for regular nuggets of wisdom.
I hope this deep dive into paid advertising fires you up with new ideas and strategies. Remember, investing time in learning how to run ads effectively can really pay off in attracting the clients you’ve always wanted. If you have any thoughts, questions, or experiences to share, drop me a line—I’d love to hear your journey.
Until next time :)
Connect with Peyton:
For education and coaching visit: fulltimeweddingpro.com
Instagram: @peytonhelm
Connect with Me:
Do you need any more advice? Fill out the inquiry form below if you would like to schedule a mentorship with me!
Show Notes: summergracephoto.com
Instagram: @summergrace.photo
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