535: Melissa Rich – The easiest way to set up or migrate CRMs for photographers

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Melissa Rich of www.virtuallydonesystems.com is an expert with CRMs… setting them up for photographers to save you time and effort learning new software from scratch. And if you've ever wondered which CRMs are the easiest to use, and how you should have them configured — from basic to advanced strategies — this episode is for you.

If you heard last week's interview with the incredibly successful Mary Beth Wood, you would know I found her via Melissa Rich of Virtually Done Systems, today's interview guest.

Mary Beth talked about her workflow in that interview and shared how she changed from one CRM to another but outsourced the whole process. It was Melissa who she outsourced the massive job to.

I can't think of many things worse than learning new software and migrating my old ways into a new system — I just want things to work.

I learned that Melissa was a photographer and started a new workflow business for creative small business owners so they would have more time away from their computers with well-thought-out and structured, automated workflows.

After hearing about her effect on Mary Beth's business, I was excited to learn more, get this interview to you, and share the easiest way to set up or migrate CRMs for photographers.

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

• How Melissa conceptualized her new systems business
• Why start a business on top of a successful photography business
• How to find the right CRM for your business
• Why you need a CRM for your photography business
• Why photographers hire Melissa
• What are project management tools for
• What project management tools can photographers use
• Discussing different CRMs and project management tools
• Differentiating the functions of different CRMs
• How Dubsado works differently
• What are some of the mistakes photographers make when setting up their CRM
• Do you need a CRM and email software for your business
• The need to create custom fields to buff up client experience
• How to use Zapier with Dubsado
• Eliminating the fear of establishing a CRM for your photography business
• Sending an automated lead responder
• How Melissa prices her services
• An example of a good workflow
• How to gather more information from a lead responder
• Creating a lead magnet
• How to design a good workflow
• The importance of sending out follow-up emails
• What to say on follow-up emails
• When do you input leads in your CRM
• What is the magic email
• How photographers collect payment
• How to avoid sounding robotic with your automated emails
• When is the right time to have a CRM for your business
• How can business owners know what CRM is good for their business

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.

I wanted to help other photographers get their systems up and running and going because that's something that so many creatives with this big, beautiful brains that can do these things amazing work, that's something they struggle with. – Melissa Rich

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 Melissa 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.

You can customize and automate anything and everything. You just have to take the time to learn the tool and really know your workflows in and out. – Melissa Rich

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Melissa 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!

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

If you don't have that 3rd follow-up email, you're never going to book that client. You got to send it. – Melissa Rich

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.

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.​

Here is the latest review…

★★★★★ The very best information all in one simple place

Via Apple Podcasts by Connecticut boudoir photographer, Mary Beth Wood, in the USA on October 4th 2023.

This podcast has done the work for you if you’re a photographer. Andrew has taken the golden nuggets we all crave as photographers and put them in one place.

The topics range and can apply to so many facets of our business. If you are looking to improve your photography business, look no further — Andrew has you covered!

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

Virtually Done Systems Website

Virtually Done Systems on Instagram

Virtually Done Systems on Facebook

Rivas Photography Website

Kyle Rivas on Instagram

Episode 534: Mary Beth Wood – Setting expectations leads to big portrait photography sales

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening, and thanks to Melissa for coming on and sharing everything she does to help photographers choose and set up a perfectly beautiful workflow with their CRM software.

I recommend sending at least two follow-up emails after that initial inquiry email. – Melissa Rich

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 535: Melissa Rich – The easiest way to set up or migrate CRMs for photographers appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.