How did Sarah go from employee to business owner and then to owning her first studio in 18 months?

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My special guest for today is Sarah Streets. She is a photographer from Brisbane, Australia. Today we are going to talk about how to get started in your portrait and wedding photography business. She’s been in business on her own for 18 months. She’s gone from being an employee to a business owner. She went from an average of $250 per shoot all the way up to a $1,000 – $1,500 per shoot.

Enjoy! Brent.

In this episode:
(01:25) – First year in running a photography business
(01:33) – Why it is important to figure out what worked and what didn’t worked
(03:49) – Why decide to do start your own business
(05:51) – Knowing what the next step was
(06:43) – Things to do to go out on your own
(08:05) – How to convert the clients from Google
(16:13) – What’s stopping you from the start?
(17:41) – The hardest thing on going to someone’s home
(22:54) – Tips from sending people an email to doing in person sales
(24:08) – How to overcome objections
(28:02) – Why decide to get a studio
(30:29) – Why it’s important to choose the right area

Episode Highlights:
Website: Click Here>>>

First year in running a photography business

Why it is important to figure out what worked and what didn’t worked?

• When doing it yourself you learn so much
• Left a full time job
• Really love to help other photographers out there
• Share some tips

Why decide to do start your own business:

• Security of having ns income
• Believing in yourself that you can do it
• Hire a coach to give me confidence
• Having a good support network

Knowing what the next step was:

• There are so many things that you can do
• Your website, blogs, reviews
• Balance life outside of work
• To know what are the important ones

Things to do to go out on your own:

• Getting some inquiries for portrait
• Sending out pro sheets

How to convert the clients from Google:

• Be bubbly on the phone
• Tell them how fun the photo shoot would be
• No fee for photo shoot
• They can order after the shoot
• Provide them some samples

What’s stopping you from the start?

• Thought it was impossible
• Because of working from home
• A little bit fearful of not being a salesperson

The hardest thing on going to someone’s home:

• Distractions like the children
• Making sure the Mom and the Dad is there
• Canceling their order after

Tips from sending people an email to doing in person sales:

• Write yourself a script
• Think about what you would say to the client
• Practice it with somebody and do a role play

How to overcome objections:

• At the beginning always mention to them the prices
• Giving them pricelist thru email when they ask for it

Why decide to get a studio?

• Eliminate the driving time
• A space for viewing and sales only

Why it’s important to choose the right area:

• On a main road
• Big glass windows so people can see them
• Good rent
• Need a parking
• Wanted visibility

The key things on starting out your own photography business:

• Hiring a coach
• Keep testing things
• Practice

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