5 Blog Posts Photographers Can Write During Slow Season To Improve Busy Season 2023
Maintaining a blog during busy season is next to impossible. But now that things have begun to slow down for a bit, let's add these client-experience-improving posts to your archive!
We’re starting the year with a bonus free article to thank y’all for being so encouraging and supportive as we get our Substack up and running! We’ve got so many incredible themes planned for the year ahead, and to make sure you’ll get the most out of the experience, we have a special offer for you…
— SPECIAL, SEVEN-DAY OFFER —
For one week, new subscribers can get a discount on a 2023 subscription!
With your subscription, you’ll get the free monthly articles plus THREE additional articles only for our paid subscribers. Best of all, one of those articles each month includes at least one written content template! Before long, we’ll have your entire client experience upgraded with professionally written content templates!
We hope to see more of you in 2023!
This month, we want to talk about slow season, especially a few of the things you can do over the next few months to prepare for a more effective, less exhausting busy season! Last week, we asked our subscribers here and on Instagram to tell us when busy season begins. You told us May was when it all begins. So, we don’t have time to waste!
Photographers lose track of my things during busy season, as their forced to drop anything that’s not absolutely essential just to keep up with sessions/weddings, editing, and client management. And one of the first things to go is that cutey little blog you keep meaning to post on weekly…
It may have been months since you last had a chance to post. Or you may be mid-catch-up as you’re trying to make up for all that time spent away from the keyboard. So, let’s give your blog a little extra attention this week. Let’s talk about five blog posts you can write this month that will really pay off as you prepare for busy season!
1. Session blog post targeting a venue or location you love, and hope to photograph more
Last year, we dove into recommended vendor lists. But venue-targeting doesn’t start and end at those precious little lists!
With booking season in full swing, couples and families are on the hunt for their dream wedding and session locations. Often, couples book a venue before they even reach out to photographers! So, why not use that step in the process to your advantage? Why not write blog posts targeting locations you love to photograph so your name will pop up next to their dream location? Why not be the first one to show them what their wedding or session could be like in that dream spot? But how?
The secret is a well-written blog putting SEO principles to use!
To target a particular location or venue, choose a key phrase FIRST. For example, “Swan House wedding,” or “Mt. Hood elopement,” or “National Mall family session.” Then, write a blog title that uses that keyphrase: “Swan House Wedding: Molly and Greg’s Elegant Celebration,” “Unforgettable, Adventurous Mt. Hood Elopement,” “How To Plan A National Mall Family Session.”
OK, let’s get writing! Make sure you incorporate your keyphrase into the first paragraph of your post and two more times throughout your 300-word post—but do it organically! Google is onto the terrible practice of keyword stuffing, and they’ll penalize you for it! And don’t forget to add the keyphrase to the alt text of your images!
Next, promote your post, so Google sees it’s worth reading, and then let time and clicks do their work!
Now, when potential clients Google a venue or location they’ve had their eye on, you’ve got a solid chance of popping up right underneath it. And what do people book right after their venue? That’s right. You.
Post content ideas:
Walk us through the day from start to finish
Share the biggest moments of the day and what made it unique
Include testimonials and quotes from the couple
Share why you loved working at the venue
Grab our SEO-optimized blogging templates to get started!
2. Informative post sharing your opinion on and approach to wedding first looks
When it comes to first looks, everyone’s got an opinion! And as the photographer in the room, everyone’s gonna be wondering about yours.
Whether you prefer the traditional feel of an in-ceremony first look or you’re a fan of the timeline flexibility a first look brings, I know you have thoughts on first looks! So, why not share them?
This is a great way for you to nudge your future clients in the direction you prefer without having to sit each one down one on one and explain it all. But don't worry—this doesn’t have to be some super pushy manifesto (unless you want it to be, of course!). Write it just right, and you can share all of your thoughts and allow the reader to make the decision that’s right for them!
One approach we really love is presenting two sample timelines: one for a couple that opted for a first look and one that didn’t. This will help your potential clients envision what they want on their big day, for example, a more relaxed morning vs. the chance to enjoy cocktail hour. It will also further hone in on your ideal client, allowing them to self-select.
