409: I’m moving! How do I successfully transition my business to a new location?

Summary

The Heart & Hustle Podcast - Episode 409: “I’m Moving! How Do I Successfully Transition My Business to a New Location?”

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Podcast Description: A business and lifestyle podcast tailored for creative entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers aiming to maximize their life's potential. Evie and Lindsey serve as your supportive BFFs, offering practical tools and empowering truths to ignite your journey toward achieving your God-given dreams.

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Overview

In Episode 409 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman dive deep into the complexities of relocating a service-based business. Whether you’re moving across states, countries, or simply shifting locations within your current city, this episode offers a comprehensive guide to ensuring a smooth transition for your business. The discussion is especially relevant for entrepreneurs whose operations are deeply rooted in their local communities, such as photographers, hairstylists, florists, and other service-oriented professionals.

Key Sections

1. Announcing Your Move to the World
2. Utilizing Location-Based Hashtags
3. Optimizing Your SEO
4. Joining Facebook Groups in Your New City
5. Connecting with Local Businesses Before the Move
6. Consistently Communicating About Your Move
7. Treating the Move as a Product Launch
8. Attending Local Events Post-Move
9. Sending Gifts to Local Business Owners
10. Special Tip for Photographers: Second Shooting

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1. Announcing Your Move to the World

Timestamp: 00:00 - 04:49

Evie and Lindsey emphasize the importance of promptly announcing your impending move. For service-based businesses, visibility in your current location is crucial for maintaining clientele. Lindsey advises:

“The minute you're ready for other people to know and you're ready to shift for your business's sake, to be able to forward market, I would update your social media like location or bio.”
(04:02)

Key Actions:

• Update your social media profiles with the new location.
• Consider making a dedicated post announcing the move.
• Ensure that your location is clearly stated in your bio to remain searchable.

2. Utilizing Location-Based Hashtags

Timestamp: 04:50 - 15:47

Contrary to the belief that hashtags are obsolete, Lindsey asserts their continued importance, especially when using location-specific hashtags to attract a new local audience.

“Hashtags are not dead. ... When I moved, I started implementing location-based hashtags like ‘#OrlandoWeddingPhotographer’ to target the new market.”
(10:35)

Key Actions:

• Create multiple groups of 5-30 strategic, location-specific hashtags.
• Combine your service type with the new location (e.g., #OrlandoWeddingPhotography).
• Include hashtags for nearby suburbs to broaden your reach.

3. Optimizing Your SEO

Timestamp: 15:48 - 19:39

Ensuring your website is optimized for search engines in your new location is crucial. Lindsay discusses:

“Update all keywords on your website’s copy and embedded in photos to reflect your new location.”
(17:08)

Key Actions:

• Revamp your website’s SEO by incorporating location-specific keywords into your content.
• Rename image files and add alt-text that includes your new location.
• Update all instances of your old location in text, such as footers and contact pages.

4. Joining Facebook Groups in Your New City

Timestamp: 25:06 - 31:20

Engaging with community and business-focused Facebook groups helps you integrate faster. Evie suggests:

“Join local lifestyle or business owner groups to network and understand the local market.”
(27:03)

Key Actions:

• Identify and join relevant Facebook groups in your new city.
• Participate actively without solely promoting your business.
• Use these groups to gain insights and build relationships within the community.

5. Connecting with Local Businesses Before the Move

Timestamp: 31:21 - 38:53

Building pre-move connections with local businesses fosters collaboration and support. Lindsey advises:

“Follow and engage with local businesses on social media and reach out with personalized messages.”
(35:57)

Key Actions:

• Follow local businesses on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
• Engage with their content genuinely by liking, commenting, and sharing.
• Send personalized direct messages or emails expressing admiration and a desire to connect post-move.

6. Consistently Communicating About Your Move

Timestamp: 38:53 - 43:42

Making your move a central theme of your brand narrative keeps your audience informed and engaged. Evie emphasizes:

“Talk about your move frequently across all platforms to stay top-of-mind.”
(28:15)

Key Actions:

• Share regular updates and behind-the-scenes content related to your move.
• Create blog posts or video series detailing your moving process and experiences in the new location.
• Use stories and posts to keep your audience engaged with your transition journey.

7. Treating the Move as a Product Launch

Timestamp: 43:42 - 35:45

Elevating the move to a significant event can generate excitement and attract attention. Lindsey recommends:

“Create promotions like discounts or giveaways to celebrate your new beginning.”
(31:09)

Key Actions:

• Offer special discounts or run giveaways to welcome new clients in your new location.
• Promote these offers extensively on social media and through your email list.
• Encourage participants to tag local contacts to expand your reach organically.

8. Attending Local Events Post-Move

Timestamp: 36:00 - 39:09

Active participation in local events helps establish your presence and network within the community. Evie suggests:

“Attend fairs, business expos, and local meetups to connect with peers and potential clients.”
(35:57)

Key Actions:

• Identify and attend relevant local events where your target audience and collaborators gather.
• Consider setting up a booth or participating in panels to showcase your expertise.
• Network actively and follow up with connections made during these events.

9. Sending Gifts to Local Business Owners

Timestamp: 39:09 - 40:49

Genuine gestures of goodwill can pave the way for strong business relationships. Lindsey advises:

“Send thoughtful, no-strings-attached gifts to local business owners to introduce yourself.”
(37:45)

Key Actions:

• Select appropriate gifts that reflect your appreciation, such as gift cards or customized packages.
• Accompany the gifts with personalized messages expressing your admiration and interest in collaboration.
• Ensure the gestures are genuine to foster authentic connections.

