Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Nik Buttigieg of www.nikbuttigieg.com from Broome, Western Australia, hired photography business and mindset coach, Johl Dunn to help him build a sustainable business to free up more time for Nik to spend with his young family.
In this interview, Nik shares why he chose Johl as his coach, the onboarding process and the costs involved.
He also shares where he's at with the coaching, the current state of his business regarding bookings, sales and marketing. We cover Nik's goals and the marketing put in place to make this year great.
Here's some more of what we cover in the interview:
I'm feeling positive and it's good to have a coach. I think someone put it in our coaching group the other day, “You know, all these professional sports people have coaches. Why don't photographers? So, anyone out there, I would highly recommend shopping around for a coach that you resonate with, it's worth the investment. – Nik Buttigieg
Asif Ali Coaching Diaries
Also in this week's episode, hear an update from last week's interview guest, New York boudoir photographer, Asif Ali who is working with photography business coach, Humberto Garcia.
Asif Week 1
– Getting to 10 rejections
– Realizing Asif doesn't have a lead management system
Asif Week 2
– Established a system to manage leads
– Creating an email sequence
– A deep dive in answering questions about why they are in business
Asif Week 3
– Realizing the importance of having a business coach
– Defining who the ideal client is
– Improving website and ads copy
– Uploading videos in TikTok increased audience by 20x
– Spend time on creating revenue-producing activities during work hours
Asif Week 4
– Website overhaul
– Set up Active Campaigns
– Increase in traffic and leads
– Got a couple of No's
– Scheduled discovery calls
Asif Week 5
– Deep dive with social media
– Targeting to post at least 10 stories a day in Instagram
– Join local FB groups for prospecting
– Leads increased
Asif Week 6
– Traffic increased
– Doubting scripts and rewriting copy
– Huge increase in discovery calls
– Inquiry process
– Having fun in taking phone calls
– Uploading TikTok first and sharing it on IG stories
– Getting over hang-ups and elevate the game
Asif Week 7
– More confidence with making phone calls
– Increase in in-person consults
– Booked 4 boudoir sessions
– There is a formula to get overflowing leads
– Booked 3-4 in-person consults
– 6-8 discovery calls
– Consistent posts on social media
– Increase in social media followers
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.
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, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
Plus special member-only interviews.
Working with Johl at the moment, for me, it's really about just building up some really solid foundations just around mindset, around business, around how to go about things and getting those really firmly ingrained and then continuing on from there. – Nik Buttigieg
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. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group. You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.
Seriously, that's not all.
In addition to everything above, you'll get access to 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 away from what Nik 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, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in today's episode.
I'm getting some tricks of the trade and a bit of guidance and it's been been great. It gives me confidence to move forward and I can see lots of options and opportunities opening up. – Nik Buttigieg
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Nik or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that 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 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 and email me your keywords or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
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 made a difference to you and your photography business.
Here are the latest reviews:
★★★★★ 3 great reasons why this is the best business podcast for photographers
In Apple Podcasts by Baby and Newborn Photographer, Ally Stuart from Scotland on January 14th, 2021.
I LOVE PhotobizX podcast and I simply can’t get enough of the episodes.
I am a Premium Member and the membership is worth every single penny (or cent). Each week I listen and gain invaluable business advice.
Andrew’s interview style is really friendly and relaxed. His guests give so much in their interviews AND just when I think that there’s something else I’d like to know, Andrew inevitably asks exactly my question!
Listening to PhotobizX has become an integral part of my business workflow.
I am a UK based newborn and baby photographer and I also offer photography and business coaching to anyone wanting to train as a newborn photographer, so PhotobizX is ALWAYS relevant.
Any serious photographer in business would benefit hugely from listening.
1. It’s invaluable business advice.
2. It’s very well priced
3. There is a whole community behind it
Occasionally I listen to the free podcast by mistake and wow he gives you so much in that one but you seriously are missing out so much more by not upgrading to the Photobizx Premium version. Not only do you get so much more “blow you away” content in with Premium but you get included in the Premium Members Facebook group which is another hugely valuable and friendly place to hang out during the lonely hours of running your business.
