Podcast Summary: "Is Your Photography Business Feeling Slow? 4 Ways to Increase Your Bookings Right Now (Re-cast)"
Book More Photography Clients Podcast | Photography Business, Marketing, Leads, Business Plan
Host: Brooke Jefferson
Release Date: March 13, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Is Your Photography Business Feeling Slow? 4 Ways to Increase Your Bookings Right Now (Re-cast)," Brooke Jefferson delves into actionable strategies to help photographers boost their bookings during sluggish business periods. As an experienced Oklahoma family photographer and business coach, Brooke addresses the common struggles photographers face and provides practical solutions to overcome them.

Personal Reflections and Acknowledgments

Brooke begins the episode by expressing gratitude to her podcast community, celebrating the milestone of 400,000 downloads. She emphasizes that her mission has always been to support fellow photographers in growing their businesses without the unnecessary fluff. Despite a technical hiccup with her microphone, Brooke maintains an authentic and relatable tone, sharing her personal challenges with business fluctuations.

Notable Quote:
"Owning your own business, especially a photography business, it is going to feel like a roller coaster. It's not for the faint of heart."
[00:03]

She candidly discusses the emotional ups and downs that come with running a photography business, reassuring listeners that experiencing slow periods is a normal part of the entrepreneurial journey.

The Roller Coaster of Business

Brooke likens the business experience to a roller coaster, highlighting the inevitable highs and lows. She shares her recent personal struggle with a "funk," illustrating that even successful entrepreneurs face challenging times. This vulnerability helps listeners relate and understand that feeling discouraged during slow periods is common.

Notable Quote:
"Business is very much a roller coaster. You're going to have ups, you're going to have downs."
[00:03]

Introduction to the Blueprint Program

Transitioning from personal anecdotes, Brooke introduces her Blueprint Program, a coaching initiative designed to help photographers navigate economic shifts and slow business periods. She underscores the importance of staying proactive by developing fresh marketing strategies and maintaining momentum even when business slows down.

Notable Quote:
"If you're on the fence, you're welcome to send me a message and I will flat out tell you if I think it's going to help you."
[00:03]

Brooke shares testimonials from participants who found immense value in the program, emphasizing its effectiveness in delivering real results without fluff.

Main Content: Four Strategies to Increase Bookings

Brooke outlines four practical strategies to help photographers increase their bookings during slow periods:

1. Add a Smaller Version of Your Current Offering

Brooke advises against the common mistake of slashing prices or offering constant discounts, which can devalue services and train clients to wait for sales. Instead, she suggests creating a scaled-down version of existing packages.

Notable Quote:
"If you're doing this all of the time, then you're training your people to wait until you slash your prices to invest in you."
[00:03]

Example:
For a two to three-hour newborn session, consider offering a "Newborn Petite Session" that requires less time and offers fewer images at a reduced price point. This approach maintains the perceived value of services while providing clients with more affordable options.

2. Add Urgency to Your Posts

Creating a sense of urgency encourages potential clients to take action rather than procrastinate. Brooke emphasizes the importance of real, authentic urgency rather than artificial scarcity.

Notable Quote:
"Real urgency. So, what makes booking you and this type of session right now different than any other time of the year?"
[00:03]

Strategies to Add Urgency:

• Highlight seasonal elements (e.g., specific flowers in bloom).
• Align sessions with upcoming holidays.
• Emphasize unique deliverables that are time-sensitive.

Brooke warns against using fake urgency, such as falsely claiming limited availability, as it can damage trust.

3. Try Marketing in New Ways

If existing marketing efforts yield stagnant results, Brooke encourages photographers to explore new marketing channels and strategies. Sticking to the same methods without variation can limit business growth.

Notable Quote:
"Nothing changes if nothing changes."
[00:03]

Suggested Marketing Innovations:

• Email Marketing: Start building and utilizing an email list to engage with potential clients directly.
• Community Collaborations: Partner with local businesses or collaborate with other creatives to reach new audiences.
• Local Advertising: Explore new local advertising options such as flyers, brochures, or event sponsorships.
• Networking Events: Attend or host networking meetups to connect with potential clients and industry peers.
• Pinterest Marketing: Use Pinterest to showcase portfolios and attract clients searching for inspiration.

Brooke advises selecting at least one new marketing avenue to experiment with, emphasizing that even small changes can lead to significant improvements.

4. Grow Your Audience with Real Local People

A robust and relevant audience is crucial for sustained business growth. Brooke points out that many photographers have follower bases comprising mostly industry peers rather than ideal clients.

Notable Quote:
"If you keep speaking to the same people, you're going to keep seeing the same results."
[00:03]

Steps to Grow a Relevant Audience:

• Audit Current Followers: Assess who is currently following your profile and identify gaps.
• Target Local Demographics: Focus on attracting local clients who are more likely to book sessions.
• Engage with New Communities: Participate in local events, online forums, and community groups to reach new audiences.

Brooke stresses the importance of consistently adding new, targeted followers to expand the potential client base.

Conclusion and Recap

Brooke summarizes the four strategies to enhance bookings during slow business periods:

1. Add a Smaller Version of a Current Package: Offer scaled-down services without devaluing your primary offerings.
2. Add Real Urgency to Your Posts: Create authentic reasons for clients to book now rather than later.
3. Try Marketing in New Ways: Experiment with different marketing channels to reach new audiences.
4. Grow Your Audience with Real Local People: Build a follower base that consists of your ideal, local clients.

Final Quote:
"Take one of those strategies, try it out, and I will see you guys on the next episode."
[00:03]

Brooke wraps up by encouraging listeners to implement at least one of the discussed strategies and invites them to join her Blueprint Program for personalized support and additional resources.

Key Takeaways

• Diversify Offerings: Create affordable options without compromising the value of your services.
• Enhance Engagement: Use genuine urgency to prompt immediate client action.
• Innovate Marketing Efforts: Continuously explore and adopt new marketing strategies to stay ahead.
• Targeted Audience Growth: Focus on building a follower base that aligns with your ideal client profile.

By following these strategies, photographers can navigate slow periods more effectively and maintain a steady flow of bookings, ensuring a profitable and sustainable business.

Connect with Brooke Jefferson:

• Instagram: @brookejanaephoto
• Email: brooke@brookejefferson.com
• Website: www.brookejefferson.com