5 Easy ways to IMPROVE your WEBSITE.

I want to share 5 easy steps to make your website BETTER. Having your site work FOR you and not AGAINST you.

Fly morning! This is a topic I wanted to cover that is extremely important. I’ve recently taken my website to a level where it’s able to sustain as a business. These are some key improvements you can make right now to your product or service site, for overall better results!

WHY should you have a website?

A website is the backbone of your business. It's an first impression for clients, a way for them to contact and hire you. More importantly it's one of the ways to prove you have a solution to someone's problem. If I have a wedding coming up and your website sells flowers, you have a solution to one of my problems. Now if I visit it and see lovely photos of different flowers you offer, you've been in business for “X amount of years’ now you're the person I want to solve that problem. Too many people overlook the importance of having a web page that works. Especially individuals who are just starting out. I don’t want you to be one of these people!

• Too much clutter

One thing I notice is that a lot of people clutter their website. More on your site doesn't always lead to it being better. Something to consider is when someone is looking to hire you they "Scan through" your website and not read every single thing. They immediately want to know and be confident that you’re the person for the job, and or that your items are for them. So having a clear, simple, straight forward place for potential clients to land is the best approach to being the person for the job. You don't always have to do the most. One way to make your website better is to make it simple.

• Unclear message

Not having a clear message on your site won't turn the people browsing into buyers. When it comes to your homepage there is something called a fold. The fold is simply what people see before they have to scroll down your site. Having your message identifiable immediately over the fold is another way to make your website better. It gives potential clients & customers the opportunity to view what you do, what you specialize in, and how you can help them.

Everyone may not agree with this. A lot of boutiques and small business use their phone to capture most of their content. Websites like offerup let people take pics of their products to sell immediately. Which is totally fine.

Being a photographer I’ve learned presentation is everything. I wouldn't go to a interview in my house slippers. Even if I am the the most qualified person for the job. If I'm selling something or want someone to buy into what I do, I want the best photos possible, I want the best videos possible, I want the best stuff as possible on my site. You leave opportunity on the table when you don't take the time to invest in visually appealing content for your website.

You can fix this by adding your best work. Make your site visually appealing and an experience to the viewer.

• Too confusing to book or hire you.

Leaving your contact information is a good way for people to reach you directly. Another option is setting " Call to action” buttons. This is a button that can be set to a custom message of your choosing and redirected to a contact form. Once I have a potential client here I can gather further information. For example " Why are you interested in working together ? ". So before we get on a call or email I have some initial information to digest.

Clear simple communication is key. People want what they want, and they want it as simple and fast as possible. If you get into the mind and perspective of the person that is looking to hire you, you’ll be more successful at being the person for the job.

• Doesn't seem trustworthy

One way to reel more people in is by having people you already worked with leave reviews and testimonials. This is a great way to put people at ease who are inquiring your services or products. Especially as a newly creative.

In conclusion

You want your website to function like a well oiled machine. Incorporating the right pieces for it to ultimately become fruitful to your business. These quick and easy steps are very effective, helping to furthermore grow your company, brand and business. Hope this was helpful!

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4 WAYS to get COMFORTABLE in front of the camera.

Are you Camera Shy?

Learn some quick tips to immediately help you pose confidently and look good in every photo.

Today I want to help you overcome the fear of being in front of the camera, resulting in better pictures. Throughout my career as a photographer i’ve noticed how these small adjustments can have a great impact on the final image. Many people are great at taking selfies, but become shy when it comes to being in front of the camera. Today I'm going to help you overcome that and become your best self in front of the camera!

1. Using Confidence Boosters

Doing things to help build your confidence. These are small changes that will subconsciously make you feel better about yourself.

For Example

• Practicing in the mirror all week before your shoot.

• Wearing your favorite color

• Listening to your favorite song

• Complimenting yourself out loud.

• Looking for comparsion photos to help you.

  Doing things to build yourself up because it really shows on the camera.

2. Don't Overthink Things 

The reason people take great selfies but shy away from actually being in front of the camera is because of this self intimidation we build up. It's only a camera, It cannot hurt you or judge you. It's just a box with a hole in it.

All the extra photography equipment that we tend to be intimated by is literally there to help us look better.

Change your perspective about the camera, The camera is your friend.

