599: Carolyne & Alasdair – Sell First, Shoot Later: A winning photography sales strategy

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Carolyne and Alisdair of www.carriesoutherton.co.uk first appeared on the podcast for episode 312, and the title was “How to build a hugely successful dog photography business.” At the time, she was running Scotland's ONLY dedicated dog Photography Studio with SEVEN Acres of Studio Grounds, which incorporated a massive indoor studio and large showroom. This was also home to the fantastic CATCHATHON events and images that capture those fun images of dogs you've undoubtedly seen, where they are catching a piece of cheese or food. Since recording that interview, she and her husband Alisdair built an incredible exhibition stand and mobile studio on a large trailer. Throughout the year, they attend many dog shows and dog events with the setup to attract and book clients to their home-based outdoor acreage studio. In this interview, Carolyne and Alisdair share all the details of their incredible workflow, shooting and sales strategy, which is unique and incredibly successful. I was shocked and delighted to hear they sell first and shoot later, which is a winning photography sales strategy that any photographer could emulate. And yes, I'm saying they sell wall art and albums to their dog owner clients before taking a single photo! Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: What’s on Offer for Premium Members 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, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews. We've never been ones to sit on our back end, open the doors and expect people just to come in, because that never works. You've got to get out there, see the whites of their eyes, and talk to them. — Carolyne 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. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all. You always look at your process. If you get the sale, figure out why. If you don’t get the sale, figure out what you could have done differently. Analyse every time. — Carolyne In addition to everything above, you'll get access to 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 motives similar to yours – 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 from what Carolyne & Alasdair 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, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode. The way we work financially is that clients pay 50% on the day before the photo shoot. We do the photo shoot, and then they pay the balance, so 50% when they come back to view the final images to put onto their products. — Carolyne