10. Special Tip for Photographers: Second Shooting

Timestamp: 40:49 - 42:25

For photographers, collaborating as a second shooter can help build local portfolios and networks. Evie highlights:

“Reach out to local photographers to offer second shooting opportunities, even if it means working for free initially.”
(40:33)

Key Actions:

• Contact established local photographers to offer your assistance as a second shooter.
• Use these opportunities to learn the local market, venues, and client preferences.
• Build relationships that can lead to future collaborations and referrals.

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Notable Quotes

• Evie McLeod:
  “You're going to treat the move almost like it's a launch of a product.”
  (35:45)

• Lindsey Roman:
  “Hashtags are not dead. ... When I moved, I started implementing location-based hashtags like ‘#OrlandoWeddingPhotographer’ to target the new market.”
  (10:35)

• Evie McLeod:
  “Send thoughtful, no-strings-attached gifts to local business owners to introduce yourself.”
  (37:45)

Conclusion

Evie and Lindsey wrap up the episode with heartfelt encouragement, assuring listeners that while moving their business might seem daunting, implementing these strategic steps can lead to a seamless transition and even open up new avenues for growth and connection. They emphasize the importance of networking, consistent communication, and genuine relationship-building in establishing a successful presence in a new location.

“You have got this. The move will go smoothly, your business will transition, and you'll start booking and getting interest even before you step foot in your new city.”
(42:25)

Final Encouragement from Hosts:

“We are cheering you on. If you need any additional help or have any other questions, come join the Heart and Hustle Facebook group or just send Lindsay and I a DM. We are here for you and we cannot wait to see you on the next episode.”
(43:51)

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Note: This summary focuses solely on the content-rich segments of the podcast, omitting advertisements and non-essential introductions or outros to provide a clear and comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to the episode.

Transcript

[A]

You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. We are your hosts, Evie McLeod and Lindsay Roman. Welcome back to the show, my friend. We are so honored to have you. Today we are talking to anybody that currently owns a business that finds themselves in their life moving and moving to a new location, be it whatever reason, and you find yourself being like, well, crap, what do I do? How do I maneuver and uproot a business that I have poured my blood, sweat and tears into in a certain environment and move it to another location? Now this might be a given, but this is going to be an episode for mostly service based businesses that operate in like a local clientele base where moving locations would affect it.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

It's not like a digital course or a digital product or even a product based business that like it might matter where you're like shipping things from. But ultimately like what we're talking about today is like service based. You work and breathe with people in your local community, whether that's brick or mortar or even just a service based business.

[B]

Yep, 100%. So today we're going to dive into some strategies, some resources and tips to kind of help you navigate this well, to keep your business rolling when you are moving down the whatever, state, country street, whatever it is, all the things.

[A]

You'Re moving your business. And me and Evie have moved quite a bit in our entrepreneur journey. So we have a thing or two that we've learned that we would love to share with you today. So without further ado, let's get into it.

[B]

So you want to grow on Instagram, but you don't know where to start. You may even be posting at the wazoo, but you're still not seeing any progress.

[A]

Here's the deal. While being consistent is key to growing on the gram, it's not the only thing you need. In fact, one of the most important aspects of growing on social media comes down to strategy. In order to create a killer social media strategy where you're not only attracting new clients, but turning them into paying clients, you need a plan.

[B]

Yes. And today we are about to help you create a customized social media marketing strategy for free that will result in a ton of Instagram growth that will turn into sales and business growth. Now, are you ready to deep dive? We thought so. Grab our freebie. How to define and establish your content [e-mail] Pillars. Hey.

[A]

Hey. I'm Lindsay Roman.

[B]

And I'm Evie McLeod and we are family and legacy focused serial entrepreneurs and the founders of the Hart University, a business education Company with a mission to help you thrive in your business and life.

[A]

Welcome to our Entrepreneur cocktail hour where business and marketing strategies meet Faith. Real talk and raw and life changing conversations.

[B]

At the end of the day, we are all in this together. Figuring out how to navigate the ups and downs, the messy and the beautiful and everything in between. This is a community where you can come as you are, get inspired and walk away equipped. Build a legacy filled life.

[A]

You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. Evelyn.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Let's go.

[B]

Let's dive in. I didn't realize you were going to start. I was like, hello. Okay, we're starting, we're starting. We have a lot to say so we're just going to get right to it. So we're going to go through kind of a bullet point like do this and this. I think it's like seven items but.

[A]

I actually think it's 10.

[B]

Okay. We gave you a lot, so we're gonna dive in. So first and foremost, number one, you find out you're moving and you are ready to announce it to the world. I understand for some people you just find out that you're moving for whatever reason. Maybe it's a hard choice or you don't, it's out of your control or something and you maybe want to keep it to yourself for a minute. But the minute you're ready for other people to know and you're ready to shift for your business's sake, to be able to forward market, I would update your social media like location or bio. That is the first thing that I would change. Maybe also with that, just if you're like, well what am I? I'm going to announce my move. That way maybe you, maybe you make a post and then you change it. I would just make sure that you change. That is like one of the first things because so many clientele find us via social media these days. I. And it's the easiest thing and that's.

[A]

The searchable area we're specifically needed.

[B]

Like your name, Instagram.

[A]

Um, I don't know if on other social medias that's as relevant as far as like, okay, TikTok, I feel like that's kind of similar but like Facebook, you can change your Facebook location. Sure. But what we're really meaning here is that searchable bold bio like name section on Instagram that people search. Um, and if you didn't know this, you probably know this. But if you didn't.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If you're, if, if you're right now only like your bio Section only says your name in that area, like Jane Smith. And. And you're a business that is location dependent. Like a photographer, a hairstylist, a brick and mortar shop.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Make sure that your location is in that area. So that's why when Evie said, like, you find out you're moving and you're ready to announce it to the world. And I will say for. For marketing sake. Yeah, business sake, I would do this sooner than later, asap. There is obviously an element of like, okay, if you know you're moving and you are moving in like two years, okay, maybe you could calm down. But like, if you're moving in like six to eight months, I would do it now.

