Running a business isn’t easy.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are long days, back to back wedding weekends, and frustrating clients.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And January might have been a little bit of a dumpster fire. But that is okay.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You can do this.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You are allowed to take a day off and rest.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You are stronger than your excuses. 
Reminder: It’s okay to take your clients postponed weddings case by case.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A postponed event is not a one size fits all.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some clients are going to be easier to accommodate.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ While others might be really hard to work with, and fight you every step of the way.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is why you need to take each client one by one - and evaluate their needs individually.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I know this can be overwhelming - especially as some Fall weddings are starting to postpone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ �That is why I created my Free Workbook: How To Handle Difficult Conversations.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This workbook will walk you step by step through this process, as well as have swipe copy for you to use, to make this difficult process even easier.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Have you downloaded your copy yet? Click on the link in the bio to get yours NOW! Don’t wait until you start getting panicked clients - start to prepare now! 
Planner referrals are a big part of my thriving business, and should be part of yours! This week is all about how to build those connections.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Almost all my weddings have a planner or coordinator on board and most of the time, these wonderful professionals are sending their clients to me! Planner referrals are a big part of my thriving business. And for me, this is just one more piece of the marketing pie to building a long-term sustainable business.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tip Number One:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Communication is key. Be responsive and communicate with clients and planners within a timely manner, which means 48 hours or less. Slow communication is a huge complaint from planners! Remember: couples are not patient. You can still keep your office hours, but make sure to respond quickly to fellow vendors.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Looking for more tips? Get my Free Guide: Planner Referrals - How to be THE photographer every planner wants to work with! In this guide, you will find expert advice from 14 wedding planners, with 11 detailed tips to grow your network. 
I was talking to my friend Caroline about Tave, the CRM program I use in my wedding photography business - and she didn’t have a get to know you questionnaire! It is so important to always have a questionnaire that you send out to all new clients.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Once a client signs a contract and I receive the retainer, hey get the welcome email with a welcome questionnaire. This outlines exactly what the couple can expect working with you from here on out, as well as any important due dates.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a photographer, it is important to always be educating your client on the next steps. This way they are not confused (and less emails back and forth!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some dates you can outline include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - When to schedule your portrait sessions (and what their package includes)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - When you schedule the final timeline (this way they know when to send you finalized info!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - What happens after the wedding. What is your turnaround time? When can they order albums?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This also helps after the wedding. You can give this questionnaire to your VA to write the blog posts after. 
If you were not able to do all of the re-branding and website design last year - that is okay! Now is the time to update your portfolio. Even if you haven’t had new work - there is probably still a ton of work that you haven’t shared.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - Go back and re-edit older photos to be put to date with your current style.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - Recently, I went through my bridal portraits and really focused on re-touching them to make them even better.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ - Go through your portfolios and remove any images that are not your style anymore, and replace with new weddings.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Your website traffic always gets a boost during engagement season, so you need to make sure it is up-to-date with the best of the best! 
One of the biggest business saving tips is follow the Getting Things Done system. It has allowed me to not just streamline my business, but finally get items off my to-do list!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Learning a new system is overwhelming - but I recommend starting small.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1️⃣ Write down everything that grabs your attention when it shows up (supporting the idea that your mind is better used to have ideas, not hold them).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2️⃣ Try the Two-Minute Rule. This means handling things that take less than two minutes to finish when they show up.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3️⃣ Start with small goals. Instead of saying you’re going to get your inbox to zero every day, start with an easier goal of once a week. This way, you can ease into the new habit!