Amy Wolland, packed up and left New Zealand for Johannesburg, South Africa to start a photography business from scratch and for the first time in her life. In a foreign country, no contacts, no network and a limited knowledge of the market, she needed clients fast if this was going to work. In this interview, Amy reveals the steps she took before arriving and exactly how to generate wedding photography bookings from the get go.

After two and half years, she's refined her process and the business is growing faster than ever. If you're in a position where you are looking to generate not only enquiries but bookings, we discuss the different avenues that were available to Amy and which ones have proven to work well. Although many of her leads are paid for, her strategy, I believe is one of the best if you're looking to get bookings fast and without the time to rank well in Google using the normal SEO methods.

Here's some of what we cover:

  • the value of studying business before starting your own
  • researching the market before developing your products and price list
  • working from a home based studio
  • pay per click advertising with Google Adwords and Facebook ads
  • word of mouth referrals
  • getting featured on wedding blogs and how it affects bookings
  • working hard in the beginning
  • measuring and testing your approach
  • talking to the experts rather than going it alone
  • utilising negative keywords in your paid ads
  • staying in touch to help prompt your bookings
One thing that stands out after talking to Amy is the systemised approach she and Will take when it comes to working in their business. It's this step by step approach that I believe will see them reach the success they are planning to first become the best and most well known photographers in their area, then South Africa followed by world wide destination wedding demand.

Amy Wolland Podcast Interview

Premium Members

Available for download is Amy's scripted reply letter to couples after the initial website enquiry. This letter has been refined and tested and now provides the best conversions for the business. In addition to the letter, I kept Amy on the line to discuss her exact process from website enquiry to booking – including the use of the letter and what approach she and Will take if the letter doesn't get the couple to take action and book an appointment.

What is your big takeaway?

Following the interview, I'd love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you'd like to implement that Amy had to share? Let me and other listeners know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.

Remember, by making use of the comments you do get “do follow” links to your website and blog which helps the SEO rankings of your website. It's also a great way for me and other listeners to check out what you do.

Amy Wolland Podcast Interview

iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs

A big thanks to the two UK listeners that generously left fantastic reviews in the iTunes store for the podcast this week. It's a great help in making the Photo Biz Ex podcast easier to find and be discovered plus it lets me know I'm on the right track.

If you do leave a review in iTunes, be sure to let me know who you are so I can say thanks and add a link to your website.

Amy Wolland Podcast Interview

If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes.

Also, a few shout-outs to photographers/listeners that have made contact via email or social media this week:

Steve – http://jacqui-marie-photography.co.uk

Matt Gruber – http://mattgruberphotography.com

Dianne  – http://www.milestonesphotography.com.au

Ms Polka Dot – http://www.polkadotbride.com

Dave – http://www.davidrookphotographer.com

Chris – http://somersetphotographic.co.uk

Thanks everyone, it's been great chatting and hearing from all of you this week.

If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I'd love to hear from you!

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

As Sweet As Images – http://asaimages.co.za

As Sweet As Images on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AsSweetAsImages

As Sweet As Images on Twitter – https://twitter.com/asaimages

Wedding Friends Wedding Blog – http://www.weddingfriends.co.za

Seddon Portrait House – http://www.seddon.co.nz

Google Adwords – adwords.google.com

 Amy Wolland Podcast Interview

That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you. I'd love for you to leave a comment below to let me know what you took away from this episode of the podcast.

Speak soon

Andrew