Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Dan McClanahan of McClanahan Studio has a totally different view to marketing, advertising and attracting new clients to most senior photographers… really, different to most every other photographer. In terms of marketing, everything he does is planned to be in person versus print or web ads. His aim, give people experiences that are cool and get them hooked.
Before you start listening to this interview with Dan – you need to go check out his work because it will blow you away! Either scroll down in the show notes or head to his overview page here: http://www.mcclanahanstudio.net/.
The minute I saw their work (Dan and his wife Alex) I emailed him to set up this interview.
Dan became a photographer in 2009 after studying journalism and started his business with his then new wife Alex who studied graphic design. Alex also shoots today. Their goal was to offer a fresh alternative to traditional photography in their market which is split between commercial photography, senior portraits and weddings. You'll have to agree after seeing their photography – they have achieved and exceeded their goal with their striking work.
Dan does most of the shooting while Alex designs any products, takes care of accounting, handles sales and most communication. Dan manages IT, marketing and the commercial projects. Overall it's roughly 20% of the time shooting and 80% taking care of the business.
And they have THE BEST Christmas cards you've ever seen!
Here’s some more of what we cover in the interview:
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.
A good way to determine style is don't show people what you think they want to see. Show them what you love and then you get people that hire you that want what you love coz that's all they've seen and then it's conducive to snowballing that and going deeper into what you love. – Dan McClanahan
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.
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.
Joining a Mastermind Group (encouraged by Andrew) has been incredibly valuable and fun, I look forward to connecting with my group members every week. Jina Zheng, Premium Member and Melbourne Children photographer.
And that's not all… you get a set of steak knives… I'm kidding!
Seriously though, 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 Dan 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 todays episode.
Never go into a shoot thinking about money because that just taints what you're capable of. – Dan McClanahan
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Dan 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 means 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 key words or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
Here is the latest review:
Level Up: This isn’t just a podcast
In iTunes by Tim Morrison, a Wellington headshots photographer in New Zealand on March 20, 2018
This isn’t just a podcast. Its education. Its inspiration. Its community. Its a workshop.
Andrew hasn’t just curated a s*%t load of great information for us. He’s created a network of like minded people. Willing to help each other. Willing to share their results.
Listen to PBX, become a premium member and level up.
It's not about getting an epic shot. It's about what's going to service the client and be something that they love forever because it tells truth about the stage in their life. – Dan McClanahan
I'm not a big follow up with people and ask for reviews guy. I just wanted to be like… you came, you had this great experience. My goal is to make it great. Here's what I made for you and from there, if it was a genuine connection, they will go forward and spread the love. – Dan McClanahan
Online Photography Sales Masterclass – a different way to do sales
The Online Photography Sales Masterclass is now available!
Since releasing the course to PBX members, we've steadily been adding content to the course as requests from users arose. Now, you'll also find a complete set of swipe copy to use in ALL your client correspondence, sample galleries, real price lists and a growing Q&A chapter.
Hey hey hey Andrew and Nick …. I must admit this course has been the best
I have purchased BY A MILE…. I can't thank you enough for putting it the way you have. Even though I am just starting I was in procrastination mode most of the time… but after this, it will change.
The content of course, Nick's website and how easy it is to understand is a game changer. This course is like RED BULL for my photog business startup. You truly have given me the push and WINGS TO FLY 😛 – Praveen Shankam
The course has been put together by family and portrait photographer Nick Peel who is averaging $1000 sales – all online.
Yes, the big industry push is towards IPS but there are a bunch of reasons you might need to utilise online selling. That's why I saw such value in putting this together with Nick.
In the course you'll learn:
- how to set up your pricing to lead client naturally to your top package every time
- what to include in your online gallery
- how to set up your gallery and pricing to make it easy for you and clients (video tutorial)
- which shots you need to best sell your top package following every shoot
- what kind of locations will give you the best chance at selling your top package
- why you should never sell individual images
- how to introduce urgency into your pricing which encourages sales
- email and text swipe copy to use in your business
- why you shouldn't use sneak peeks with online sales
- and as they say… Lots more
The course is aimed at portrait photographers, in particular family photographers but there is sction for shooting couples and engagement sessions and selling online to these clients.
The cost is only $97 – ONE sale of your top package (which is exactly what the course will show you how to do) and you 10X your investment in the course.
As usual, there's a money back guarantee – if you're not happy for whatever reason, let me know and I'll refund you. No questions.
Nick and I have worked hard on this and we're both proud of the result and think it fills a need for any photographer who for whatever reason can't or doesn't want to do IPS.
If that's you and you want the best chance of making great online sales following every session, this strategy will do that for you. It's proven and it works.
Click the link to get access now: https://photobizx.com/online-photography-sales-masterclass
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Dan McClanahan Studio on Instagram
Dan McClanahan Studio on Facebook
Young, Fun Newcastle Marriage Celebrant, Julie Muir
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Dan for coming on and sharing so much about his thoughts and ideas on developing a successful photography business based on face to face experiences and a more natural style of marketing… delivering a terrific and personally tailored experience for EVERY client.
In terms of marketing, everything that I do, I try and do in person versus print or web ads. It is like meeting people and giving them experiences that are cool and getting them hooked. – Dan McClanahan
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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