In this interview, successful businessman James Schramko shares his recipe for building a successful photography business without being a photographer.
Listen in as James systematically builds a virtual studio from scratch; step by step he covers what any listener can do right now to build a thriving photography business with a well ranking, engaging and unique website to attract your perfect target client.
It becomes obvious that the photography skills of the business owner has very little to do with the success of a wedding or portrait photography business. Following this episode, you'll come away with a whole new outlook on what it really takes to be successful in your business… and it doesn't involve more camera gear.
Here's some more of what we cover:
His immediate reply… haha, too easy…. Firstly, hire a photographer followed by what sounded like a fantastic blue print to kickstart a photography business anywhere. Don't miss this part of the interview!
James is a prolific content creator and his subscribers love his short, straight-to-the-point approach to video content. Is this something you can emulate in your business?
What's on Offer
Premium Members, James has something special in regards to a simple strategy to help your business referrrals that you can EASILY implement right away… and surprisingly, it's an offline approach.
A couple of things that James does make clear in the members audio is that following and chasing the “rock star photographers” is a total waste of time. They are so focussed on what they're doing, you aren't even on their radar and probably never will be with their different mindset and approach to business.
James suggests that instead of trying to emulate them and their businesses, use what you have to make your business thrive… in particular, use your existing clients to promote you and your services to their friends and family.
How? Jump over to the members area and find out.
The secret to getting found on the internet – a fast loading site and great content that will improve the lives of your visitor (potential client) and solve their problems.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview with James, I'd love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you'd like to implement or remember from what he had to share? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have any questions for James that I missed, a specific question you'd like to ask or if you just want to say thanks to James for coming on the show, feel free to add them below. There are no silly questions and chances are, if you're wanting to know the answer to something, other listeners will too. Get the conversation started by using the comments area below.
iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs
Each week before recording the podcast I check iTunes for any reviews and each week I'm blown away by the comments and reviews from you. This week was no exception with some incredibly generous comments… thank you:
Kane Mitchell of Mitchell Photography in the UK
Mayberry Photo in the States
Cormac O'Kelly of Striking Images in Ireland
Mike Constantinou of Australia
Ben Marden of Ben Marden Photography and Episode 2 of the Photo Biz Xposed Podcast
Thanks so much, I appreciate the time each of you have taken to add your reviews…
It's these iTunes reviews that make a big difference to the podcast being ranked well and found in the iTunes store. If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes. Don't feel your comments have to be long, involved or gushy, an honest opinion is all I ask.
Don't be shy about leaving your business name in the review either – that way I can add a link in the show-notes and show my appreciation with a proper thanks and a Google loving back-link to your website.
This week on social media and email, I've had the pleasure of chatting to a bunch of great people and want to give shout outs to:
Rahim of Sugar Box Studios
Phil Silverman of Phillip Silverman Photography
And Ces White from Intelligent Design who left a lovely voice mail message you can hear in the podcast.
If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me [email protected], 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:
The Super Fast Business Website
Super Fast Business on Facebook
Own The Racecourse – James' Philosophy when it comes to building your online presence.
Super Fast Business on YouTube
Freedom Ocean Podcast – where you can hear James talking Internet Business with Tim Reid
Rev.com – audio transcription service for $1 per minute
Formula1.com to see a slow loading website
Smushit by Yahoo – free photo optimisation plugin tool
Pingdom – speed test your website
Rode Smartlav Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones
Spencer Lum's Ground Glass Blog
That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business and you're enjoying the lead up to Christmas.
If you've been enjoying the podcast, I'd love for you to tell another photographer about it – it could be in a Facebook Group you're a part of, a photography forum, with a photographer friend or on twitter.
If you do have a twitter account, simply click here: https://photobizx.com/tweet or use the share buttons below.
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Another great episode! I listen to all kinds of business podcasts as well, but it is nice to here business experts applying what they know to the photography industry. I especially liked his ideas for content creation, and hope to create a video like James suggests at my next wedding.
Thanks Terry. I agree, it’s nice to hear someone’s that’s a success in their field apply what they would do to succeed in a photography situation.
Have a look at James’ YouTube Chanel for a bunch of ideas on video creation and how easy he makes it look. It’s also worth subscribing to his email list – lots of good ideas there too.
In my opinion the best podcast to date, and I have recently gone through all the podcasts. There was just so much to take away and so many things I want to try. I will definitely be listening to this a couple of times to take it all in again.
The main thing I will be putting into force is with the videos and guides. This is something I have been wanting to do for ages, but kept putting it off as I have had so much on. After listening to this podcast though I will 100% be making videos over the holidays.
I will also be signing up to James’s podcast!
BIG thanks again
Leighton
Best podcast to date! Big call Leighton and great to hear, thank you and thanks again to James.
I’ve been waiting a long time to ask James onto the show. As successful and experienced as he is, I wanted to have some “runs on the board” before approaching him… it was worth the wait.
Both his podcasts are great and make sure you check his YouTube channel for some video inspiration too.
Looots of great info, I should start doing some videos and change my contact form on my website to exclude the dna sample etc…
Looks like video was the biggest takeaway from this interview.
I like the look of your contact page Anders and after listening to James will be revisiting mine as well. I guess, once we have a name and email address, we can find everything else we need on a follow up email or phone call.
