Having a website is no longer optional. It’s something that you absolutely need to have for 2021 and moving forward. Many businesses went to online marketing, because of the pandemic and that’s exactly what you need to be doing too. Today, I have my amazing friend Elizabeth MccCravy coming on the show, and we are talking all about how to infuse personality into your website and make it functional, so that you can stand out from the competition and get clients to book with you. Elizabeth believes that smart strategy combined with plenty of personality leads to a thriving business. She shares all about business strategy tips and tricks on her show The Breakthrough Brand Podcast. I’m so excited to welcome her back to the blog!
Brooke: Let’s start with the importance of having a website? Is it optional? What role does the website really play in our photography businesses?
Elizabeth: Thinking about photographers, specifically, I would say having a website is not optional. Social media is a great connection point in building relationships and the like, know, trust factor, but when it comes to making the sale, people want a place where they can go get all the information. They want a list of services, info on what it’s like working with you, etc. and that’s going to be on your website, not in an Instagram caption. It’s just going to create a such a better relationship with the customer.
Brooke: Yeah, so many good points. For years now, we’ve been moving towards everything going online. I think the way that we make buying decisions is changing too. We do more research and Google to find people, so you need something that helps you stand out. Soon, I’ll be teaching a marketing funnel for photographers that shows how social media is the very top of your funnel.
Now that we know having a website really isn’t optional anymore, let’s dive into some of the ways that we can have our websites be functional while showcasing our personality to help us stand out from other photographers.
Elizabeth: The first major tip I want to give is to write like you talk when it comes to your copywriting. There are some industries where really formal copywriting makes a lot of sense. Photography, even fine art wedding photography, is not one of those groups. You should really write like you talk, which means to keep it conversational. Imagine that you’re at a party and someone asks “Hey, what do you do for a living?” How would you respond?
Brooke: I love that! I definitely resonate more with the websites that talk like they speak. When I go to their website, listen to their podcast, or hear them on a video, it seems to really relate. Alright, what is another way that we can infuse personality into our website?
Elizabeth: Your website’s a great place to make that one to one connection. It’s a very intimate job being a photographer, so people want to resonate and feel comfortable with you. Your ‘about page’ is a great place to do that. You want to write all your copy from the perspective of how you can serve them while pulling in things about yourself that they might be able to connect with.
For example, if you’re at a party and don’t really know anyone, when you meet someone who went to the same college as you, really likes that same movie or whatever, all of a sudden you have a connection point and something to talk about. You feel instantly close to them, even though you just met. The same thing can happen on your website.
Brooke: That’s great! Anything else can we do?
Elizabeth: The next thing is to show yourself in addition to your work to add personality. You need to show up on your Instagram stories with your face. Let people see who the person is behind all that beautiful images you’re sharing. Your website should be the same way. Ideally some pictures will include you smiling at the camera looking into it. I love to do one on the homepage that makes that direct eye contact, because even through a screen you can feel warmth and connection that way. I would also figure out a way to exchange with another photographer where they’re using your own camera settings, so you’re not having to credit them on your website. It’s important that your photos of yourself align with your overall style.
Brooke: Okay, I love this point. I think we definitely need to be showing ourselves on our news feeds and websites too. Now here’s a couple tips I have for that is one: I have hired other photographers to do all the pictures you see of me. Now there’s a challenge that comes with that. I have gladly paid full price for both of my photographers. we didn’t do an exchange, although I think that’s fantastic. The two people that I hired have been absolutely wonderful, helped pose me and helped break the ice, so it wasn’t awkward.
The second option, like you said, is to find somebody with a similar style and exchange a branding photoshoot. It’s a great way to meet people and network and also get some branding photos for your website. The last option is self portrait using your own camera, tripod, a timer or whatever you need. I’m intrigued by all of the photographers I see do it and think it’s incredible. So there’s some tips and tricks for how to involve yourself throughout your website and really show up online. Alright, I know you’ve got some good stuff still to go. Let’s go ahead and dive into the next one.