[B]

The only thing I was like, the reason I was like, maybe you want to wait a minute is I was like, well, what if your family doesn't even know and you're moving away from family? Like, give yourself whatever space you need to process.

[A]

The world is like known what once the world knows or like the people that you need to know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

No, yeah, that's like first step.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The one thing I will say is a follow up question to that could be like, okay, well, I do want to forward market, but I still actively. Maybe you're moving in like eight months. I still actively want to book clients.

[B]

Here in the next eight months.

[A]

And if I do that, you know, you might be afraid, oh, well, then I'm only going to book in a place and they're going to inquire and I'm not there yet. I.

[B]

What's my thoughts? Great. I'm so glad you asked. I would say there is. There are two thoughts that pop into my head. First and foremost, you are. It's going to take time to shift people's understanding of changing locations. The people are not immediately, just because you change your bio going to be like, oh my gosh, she doesn't live here anymore. She doesn't work here anymore. She doesn't do this anymore.

[A]

People, frankly, are a little dumb. I mean, but. But like, it's okay. You have to. You have to shove something in people's throats so much in every aspect for them to fully get it.

[B]

It's sometimes.

[A]

And I'm counting myself in that category because I'm so oblivious to life. Like, I'm so oblivious.

[B]

Yeah, you sometimes are. No offense.

[A]

Right? So she could come in and like with a new haircut and if it weren't that obvious, I would be like, what up, bro?

[B]

Okay. How oblivious Lindsay is. This is just fun time now. I literally walked into her house today. She has, like, a security system on her house that when you walk in the front door, it says, front door open.

[A]

I was looking for my children. I was busy.

[B]

And I hear it, literally, that announced. And then I go, hello, good morning. And then my kitchen is in my.

[A]

Kitchen, very far, way away from my front door.

[B]

I wave to her children who are right beside her. I wave to her babysitter. I was at the pantry. I was right beside her. And then Lindsay's standing right there, and I wave to her. She doesn't see me. I turn around, bring stuff into the office, go out for another trip to my car, come back in, put more stuff in the office. All of which is somewhat in view of Lindsay.

[A]

Oh, it's not in view.

[B]

And then after, like, three minutes, she goes, oh, you're here. Very observant.

[A]

I was in the pantry.

[B]

This is such an awful.

[A]

I was focusing on the role of mother feeding her breakfast to her children. Yeah. Anyways, so point is, I'm included in the people are dumb category. Okay. So it's not like I'm being offensive to you. I'm calling you dumb. But I'm also including me in that category. And I'm not even calling you dumb. I'm calling your potential clients dumb. The people that reach out to us, that try to interact with us can be sometimes dumb. Again, I'm in that category.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So put it everywhere.

[B]

The point is, even if you're, you know, wanting to book something where you're currently living over the next six months before you move, it will take more than just changing your. Your title on your bio.

[A]

But that's a good first step.

[B]

But that is a great first step. The other thing that I would say is I would just encourage if you really are nervous about it and you're really like, hey, even if I book stuff after I move, I'm willing to fly back here, drive back here, whatever it is. I would put both locations as, like, the middle ground.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you don't have to. You could still totally switch it to your new location. I think you'd be fine. But let's say, for example, you're moving from California to Florida. Like, what I did for a while, I did have California, like, Southern California and northeast Florida based photographer or whatever. So I had, like, both. And obviously, you can do whatever you want. But those are two thoughts if you're having that question.

[A]

Amazing. All right, step number two, the thing. The second that you know you're gonna move, I don't care if it's in six months, eight months again, to a point. If it's in two years, maybe calm down. But if it's relatively within the year. Yeah, immediately, immediately start utilizing location based hashtags in the new city or location that you're moving to. I can't even understate this enough. I know hashtags like almost get forgotten sometimes.

[B]

Hashtags are dead. Hashtags are dead.

[A]

But hashtags are not dead. At both times that I've done major moves, I technically have done three because I went. I went from Kansas to Hawaii. Big move. I went from Kansas, or, sorry, Hawaii back to Kansas. I didn't really do what we're saying to do in that move because I didn't care about that one as much. But then when I moved from Kansas to Florida, in my brain, I just kind of went from Florida or Hawaii to Florida because I didn't really market to Kansas. That's what I mean by. Not that Kansas wasn't important. It just was business wise. That's okay. You don't need to know my baggage semantics.

[B]

But okay.

[A]

Basically both times I moved big moves from Kansas to Hawaii and then Kansas to Florida. I started implementing location based hashtags. And I'll break that down in a second. What I mean by that, and I think that there is a lot of other things that I've done, but that is one of the most effective things. When I moved from Kansas to Hawaii, first time when I did this, I booked engagement sessions, I think three engagement sessions before I even had set foot in Hawaii because. And that was a military move. And with military moves, you don't really know that you're moving a ton of time before you actually move. I think I had April 30 to July 7. I like how I know that.

[B]

Yeah, that's very specific.

[A]

But what, what is that? Three months. I had three months and the. Literally the day I found out we were moving to Hawaii, I changed everything. And we're gonna get into a lot of it. Yeah, but hashtag specifically. Yeah, I made groupings. I know that there is a lot of hustle and bustle and chitter chatter about if you should have 30 hashtags.

[B]

Or less or like 5 to 8.

[A]

5 to 8, whatever. I really don't care what you do. I use 30. I've sometimes experimented and done like 10. Do you have thoughts?

[B]

Here's my thought. I truly believe that the reason people are saying that 5 to 8 are.

