436: Nik Buttigieg – Change your mindset for photography sales success

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Nik Buttigieg of www.nikbuttigieg.com is a wedding and family photographer based in Broome, Western Australia.

I've known Nik for a few years through the PhotoBizX podcast. He's been a listener and member since 2018. He's completed various courses, and I've worked with him through one of the Daily Vlog Challenges.

Nik also participated in the Coaching Diary series of recordings at the start of the year, working with business and mindset coach Johl Dunn. We heard about his terrific strides in business during his audio diary updates as he added portrait photography to his wedding photography business.

In a recent email exchange with Johl, he wrote…

I don't know if you are looking for recommendations on people to interview, but I have a client, Nik Buttigieg, who would be amazing. What he has achieved in the last year is pretty impressive, and he is the nicest guy.

I followed up with Nik, and this interview is the result. Hear how he has transformed his business and reaped the rewards after changing his mindset first, then his approach to customer service, pricing, sales and success. 

Here's some more of what we cover in the interview:

• Who are Nik's target clients — locals or tourists visiting his area
• The catalyst for Nik to quit his full-time job to focus on his photography business
• The decision-making process to go full-time into photography
• Overcoming the fear of doing something new
• A snapshot of Nik's business today
• Why Nik doesn't want to chase the elopement and wedding destination niche in his area
• The advantages of portrait photography over other genres
• The importance of following a daily routine to build a successful business
• When do client consult calls happen in the portrait booking process
• Nik's booking process in detail
• Nik's filtration process with photography competition leads
• Nik's thoughts on locals repeatedly seeing competition ads
• The benefits of hiring a business coach
• The challenges of talking about wall art, pricing and sales with clients
• How to transition from casual to sales talk with clients
• Outsourcing someone to make booking calls
• The importance of knowing your numbers
• What to wear during planning appointments in clients' homes
• What to bring for client booking appointments
• Nik's learning experiences with setting the right pricing for his products
• Nik's purchasing appointment process
• Sales and payment processes
• Outsourcing photo editing
• The importance of creating the right mindset to have a successful business
• Where Nik would like to be in 12 months
• The easiest way to hit your sales targets

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.

Most people who pay the booking fee are just super excited to have their portraits done. – 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 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 more than happy to sit and really take time with people and people really appreciate it. I've had feedback, as well, just saying that the process in meeting people, they really love the process and the experience and I think it shows in the sales and what people buy. – 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.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS LIVE TRAINING!

It's no secret… I LOVE Facebook Ads

BUT… I'd never want my business to rely 100% on FB for all my leads.

Any business coach (not just photography) will tell you it'd be financial suicide to rely solely on one marketing source for your clients.

If you want to expand your lead generation, don't miss the upcoming masterclass with Kim Hamblin on booking unlimited clients from expos.

The details are here: https://photobizx.com/expos​

Kim built her photography business to a revenue of $500k! She knows business.

Her last expo yielded over $100k in portrait photography sales. She's been utilising expos as a lead generation source since 2013.

Come and join us for the live training or catch the replay. The cost doubles after the live session and the course will live on as a stand-alone masterclass at photobizx.com.

Learn more here: https://photobizx.com/expos​

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…

★★★★★ Great Podcast and a little unique

Via Apple Podcasts from life story photographer, Tony Knight in Melbourne Australia on August 4, 2021

I listen to the Photobizx podcast and this is Andrew's Photography Experiment Podcast which is quite unique as it focuses more on personal projects and alternatives to mainstream business.

The podcast is thought-provoking, inspiring and sometimes just what you need to get you out of a Rut.

Thanks for hosting this podcast Andrew
Great work.

★★★★★ Am inspired

Via Apple Podcasts from Ozamic in Nigeria on October 20, 2021

I really love this and have been on it since yesterday. Am happy I joined from Nigeria

★★★★★ Best photography business podcast ever!

Via Apple Podcasts from Atlanta, Georgia family and newborn photographer, Stefanie Jayne in the USA on October 15, 2021

This is my most favorite photography business podcast. I look forward to listening every Monday (state side).

Andrew interviews so many wonderful, knowledgeable and relatable people. Each episode is full of sooooo much helpful information. And story telling. But the good, helpful, practical kind.

I walk away from these podcasts feeling hopeful and inspired, and I’m able to apply the wisdom from other photo biz owners to my business.

Each podcast has very simple and helpful practical tips that don’t overwhelm but inspire.

Andrew asks all the questions we as listeners want to know, and then the conversation continues in the Facebook group.

Being a premium member is totally worth it! It’s like having a business coach in your pocket, cheering you on, and giving direction.