530: Audra Harris – How to successfully outsource lead qualification calls in your photography business

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Audra Harris of www.focusonyourphotos.com was warmly referred to in episode 457 of the podcast with Jennifer Lindberg. In that episode, Jennifer shared a true success story where she took her photography business from financial trouble to an exceptional and very profitable business. I had no reason to believe Audra wasn't a staff member of the team.

I have since learned that Audra is a contractor and runs the “Focus on Your Photos” business in the USA. Jennifer was utilising Audra, her team and their services to fill a critical role in the success of her business.

Audra and her team are a business focussed on supporting photographers by offering services to do the things we don't want to do in our businesses. From Facebook Ads to calling and qualifying leads, running your reveal sessions, setting up software, workflows, CRM's and more.

Judging by Jennifer's success and what she had to say about Audra, they are incredibly good at what they do.

With so many PhotoBizX members asking about outsourcing, especially lead qualification, I am excited to learn how it all works when outsourcing to a reputable business with the runs on the board.

Note for listeners: Audra emailed me right after recording to say…

There is one LARGE item that I didn't touch on during the interview, and that is expectations!

Setting them with the clients/prospects right from the start. Letting them know the process, pricing, deposit information, etc., is so important for appointment setting and their overall happiness throughout their journey with the artist.

I'm sure there is more, but that was one thing that popped into my mind when we finished today.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Audra's business model and how she's helping photographers with their business
• A brief background on Audra's skillset
• How Audra got into the photography genre when building her business
• Why did Audra hire only female staff in the beginning
• Why Audra believes it is necessary to use only one persona when communicating with different clients
• On-boarding process when hiring Audra's team to take phone calls for your business
• Why you need to outsource to help run your business smoothly
• Why it's a good thing to disqualify potential clients
• Why it's important to call every single lead you get from your ads
• How to prioritize who to call first
• How frequently should you contact leads that haven't responded yet
• The importance of being flexible with each lead's availability
• How to handle leads who don't want to talk on the phone
• Why Saturdays are the worst time to contact leads
• Typical rates to outsource your booking appointment process
• The difference between a good lead and a bad lead
• Contracts and pricing
• Audra's secret to getting successful booking appointments
• How to handle clients who find photography sessions to be expensive
• The importance of knowing or learning what makes your business unique from the rest of the competition
• How to deal with FB Ad fatigue
• Different ways to find new leads
• Is it right to send out a break-up email with your leads

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

We don't want the prospects to realize that they are talking to multiple people…We want the people, both on the phones and on the ordering session to feel like it's one smooth process. And so, we use the same name. – Audra Harris

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Audra shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business due to what you heard in today's episode.

If you are looking for a way to get off the ground or grow your business and you don't want to deal with the day to day, that's the reason to work with an outsourcing company. – Audra Harris

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Audra or if you want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the biggest search engines for podcasts, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

I strongly advise calling every single lead that comes through any of your ads regardless of what their answers are. – Audra Harris

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google, and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show, and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Here is the latest review…

★★★★★ Great Podcast for ALL photographers!

Via Apple Podcasts by San Antonio headshot photographer Ashley Ball, in the USA on August 28, 2023.

I can’t recommend this podcast enough for anyone in the photography business!

This podcast has become an indispensable tool in my entrepreneurial journey. The wealth of ideas and strategies it consistently provides for boosting business profitability is simply remarkable.

I have been a professional photographer for 7 years. I moved across the country and had to start my business all over again last year. I went in search of a photography podcast and found PhotobizX.

What sets this podcast apart is the incredible diversity it offers. The lineup of photographers and business experts they bring in to share their insights is absolutely top-notch. The range of perspectives and experiences they offer has given me a fresh perspective on my own strategies especially in marketing.

The industry knowledge that’s shared in every episode is like a goldmine of wisdom. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, you’re bound to stumble upon new ideas that can elevate your business to new heights. This podcast has a unique ability to take the complexities of business and simplify them into actionable steps and if you are a premium member it offers valuable courses at very reasonable rates.

If you’re serious about running a successful photography business, this podcast is an absolute essential. Tune in for a constant stream of innovative ideas, strategies, and insider knowledge that can transform the way you do business. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on the gems this podcast delivers every single episode!

I’m one year into my new business in this new location, and anytime I hit a stumbling block, I go through the vast library of episodes and can find something helpful.

I’m also impressed that the people who come on as guests are accessible and willing to help.

Thank you Andrew, for all you do to keep this podcast so helpful to small businesses like mine. ??️

Via email from Geneva Portrait Photographer Patric Pop, in Switzerland on September 5th, 2023.

Hi Andrew

I wanted to let you know I'm so grateful for all the fabulous tips that you share so openly.

It gives me a great starting point for exploring the podcast ideas further.

We are talking about how my wife can apply her 30 years of yoga teaching experience, business sense and quick wit into a different setting than a yoga class and to really show her talents.

She has a hard time being “only” the yoga teacher; while she’s great at it, there are so many wannabes who have no idea what they are doing on the market that she wants to separate from them.

I appreciate everything you do for the community – keep on going!

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Focus on Your Photos Website

Episode 457: Jenn Lindberg – From deep financial trouble to an inspiring photography business

PiktId — AI software to change your photography subjects' appearance.

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening, and thanks to Audra for sharing her thoughts, ideas, tactics, and processes for scheduling and making lead qualification calls, and how to outsource this and many other tasks to leave photographers focussing on the things they want to be doing in their photography businesses.

Obviously we want ‘yeses' but I will take a ‘no' over a ‘maybe' anyday. – Audra Harris

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

457: Jenn Lindberg – From deep financial trouble to an inspiring photography business

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