Welcome
Christmas is right around the corner and this year I made the decision to close down my studio for a couple weeks.
Feels good... kinda... 😰
I had a great year and met all my goals, but still one of the hardest things about running a small business is knowing when it's time to stop and breathe.
Early in my photography career, a rockstar workshop photographer I can't remember told me... When you're not photographing, you're not making money.
No wonder I'm messed up... Thanks, Captain Obvious!
When I was younger and working for the man, I never had a problem putting my pencil down and getting out of Dodge. The man let me do it too, even encouraged it sometimes.
But now, it's so hard to just stop everything!
Even today with the studio officially closed, I'm at my desk posting on Instagram, responding to emails, returning calls, creating marketing materials and writing this newsletter...
And writing this newsletter! Can you believe it?
End of that... 🤣
Magazine Update
PILF contest is right around the corner
Don't forget... we're going to start accepting submissions for our annual Photographer's I'd like to Follow contest on Monday, December 27th.
Mark your calendars now, because you're not going to want to miss this year's contest!
If you're subscribed to this newsletter, the contest details should show up in your email inbox on Monday morning, so be on the lookout!
Marketing and Branding
Google switching things up - what else is new?
Did you know Google just replaced 'Google My Business' with 'Google Business Profiles'?
Right, neither did I.
But don't worry, if you already have a Google My Business profile, it will automatically convert to the new Google Business Profile system. There will just be some small changes to the way you edit your info.
This video provides a great explanation of the different changes being made.
And if you haven't already set up your Google My Business account, the video has a great step by step that will walk you through setting up your business on the new platform.
If you don't already have your Google Business Profile set up, this is something you should defintely add to your list of goals for 2022!
Instagram and Social Media
My favorite new Instagram feature!
Hopefully you all know you can now add Link stickers to your Instagram stories, regardless of how many followers you have.
That alone has made funneling potential clients to our websites a ton easier!
But now Instagram went and made that feature even BETTER by letting us customize the text on our link stickers.
So now, instead of having a sticker with an obscure web address, you can customize it to say something more meaningful like, 'Tap for details'.
Here's a short video to show you how!
Don't miss this!
How to Use Instagram Guides in Your Marketing
Have you looked into Instagram Guides yet?
Understanding Instagram Guides is high on my goals list for 2022 and just this morning I received this great, in depth primer on setting them up.
Even if you're not sure what they are, take a quick look at the guide as it provides a great overview on using Guides.
Personally, I think they'd be a great way to build brand awareness for your studio. Some potential uses? A walk through of the different products you offer or a step by step summary of your senior photo process.
These are defnitely high on my list...
Your mental health
For those who hate New Year's Resolutions
I think a lot of us became fans of Jon Acuff after he spoke at SYNC a few years back. Dude is hilarious!
Here's a video he put out last year about New Year's Resolutions...
I love this video for two reasons...
First, he brings back the phrase, 'No doy'. Did you say that as a kid? I know I did, until my Mom wasn't having it anymore and smacked me around, just a little.
Second, Jon's got a really simple approach to goal settings that makes the process so easy and perhaps even a little surprising.
So even if you hate the idea of New Year's Resolutions, check this out!