[A]

More effective is because it forces them to condense.

[B]

Yes. Because they're being very strategic with those five to eight, so they're seeing more results.

[A]

Just be strategic with 30.

[B]

Exactly. That's 100%. That's what I coach. I'm like, honestly experiment on your own. If you notice a significant improvement on 5 to 8 and they're very strategic versus the 30 that are very strategic, then stick with 5 to 8. Absolutely. Do whatever works best.

[A]

But if they're all banging, I think.

[B]

The reason is people feel like they need to just like randomly fill 30.

[A]

Hashtags so they'll be hashtag lovers. Literally hashtag love, you were better. You're a heart nozzle podcast listener. You are better than that. You're better than that.

[B]

So Lindsay, when you say location based, very specific hashtags, would you like to give an example of what that means?

[A]

I would love, I would love. Okay, so say you are moving from wherever you're moving to Orlando, Florida. Okay. That's just the first place I could think of a suburb.

[B]

Easy.

[A]

Say you're moving to Orlando, Florida. That's the location. When I say a grouping of 30, I want you to have like 10 groupings of 30 hashtags specifically dedicated for your new location that you're moving to. And mostly be location based. Like you could obviously use the hashtags that you're normally using that maybe describe your style or your vibe or like what type of industry you're in. Sure. But I mostly mean location.

[B]

So I also think you can do style and vibe and industry with a location in front of it.

[A]

Yes, yes, exactly. Oh yeah, that's a whole. Okay, I'm going to use photographers as an example. This also still, still applies if you're a tattoo artist, if you're a hairstylist, if you're any service based business, a florist, a wedding planner that is location based, still apply this exact same thing. But I'm just vernacular using photographers right here. Um, so I'm moving to Orlando. Right. I want you to pick the name and then just start doing a bunch of different variations of words that people would be searching to find you in that location. So if you're a photographer, wedding photographer, moving to Orlando, start doing hashtag Orlando wedding photographer. Hasht Orlando wedding photography. Hashtag Orlando, Florida wedding. Hashtag Florida wedding. You can just throw out the Orlando, if you want to hashtag Orlando weddings. Hashtag Orlando wedding. So we do singular hashtag Orlando bride. Hashtag Orlando brides plural hashtag. Now if you can fill up 30 with just the actual city name. Awesome. Now move on to suburbs that are Still a part of that representative city. I'm going to choose Winter Park. It's a suburb of Orlando. Now. Let's do the same thing. Hashtag Winter park wedding. Winter park weddings. Hashtag Winter park bride. Hashtag Winter park wedding. I think you get the point that I'm trying to make.

[B]

You can also within all of this, do, like, Orlando documentary wedding photographer.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Orlando documentary documentary wedding photography.

[A]

Winter park documentary wedding photographer, Timeless film photographer.

[B]

Like, Winter park timeless film photographer. Like, you can still use.

[A]

And people say you need to use a filler hashtag lolz. If you do this for every single suburb that you would realistically be willing to shoot in that city.

[B]

And even the. Which this gets us all. I don't want to get too in the weeds with hashtags. We have episodes on hashtags and hashtag strategy. But also make specific. Like, this is weddings that we're talking about. Right. Make Orlando and Winter park and, you know, Sanford or whatever other suburb around. Couple sessions, engagements, photos, anniversary photos. Like, use a ton of hashtags. Like, replace all the weddings with like, engagement engagement photographer, engagement photography, Timeless film engagements. Or, like, engagement, you know, so many.

[A]

Or say that you're. You're moving to Orlando, but you're willing to shoot in Tampa. Do the exact same thing. Now you just got 20 more groupings of hashtags if you include Tampa and all the surrounding places. Or maybe you're moving to Dallas, but you can market to Fort Worth and Dallas. Like, it's like a location that has almost two big cities right next to each other.

[B]

You're gonna hit the DFW hashtags, and you're gonna hit the Fort Worth and all of the suburbs around Fort Worth.

[A]

Learn any, like, slang or city codes. Like dfw. Like, learn what locals call their city.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Like, there's. There's been so many coaching calls that I've done where, like, they're located in, like, Charleston, Virginia. Is that even in Virginia? No, no.

[B]

Charleston, South Carolina.

[A]

Yeah, it's one of those. My mind. But, like, there's. There's things that I'm like, okay, what do people call that city? Like, I'll ask my coaching student because, like, I don't know that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But your ideal clients that are living there might, when they're searching, call the city like DFW Photographer. They might not call it Dallas Photographer. Yeah, Anyways, do that.

[B]

Hashtags, hashtags are huge. The one thing I will also just tweak or like, add to the hashtag conversation is if you are Currently using keywords on Instagram. I do not utilize them a ton. I mostly just use hashtags. But I will say people see good results with keywords and a lot of people put them in the bottom of their captions. My captions are almost always too long and I don't want them filling up the bottom of them. But keyword be great on Instagram too. So if you want to do a very few, I would keep it a lot shorter than like 30.

[A]

Can you put them in the same kind of concept of putting hashtags? Can you put them. Could you put keywords in the comments?

[B]

I think you can.

[A]

I just hate how it looks. But I, I'm a visual person.

[B]

I don't. That's one thing I don't know. I know hashtags you can put in the comments and it still pulls up and it's totally fine. I would assume keywords would be the same then because it's all.

[A]

I just see people put like dumping them at the bottom of the caption and I feel like it always looks so tacky.

[B]

It does. That's why I don't do it.

[A]

But even if it works, but I.

[B]

Want now I want it. This makes me want to experiment and I want to see if keywords work in the comments because I'm sure it does.

[A]

Somebody let us know somebody DM us because somebody out there that's listening to this right now is screaming at their phone the answer. Because yeah, they're probably like it does.

