Freedom Focus Photography

82 - Welcome to Biz Tip Thursday!  These are short actionable episodes in which Nicole takes something that's going on in her life or business and relates that to something that you can do NOW in your business!How diligent are you about asking your clients for reviews? How many reviews is "enough" so you can rest easy? In today's episode, I'm sharing my recent experience getting pizza and why my husband was leaving a review at 10:30pm.If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag us, @hairofthedogacademy.Haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to www.hairofthedogacademy.com/apple, and thanks for your support of this show!LINKS:Check out the Hair of the Dog Academy.https://hairofthedogacademy.com/academy/Grab your FREE Editing 101  or Pricing 101 masterclass!https://www.hairofthedogacademy.com/editinghttps://www.hairofthedogacademy.com/pricingConnect with us on Instragram - @hairofthedogacademyhttps://www.instagram.com/hairofthedogacademy/JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

081 - Dialing in your brand is the second step in this 6-part series on the pillars of your business. It's a fun step, too—enjoyable enough that pet photographers get hung up here, swimming in a sea of font choices and logo ideas, without actually moving things forward. This week you'll hear about what you need, when to say good enough and move on, and why you should always include the eggs! What To Listen For: How to set a brand intention—and why it's so important The thing you've heard a billion times, but still haven't doneWhat it means to have a "minimum viable design" How many fonts are ideal for your brandThe doodles you'll want (not made of cheez; not made of poodles)For a handy reference and to keep yourself accountable, print this FREE branding checklist and post it near your desk. Then—and this part’s really important—start checking things off!!  Resources From This Episode: Free Branding ChecklistEpisode 79 - The Six Pillars of Business, Part 1Simon Sinek's TED Talk - Start With WhyCreative MarketCoolors color scheme generatorFont Pair What the Font? font identifierHair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate coaching program JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

80 -  It’s Laser Coaching time again, which is a member benefit inside the Hair of the Dog Academy when members get to schedule a 15-minute 1:1 call with Nicole to discuss any issue that they are currently facing in their business. In this conversation, Rebecca has an idea for a book project that crosses species lines and is looking for strategies to work with some zoological institutions.If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag us, @hairofthedogacademy.Haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to www.hairofthedogacademy.com/apple, and thanks for your support of this show!LINKS:Check out the Hair of the Dog Academy.https://hairofthedogacademy.com/academy/Grab your FREE Editing 101  or Pricing 101 masterclass!https://www.hairofthedogacademy.com/editinghttps://www.hairofthedogacademy.com/pricingConnect with us on Instragram - @hairofthedogacademyhttps://www.instagram.com/hairofthedogacademy/JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

079 - Welcome, welcome! Today I'm kicking off a six-week solo series covering the six pillars of your pet photography business. Whether you're just getting started, or your business was thrown together like a Pinterest-fail DIY shelving unit, this series will help.This week I'm talking you through the legal and administrative side of things, which admittedly isn't the most exciting part of pet photography. But getting this stuff sorted out means the bedrock of your business will be solid. Don't skip it!! What To Listen For: The biggest legal mistake Nicole made when starting outHow to avoid getting walloped by the self-employment taxThe pros and cons of using your personal name in your business nameWhich insurance coverage to choose for full protectionHow to form an LLC (it's easier than it sounds!)The EIN-related scam to steer clear ofNo need to take notes as you listen; keep your hands free for driving or dog-petting, and simply DOWNLOAD THIS FREE legal/admin to-do CHECKLIST.Resources From This Episode: Checklist of legal/admin to-dosProfit First, by Mike MichalowiczThe LawTog's Pet Photography Contract BundleQuickbooks accounting softwareWave accounting software (it's free!)Hair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate coaching program JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

78 - It’s Laser Coaching time again, which is a member benefit inside the Hair of the Dog Academy when members get to schedule a 15-minute 1:1 call with Nicole to discuss any issue that they are currently facing in their business. In this conversation, Victoria is in the beginning process of setting up her business and has some questions about getting her business going!If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag us, @hairofthedogacademy.Haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to www.hairofthedogacademy.com/apple, and thanks for your support of this show!LINKS:Check out the Hair of the Dog Academy.Grab your FREE Editing 101  or Pricing 101 masterclass!Connect with us on Instragram - @hairofthedogacademyJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