Elizabeth: Yes! The next tip is to use colors and typography that express your brand personality. When I say typography, that literally means like the fonts on your website. When I say colors that means the colors that are used throughout your website, social media, all of it. I’m a fan of color, but that does not mean that not having color is bad. That could be what makes more sense for your brand. The colors and typography are saying something just without the literal nature of saying something.
For example, we think of yellow as meaning happiness and optimism., and green is growth and nature. Think about the colors you are using. What do they portray? Fonts are a little less cut and dry. If you don’t like your website, you can just go in there change it all in a few clicks, which is really awesome. Then, of course, you want to utilize those colors and fonts throughout your entire brand: on your website, Instagram story graphics, on your feed, marketing materials, all of it.
Brooke: Yeah, branding is super fun, but it can also be really overwhelming. If you’re sitting there like I don’t even know where to start. I have you covered inside the Blueprint. There are multiple trainings over this, so you don’t have to worry we’ve got you covered. We show you how to do it yourself.
Remember, if it looks like you took maybe 30 seconds to throw up a website it can cheapen you when I know that your capable of amazing work. Colors and fonts and all of the branding elements together play a vital role. You could ignore it if you want to, but it’s only going to enhance your business and allow you to have more conversions, which is what you want. 100% your fonts and your colors do matter. People go look at your websites! What other tips do you have for personality on our websites?
Elizabeth: The last tip I have is this one, make sure you have a clear and captivating brand statement. Your brand statement is the first thing people read when they land on your homepage besides your logo. Make sure it’s clear very quickly, who your service is for, what it is and what makes it unique. The statement goes on your website’s homepage, so it’s the first thing someone reads and you want to be clear, not cute. It should include three things: who you serve, what you provide and why it’s unique.
Some questions you can ask to help you kind of sum up your statement are: Who do I serve? Who is my ideal client? and What makes what I do unique from competitors? Remember, you don’t need to welcome people to your website. Just jumping straight into helping them know you and your brand. You don’t want to make potential clients hunt for that information, so put it right there.
Brooke: Oh, my goodness…So good! Building websites and having one doesn’t have to be complicated. I think everything is an investment. A website is a wise investment, because you will get a return. I highly recommend if you are looking to find your forever home on the web, go shop Elizabeth’s templates and find you one that works for you. Oh, and tell us about that fun quiz that you have.
Elizabeth: Thank you for all those kind words seriously broke, there’s You’re so sweet. Yeah, I have a quiz where it matches you with a template. You answer different questions relating what you do in your business, your brand’s personality, your preferences, etc. Then it gives you a results showing the template that makes the most sense for you. Plus, some other suggestions as well. Definitely check that out!
Brooke: Awesome. It’s so fun to see kind of what website you should get and what your personality is kind of drawn to. I remember looking at your templates couldn’t really decide for sure. You had just launched that quiz to quiz, so I took it and got the exact template that I was gonna buy anyway, so it was great. It was good confirmation.
Well, thank you for all of these golden tips. You’ve shared a lot about websites here and I can’t wait for you to dive in super deep inside of the blueprint soon. I truly think that having a functional personality infused website truly is what helps us stand out against competition online.
Want to hear more insider tips on how to create an amazing website? Just head over to the Book More Clients podcast. You can also find the podcast on iTunes and Spotify.
Want the exact business framework for photographers? Join the From Broke to Booked Blueprint Program today!
Searching for a place to connect with and learn from other photographers? Join my Facebook Community!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the article you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as
you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
It is not my first time to pay a visit this web
page, i am browsing this website dailly and obtain nice
information from here all the time.
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article!
It is the little changes which will make the largest
changes. Many thanks for sharing!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will
be grateful to you.
I used to be able to find good info from your
blog articles.
What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable familiarity regarding
unpredicted feelings.
I’ll right away grab your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter
service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me recognize in order
that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other
person’s weblog link on your page at appropriate place
and other person will also do similar in favor of you.