[B]

Or like shut up, it doesn't. Anyways, keywords, same concept of very specific and start marketing it immediately. Number three, the next thing that we're going to talk about is SEO. Do this before you move as quickly as possible. I would set up some hashtag groupings first and then I would immediately go and change all of your SEO. And what that means is going in to your website and updating all of your keywords, both your copy but also your photo keywords. Every single photo or graphic or element that is on your website that has any sort of like title like PNG or JPEG or whatever. Make sure that you have specific and location specific keywords embedded into that photo because that if you aren't familiar with SEO, that will be what is being searched and found on like search engines.

[A]

Especially if your site has a lot of. This feels so silly but if your site has a lot of graphics on it, like not photos but just graphics element like, like a blob of some sort or a box or whatever where you can name that Element or you've uploaded it. Like it's a. It's a part of your brand signature. It feels weird and silly to like go to the title, like the keyword area and type in like Orlando wedding documentary, luxury wedding photographer. Like that feels weird to name that that because it's like that's not a square. Yeah, it's a paint square. But it's like that helps the SEO overall of your site. When I moved to Florida, I went through every single image and every single graphic on my website and named them all. A variation of kind of what we just said to kind of do for the hashtags, obviously with spaces, but you're wanting to try to hit phrases or terminology or keywords that people would be searching for to find you.

[B]

Yep. Yeah. And be as specific with those as you possibly can as well. Location specific, use variety. Everything we pretty much talked about with hashtags. Like you can convert that into everything on the back end of your website.

[A]

Quick note before we move on. Oh, we have a lot actually in this on websites other than SEO. Like anywhere that your location is said, like just in the text of your site, like your footer, your footer, your homepage, usually we recommend this. Again, we've done episodes on websites where before you start scrolling, you should have what you do and where you're based, if that's relevant to your business on it. So like Florida wedding photographer or Orlando Florida wedding photographer. I'm going to keep using that example. Like that should be there. And if it were previously your location that you're currently at but not moving, like moving out of, then change that. Or another thing that you could put is like right above on your booking page, right above your contact form. You could put like an asterisk there. This I think also could work if you're like dueling it for a little bit of. You're like, hey, I'm actively still wanting to book things in. In this area, like where I'm currently living, but I want to forward market. You could put like an asterisk that they. They kind of have to read right before they fill out their. Your form is, hey, currently based in X but moving to blank in X. February 2024 or you know, whatever date.

[B]

It is that was in the past.

[A]

But okay, yeah, I thought about that as I said that. 2025, whatever.

[B]

Sure. Yeah. So there's a lot you can change on your website. Obviously small manageable bites and chunks can.

[A]

But again, make it obvious, like put it everywhere.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Because again, people are say it with me D U M B okay, if.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[B]

Okay, one of the next things you can do as far as SEO optimization when it comes to a move is to create blog posts for the move or about your new city if at all possible. So some examples of that could be announcement or updates of the moving process. Like having stuff where you're talking a lot about the move about your new city and you're using those keywords a lot of like your city and your, what you do and where, what you're going to be doing when you get there and all that stuff. And then like maybe for example, you in advance, you know, you're moving in eight months and you're doing all this forward marketing. You're like, I'm going to create a blog post on like the top five wedding venues that I want to shoot in, in Orlando or something. And you could honestly even phrase it that way. You could say like, as many of you know, I'm about to move to Orlando, Florida and I'm so excited as a, like a wedding photographer, As a luxury wedding photographer. Here are a few of the venues that I am so excited to hopefully shoot at. If you are a bride getting married, reach out to me. Here's some info. Like it can be as straight up as that. You don't have to be like, I have shot here. These are my favorite venues. Like you could be honest, be like, I'm moving there and I'm so excited. These venues excite me with that. I know a question that a lot of people have is like, well, what do I use for photos if I haven't shot there? I would personally encourage, if possible go there, even shoot it just on a DSLR or whatever. It doesn't have to be like climb.

[A]

Especially if you're flying out to like find a house like before you move or something like that. If you're going to visit the city.

[B]

Before you move, if you can do that, fantastic. If not, the thing that I will say is a lot of these venues would love to get free marketing and to be put on a photographer's like blog or whatever, like blasting their venue is a great one in the area. I would reach out to the venue and say like, hey, can I pull a few of these like venue photos from your website or you know, whatever. Like I would love to use these two photos in a blog post. I can credit whoever photographer, whatever, as like a way to showcase your venue. Is that okay? Like even just think outside of the box with stuff like this. If you're like, well, I haven't shot a wedding there, like, what can you do? Can you go there and take photos yourself without clients in them or can you take photos of like just the venue? I would not personally probably pull like another. Do not pull another photographer's wedding photos at their venue from them, but like just photos of the grounds or like, you know, a photo of the architecture, whatever it is that's been shot by the venue, to promote the venue. Ask if you can use those and credit, you know, whatever. So five wedding venues. And then also we were like talking. We were like, well, okay, for the non photographers who are sitting here and being like, well, I'm trying to forward market. Let's say that you are a potter who has a pottery studio in, I don't know, D.C. and you're moving to Dallas and you are moving your pottery studio to Dallas and you are like, I'm gonna set up shop, whatever. And you're like, how do I forward market this? With a blog post? Think outside the box. What about a blog post that's like five date night ideas around Dallas, Texas, and you have a few other local businesses that you can shout out, which we'll get to that in a minute of like networking and like communicating. But what if you promote activities and date nights around and you talk all about your pottery studio and what the experience is like there and where they can come and like have a date night at your pottery studio.

[A]

Google will eat that up. Yeah, you're giving information for people in DFW that want to go on date nights and are googling, like, fun things to do in Dallas for my Friday night date.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. So there's a. There's a ton of ways. But blogging stuff will also significantly help your SEO and forward marketing to the local demographic.