But the key here is to focus on what makes your experience special and surprising! If you’re a pro at squeezing in portrait sessions after the ceremony for couples who forgo a first look, talk about that! And if you have stories to share of couples who were overjoyed they went with or without a first look, let us about that, too! The more specific you are, the more expertise you’re demonstrating and the more sure clients will be that you can deliver what they’re looking for.
Then, build an email into your work flow sharing the blog post with clients! That way, if they haven’t considered which way they want to go yet, you can give them a hand!
Post title ideas:
Should You Go With A First Look During Your [AREA YOU SERVE] Wedding?
Heartwarming First Look Moments We’ll Never Forget From Real [AREA YOU SERVE] Wedding Days
How To Decide If A First Look Is Right For Your Wedding Photography Vision
Post content ideas:
Share your experience photographing couples who did a first look vs. those who went without
Share a timeline with a first look vs. one where all the portraits are done post-ceremony
Talk about your own preferences. If you’re happy to photograph both types of weddings, talk about that, too.
Share an honest pro-con breakdown from your perspective
Feature your favorite real first look moments (if you prefer the first look approach) or in-ceremony first-look moments (if you prefer to keep it in ceremony)
— COPYWRITING EXPERIENCE PAYMENT PLANS —
For the first time ever, we are offering payment plan options for the Three-Day Copywriting Experience for Photographers! Payment plans extend from three to six months. But they are only available to photographers who inquire by Wednesday, Jan. 25th! Inquire now to explore the possibilities of a payment plan!
3. Informative post full of helpful final tips for a client’s upcoming session
If I sat down with you and started asking questions, I bet you could fill books with tips, tricks, and oh-no-nos for your signature sessions! You’ve seen it all, and you know so well how to help your clients get the most out of their sessions. So, why hide all that information away and hope you remember to repeat it to each client pre-session?
Nothing highlights expertise like a detailed post full of helpful, UNIQUE tips!
If you’re a wedding photographer, you can help them plan for their engagement sessions. If you’re a family photographer, think about that week leading up to the session. For brand photographers, help them get in the right headspace for a marketing shoot. Maternity photographers can help new moms prep for their sessions as well as the big adventure of motherhood ahead! And boudoir photographers, you can build so much confidence and comfort in your clients before the session with the right tips and tricks!
Don’t JUST share the same tips every photographer shares, though. Of course, it’s important to remind them to drink water, pick their outfits in advance, and avoid horizontal stripes. But then go deeper. Think about your unique experience and what your unique ideal client needs to hear to get the most out of it!
These blog posts build credibility with potential clients, attract new ones through SEO optimization, but most importantly, they serve your current clients. So, don’t forget to build an email into your workflow that shares this post with clients as their session approaches!
Post title ideas:
How To Find The Most [DESCRIPTIVE WORD] Engagement Session Locations In [AREA YOU SERVE]
10 Top Tips To Prepare For An Effortless Adventure Elopement
Prepare For Your Maternity Session Without Taking Away From The New Mom Experience
The Essential Family Session Packing List
Post content ideas:
Highlight your favorite session locations near you, and share what makes them so spectacular
Top 10 lists full of specific, unique tips and tricks to prepare
Top tips to loosen up in front of the camera
Talk all things wardrobe, hair, and makeup selection
Can four-legged family members come along? If so, how do you incorporate them into the experience with ease
4. Session or informative blog post targeting specific cities within your service area…or new ones you're hoping to branch into!
I tell clients this all the time—if you want to target multiple cities within a broad region, blogging should be your BFF. A tagline listing six cities just isn’t going to hit. Not only is it tedious to read, but Google hates it, too! Instead, share either the broad region or your most popular city in your tagline and branch out in your blog posts!
You should have at LEAST one post targeting each city or town you serve (we recommend a goal of three each, but start with one!). And if you want to push into a new area or give destination photography a try? Start with blog posts!
Be sure to use the city or region name in the title, the text of the first paragraph, and two or three more times inside your 300-word post. Organically, remember!