Everything said was very reasonable. But, what about this?
what if you composed a catchier post title? I am not saying your information isn’t good, but what
if you added a title to possibly grab a person’s attention? I mean Website Tips for Photographers with Elizabeth McCravy – brookejefferson.com is
a little plain. You might glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they
create article titles to grab people interested. You might add a related video or a picture or two
to get readers interested about what you’ve got to
say. In my opinion, it might bring your posts a little
livelier.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it
or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive
the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog.
A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
you are in point of fact a excellent webmaster. The
web site loading speed is incredible. It kind of feels that
you’re doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are
masterpiece. you’ve performed a great activity in this matter!
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal.
I must say you have done a great job with this. Also, the blog loads
super quick for me on Internet explorer. Superb Blog!
Truly when someone doesn’t know afterward its up
to other people that they will help, so here it occurs.
thank you so much for this amazing internet site me and my household best-loved this satisfied and insight
thank you so much for this awesome internet site me and my phratr precious this depicted object and perceptivity
thank you so much for this impressive site me and my family admired this message and insight
thank you so much for this impressive web site me and my phratr loved this content and perceptivity blackhatseo.win
Awesome
Thanks
Another good post
Loved every word
Any similar content?
Enjoyed every sentence
Enjoyed the read
Howdy! I simply want to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent info you have here on this post.
I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
Amazing! Its actually remarkable paragraph, I have got much clear idea
regarding from this article.
thank you so much for this impressive web site me and my class best-loved this depicted object and insight
thank you so much for this impressive site me and my sept favored this depicted object and brainstorm
thank you so much for this astonishing website me and my phratr best-loved this satisfied and insight
Great article! This is the type of info that should be shared across the net.
Shame on the seek engines for no longer positioning this post upper!
Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thank
you =)
It is in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info.
I’m happy that you just shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank
you for sharing.
If you desire to grow your experience simply keep visiting this
web site and be updated with the latest gossip posted here.
how can i cialis without custom delayed in canada best price for daily cialis
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled
upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads.
I hope to give a contribution & help other customers like its helped me.
Great job.
When some one searches for his necessary thing, thus he/she wants to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
https://stromectolgf.online/# ivermectin 5
ivermectin over the counter canada stromectol ivermectin tablets
Thanks for the good writeup. It in fact was a entertainment account it.
Glance advanced to more brought agreeable from you! However, how could we keep in touch?
how much is ivermectin stromectol in canada
Hi there! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able
to fix this issue. If you have any suggestions, please
share. Cheers!
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post seem to
be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a
format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Many thanks
canadian drug buy prescription drugs online legally
canadian online drugstore buy prescription drugs without doctor
https://drwithoutdoctorprescription.site/ canadian medications
cialis pro tadalafil
ed meds online without doctor prescription meds online without doctor prescription
Hi, I check your new stuff regularly. Your story-telling style is
witty, keep it up!
I couldn’t resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
non prescription ed pills without doctor prescription
buy prescription drugs online legally sildenafil without a doctor’s prescription
What’s up, I log on to your new stuff on a regular basis.
Your story-telling style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing!
https://sildenafilmg.com/ order viagra online
viagra for men viagra without a doctor prescription
viagra over the counter walmart buying viagra online
https://sildenafilmg.online/# buy viagra online canada
viagra cost per pill best place to buy generic viagra online
over the counter viagra viagra
viagra viagra without a doctor prescription
viagra 100mg price viagra shop
buy zithromax without prescription online zithromax generic cost
buy doxycycline 100mg cheap how to buy doxycycline online
https://amoxilforsale.best/# order amoxicillin 500mg
clomid 100mg price in india clomid medication in mexico
prednisone 30 mg coupon prednisone 15 mg tablet
canadian pharmacy amoxicillin where can i buy amoxocillin
amoxicillin over the counter in canada order amoxicillin 500mg
canadian online pharmacy prednisone buy prednisone without rx
https://zithromaxforsale.shop/# zithromax generic price
zithromax 500 mg zithromax cost canada
143 metformin metformin 500 mg tablets
https://buynolvadex.store/# arimidex vs tamoxifen bodybuilding
https://buynolvadex.store/# how does tamoxifen work