Episodes

  • Summer Bonus : The SEO Strategy That Saved My Photography Business

    Summer Bonus : The SEO Strategy That Saved My Photography Business
    Jul 28 2025

    Hey there! While Alison and I are soaking up those summer vibes until September, I'm not leaving you hanging. I'm sharing some of my favorite guest appearances from this past year – the ones that had you frantically taking notes and diving into implementation mode.

    This week, I'm bringing you my conversation with Colie James from the Business First Creatives podcast. We dive deep into something that literally transformed my photography business from struggling to fully booked: SEO. And before you roll your eyes and think "SEO is too complicated" or "my Instagram is doing just fine, thank you very much," hear me out.

    I came from a corporate IT background, so when I started my photography business fifteen years ago, I knew I needed more than just a pretty portfolio. I needed people to actually find me. Fast forward to today, and SEO has been the backbone of every successful move I've made – from wedding photography to newborns and families, through multiple relocations as a military spouse.

    What you'll learn in this episode:

    • Why most photographers are making the same SEO mistakes that are actually hurting their rankings
    • The simple keyword strategy that transformed my business from crickets to constant inquiries
    • How to research blog post topics that your ideal clients are actually searching for (hint: it's not just "what to wear")
    • The truth about SEO timelines – and why 18 months isn't as scary as it sounds
    • How to leverage your local business connections to boost your Google rankings
    • The AI tools I'm using to streamline content creation without losing my authentic voice
    • Why image naming and alt text are make-or-break for photographer SEO

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Google Search Console (free SEO tracking tool)
    • Keywords Everywhere tool for keyword research
    • Melissa's Keyword Research 101 Course: https://pictureperfectrankings.com
    • The Blogging Club membership: https://thebloggingclub.com
    • ChatGPT for content brainstorming and meta descriptions

    Your Next Steps:

    -Work with Melissa: https://pictureperfectrankings.com

    -SEO Self Audit Checklist: https://pictureperfectrankings.myflodesk.com/self-seo-audit

    -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/35-blog-post-ideas

    -Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/pictureperfectrankings

    -Work with Alison: https://alisonbellphotographer.com/how-to-move-your-business

    -Free Moving Checklist: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/checklist

    -Marketing Funnel Basics: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/funnel

    -Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/alisonbellphotog
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • Summer Replay : Blog Better Than A Bot, How to Stand Out in an AI World

    Summer Replay : Blog Better Than A Bot, How to Stand Out in an AI World
    Jul 21 2025
    AI-generated content is everywhere, flooding the internet with bland, forgettable posts that all sound exactly the same. So how do we make our blog content stand out to both Google and our dream clients in 2025? Here's the thing - we're not anti-AI. Both Alison and I use it regularly in our businesses, and we think you should too. But we're seeing a huge problem with how photographers are using it for their blogs. They're letting AI completely replace their voice, their stories, and their personality - the exact things that make content memorable and convert readers into clients. The result? Blog posts that cover all the right information but fall completely flat. They're thorough, they hit all the SEO marks, but there's nothing that makes you remember the photographer who wrote them. And in a world where we're all competing for the same keywords and topics, memorable is everything. What You'll Learn: How to use AI as your work bestie (not your replacement) to save time on content creationWhy Google's E-A-T guidelines favor human-driven content with personal stories and expertiseThe biggest mistake photographers make when outsourcing or using AI for blog contentHow to inject personality and stories into your posts even if you "hate storytelling"Why "what to wear" posts don't have to be boring (and how Alison owns her hatred of them)The difference between using AI to create original content vs. repurposing your existing voiceHow to make your blog posts more memorable than your competitors who are all covering the same topicsWhy human connection will always win, even in our AI-dominated world Key Takeaways: "I want you guys to use AI to repurpose your content, especially when you write your blog post and repurpose it out. But the biggest thing is I want you to use AI to save you time, but not replace you entirely.""There's no replacement for human understanding, connection, and voice.""You're not producing memorable content. Like, it's just kind of falling flat... There's no stories anymore. There's no personal stories.""If there's nothing that's telling a story... and they all spit out the same information, and there's nothing memorable about it... They're all using AI saying the same thing.""Google may start prioritizing content that with human signals and expertise... success and SEO will come from blending AI with authentic human driven content, offering valuable personal stories and expert opinions." Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT for content assistance and brainstormingShannon McKinstry's Instagram expertise and storytelling approachJen Olmstead from Tonic Site Shop (Friday emails)Creative Moms Focus podcastGoogle's E-A-T guidelines (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)The Blogging Club membership with 50% off first month (code: KEEPITMOVING) Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: https://pictureperfectrankings.com -SEO Self Audit Checklist: https://pictureperfectrankings.myflodesk.com/self-seo-audit -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/35-blog-post-ideas -Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/pictureperfectrankings -Work with Alison: https://alisonbellphotographer.com/how-to-move-your-business -Free Moving Checklist: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/checklist -Marketing Funnel Basics: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/funnel -Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/alisonbellphotog
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    23 mins
  • Summer Replay : Time Blocking, Calm the Calendar Chaos