If you’ve already photographed in the location you’re targeting, great! Simply write a session blog for it featuring your best photos from that session! And don’t forget to add the keyphrase to the alt text of your images! If you haven’t yet photographed in the location yet, we’ve got some ideas for that, too, listed below:
Post title ideas:
The Top [NUMBER] Reasons You Should Plan A [TARGET LOCATION] [SESSION TYPE/WEDDING]
Top [NUMBER] Wedding Venues In [TARGET LOCATION]
Make A Weekend Of It! The [NUMBER] Best Activities To Plan Around Your [TARGET LOCATION] [WEDDING/ELOPEMENT]
[NUMBER] Top [VENDOR TYPE]s For A [TARGET LOCATION] [SESSION TYPE/WEDDING]
Post content ideas:
Talk about fun things to do before or after a wedding or elopement here.
Share your perspective on what makes this location so special, and why a client would love it for their experience. Include things specific to your style and experience!
Breakdown locations you want to photograph, vendors your hope to work with, and activities you hope to feature when you work here
5. Informative blog post sharing your approach to and perspective on prints and albums
It’s always easier to sell to a client you’ve already booked rather than find a new client. So, if you’re looking to up your revenue for 2023, start with prints!
Does your digital gallery link to a lab for prints? Do you offer album design? Have you incorporated a design appointment into your experience? Do you plan gallery walls? Do you deliver prints in person and offer to hang them? We’ve seen all this and more in the post-gallery-delivery experiences of our photographers, so clients are going to know what you offer!
And if getting photos off a computer hard drive is important to you, teach clients up-front why it matters and how you make it a breeze for them! Then, you got it, build the post into your workflow to share it with clients!
Post title ideas:
Our 5 Most Unique Unique [YOUR LOCATION] Wedding Albums Created For Real Couples
The Effortless [BUSINESS/LAB NAME] Print And Album Design Experience
In 2023, Why Do Albums Still Matter?
Post content ideas:
Walk us through your album design process step-by-step
Share images of former clients’ albums…with their permission, of course
Share testimonials specific to print and album creation
Share your perspective on heirlooms, why they matter, and most of all, how they’ve impacted your clients
Share how “hands-on” the process is for the client. Is it fully done for them, or do they play a large part?
There are so many blog posts that can build your business and enhance your client experience! But as busy season winds down and you emerge from your slow season hibernation, give these five a try. Watch as your current clients appreciate the added guidance and marvel as the transparency, expertise, and SEO optimization draws in new clients!
You’ve got this! And if you ever need a hand, we’ve got templates to get you started. Let’s approach this slow season strategically and with an eye on the next series of busy seasons still to come!
‘Til then, happy writing!
INSIDE THE WRITER’S ROOM
As your busy season winds down, ours is ramping up! We’re knee-deep in the busiest January we’ve EVER had—it’s been incredible! But the thing I love most about this busy season has been the number of photographers we’ve been chatting with for years talking about “someday” who have decided this is the year we rewrite their sites! I have so many ideas for so many of you, and I can’t wait to bring that to life! So, we are taking a step to make this experience more accessible than ever before.
For the first time ever, we are offering three-to-six-month payment plans for a limited time! If you’d like to explore the possibility of booking the Three Day Copywriting Experience for Photographers using a payment plan, just inquire by Jan. 25th to lock in that option!
We can’t wait to meet you!
A NOTE FOR OUR CLIENTS
Happy new year, ya absolute gems! We are so thrilled to race into 2023 with you all, and we are so crazy pumped for everything we’ve got planned for the year ahead.
And the first new thing we are introducing this year fits perfectly with this article’s theme! Several of you have mentioned wishing for flexibility with the session blogging projects. You’ve also wished for a little more accountability in blogging. We are going to offer both!
Next week, we’ll be rolling out The 2023 Blog Post Punchcard! It’ll be a digital punchcard you can only purchase for a limited time but use throughout the year. This way, rather than waiting to book a project until you have five posts to write, you can let us know any time you have a single post you need written, and we’ll take care of it within 10 days! This is the perfect way to stay on top of your blogging this year. So, keep your eyes on your email inbox next week for more info on the punchcards and how to get yours!
Talk soon, crew!
