Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Annemie Tonken of www.megapixie.com is the podcast host of – This Can't Be That Hard – and owner of the photography business Megapixie Photography in North Carolina, USA.
Her photography is primarily captured in a documentary style, featuring movement, real moments in addition to structured and directed images. It's easy to see why parents would fall in love with her work.
Her podcast, like PhotoBizX, focuses on the business side of photography.
I first heard about her from PBX Member and photographer Candra Shank, who has been battling to become the business operator she's told she needs to be for success – which meant In-Person Sales Sessions. Candra readily admits, she just wasn't good at doesn't enjoy.
Candra heard an episode of This Can't Be That Hard, and everything changed for her. She restructured her business to online selling and said this one decision makes me so happy.
Following that email exchange with Candra, I contacted the talented Annemie who made such a difference in her life.
We touch on the simple sales system in this interview before diving into building a recurring photography income with portrait memberships.
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.
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.
I'm always looking for the win-win. If it's good for a client and it's good for me, then why would anybody not say ‘yes'. I want to give them that easy yes. – Annemie Tonken
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 Annemie 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.
There is no marketing silver bullet. You can get clients quickly but when it comes to connecting with the right people, your best bet really is to get out in your community. – Annemie Tonken
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Annemie 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.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
This Can't Be That Hard Podcast
This Can't Be That Hard on Instagram
This Can't Be That Hard on Facebook
Revenue on Repeat Portrait Membership Course
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Annemie for coming on to share her thoughts, ideas and experience on how to build a recurring income stream for any portrait photographer, using portrait memberships.
Human connection is really important. Even though I'm all about automations and streamlining and all that sort of stuff, every single time somebody wants to hire me, I want to have an actual conversation with them. – Annemie Tonken
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
Wow! What an amazing episode to dip back into the podcast with! (I’ve been slacking recently, sorry Ando)
I’ve had something (slighty) similar in mind for a couple years after a chat with a client, but I could never work out the specifics… Annemie, you’re a genius!
I have a location move coming up this winter, so am imagining this membership idea as a way to keep track of clients back in Oregon if I travel back a couple times a year, and to get going as I build new clients in the new spot.
Thanks Annemie for sharing so much, I’ll definitely be checking out Revenue On Repeat this winter!
And cheers Andrew for asking her all the questions that popped into my head as I was listening, as ever.
Hey Damo – great to see you diving back into the interviews and love that you enjoyed this one with Annemie!
Oh wow, I’m shocked to hear you’re leaving Oregon!
The portrait membership idea sounds like a great plan to stay in touch with the clients you’ve connected with there.
Looking forward to hearing more about your move and how the portrait membership idea pans out for you.
Stay in touch and speak soon
Andrew
Hey Damian – I’m so glad our conversation was valuable for you! I’d absolutely recommend a membership if you’re hoping to maintain some clients from a distance… I’ve had a few students who live in destination-type locations who’ve used the membership concept to encourage better return rates year to year, and I think you returning to THEM during a couple of pre-organized timeframes each year would work just as well!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks Annemie, I’ll be interested to see how it can work for my clients!
Cheers, Andrew! Yep, It’s hard to leave such a beautiful part of the world, but hopefully I’ll be back here plenty! I’ll let you know where I’m moving to, nearer the time. 😉