GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
LUXURY WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

KARA HANES

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Podcast Show Notes

Episode 025 Is your social media strategy enough? with Kendra Swalls

Episode Description

Welcome back to another episode of Cameras and Coffee Podcast! In this enlightening discussion, your host, Kara Hanes engages in a deep dive with Kendra Swalls from Girl Means Business, exploring the intricacies of marketing for photographers. As Kendra shares her journey from being an elementary school teacher to a thriving photographer, the conversation unveils the pivotal moment when she realized the significance of marketing in sustaining her photography business.

Discover actionable insights into navigating the overwhelming world of social media marketing, especially for photographers aiming to connect with specific demographics. From targeting high school seniors on TikTok to engaging new moms on Facebook groups, Kendra provides a roadmap for tailoring your approach based on your ideal client’s life phase and interests.

Join the hosts as they dissect the challenges of influencer culture and follower counts, emphasizing the importance of genuine engagement over mere numbers. Kendra’s experiences shed light on the misleading nature of high follower counts and how authenticity plays a crucial role in converting followers into actual clients.

The conversation expands into the realm of multiple social media platforms, with Kendra offering practical tips on managing and customizing content for different channels. From TikTok to Snapchat, Facebook to LinkedIn, uncover valuable strategies for maximizing your presence across diverse platforms.

But that’s not all! The hosts delve into the topic of giveaways and discuss whether they are effective in gaining followers. Kendra shares her perspective on structured giveaways and highlights the importance of directing participants to your email list for more meaningful connections.

As the episode unfolds, Kendra offers advice on handling busy seasons and the urge to announce editing queues on social media. The hosts explore the balance between showcasing your workload and maintaining a client-focused approach, urging photographers to prioritize genuine connections over a perception of busyness.

To wrap it up, Kendra introduces the Focus Photographer Lab, her innovative monthly membership designed to offer a middle ground between self-paced courses and one-on-one coaching. With classes, coaching, and a community space, the lab provides an affordable and flexible resource for photographers seeking continuous growth.

Tune in for an episode packed with actionable strategies, real-world experiences, and valuable insights into the dynamic world of marketing for photographers. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom to elevate your social media game and business strategies.

Episode Outline

  • [00:00] Episode intro
  • [00:16] Introduction of Kendra Swales from Girl Means Business, specializing in business marketing for photographers.
  • [02:10] Casual conversation about coffee preferences.
  • [08:30] Overcoming Social Media Overwhelm
  • [13:00] ​Navigating Social Media Platforms Kendra’s perspective on exploring new platforms.
  • [13:04] Emphasizing the importance of finding one’s home space on social media.
  • [13:18​]Discussion on Follower Count and Authentic Engagement
  • [20:49] Marketing Strategies Across Multiple Platforms
  • [21:45] Kendra’s perspective on formatting posts differently for each platform.
  • [23.00] Introduction of Metricool and its role in scheduling and optimizing posting times.
  • [27:38] General advice on choosing social media platforms based on the target audience
  • [27:35] Continuation of the conversation.
  • [28:20] Kendra’s insights on using TikTok for high school seniors and Snapchat hesitation.
  • [29.27] Exploring Facebook groups for maternity and newborn photographers.
  • [33.35] Advertising your work in groups and social media platforms.
  • [38:18] Thoughts and encouragement for photographers navigating social media and giveaways. 
  • [42:25] Email list as a marketing strategy
  • [43:32] Taking a Break from Social Media and Self-Care
  • [48:25] Defining Success and Over-Glorifying Business.
  • [49:53] Focus Photographer Lab and Community Building
  • [50:47] Overview of the three C’s: Classes, Coaching, and Community.
  • [52:12] Information about the 14-day free trial and the opportunity for photographers to explore the lab.
  • [52:50] Episode wrap up
  • [53:44] The end

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welcome to my blog

I'm Kara, West Michigan Photographer, Wife, Mom of two kids and our sweet Maltipoo. I hope you stay a while or reach out to chat!

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