    Summer Replay : Time Blocking, Calm the Calendar Chaos
    Jul 14 2025
    Feeling like a ping pong ball bouncing between tasks all day? Constantly switching from editing to emails to client calls and ending up mentally exhausted with nothing meaningful accomplished? We've been there. That scattered, overwhelmed feeling where you're busy all day but can't point to what you actually got done. The research backs it up too - every time we switch from task to task, we waste time and mental energy. As military spouses who've moved our photography businesses multiple times, we've learned that protecting our mental energy isn't just nice to have - it's essential for survival. Between client work, family life, and the chaos of military moves, we had to figure out systems that actually work. What You'll Learn: Why task-switching is draining your brain and costing you precious timeHow to batch similar tasks together for maximum efficiency (like recording 5-6 videos in the same sweater!)The exact scheduling boundaries we use - including "No Meeting Mondays" and "Free Fridays"How limiting client calls to specific days actually improved our client serviceWhy blocking your kids' school days off immediately is non-negotiableThe $39 one-time purchase tool that beats Calendly's monthly subscriptionMilitary spouse pro tip: How to block an entire year's worth of holidays using your spouse's Liberty scheduleThe mindset shift that helped us earn full-time income while working part-time hours Key Takeaways: "There's plenty of research to show that we waste a lot of time when we switch from task to task. So if you can time block and do batch create content or batch edit, then you're saving yourself a lot of time and again, mental fatigue.""I only do client calls Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between twelve and two... I was doing them every single day, and I just was like, I cannot waste more time.""Friday and Monday are completely blocked off on my calendar. So I only do meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.""I am making a very good amount of money for what I am doing - part time work but it is a full time income.""The first thing I do when I get the school calendar is I immediately go into my work calendar and I block off any days the kids are off school. Every single one of them." Resources Mentioned: Calendly (free version available)TidyCal ($39 one-time purchase)Tave scheduling featureHoneyBookGoogle CalendarGoogle Calendar tasks for recurring reminders Your Next Steps: -Work with Melissa: https://pictureperfectrankings.com -SEO Self Audit Checklist: https://pictureperfectrankings.myflodesk.com/self-seo-audit -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/35-blog-post-ideas -Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/pictureperfectrankings -Work with Alison: https://alisonbellphotographer.com/how-to-move-your-business -Free Moving Checklist: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/checklist -Marketing Funnel Basics: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/funnel -Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/alisonbellphotog
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    28 mins
  • Summer Replay : 80/20 Rule Small Efforts, Big Results for Photographers

    Summer Replay : 80/20 Rule Small Efforts, Big Results for Photographers
    Jul 7 2025

    Ever feel like you're doing ALL the things in your business but somehow still not seeing the results you want? Girl, we've been there. That's exactly why we're diving deep into the 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle) and how it can completely transform the way you run your photography business.

    The 80/20 rule isn't some made-up business guru nonsense – it's a real principle that shows there's always a huge imbalance between your input and your results. And once you understand this, you can stop wasting time on activities that aren't moving the needle and start focusing on the 20% of efforts that produce 80% of your results.

    We're getting real about our own businesses in this episode – like how Alison discovered that her social media clients were spending way less money than her SEO clients, or how Melissa realized she was spending hours creating custom pricing videos that half her leads weren't even watching all the way through.

    What You'll Learn:

    • What the 80/20 rule actually is and why it matters for your business

    • How to identify which marketing channels are actually bringing in your best clients

    • Why Alison limited her discovery calls to only 3 days a week (and saw better results)

    • How to use your CRM data to make smarter business decisions

    • The specific reports in Google Search Console and Google Analytics that matter most

    • Why putting pricing on your website can actually increase your booking rate

    • How to prioritize which pages on your website need SEO attention first

    • The power of batching and planning (like how we organized 6 months of podcast content in 2 hours)

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Tave CRM for tracking inquiry sources and client data

    • Google Search Console for blog performance and keyword insights

    • Google Analytics traffic acquisition report

    • Flodesk for email analytics

    • The Blogging Club membership

    Your Next Steps:

    -Work with Alison: https://alisonbellphotographer.com/how-to-move-your-business
    -Free Moving Checklist: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/checklist
    -Marketing Funnel Basics: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/funnel

    -Work with Melissa: https://pictureperfectrankings.com
    -SEO Self Audit Checklist: https://pictureperfectrankings.myflodesk.com/self-seo-audit -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/35-blog-post-ideas

