Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Sam Coral of www.samcoralphoto.com was scheduled to take part in the coaching diaries series of interviews, coming up in early 2021, where I interview photographers who have recently started working with a photography business coach.
The idea is to explore what it's like to work with a photography business coach – the costs, the onboarding process, how they learn – via zoom, a FB Group, email, online classes, guarantees, expectations, and most importantly, results.
In this case, pet photographer Sam had recently signed up with Julie Christie and is part of her Togs In Business photography coaching Group. I was excited to learn more.
Then…
I learned she'd also had coaching from Mark Rossetto and it felt like lines would be blurred between who taught what.
The thing is, this Canadian based pet photographer looks to be kicking goals in her photography business, and I didn't want to pass up the chance to learn more about what she's doing and how it really is all going.
So in this interview, Sam shares how she is making her strategic transition from full-time employment to full-time pet photography by utilising what she's learning from the TOGS In Business training.
In particular, we go into detail on a single giveaway promotion Sam has recently completed, which generated almost 12 months of dog photography clients for her. Yes, 12 months worth of work from a single promotion she learnt from Julie.
Plus, you should have an idea if you can also grow your photography business faster with coaching.
Even when things don't work for me, I don't get upset about it. It's just like, “Okay, that didn't work. This is why. I'll try something new and see what happens.” – Sam Coral
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.
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I am hesitant to run a lot of giveaways because I don't want to negatively affect the value of my brand and my sessions regularly. – Sam Coral
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 Sam 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.
Without a strategy, I wasted more time because some of the stuff didn't work that I was doing, and it was harder to measure what was working and what wasn't because I was just kind of flying by the seat of my pants on stuff. – Sam Coral
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Sam 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.
In general, I feel like I'm pretty optimistic and I think that if I work hard at something, I can make it happen. I just have to figure out the right way to do it. – Sam Coral
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.
THIS WEEK – Photography Pricing Masterclass with Johl Dunn
Johl is returning to present the Photography Pricing Masterclass next Thursday at 6am (Sydney time). ?
Your local time can be found here.
NOTE: It may be your Wednesday.
NO FLUFF! The Zoom call will be a short, straight into it delivery of the topics, followed by a Q&A session.
Bring your price list(s) along and get feedback on the call.
This class is FREE to anyone who has purchased the course in the past – whether or not you made the first live presentation.
Don't have the course and want more info: https://photobizx.com/pricing
This class is on special in the leadup to next Thursday… save 20% and pay USD$77 here: https://photobizx.com/photography-pricing-masterclass-registration-20-off
Course members have unlimited access to the recordings, handouts and additional interviews and content on the PhotoBizX website, plus any future live presentations of the class.
Also included: a one on one call with Johl (when it suits you) to go over your price list and/or mindset around money.
And access to the Pricing FB Group where you will have direct access to Johl to discuss your pricelist.
Episode 370: Julie Christie – How to use an email autoresponder series in your photography business
Episode 316: Mark Rossetto – How to create and use a 12 month photography marketing plan
Episode 036: Charlotte Reeves, A Diversified Income Stream for Photography Success is Key
Mark Rossetto's photography training
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Sam for coming on to share her thoughts and experiences on building a successful pet photography business by employing the help of coaches and utilising giveaways to generate a ton of bookings as she makes the transition to full-time pet photographer.
Photography is my passion, so I got to get there. – Sam Coral
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
Great session – and very inspiring!
Thanks Chris! Sam was so worried about recording this interview and is afraid to listen back. To me, she should be 100% proud of what she’s achieved in such short time.
Great interview! I love how you dig into your interviews Andrew by asking straight-forward questions. It feels like a ‘real’ conversation versus one overly set-up. Thanks for your hard work!
Thanks so much Teresa! Love that you enjoyed the interview and how you see the interview as an unscripted conversation. Sam will be rapt to see your comments too.
I never go into an interview with any set questions (unless I’m including the “10 Quick Questions” segment) and go into each one with an open, inquisitive mind with my working photographers hat on. So nice to hear that’s how they come across too.
If you ever have a photographer or someone you’d feel would make a great guest, please let me know.