Podcast Summary: Grow Your Local Business

Episode: MVP: Getting Content With Your Clients

Host: Leslie Presnall
Date: March 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Leslie Presnall addresses a common challenge for local business owners: consistently capturing and sharing quality client content (photos, videos, testimonials) for social media. She offers practical, mindset-based strategies to make content creation an integral and effortless part of client work—rather than an afterthought. The discussion is filled with actionable steps, real-life examples from local business owners, and encouragement to overcome internal objections and logistical hurdles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Importance of Capturing Client Content

• Problem Statement ([00:22]):
  Leslie observes that many business owners forget to take photos/videos during or after their work, leaving them with no material to showcase their results on social media.

  "So many of my clients...are getting your clients amazing results...And then it's like, wait, I don't have any pictures or video to show for it."
  —Leslie Presnall, [01:04]

• Why It Matters ([02:04]):
  Sharing finished results helps attract more clients and demonstrates the value offered.

  "You know that that will likely result in more people seeing what you can do for them and how you can help them."
  —Leslie Presnall, [02:19]

Overcoming the "I Just Forget" Obstacle

• Mindset Shift ([03:40]):
  Drawing an analogy with habits like drinking water or going to the gym, Leslie emphasizes that making content part of one's process starts with deciding to care and creating reminders.

  "We create ways to remind ourselves to think about it because we want the result."
  —Leslie Presnall, [04:06]

• Look for Evidence ([04:36]):
  Encourages listeners to recall other habits they've successfully implemented by making a conscious effort.

  "Look for evidence...where there was something that you used to not do that you do now regularly."
  —Leslie Presnall, [04:45]

• Challenge Limiting Self-Statements ([05:00]):
  Leslie warns against the limiting belief of “I just don’t think about it,” urging a proactive reframe.

  "You are automatically setting yourself up for failure because you're telling yourself, well, I'm just that way... But what if you decided to be that person?"
  —Leslie Presnall, [05:18]

Practical Systems & Real-Life Examples

• Systematize Content ([05:47]):
  Leslie recommends integrating photo/video capture into the standard client process.

• Example: Hairstylist ([06:00]):
  A hairstylist client has made taking an "after" photo a standardized end-step with every client.

  "...as soon as they finish in her chair, she has this little corner set up...and they get their photo taken right after they finish. Like, it's just part of her process. Just like washing their hair."
  —Leslie Presnall, [06:11]

• Example: Interior Designer ([07:01]):
  Advises an interior designer to schedule extra time for photos during final walkthroughs, reframing the idea that it’s a waste of client time.

  "Of course her clients want the photos to be taken and to be featured. Like, they're so excited and proud of their space too."
  —Leslie Presnall, [07:41]

• Example: Esthetician ([08:45]):
  Describes her own esthetician’s habit of taking before/after photos, providing options for client consent.

  "My esthetician always takes photos as soon as I come in...And they asked me if they could share on social media and I was like, absolutely not."
  —Leslie Presnall, [09:17]

Handling Client Consent and Privacy Concerns

• Ask and Offer Choices ([09:35]):
  Always give clients the option to decline and be prepared for some to say no, but recognize most are excited to participate.

• Make it About the Client ([09:52]):
  Examples where people assumed clients wouldn’t share (e.g., pelvic floor therapist), but when asked, clients often felt proud and willing.

  "Have they actually said this, or is this just your belief...And then she said...she wasn't asking them at all...But when she did start asking, people were like, yes, like, let me share my success story."
  —Leslie Presnall, [10:45]

• Flexibility in Content Creation ([11:22]):
  If privacy is a concern, can use content without showing faces, or do mock photo shoots with friends/family acting as clients.

Creative Solutions for Difficult Content Scenarios

• Children’s Events Example ([12:03]):
  For event-based businesses working with kids, Leslie suggests creative approaches:
  • Get parental consent
  • Take photos that don’t show faces
  • Focus on props/setups
  • Host a mock event just for content

Planning and Showcasing Your Best Work

• Mock or Styled Shoots ([14:10]):
  Describes a florist client who organizes styled shoots to showcase her best and most creative work, not just typical client jobs.

  "...She would set up these photo shoots...where she would just get really creative and make everything how she wanted to make it...and really show off her style..."
  —Leslie Presnall, [14:26]

• Make a Plan ([15:06]):
  Whether elaborate or simple, making an intentional plan to capture and showcase transformational work is crucial.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Just be on to yourself. If you are thinking that your clients don't want photos or even with testimonials, whatever, just be on to yourself. And are you asking or are you also okay with them even if they tell you no?"
  —Leslie Presnall, [11:10]

• "If getting content of your work and of your clients and what you offer is a struggle, you have to start planning for it. And right now you're probably leaving it up to chance."
  —Leslie Presnall, [15:48]

• "You have to become the person who solves for this."
  —Leslie Presnall, [16:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Insight | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:22 | Why business owners struggle to get photos and videos with clients | | 02:04 | Making content creation habitual—analogy to forming new healthy habits | | 05:47 | Integrating content capture into your client process | | 06:11 | Hairstylist example: photos as a baked-in step | | 07:41 | Interior designer example: reframing the “waste of time” belief | | 09:17 | Esthetician example: handling photo consent and “before/after” images | | 10:45 | Pelvic floor therapist example: Checking assumptions about client privacy preferences | | 12:03 | Kids’ events example: creative workarounds for challenging or sensitive client subjects | | 14:26 | Florist example: planning creative, styled shoots | | 15:48 | The essential need for intentionality—stop leaving content capture up to chance | | 16:10 | Final encouragement to commit to solving your content creation challenges |

Takeaways

• Make capturing content a routine, non-negotiable part of your client process.
• Challenge beliefs about client willingness and privacy—ask rather than assume.
• Creative solutions and planning can solve almost any content challenge.
• Intentionality, not perfection, drives success in marketing through content.

For further support: Leslie invites listeners to join the LocalPreneur Academy for hands-on help with building and executing a content plan that works for their unique local business.