077 - What is it that you want? How do you want to feel today?  They're seemingly simple questions, but few of us take the time to ask ourselves—or to get clear on the answers. This week I'm joined by podcast regular Heather Lahtinen to talk about why it's so important to set intentions, and how to do it effectively. Also in this episode: bobbleheads, "safety mode," and road-trip woes.  What To Listen For: The important difference between goals and intentionsHow to phrase your intentions to increase their powerWhat triggered Heather's recent meltdown, and how she turned things aroundThe Contrast/Clarity method for figuring out what you wantThis year's hottest Christmas present—add it to your wish-list!Setting intentions doesn't have to be a complicated process—but it is a critically important process. This week's episode will get you headed in the right direction.  Resources From This Episode: Flourish AcademyFlourish Academy on FacebookEpisode 67 - The Productivity Hack No One Talks AboutSoundtracks, by John AcuffStart With Why, by Simon SinekHair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate coaching programJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

76 - It’s Laser Coaching time again, which is a member benefit inside the Hair of the Dog Academy when members get to schedule a 15-minute 1:1 call with Nicole to discuss any issue that they are currently facing in their business. Matt has been working on growing his business for the past two years and is ready to really move towards making this a full-time job.  In this laser coaching, we discuss plans to market his business and how he can set his business up for success that leads to more consistent bookings.If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag us, @hairofthedogacademy.Haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to www.hairofthedogacademy.com/apple, and thanks for your support of this show!LINKS:Check out the Hair of the Dog Academy.Grab your FREE Editing 101  or Pricing 101 masterclass!Connect with us on Instragram - @hairofthedogacademyJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

075 - Becoming an entrepreneur is guaranteed to throw lighter fluid onto your personal growth journey. When you're running a personal brand, it's no surprise that everything feels so...personal. And it's easy to get knocked off course emotionally, as many of us discovered this past year.  Award-winning dog photographer Jessica McGovern is no stranger to depression and self-doubt. Our conversation this week is remarkably funny, given the topic at hand. Jessica has some deep wisdom and actionable strategies to share—along with a brilliant (if tongue-in-cheek) idea for a new Hair of the Dog training course.   What To Listen For: Why social media can be especially torturous for photographersHow to handle perfectionism and pre-session anxietyA system for critically assessing your own work (without being overly self-critical)What successful pet photographers have in commonThe surprising stats on photographers' mental health What you'd find in Jessica's scrapbook—and why she includes itIf you've struggled with mindset and mental health issues, this episode will help you feel less alone. Tune in, take notes, and take a few deep breaths for good measure. Resources From This Episode:That Photography Spot YouTube channelThat Photography Spot websiteHair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate coaching program JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

074 - It’s Laser Coaching time again, which is a member benefit inside the Hair of the Dog Academy when members get to schedule a 15-minute 1:1 call with Nicole to discuss any issue that they are currently facing in their business. In this conversation, Marcea is stuck on how much personal information to include on her about me page of her website.  How much personal is too personal?If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag us, @hairofthedogacademy.Haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to www.hairofthedogacademy.com/apple, and thanks for your support of this show!LINKS:Check out the Hair of the Dog Academy.Grab your FREE Editing 101  or Pricing 101 masterclass!Connect with us on Instragram - @hairofthedogacademyJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

073 - Julie Christie wants you to get over yourself already. But delivered with a laugh and in her lilting Scottish brogue, it's obviously meant as encouragement, not insult. Julie's the marketing whiz behind Togs in Business. She joins me this week to talk about creating a magnetic Instagram content strategy—which includes setting aside your self-consciousness and making yourself more visible. Some of her suggestions will feel like a relief, and others will catch you by surprise. (The Big Cull?!? 😳) What To Listen For: Permission to ditch this stressful Instagram strategy......and the (uncomfortable?) thing you need to be sharing Tricks for turning the algorithm into your new bffThe metric that matters most these days in your IG analytics A rule-breaking experiment to try with your posts What to do with your "moneymaker" link (other than shake it, obvi)If you've felt frustrated by Instagram, or at a loss for how to leverage its power, you'll love the clear and actionable ideas in this week's episode! Resources From This Episode: Togs in BusinessTogs in Business free marketing workshopTogs in Business on InstagramHair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate coaching program JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.