
Hosted by Colie James · EN

What if giving away something for free was actually the smartest marketing move you could make? In this episode, I'm joined by David Enloe, who shares how a simple idea born during the uncertainty of COVID transformed into one of the most effective marketing strategies I've heard for photographers. What started as a way to meet people in a brand-new city has grown into a long-term client acquisition system that continues to generate premium bookings years later.Instead of chasing social media algorithms or relying on paid ads, David built his business through free pop-up photography experiences at local community events. We dive into why this strategy works, how it builds trust, and why nurturing relationships over time can outperform short-term marketing tactics.Find It Quickly00:24 - Meet David01:50 - Origin Story During COVID05:13 - Why Its Free Marketing10:38 - Delivery Pricing And Timeline14:33 - Reviews And Community Building20:00 - Business Partnerships And Events22:45 - Who This Works Best For28:00 - Logistics Finding VenuesMentioned in this Episode:Pop-Up Studio Guide: the-enloe-creative.myflodesk.com/popup-studio-guideApplying the Rule of 7 with Dayna Schaaf: coliejames.com/applying-the-rule-of-7-with-dayna-schaafYou Can Build Authority & Visibility Without Shaking It on Social Media with Kylie Kelly: coliejames.com/you-can-build-authority-visibility-without-shaking-it-on-social-media-with-kylie-kellyHow to Grow Your Email List as a Photographer at In-Person Events with Tiffany Crenshaw: coliejames.com/growing-your-email-list-at-in-person-events-with-tiffany-crenshawConnect with DavidWebsite: theenloecreative.comInstagram: instagram.com/theenloecreative

What if the systems slowing down your business aren't your workflows, but the software you're forcing yourself to use?In this episode, I'm joined by Notion consultant and workflow strategist Ania Ha to pull back the curtain on the custom Notion workspace she built for my business. We talk about everything from team management and automations to the growing conversation around replacing traditional CRMs with personalized systems built in Notion.I share what it was like hiring someone to build my systems for the first time, how that experience completely changed the way I think about my own clients, and why I believe the best tech stack isn't always the one with the most features—it's the one that actually fits the way your brain works.Find It Quickly:00:25 - Meet Ania05:38 - Instagram Widget09:17 - Why Clients Hire Her13:11 - Learning Notion as a Client19:36 - Toggles and Dashboard Design21:47 - Team Tracking and Databases25:45 - CRM Alternatives Debate28:58 - Simple CRM Starts30:18 - Zapier and Breakpoints31:54 - Frankenstack vs Scaling33:44 - Notion Client Portals35:43 - Notion Pricing Advantage36:51 - Team Workflow Automation41:49 - DIY Automation Tweaks44:00 - Notion Second Brain46:23 - Design Views and Tables49:39 - Mobile App and Shortcuts50:26 - Ask an ExpertMentioned in this Episode:Notion: notion.comDubsado: coliejames.com/dubsadoHoneyBook: coliejames.com/honeybookAirtable: airtable.comGoogle Workspace: workspace.google.comZapier: zapier.comTidyCal: tidycal.comDescript: descript.com/?lmref=0HiLlgLoom: loom.comMetricool: metricool.comCanva: canva.comThe Subscriber Society: latitudelane.com/subscribe-societyLaunch Your Own Way: cominguproses.co/products/lyowConnect with the Guest:Website: shecreatesmgmt.comInstagram: instagram.com/shecreatesmgmtThreads: threads.com/@shecreatesmgmtTiktok: tiktok.com/@shecreatesmgmt