Love the shoot you linked to with the “comment luv” plugin – was that a regular portrait session for you?
Hi Andrew, that was a shoot we organized with some friends while we were in Australia last. Such a lot of fun to shoot a “bride” more creatively without time restrictions:)
A bridal shoot with no time restrictions… that’s what I call a fun shoot.
Great post/interview. Thanks for the mention. LOADS and LOADS of good info here.
Thanks and no worries Ces – hope you’re doing well!
Fantastic episode!
I have taken so much away from this I don’t know where to start but the one thing I will say is that this episode has completely changed my content creation strategy for next year!
Thanks Shane!
Awesome to know you have some great takeaways and BTW, the keyword stuffing comments weren’t aimed at you 🙂
You have had some great people on the show! Of all of them I think this one has been the best as far as marketing. I am going to look at putting videos to use on my site.
It seems video is by far and away the biggest take away from James in this episode – it’ll be great to see what you come up with Matt.
I guess the other BIG point is that marketing is marketing like business is business, no matter the niche. I’m positive, James would be as much of a success in the photography industry as any other. Food for thought when considering new equipment purchases or more business self development and training…
Have a great Christmas Matt, thanks for adding your comments.
Good call.. I think you are right about that..
thank you for having me on the show and I appreciate the lovely comments. I am inspired at how many people are taking action from this. I predict big success for those who do in 6 months from now.
Regards
James
Hi James, since listening to this podcast I have also listened to about 10 of your podcasts on Superfast Business and Freedom Ocean and I’m excited about this way of building content and doing videos especially. I’ve already started filming and putting down ideas for videos.
I have a couple of questions for you if you have a chance to get back to me:
I am a wedding photographer based in Norway and my customers are mostly Norwegian and although they all understand English it is most natural for them to communicate in Norwegian. I would say all local search is done in Norwegian so it makes sense to have a Norwegian site. (I do have a multilingual site with english text aswell)
My question is, and it might sound a bit silly, with Google now focusing a lot more on content and phrases rather than keywords and manipulated backlinks, does this apply to all languages? Are Google’s Norwegian skills as good as their English? Do all the principles you talk about work the same for all languages?
Google is the largest search-engine in Norway by far, so I guess they do, but wondering if you know more?
My second question is: Norway is a small country of 5m people. Most of my clients are Norwegian but understand English very well. Do you have any experience with businesses you’ve been involved with building their site / content in their local market’s second language. How does that affect their business and search traffic?
I’m probably rambling a bit, but any help would be appreciated!
Hi Anders, do it all in Norwegian. Speak the language of your customer and optimize for humans.
wow wow wow! There is So much in this podcast i’m really going to have to listen to it again. Great interview Andrew. This guy seriously rocks! He’s so down to earth and obviously is really good at what he does. For someone who’s looking to enter into wedding and portrait photography, i thought James’s condensed overview of how to set up a photography business/website was Gold ! I’m going to pour through this content again and again as it made so much sense.
I’ve listened to 40 podcasts in about 4 weeks now (i know, a bit ocd right!?) and have enjoyed every one of them, but i think this one is top of the tree. Great job getting him on board.
I agree Paul, with your view on James’ overview n how to set up a photography business from scratch… GOLD.
40 podcasts in 4 weeks! No comment required 😉
Great to have you listening and thanks for adding your comments
I think I’m officially addicted to listening to these podcasts. Keep up the great work!
Nice one Nicole, great to have you listening and even better to know you’re addicted 🙂
Have a great Christmas.
Totally loved the idea of someone tagging along with me documenting the shoot. My best friend is in New Zealand right now I told him to make little videos and post them so we can “go along with him”. So I totally can relate to what James is saying here because so far my buddy’s videos are doing just that.
His next stop is guess where? Yep, Australia. I’m so jealous.
I would totally swing by Impact Images and have a beer with you Andrew if it were me. Maybe one day though.
Joey Joiner
Fort Worth, Texas
Hey Joey, is your friend a photographer and are the videos available for everyone to see?
You’re more than welcome to drop in anytime you’re in Australia and it’d be a pleasure to have a beer or two with you Joey.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Totally awesome interview – I have listened to it twice so far – my smartLav Mic is on its way and I am rethinking getting someone “cheap” to develop my web page. Would like more information about web development and hosting.
Off to check out what is on SuperFast Business Web site. Think that I could use some help here
Wow. That was awesome ive listened to it 3 times already. Each time ive picked up another tip. This was jam packed with great ideas. Thanks for the heads up on the freedom ocean podcast. Just started at number 1 & im hooked.
I had a little moment of defeat before Christmas. Felt like giving up the photography. The last few podcasts have been just what I needed to pick myself back up and get going.
Hey Te – so glad you didn’t give it away, you do great work!
Having a day job, in my opinion, has you in the perfect position to try new things, experiment with pricing and packages and get where you want to be with your photography.
I’m also rapt the podcast played some part in keeping you motivated! You’ll love the Freedom Ocean Podcast and I think the earlier episodes have some of the best content.
Hope 2014 is an amazing year for you!
Again a great episode! I had already heard James on another podcast and also this time, when I hear him explain the actions to take, I want to start right away. Thanks for all this great info.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you Andrew and James.
Kurt