[A]

All right, step number four, we are moving along on the journey of moving. Number four is to join Facebook groups in your new city again before you move. Obviously, if you didn't do this before you moved, do it now. Do it at any point in time. But the sooner you do it, the better, I think, because you're just, again, you're forward marketing and you're getting networked and connected as soon as possible, even before you move. So when I say Facebook groups, I mean community groups. Not even just business related. If you're moving to Dallas, join like Dallas again. It can be as general as like Dallas lifestyle or something like that. Or it could be like, pick a hobby that you love to do. Like, maybe you love reading Dallas readers. Again, it's. It's less about trying to sneakily, like, throw your business in there. I mean, yes, you can do that, but it's just get plugged in in the community. This is almost just like a. It's gonna improve your moving life also. But join groups like that that are either community focused or even business focused. So like join Dallas business owners or Dallas Dallas entrepreneurs or Fort Worth small owners. Small owners, sure. Small Business owners just get connected in that way. When we moved to Florida, I did this. I joined. I don't live exactly in St. Augustine, so this is more like a suburb technically, but I joined St. Augustine Crunchy moms because again, I just wanted, like, information on, like, parenting. And so that's a great way to resources and get a pulse on the current climate. And again, if you do it strategically, you either join places that you personally love with hobbies or who you are, like mothers or things that, like, are similar to you. As in, like business owners. Like, so a small business owner group or if you're a wedding vendor, like a wedding vendor group in a certain area or Facebook groups that your ideal client would be in. So maybe that's more just like the general community groups, but just be strategic when you're looking at and join them and start networking and getting to know people immediately.

[B]

Yep. Along with that. So number five is going to be follow and connect with local businesses before you move. And what that I would say usually looks like is on social media platforms, follow them, start engaging immediately with their stuff, and maybe send them a DM or send them an email and be very specific. In a dm. In an email. I know we've talked about this a lot on, like, networking, pitching, whatever, but be very specific of like, oh, my gosh, I'm about to move to this area and I've was searching for local other business owners or vendors or whatever you want to say, and I stumbled across your work and I just have to say blank. What do you love about what they do, what they bring to the table, what that, you know, this is a great way to get connected with the local, like, business, like the people in your hub. So I would just do not wait until you've already moved. And do not just cold pitch someone being like, I would love to work with you. Like, no, don't start with that. Start with simply, like, being like, hi, I am obsessed with what you do. That's all. Have a good day. Like, make it longer than that, but you know what I mean? Follow and engage with people like that.

[A]

Amazing. All right, the next step number what, six? Yeah, talk about it a lot.

[B]

Like, a lot, a lot.

[A]

Like, a lot.

[B]

Like, a lot, a lot, a lot. Like, you're going to think you're driving everyone crazy with how much you're talking about it, but that's not enough.

[A]

Yeah, Remember, remember, what are. What are people? Okay, so we have to shove it down people's throats. And so when we say talk about it, A lot.

[B]

You're going to piss people off with this.

[A]

Hey, I, I cannot piss people off when I'm actually calling myself dumb.

[B]

Oh my gosh.

[A]

Anyways, when we say talk about it a lot, make the fact that you are moving almost like a brand pillar. Yeah, like make it for obviously a season recommendation. Whether you have a YouTube or a podcast or a vlog or a blog or TikTok, make a series on one of those platforms where you take people along the behind the scenes process of what it's like moving across country or across, you know, even if it's a diverse state, like hey, we're moving to shore city.

[B]

Cities can be so different and it.

[A]

Can be a part. It can be almost like a lifestyle vlog situation or series where you take people along, but that almost triggers something in your brain to like talk about it a lot and make it a part of your brand. So again, people are very aware that you're moving and that this is like a life transition of sorts and therefore a business transition of sorts. And it just, it's again, reminding people and talking about, like reminding people that you are moving. And because you're talking about it, it's just getting buzz and knowledge of like, oh, okay, she's based here now. Like that's it. Just like the more you talk about it, the more that that will be ingrained in people's heads. Yeah.

[B]

And a few simple ideas like talk about things that you are learning during the move or you know, even just like showing up on stories. I know a lot of this would go into posts or you know, whatever bigger like longer term content. But you can even just show up on stories and be like, I just learned this packing hack that has just made so much like packing this so much easier. Like if anyone else needs this, it's just simply a way to continue to show up and keep it yourself. Top of mind as like I am moving, I'm relocating. FYI. So things you're learning Countdown like be like 30 days till we move. And here's what I'm most excited looking forward to today for the new move, whatever. It can be something as simple as that. And the encouragement that I would also put is do not stop once you have moved. Do not just be like, I'm moving, I'm moving, I'm moving. Like a few times before you move and then once you get there, radio silence. Do not do that. You have to be like, I have moved. Here are some of my favorite things I'm enjoying about my city. Here are a Few of my favorite spots that I've just discovered. Hey, this is a great tip. What are your local recommendations for the area? You could do that before and after you've moved, but be like, I need a new coffee shop or like, is there a library close by that I could go to? Or hey, local business owners, where do you work? Is there a co working space around here? Like that will get the local people engaged. That will also get people who know people in that area to send it to them to be like, oh my gosh, you should help her out. She needs recommendations.

[A]

Especially if you've networked already and started following local business owners or friends in that city and then they follow you and it's like you're getting slowly plugged in to the community in that city.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

All right, now number seven, this is kind of once you have actively started moving or are in the process, like you're getting close. Yes. Treat the move almost like it's a launch of a product. Okay. And create promotions for the move to make a big deal about it. Again, my recommendation is to do discounts or full blown giveaways in your new location.