What do you do when the strategies that used to work… suddenly don't? In our Q3 Business Bestie Chat, Sabrina and I are getting real about what it looks like to navigate a season of uncertainty in business—even after years of experience. We're sharing an honest conversation about shifting markets, changing client behavior, and why staying grounded is so important.With nearly 29 years of combined entrepreneurial experience, we've both found ourselves asking hard questions this summer. Instead of pretending everything is perfect, we're pulling back the curtain on what it's like to adapt, trust the process, and keep moving forward when business feels different than it did even a year ago.Find It Quickly00:24 - Biz Bestie Chat02:34 - Colie Offer Pivot04:30 - Replacing Sales Calls05:36 - Sabrina Summer Camp08:55 - Root to Rise Revamp11:38 - Systems in Session Tweaks14:23 - Ads Strategy17:04 - New Freebie Waitlists21:22 - Launch Ethics Drama23:31 - Root to Rise Launch Results29:37 - Colie Launch Timing32:18 - Summer Launch Experience33:35 - Price Versus Trust Objections37:38 - Micro Wins Build Confidence39:01 - Trial Week Idea42:09 - Pricing and Logistics49:13 - Audits as Downsell51:44 - New Fall Retainer Offer53:01 - Serving Q3 and Q4 Plans54:03 - Sharing Client WinsMentioned in this Episode:Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-sessionThe Experience Edit: coliejames.com/the-experience-editRoot to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistFirst Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membershipSummer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercampOur Quarterly Business Bestie Chats:Q2 2026: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q2-2026-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ1 2026: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q1-2026-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ4 2025: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q4-2025-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ3 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ2 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q2-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ1 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/128-q1-2025-business-bestie-chatQ4 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q4-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ3 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ2 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/88-q2-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ1 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/75-quarterly-business-chat-with-colie-jamesConnect with SabrinaWebsite: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotographyPodcast: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast

If you've been telling yourself you're not "ready" for better systems yet, this one's for you. In this episode, Colie talks directly to the newer photographers and service providers in her audience — the ones with fewer clients, hesitant to raise their prices, and using a CRM that just isn't built for automation yet.She breaks down exactly what The Experience Edit is, who it's actually for (spoiler: you don't need a specific CRM, or even to be a photographer), and why mapping your client journey now — before busy season hits — will save you time, stress, and a whole lot of second-guessing later.The Experience Edit starts Monday. Grab your spot at coliejames.com/experience.

What if the best systems in your business didn't make your client experience feel more automated, but actually made it feel more personal?In this episode, I'm sitting down with Xan Heller, who has gone through both Systems in Session and The Experience Edit, to talk about what happened when she stopped trying to figure out her CRM on her own and finally built systems that supported the custom, high-touch experience she wanted every client to have.What I think you'll find funny about Xan's experience is that she actually told me "no" more times than almost any client I've worked with. No to schedulers her clients wouldn't actually use and no to proposals as a core sales tool. Protecting her client experience mattered more than saving a few minutes—we'll get into those solutions too.If you've ever felt like systems and high-touch, custom client experiences are at odds with each other, this episode is for you!Find It Quickly:00:25 - Meet Xan01:43 - CRM Struggles & Mini Sessions05:02 - One Hour Success08:36 - Systems In Session10:19 - Support Tickets And Coaching13:41 - Knowing But Not Doing16:46 - Offer Math And Profitability23:35 - Automation Pushback Schedulers31:11 - Email Design And Branding34:30 - Proposals And Templates38:43 - Why CRMs Matter40:43 - Mapping Touchpoints46:16 - Workflow Building Mindset48:29 - Notifications and Scheduling Wins52:03 - Done-With-You Philosophy55:39 - New Dubsado Features59:55 - Portal Problems and Alternatives01:03:54 - Accountability and Focus01:07:12 - Experience Edit01:11:08 - Client Experience TakeawaysMentioned in this Episode:The Experience EditSystems in SessionConnect with Xan:Website: xanheller.comInstagram: instagram.com/xan_heller

Is your idea of a luxury experience one where you're the one showing up for every part of it? This episode is for the concierge-level service providers out there — the ones who don't want automation replacing the calls, the in-person consultations, or the hands-on parts of the process. I'm walking through why you still need systems (just not the kind I usually talk about), how to stay consistent without burning yourself out, and why a scheduler still matters even when you're the one booking the date live on a call.I'm also giving you a heads up on next episode, where I'm sitting down with my client Xan Heller to talk about how this played out in her real business — including the systems she swore she'd never use.If this is you, I'm currently booking Q3 spots for Systems in Session, and if you join by July 10th, you'll get next week's Experience Edit live sprint completely free. Details at coliejames.com/systems.

