553: Liz Hansen – This is the pathway to a million dollar photography business

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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Liz Hansen of www.chicago-boudoir.com and www.milliondollar.studio has a million-dollar boudoir photography studio business.

She says… Having a baby is the hardest thing I’ve ever done; having a business is the second hardest. The third-hardest is growing that business.

Liz has been a professional photographer since 2011 and opened her studio in 2018. She quickly grew it to over a million dollars per year in revenue and believes a big part of her success is focusing on same-day sales sessions for her female clients, who all receive professional hair, makeup and lashes.

She has an all-female staff and has helped other photographers grow their studio businesses quickly and successfully.

In this interview, Liz shares the pathway to building a million-dollar photography business today — from client-attracting targeted marketing to workflow and editing effectively and sales strategies that work.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Achieve Million-Dollar Revenue: Implement efficient client workflow and strategic pricing, while streamlining operations through outsourcing tasks.
• Building From the Ground Up: Begin with a solid financial plan and commitment, focusing on luxury experience and scalable growth.
• Overcoming Challenges: Build a portfolio through strategic free sessions and establish reasonable session fees for client investment.
• Remote Work and Staffing: Efficiently hire and manage remote contractors, utilising automation tools for streamlined operations.
• Attracting Clients: Offer unique experiences to target demographics, utilising targeted marketing strategies and partnerships.
• Strategic Demographic Targeting: Targeting older women (35+) with SEO and Google ads, forming partnerships for wider exposure and revenue.
• Personal and Professional Growth: Reflect on a transformative journey and adaptability, sharing insights and experiences to inspire others.
• Marketing Strategies: Use Facebook ads and strategic content creation to maximise sales opportunities with same-day offers.
• Boosting Sales with Timely Offers: Capturing Moments and Increasing Sales with Same-Day Photo Purchases
• Efficient Workflow and Editing: Optimize editing process for quick turnaround, prioritizing client satisfaction and seamless experience.
• Album Creation: Focus on image quality and impactful design, offering personalized albums for enhanced client experience.
• Scaling Success: Provide coaching and mentorship opportunities, implementing proven strategies for rapid revenue growth.
• Sales Strategies and Client Focus: Prioritize client preferences and satisfaction, offering personalized experiences and genuine engagement.

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

The number one thing that really helped me go from not being able to pay myself to being able to pay myself was creating a repeatable process in my marketing, my shooting and my selling, so that I knew what would happen and it wasn't just like a mystery everyday when I woke up. – Liz Hansen

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Liz shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business due to what you heard in today's episode.

One of the reasons I did those 40 Free shoots, which was a ton of work for no pay, was to build a little bit of trust online. I got videos of those women saying, ‘Liz was great.' ‘I loved working with her.' ‘She didn't sell me into captivity.' That's what I needed out of those 40 shoots more than money. – Liz Hansen

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Liz or if you want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Photographers have to have the systems in place to make this work because you can have all the clients come to you in the world. If you don't know how to get them from A to B, you're going to end up with just a headache and a mess and unhappy clients because you don't have the process to help them through from beginning to end delivery. – Liz Hansen

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google, and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show, and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

People are willing to pay luxury prices for boudoir because of what it is. And if you create a good experience, you're selling not just photos and albums, but a moment for someone to feel something and they are willing to pay for that. – Liz Hansen

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

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If you'd like to hear more from Audra before registering, check out her recent PhotoBizX interview here.

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Million Dollar Studio Program

Million Dollar Studio Website

Million Dollar Studio on Facebook

Chicago Boudoir Photography Website

Chicago Boudoir on Instagram

Chicago Boudoir on Facebook

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening, and thanks to Liz for sharing her thoughts, ideas, and experience on building a super successful photography business in today's tough market and how to generate million dollar revenues with your photography business.

Sometimes clients will tell you they love something. But you only know if they really love it if they vote with their credit card. What they buy is what they really actually like. It doesn't matter what they say. It doesn't matter what they talk about. What they vote with their credit card means what they actually love. – Liz Hansen

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 553: Liz Hansen – This is the pathway to a million dollar photography business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.