[B]

For your new location? Yeah.

[A]

What'd you say?

[B]

For your new location. I think you could do this in advance of moving. Like if you're like, I'm moving there in a month.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like this is the final countdown. Like let's get stuff scheduled in the calendar. Or like three months if you really wanted to, but like posting it ahead. But you can also do it once you've moved. You're like this week only. Like, you know, whatever. Discount giveaways.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All the things for photographers specifically. I would make a note here that I feel like the equivalent of doing a free, you know, service could almost be setting up a styled shoot. Yeah. This is an appliance. You could do both.

[B]

This is a giveaway of like a couple session in your new city that'll get so many local eyes on your work.

[A]

100.

[B]

So good.

[A]

100%. And maybe one of the stipulations is to share it with like friends that live there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or tag your. Your people that live in Char Charlton.

[B]

You're really, you're really doing great. Really doing great with the locations today. Charleston or Charlotte? I don't know, Charleston, South Carolina or Charlotte, North Carolina.

[A]

I definitely was combining those. Charlotte. But there's something in Virginia. Charlotteville.

[B]

Is that what you were.

[A]

Why are they all the same? Why do they all sound the same? Okay, I'm going to go back to my Orlando example. Because nothing else in the states sounds like Orlando. Okay, great. Okay. What was I even saying?

[B]

Like making, having people tag people who live in Orlando, Florida.

[A]

That, that, yes. As a giveaway stipulate. The point here is that you're making a big deal about it. You're giving away your service for free to get established in this area.

[B]

Portfolio, clientele, connections.

[A]

Yeah, the caveat that I was going to say is for photographers, there's not like a general other service equivalent to that. This because for styled shoots or we recommend setting up styled shoots because with photography it's like if you're a hair stylist and you move to, from DFW to Orlando, you can still use the visuals of the hair that you've cut and styled in DFW to market. You just need to change the terminology and the location of where you're marketing it to. However, with photography, the visuals of actually what the surface is, it kind of matters. It's like you're taking photos in specific locations. And so while you still can use photos that you took in dfw, you still want to kind of get plugged into local venues or local spaces in the new location that you're moving to, I. E. Orlando in this case. So setting up styled shoots for that one, but then also to network with other business owners. So that's for photographers or any wedding vendor. Any wedding vendor is a really great way to connect with local people that can help you then get work and can just be, you know, friends in the industry that you're moving in too.

[B]

Yep, 100%. So yeah, overall I would just encourage, create a lot of noise, hype and excitement around your move, both with the way that you're talking about it and communicating and bringing people along on the process and the journey. That's huge. But also so, so powerful as a business owner to do like, hey, discounts anyone in the Orlando area for, you know, February through April of 2025, you get, get 30 off any couple sessions and like, you know, you're like talking about that and promoting it and being like, I'm newer to the area and I, you know, whatever. You can be honest about what you're doing or do full blown giveaways that's going to get so many local eyes on you and your stuff. Especially if you have stipulations of like tagging local people. Styled shoots huge. And then maybe even a referral program, like maybe you, you're like, hey, I'm moving to this area. I want to set up a referral program where if, if a client refers somebody in like this area, they get half off their, their next shoot with me or something like that. That really incentivizes local people. As you're slowly. You may start with like one or two clients and then you're like, I want those clients to be incentivized to blast me with everyone else. And they get, they get a gift card, they get discounts off their next session. They get free prints for me. Whatever it is that you do or like the free service, next free service is free on me. They get a free pottery night with me next time. Like, yeah, whatever it is. Referral program can also be a really great way to create hype and have conversations starting around your business.

[A]

Amen. Okay, number eight, the next thing, this is probably going to be mostly once you have already moved, but attend local events, business fairs, meetups for small business owners.

[B]

Join local groups or clubs.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Get a part of.

[A]

This is almost like the, the in person version of what we said earlier of like join Facebook groups. Now you're there, you're a part of the Facebook group's great. But now you're like, let's get you out of your house.

[B]

Yep. You know, join club, join groups, get a part of stuff. I know this can be really hard, especially if you're introverted and just going to events where you're like, I don't know a soul. I am the new comer here. It can be hard. It is really so powerful to be able to show up to in person things and be like, I'm here. I would love to connect with you. What do you do? I, you know, whatever. And it, it might push you out of your comfort zone. But if you want to, if you can, if you're ready to push that far in your business, do it. Show up to those events. And then if possible, I would encourage do a local booth at like local events. Like if you have fairs or like small business events.

[A]

Farmer's markets.

[B]

Yeah, farmers markets. Like whatever it is that would fit what you do. Do it like get connected, have a booth. That awareness will be huge.

[A]

All right, number nine, send gifts to specific local business owners that you want to connect with. So this is like almost an up leveled step. After you start joining those Facebook groups, following people that in connecting that way, going to those business fairs or going to events like this is almost the next step of hey, I really want to connect with this specific person. I think we could be friends. But I also think that our industries align. Maybe it's another person that does exactly what you do. But I think even more so, it's almost maybe somebody that's adjacent to the service that you offer. An example is like if you are a hairstylist and you're wanting to connect with a nail salon and you could refer each other. Or if you're a photographer and you're wanting to connect with a florist or a wedding planner or something like that, where it's like an adjacent service where somebody that's going to you, you or that that person, like, they probably will go to both, if that makes sense.