Andrew is such a personable, professional guy who has all the daily struggles in his business that everyone has. His interview style is great and he always seems to ask the right questions of his guests.
So to sum up, it’s a great investment, an integral part of my business, There’s a great community based around it and Andrew’s a lovely genuine bloke.
★★★★★ Great podcast. Generous host.
In Apple Podcasts by Sales Coach Patrick Boucousis from Australia on January 10, 2021
I’m not a photographer. I just happened to be a guest in one of Andrew’s podcasts on a business topic. That lead to me listening to some of his other podcasts and I found them really interesting, principally thanks to Andrew’s engaging style and boundless curiosity.
He extracts the maximum benefit for his listeners from every guest.
Seems to me, he drills down and gets to the questions you would like to ask. It is all substance done in an engaging way.
Use coupon code “photobizx50” for $50 off the ticket price. Premium Members, get an additional 15% rebate from me.
The Pet Photographers Virtual Conference
Whether you've been shooting for decades or starting out, it's time to level up with the 2021 Pet Photographers' Virtual Conference.
Over 15 expert speakers (including me!), 3 full days of live, virtual events, packed with unique strategies, tips and techniques for growing your pet photography business, this is the event you do NOT want to miss.
Tickets are available now.
The conference runs from the 4th – 6th February, with a week of replays for those who can’t catch it live. Grab your seat and save $50 using my coupon code photobizx50. Premium PBX Members, get an additional 15% rebate from me.
PhotoBizX Daily Vlog Challenge – Earlybird pricing is now available – STARTS Monday, Feb 1st 2021.
The number one reason to use video in your photography business – to make a personal connection with your prospective client, faster than ever before.
You can do this with video on your website, in your email replies, advertising and retargeting.
In-person is best but next, there is no faster way to make a connection than you talking to your clients via video.
If you generally book most of the clients you meet with face to face, imagine building that bond earlier in your process and before other local photographers. It'll mean more bookings for you. Fantastic right? As long as you can be yourself and make the same kind of connection you do in person. And you can!
Want to learn how to get comfortable being yourself on camera?
This Challenge will get you there.
The improvement and transformation in members videos has been extraordinary as we add something new to focus on throughout each module – from lighting, framing, eye contact, intro and outros – all with daily prompts.
Everyone involved is getting daily feedback, and it's easy to see the fun we're all having as we progress.
The next Challenge is starting soon! Click the link and add your details to get involved: http://dailyvlogchallenge.com
The way it works
- Watch the daily video (with topic/Challenge included) uploaded into a separate post each day – excluding weekends.
- Record your video reply and upload into the comments for that unit.
- Once your video is uploaded, leave comments or constructive feedback (if requested) on at least 2 videos from other participants.
- Wait for feedback on your recording and implement suggestions into your next Challenge.
That's it, as simple as that. 
Personal Branding for Photographers Virtual Summit
With the support of an incredible team of educators, the first-ever Personal Branding for Photographers Virtual Summit is on January 22, 2021. Learn how industry leaders have built their photography businesses from the ground up, and leave inspired to take your own business to the next level.
To reserve your spot (and save $200 as a PBX listener), sign up at: https://personalbrandingforphotographers.com/photobizx/
This isn’t your typical photographer summit.
No gear.
No F-Stops.
No lighting tips.
The Personal Branding For Photographers Virtual Summit is all about personal stories from those who’ve created industry-leading personal brands within the photography industry.
Have you ever wondered what successful photographers did to build their brands?
Now you have the opportunity to learn from them, during the 1st ever Personal Branding for Photographers Virtual Summit on January 22nd, 2021. Brace yourself for a long day of learning from the 10 speakers who will share their expertise and experiences.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Episode 330: Johl Dunn – How to create a money making portrait photography business
012 Premium Only Episode: Nick Peel – How to successfully sell photography online
Episode 395: Asif Ali – The Coaching Diaries with Humberto Garcia
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Nik for coming on to share his thoughts and experiences on hiring a business coach, the struggles, successes and work that goes into building a sustainable photography business today.
I want to be efficient and have the processes in place for my business. I know what I'm doing, so to free up time for the family and the getting outdoors is my goal. – Nik Buttigieg
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
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