Podcast Summary: This Can't Be That Hard Episode 307: How Photographers Can Use AI to Automate & Elevate Their Marketing with Coley James Release Date: March 11, 2025

In Episode 307 of This Can't Be That Hard, host Annemie Tonken engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Coley James about leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate and enhance marketing efforts within photography businesses. This episode delves into practical AI applications, tools, and strategies tailored specifically for photographers aiming to streamline their operations and amplify their marketing impact.

1. Introduction to AI in Photography Marketing

Annemie Tonken kicks off the episode by outlining the focus on practical AI uses rather than high-level theories. The discussion emphasizes actionable strategies that photographers can implement to optimize their marketing without feeling overwhelmed by technological complexities.

Coley James expresses excitement about the topic, noting his recent obsession with AI and its role in outsourcing business tasks:

"I'm in a. How much can AI do for me?" [03:09]

2. AI for Website Optimization and SEO

The conversation begins with AI tools that analyze and improve website performance. Coley shares his experience using an SEO tool that evaluates his website similarly to how Google crawls it, providing suggestions for improvement.

Coley explains the importance of structuring website content with proper H1, H2, and H3 tags to enhance SEO:

"H1 would be your title, H2s would be your subheadings, and then H3s would be like your key points underneath those subheadings." [07:15]

He highlights how AI can offer tailored recommendations, such as optimizing meta tags and generating blog post ideas to boost search engine rankings.

3. Content Creation and Repurposing with AI

A significant portion of the discussion centers on using AI to create and repurpose content efficiently. Coley emphasizes the time-consuming nature of content creation and how AI can alleviate this burden:

"This content creation is such an enormous, or at one point was such an enormous lift for small business owners." [05:44]

Annemie and Coley explore how AI can generate multiple content formats from a single source, ensuring consistent and high-quality output across various platforms. They discuss strategies for maintaining a balance between content quality and quantity, ensuring that marketing efforts remain effective without overwhelming the photographer.

4. Utilizing AI for Pinterest Marketing

The duo delves into specific applications of AI for Pinterest, a valuable platform for photographers to showcase their work and attract clients. Coley shares his method of using AI to generate Pinterest pins from existing blog posts or product pages:

"I was like, can you create 50 pins for me?" [28:06]

He outlines the process of creating a CSV file with titles, descriptions, and image links, which can then be uploaded to scheduling tools like Tailwind for automated pinning. This approach ensures a consistent presence on Pinterest, enhancing visibility and driving traffic to the photographer’s website.

5. Custom GPTs for Personalized AI Assistance

Coley introduces the concept of custom GPTs—personalized AI models tailored to specific business needs. He discusses their advantages over generic AI tools:

"It has already told the AI tool what is important so that you can get more meaningful output from the start." [19:41]

Annemie explains how custom GPTs can streamline workflows by integrating with CRM systems like Dubsado or Honeybook, automating tasks based on client interactions and preferences. This personalization ensures that AI tools produce outputs aligned with the photographer’s unique voice and business processes.

6. Challenges and Best Practices in Implementing AI

The conversation acknowledges the challenges of integrating AI into existing workflows. Coley shares his experiences with limitations in AI instruction sets and the importance of providing clear guidelines to achieve desired outcomes:

"It started like, one of the things that I want the output in these, in the workflow Magician to be is something where you are literally reading it, like a recipe." [42:45]

They discuss the necessity of iterative testing and refining AI inputs to ensure accuracy and relevance. Coley also warns against the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on AI, advocating for a balanced approach that retains the human touch in client interactions and content creation.

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Annemie and Coley reiterate the transformative potential of AI in simplifying and enhancing marketing efforts for photographers. They encourage listeners to experiment with AI tools, personalize their applications, and remain adaptable to evolving technologies.

Coley concludes with a tease about his upcoming projects and expresses gratitude for the collaborative discussion:

"Coley, you're always such a pleasure to have on the show." [43:53]

Annemie invites listeners to explore additional resources on her website and encourages them to leave reviews to support the podcast's growth.

Notable Quotes

• Coley James [03:09]: "I'm in a. How much can AI do for me?"
• Coley James [07:15]: "H1 would be your title, H2s would be your subheadings, and then H3s would be like your key points underneath those subheadings."
• Coley James [05:44]: "This content creation is such an enormous, or at one point was such an enormous lift for small business owners."
• Coley James [28:06]: "I was like, can you create 50 pins for me?"
• Coley James [19:41]: "It has already told the AI tool what is important so that you can get more meaningful output from the start."
• Coley James [42:45]: "It started like, one of the things that I want the output in these, in the workflow Magician to be is something where you are literally reading it, like a recipe."

Resources Mentioned

• Coley James’ Website: coleyjames.com
• Tailwind (Pinterest Scheduling Tool): tailwindapp.com
• Annemie Tonken’s Resources: thiscantbethathard.com

By integrating AI into various aspects of their marketing strategies, both Annemie and Coley demonstrate how photographers can enhance efficiency, maintain consistency, and ultimately grow their businesses sustainably. This episode serves as a valuable guide for photographers seeking to harness the power of AI without sacrificing the personal touch that defines their craft.