    Links:

    • Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify

    • Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients

    • Get Melissa’s Free Blog Post Topics

    • Find Alison on IG @‌keep.it.moving.podcast

    • Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings

    • Keepitmovingpod.com

    Used #keepitmovingpod on socials!
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Summer Bonus : Real Talk About Marketing with Colie James

    Summer Bonus : Real Talk About Marketing with Colie James
    Jun 30 2025

    Re-Airing: Our Chat with Colie James About Marketing That Actually Works

    We had such an amazing conversation with Colie James on her Business First Creatives podcast that we just had to share it with you all! Colie invited us on to talk about marketing strategies, and honestly, we got so real about what's actually working (and what we've totally abandoned) in our businesses.

    If you don't know Colie, she's a business systems expert who helps creative entrepreneurs streamline their workflows and grow profitable businesses. Her podcast, Business First Creatives, is all about the behind-the-scenes business strategies that actually move the needle – which is exactly why this conversation was so good!

    We dove deep into our Marketing Monday routines, why we're both considering ditching Instagram for YouTube, and how AI has become our "employee of the month." Plus, Alison shared her genius scouting trip strategy that helped her book clients before she even moved to Hawaii, and Melissa talked about why her five-minute homepage audits are her best lead conversion tool.

    What You'll Learn:

    • The real reason why getting found is harder than creating beautiful work

    • How to use AI as your "employee of the month" (seriously, best $20/month we spend)

    • Why Alison's rankings dropped when she got "content" with her SEO success

    • The power of five-minute audits for converting leads into paying clients

    • How scouting trips and model calls can skyrocket your business in a new location

    • Why we're both considering ditching Instagram for YouTube

    • The art of batching content when you're feeling motivated (not forcing it on a schedule)

    • Email marketing strategies that actually work for photographers

    • Why sometimes the best marketing happens when you blow dry your hair and change shirts five times

    About Colie James: Colie is a business systems strategist and the host of Business First Creatives podcast. She helps creative entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses through smart systems and strategic thinking. Her no-nonsense approach to business growth is exactly why we love chatting with her!

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Colie James' Business First Creatives podcast

    • ChatGPT for content creation and repurposing

    • Flodesk for email marketing

    • Descript for video editing

    • Trello for content planning

    • Google Tasks for marketing organization

    Your Next Steps:

    -Work with Melissa: https://pictureperfectrankings.com
    -SEO Self Audit Checklist: https://pictureperfectrankings.myflodesk.com/self-seo-audit -35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/35-blog-post-ideas

    -Work with Alison: https://alisonbellphotographer.com/how-to-move-your-business
    -Free Moving Checklist: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/checklist
    -Marketing Funnel Basics: https://alisonbell.myflodesk.com/funnel

    -Check out Colie James: Business First Creatives podcast

    Links:

    • Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify

    • Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients

    • Find Alison on IG @‌keep.it.moving.podcast

    • Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings

    • Keepitmovingpod.com

    Used #keepitmovingpod on socials!
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • The Real Reason Photographers Avoid Their Books (It's Not Math)

    The Real Reason Photographers Avoid Their Books (It's Not Math)
    Jun 23 2025

    Y'all, can we talk about the elephant in the room? That pile of receipts sitting on your desk, the QuickBooks notifications you've been ignoring for months, and that sinking feeling every time tax season rolls around? Yeah, we're going there today.

    This week, we're bringing you Melissa's actual bookkeeper, Jenny Vazquez from Foxtrot Bookkeeping, to spill ALL the tea about why photographers need to stop DIYing their books and start treating their finances like the business asset they are.

    "I just think putting negative energy towards your money is never good... when you're working on your money or looking at your money, you want it to be positive." - Jenny

    What You'll Learn:
    • The #1 reason photographers should outsource their bookkeeping (hint: it's not what you think)
    • How often you should actually be updating your books (Jenny's answer might surprise you)
    • The most common bookkeeping mistakes photographers make and how to avoid them
    • Why using your personal Venmo for business expenses isn't the end of the world (but here's how to fix it)
    • The difference between working with an independent bookkeeper vs. your CPA's bookkeeping service
    • When to make the leap from spreadsheets to QuickBooks (and why you probably should have done it already)
    • Smart receipt organization systems that will save you during an audit
    • How proper bookkeeping can actually help you make better business decisions throughout the year
    Bonus Gold Nuggets:

    💎 The Gmail Receipt Hack: Create a new email folder each January (like "2025 Receipts") and set up automation to tag PayPal receipts. Just drag and drop receipts throughout the year for instant organization.

    💎 The B&H Photo Strategy: Buy all your camera gear from one retailer so you can log into your account years later and pull all purchase history for depreciation tracking.