What if your next great offer isn't something you build alone? In this episode, I sit down with website copywriter Caitie Cupples to explore the power of collaboration and how partnering with complementary experts can create a better client experience—and a stronger offer.Caitie shares the story behind Signed, Sealed, Subscribed, a collaborative VIP Week she built alongside a designer and a naming expert to help business owners finally launch newsletters they're excited to send. We unpack what it looks like to stay in your zone of genius, eliminate client roadblocks, and create offers that solve the entire problem instead of just one piece of it.If you've ever wondered whether collaboration could help you create a stronger offer, this conversation might be the inspiration you need to get started!Find It Quickly:00:25 - Meet Caitie Cupples02:57 - Signed, Sealed, Subscribed04:35 - What’s Included06:01 - How It Started07:19 - Words vs Design Reality10:51 - Onboarding and Tools12:49 - Deliverables Breakdown15:44 - Welcome Email Strategy17:48 - Platform Choices18:28 - Choosing a Newsletter Tool19:17 - Newsletter as the Offer20:45 - HoneyBook vs Dubsado22:35 - VIP Week Workflow25:03 - Launch Lessons Learned28:19 - Waitlist Setup and Fairness29:42 - Picking Collaborators Wisely33:50 - Contracts and CollaborationMentioned in this Episode:Collaboration Partner: stacyeaguilar.comConnect with the Guest:Website: caitiecupplescreative.comInstagram: instagram.com/caitiecupplescreativeThreads: threads.com/@caitiecupplescreative

Email Like You Mean It is no more, y'all. I rebranded it — again — and this time I actually love the name I landed on: The Experience Edit.In this episode, I'm walking you through why I made the change, what's different now that it's gone from a 5-day sprint to a full 10 days, and why I finally split it into two clear goals: mapping your client journey in week one, then writing your entire client communication library in week two. I also touch on why workflows still aren't part of this offer (on purpose), and what to expect if you join me live July 13–24.Plus — I'm kicking off the July Sales Parade with Ceels Lockley today, and I'll be one of the guest DJs later this quarter talking Systems That Sell. Details on that below too.Links mentioned:Join The Experience Edit → coliejames.com/experienceJuly Sales Parade with Ceels Lockey → coliejames.com/parade

So it's been a hot minute since I ranted about client communication, y'all. In this replay of episode 204, I'm breaking down the three things every single client email needs — automated or not — to actually get read: purpose, personality, and preview.I'll walk you through how to title your email templates by purpose (hint: your clients never see the title, so make it work for you), why a Schitt's Creek GIF might be doing more for your client relationships than you think, and the one question every email should answer before your client even has to ask it: what happens next?Plus, your homework — pick one email in your client experience and run it through the three Ps. I dare you to stop at just one. 😂I'm also inviting you to join July's Experience Edit, my 10-day live sprint (July 13–24) where we map your client journey and write your entire client communication library — 30+ pre-written emails — in just one week.🔗 Grab your spot: coliejames.com/experience🔗 Grab the free resource, Mind the Gap: coliejames.com/gap

What if the biggest benefit of better systems wasn't saving time, but finally trusting your business to run without you? In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Kent, a birth photographer, doula, and educator who joined Systems in Session after already investing in a professionally built Dubsado setup.Her systems worked, but she still felt disconnected from them. She wanted the confidence to understand, customize, and expand her workflows without relying on someone else every time her business evolved.We talk about the difference between having systems built for you and learning how to build them yourself, how automation transformed her long client journeys, and why understanding your CRM can become one of the most valuable skills you develop as a business owner.Find It Quickly00:24 - Why Danielle Joined Systems in Session02:58 - "I Felt Lost in My Own System"05:31 - The Confidence to Make Changes06:55 - Building New Offers Inside Dubsado09:15 - From Fear to Flexibility10:05 - Why Pixieset Wasn't Enough13:40 - The Manual Tasks Dubsado Eliminated15:57 - More Time, Less Stress24:39 - Danielle's Favorite Dubsado Feature28:01 - Should You Learn Your CRM or Outsource It?32:27 - What's Next for Danielle's BusinessMentioned in this EpisodeHow this Wedding Photographer Plans to Save 180 Hours a Year With Better Systems with Jordan CraigSystems in SessionDubsadoPixiesetConnect with the GuestWebsite: daniellekentphoto.comInstagram: instagram.com/daniellekentphoto