3. Angles Always Help

Giving yourself some shape and definition will always help in your photos. Do you have a side of your face that you favor more than the other? Do you naturally feel comfortable posing from one side of your body than the other? Follow what feels organic, but if you don't know which angles to go to leads to my next tip

Small angle adjustments can make so much of a difference in your photo.

This angle is flat and does not help to highlight our subjects features.

Angles always help to give depth to your image. This small adjustment helps to make our image flattering.

4. Don’t be Afraid to ask for Pointers 

It’s ok to ask for help. If you don't know what to do don't be afraid to ask. The photographer has a trained eye for what is going to look flattering in the final image. Also bringing support systems to photo shoots can help boost your confidence. Your friend or family member may see something that looks great that you may not necessarily notice. Don't be afraid to ask her help. put your friends to work. Ask your photographer for help. Thats why we are here.

In Conclusion

Consider everything I mentioned, give it a chance and you'll be way more comfortable in front of the camera. In which leads to better photos.

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Mastering Client Attraction for Creatives & Freelancers

As a creative or freelancer, it can be troubling to start getting compensated for your work. This post will cover key things to consider when attracting PAYING clients.

I've been a photographer for years, and for a long time I had the wrong perspective on prospects and customer service. For example, When I would get individuals that liked my work but didn't necessarily want to pay my rate, I would take it personal. I didn’t take the time to understand WHY they didn’t want to pay what I charged. And with that, I realized is that my approach was wrong.

We need to be clear about 3 Things.

1. The specific audience you provide too.

2. How do you provide Value ?

3. How to put your product / service in front of them.

For example, If I make running sneakers my audience to consider would be athletes, particularly runners. The value my product provides is that It is a better sneaker for running with a new technology for comfort. My team and I invest in a commercial aimed to showcase the advantages my shoe can have for runners. This is how I put my product in front of my audience.

This is a rough example but point being is we want to be intentional. What I learned is when you're working with prospects, it's about what value can you offer them. How can you solve their problem with the item or service you provide? Become a problem solver. Polish and brand the idea of how you can help others by delivering value.

This works the best when you take the time to understand your specific audience.

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As a creative, How to work with difficult clients?

Looking to make money as a Creative?

In any business you're going to come across obstacles and perhaps difficult clients. Let’s talk about ways to identify and overcome these experiences?

1. Build your Brand & Value

Companies & corporations don’t chase clients. They build their brand and value to attract a target audience. The same should go for you, Don’t chase the bag, attract the bag. As a creative or small business this should be the first focal point.

Attract the kind of consumer you WANT instead of chasing the kind of customer you think you NEED.

Build yourself, get great at what you're doing, and market yourself to your target audience. Everything else will fall into place.

2. Realize that People Spend $ on What They Value

Do you have the friend that saved up money for that designer belt or designer purse? but they don’t have life insurance?

Yea we all know that person. You might be that person, No judgement here. Point is…

Everyone has money, some type of money. we all have to eat, travel to work everyday, we all have to have a place to live. Everyone has some type of money. It’s just how we prioritize our money. When a person is hesitate about spending money for your service or product they simply don't see 100% value in your product or service yet.

We go to Walgreens and Starbucks everyday and give strangers our debit cards without hesitation. We trust banks full of strangers with our hard earn money with no hesitation. But then when it comes to you they don't want to pay that invoice? They don’t want to swipe their card on your card reader? Why is that?… Value. We see the value in these different companies. But going back to building your brand, when you build your brand it raises your value. Attracting the customers that have faith in you. These are the customers that we want to sustain a relationship with.

3. Don't Enable Difficult Clients 

The last thing you want to do is make a bad situation worst.

This would be an example of enabling a person. Let’s say we have a customer inquiring, but is still hesitant about your rate. Then you turn around and offer that person a discount to conclude the sale. You allowed the client to dictate the narrative and you enable them for future business. I know we hear the phase "The customer is always right" but is the customer always right? Don’t operate out of a sense of desperation, even if you are in a desperate state. Operate from a place of abundance. Ultimately you’ll end up making better decisions.

Taking on the 1 or 2 clients that was a pleasure to work with is better than the 5 or 6 clients that were a headache. 

In Conclusion

At the end of the day you just have to ask yourself who are you ? And who are you looking to become?
Step 1 for me is so important. It sets a smoother stream flow for everything else. Ultimately bringing your business or service the clientele you deserve.

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