    💎 The Weekly 10-Minute Rule: Jenny's ideal schedule is just 10-15 minutes weekly to review transactions while they're fresh in your memory.

    💎 The Venmo Mix-Up Fix: Accidentally paid a contractor from personal Venmo instead of business? Just email your bookkeeper the receipt - they'll handle the reconciliation magic.

    💎 The Subscription Audit: Ask your bookkeeper for a list of all your monthly subscriptions. You might be shocked at what you're paying for and forgot to cancel.

    Connect with our Guest:
    • Jenny Vazquez - Foxtrot Bookkeeping
    • Instagram: @foxtrotbookkeeping
    • Website: foxtrotbookkeeping.com

    Links:

    • Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify

    • Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients

    • Get Melissa’s Free Blog Post Topics

    • Find Alison on IG @‌keep.it.moving.podcast

    • Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings

    • Keepitmovingpod.com

    Used #keepitmovingpod on socials!
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • 63: IT Girl to SEO Queen - How Melissa Turned Tech Skills into Photography Gold

    63: IT Girl to SEO Queen - How Melissa Turned Tech Skills into Photography Gold
    Jun 16 2025

    Alison is interviewing Melissa, who literally went from fixing computers in corporate suits to building photography empires with killer SEO strategies. If you've ever wanted to throw your laptop out the window because of alt text and header tags (while simultaneously trying to feed your kids lunch), this episode will save your sanity.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Why your keywords are having an identity crisis - Spoiler: Google doesn't know what you do either when you try to be everything to everyone.

    • The brutal truth about SEO timelines - Real talk: 6-9 months to see decent progress, 18 months to consistently book clients. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

    • Group coaching vs. done-for-you decoded - Melissa breaks down why both paths work, depending on whether you have more time or money to burn.

    Bonus Gold Nuggets:

    • Blog post templates are secretly broken everywhere - Melissa finds websites with EIGHT H1 headers on every single blog post. That's like wearing eight different hats to one event - confusing and not cute.

    • The blogging club that doesn't make you cry - Because apparently everyone hates blogging (shame on you!), Melissa created outlines so easy that even your overwhelmed mom brain can handle them.

    • AI prompts that don't sound like robots - She's teaching photographers how to use Claude for personal stories via voice messages, so your blog posts actually sound like you instead of a corporate manual.

    • The moving photographer's secret weapon - Start your SEO work 6 months before you PCS. Your future self will thank you when you're not scrambling to book clients in a new location while unpacking boxes.

    Ready to stop letting SEO be the monster under your business bed? Melissa's approach strips away all the overwhelm and gives you a clear path forward - whether you want to DIY it or hand it off completely.

    Feeling stuck? Get a Book free 15 minute discovery call with Alison to talk through your biggest business challenges and map out a strategy that actually fits your chaotic, beautiful life.

    Links:

    • Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify
    • Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients
    • Get Melissa’s Free Blog Post Topics
    • Find Alison on IG @‌keep.it.moving.podcast
    • Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings
    • Keepitmovingpod.com

    Use #keepitmovingpod on socials!
    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • 62: Frustrated to Fearless: How Alison Turned 7 Business Moves Into A Superpower

    62: Frustrated to Fearless: How Alison Turned 7 Business Moves Into A Superpower
    Jun 9 2025

    Melissa is putting Alison in the hot seat because honestly, she's been way too humble about moving her photography business SEVEN times. Time to spill the tea on how she turned military-spouse chaos into her coaching superpower.

    3 Key Takeaways:

    • "Too Early" Doesn't Exist - Start prepping your business move yesterday. SEO takes 12-18 months to work its magic, and everyone underestimates how time-consuming this whole thing is.

    • Stalk Your New Market (Legally) - Research everything: traffic patterns, permit costs, whether you can actually shoot on Fridays without losing your mind on I-95. Your business model depends on it.

    • Embrace the Post-Move Cricket Sounds - After running two businesses simultaneously, you'll hit radio silence. Use it to unpack, find a dentist, and become the local expert instead of panicking at your computer.

    Ready to level up your photography business? Whether you're moving or staying put, I've got the goods to help you rank higher and book better. Check out my offerings for ambitious photographers who are done playing small.

    Moving your business and feeling overwhelmed? Alison's done this dance seven times and lived to tell about it. Book your free 15 minute discovery call and let her guide you through the chaos with actual sanity intact.

    Links:

    • Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify
    • Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients
    • Get Melissa’s Free Blog Post Topics
    • Find Alison on IG @‌keep.it.moving.podcast
    • Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings
    • Keepitmovingpod.com

    Use #keepitmovingpod on socials!
    Show more Show less
    26 mins