[B]

Yeah. So my encouragement with this would be send like a no strings attached gift and make it. In my opinion, I guess it depends on what you're doing in what industry. It could be something as simple as like a gift card to a local business and hey, go in, buy the gift card in person, talk to that local business and like coffee shop, whatever it is, and be like, hey, I'm just, I'm new to the area. I'm wanting to connect with other business owners, so I'm buying a few gift cards to give to other. Like that type of connecting and networking is everything. But it can be something as simple as a gift card. It could also be like, like a beautiful, like custom, you know, or you know, whatever custom. But like box, like gift box that's like, has multiple nice things in it. Maybe it's like a spa package or a, a gift card to a local spa and you're like, hey, I know what it's like as an entrepreneur and I just want to say like, I know I've, you know, messaged you and emailed you, but I just really love what you're doing and I just felt like I wanted to bless you today with like, like, you know, a spa experience or an at home, like box of. For like at home spa. And I just wanted you to like know that your work is, is so powerful. Like what. Your hard work is paying off.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I'm seeing it and I'm putting you on my referral list because I want my clients to work with you and you know, if you ever want to connect and grab coffee or you know, somehow like support each other, I'm here. But I just, no strings attached. Wanted to say you're doing great and I would love to, you know, support.

[A]

You and actually mean it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Obviously we're giving you this tip as like a strategy, get plugged into a new city. But, but genuinely, when you do that with no strings attached and just release the expectation of them ever Reciprocating when they feel touched and loved and therefore then reciprocate. Yeah, that. That's what's probably going to happen. But if it doesn't, that's okay. Like you still bless the socks off of somebody's day.

[B]

Yeah. And also just a note. They can tell when it's slimy. Slimy and not.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So make sure it's, it's genuine and you mean it and you really love what they do. And you are willing to waste 20, 50, 100, 200, 300 bucks on a gift for them. Like waste. You know what I mean? Like bless them with that gift, with nothing else that ever comes back in your way. Just, Just so you know. Okay, final point number 10. This one is specifically for our photographers second shoot.

[A]

There wasn't a generalized equivalent of this.

[B]

We were like, what else would apply? We're like a hairstylist isn't gonna go assist another hairstylist.

[A]

Can you imagine and still imagine a hairstylist like the moves from DFW to Orlando and then she reach to another hairstylist and like, hey, I'm in the area.

[B]

Could I come to the area?

[A]

Like just stand behind you in the chair while you and like give you the scissors.

[B]

Can I take photos of your work on other clients? Could I, could I tag team the haircut with you? Like, no, it's just we were trying to think of that could be something.

[A]

That maybe would be helpful, but that's not it. Yeah.

[B]

So second shooting for photographers specifically start reaching out to second shoot with other photographers the second, you know, you're moving. And, and I would encourage. Okay, actually go listen to episode 285. Yes, 285 for tips on like how to reach out and how to be a good second shooter. That's huge.

[A]

Which in that episode we talk about like the email that you should send to get picked to be a second shooter.

[B]

Yeah. So there's lots of good tips in there. But the thing I was going to say is I would encourage, especially if you're reaching out to a photographer that you have never second shot with and or maybe never had like date deep communication or connection with before. I don't know what you would think of this. I would almost encourage reach out and be like, hey, I'm moving to the area. I am obsessed with your work. I love the way you do this, this, this. I am wanting to get local portfolio and just experience around like local venues and different things. I would love to second shoot with you. And since I know I am A new second shooter to you. You haven't worked with me before. I would love to second shoot completely free for the first wedding.

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Or two weddings.

[A]

Or just assist. Yeah.

[B]

Or just shadow and assist and just be able to.

[A]

An assist doesn't actually benefit you in. In the way that you're wanting to with portfolio, but it does get you plugged into the local area. You could meet other vendors at that wedding, and you could also show that you're just there to be an asset to the second shooter. And then in future, they could then give you other second shooting gigs. And I will say with this, I think sometimes we can get on a high horse of like, well, I don't second shoot. Like, I'm a main photographer and like, maybe in your actual city that you came from, you're the top dog. And maybe you can get away with being the top dog in a new place. But I would humble yourself a little bit when moving to another location and be willing to second shoot purely just for the connections and portfolio in that new location.

[B]

100%. We have both second shots shot in. In Florida. Yeah, in Florida. In this season. 10 years of wedding photography. Professionally, full time. Yep. Educators in the photography industry, we don't second shoot hardly at all anymore these days. And usually when we do, it's buku bucks or just for each other. But like, when we move to a new location, I was like, yes, let me get connected. Let me see these local venues. Let me even figure out, like, what venues I like and don't like. Let me, you know, so there's just encouragements, like, I don't care how good you are, how far along you are. Not that we're obviously the primo or the best of the best, but you know, we. We are. We have done our seasons of second shooting a lot, and we are well past that. And we will still when we're moving to a new location, second shoot. So hopefully all of that was really helpful. I know that was a lot. That was 10, like, points that we just broke down in a lot of depth, hopefully. But you have got this. That's the biggest thing. I know moving can be scary. I know moving your business can be scary, but we have done it. Yeah, you can do it successfully. I would just encourage implement all or as many of these as you possibly can. I know you're probably busy. There's a lot going on, you're moving. But do as many of these as you possibly can, and I promise the move will go so smoothly, your business will transition. You'll start booking and getting interest and attention on your business before you even step foot in your new city.

[A]

And it will all also if you actually do a lot of the networking things, it'll also help you just in life, business completely aside, make more friends.

[B]

Have connections, not feel alone.

[A]

Other thing about moving is like the business completely aside. It can be scary just going into a new place. You feel like a fish out of of water. You don't feel included and you just feel like you're on the outside of everything. It's like if you actually do these and network, yes, you're doing it for like a business reason, but like a lot of these, it's like you can genuinely make friends and it'll make the move a lot easier.

[B]

All right, friend, we are cheering you on. We cannot wait to watch you in this next season. If you need any additional help or have any other questions, come join the Heart and Hustle Facebook group or just send Lindsay and I a dm. We are here for you and and we cannot wait to see you on the next episode.