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