Adding value to your clients- especially in slow seasons

Adding value to your clients- especially in slow seasons

When it comes to your slow season, do you have a plan? Or just posting old things sometimes jumping on social media and wishing for the best all while hoping for the best, fingers crossed! Time to come up with a plan in slow seasons to continually be a touch point for clients and ideal clients, stay on forefront of their mind, and a way to add value even before they book! 

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It’s almost the time of year where things start to slow down, and although it’s still technically busy season for most photographers I tend to start thinking ahead for the new year already, It gets be excited to stay in the busy season and work so I can get to some new things I want to implement.

When it comes to your slow season, do you have a plan? Or just posting old things sometimes jumping on social media and wishing for the best all while scared?

Now, I still every year even though I plan for the slower season get concerned- I think it’s just part of entrepreneurship.

But there are some things to do when you KNOW the slow season is coming to stay fresh in business and it also can help stay EXCITED about business.

It’s adding value to your clients-

We all try to do this with each purchase for the business, each invoice we send that has a special thank you attached, and each service we provide- as we should! Experiences is what makes the service part of your business. But our ideal clients might not constantly be our clients- they might need you a handful of times a year, or maybe less depending on the service you provide and in those in between purchases how can we add value BACK to them?

Social media is the perfect example. We can show what we do for a business but at some point, there has to be more to offer… and during the slower season (which you should start to keep track of seasons that are naturally slower- if there’s a purchase or high season)

Because during my more busy season, if I was adding on the designing, creating MORE content, PDFs, and value for my clients, I would be even more burnt out, so when the slower season is in sight is when I start to create NEW content that I can use multiple times for the next year.

I’ll give my examples but one of the biggest ways we can add value to our client won’t cost a thing monetarily but usually will cost some time-

The first thing I do is write down things I would want as my ideal client, what would keep me informed, entertained, encouraged to use the service and feel confident in doing so- in other words- how can you provide value in a way that showcases your authority in the business?

There are ENDLESS little things to add value to your clients, for myself-

I have created now 3 PDFs for free downloads, PDFS for clients specifically, shopping links in an affiliate link through amazon

Once I started doing these, the ideas have flowed, but the first time I sat down to think how I wanted to add value and get in front of my ideal clients, I was stumped, so don’t be discouraged if this process takes a while.

Here’s some questions to ask yourself to then answer with the value you give

what are some reoccurring questions my clients have asked me

How can I guide my clients to purchase/have or show up to the service to be the best ideal client

Is there something that could bridge the gap

-is there something I might overlook but is valuable to clients that they might not know

-is there something I can send to my clients after booking- to help them feel more confident about a purchase

is there something that after the client purchases that I can give to continue to serve and may be small on our end but have a big impact?

Am I using the right language and showing up in a way that connect with my ideal client? (Colors, language, product, service, value)

The biggest thing is to add value and show expertise but also think how to connect back to you to have them hire YOU or also make money in the meantime.

So here’s some of the questions I answered while I was brain storming how I could help my ideal clients.

-reoccurring questions are what should I wear, what decor should I use, where should I shop, what would look good on me, having no idea what kind of boudoir was for them or maybe that there were so many options, what vendors or experiences were in the 30A area, items to shop that photograph well- colors to use, what do I offer

I can best guide my clients by showing them the variety of photoshoots, experiences, actives, clothes, locations, sets, and more. I can also guide them to purchase items that I’ve photographed in the past or love seeing. I also know a TON of local experiences and other businesses I trust and love. I know kinds of looks that are best for bodytypes.

Bridging the gap for me was to showcase the KINDS of boudoir I’ve done- so they don’t feel like it’s in a box of what boudoir is. I could bridge the gap between a photoshoot and adding elements to make it more festive. I can also bridge the gap between lots of work finding trusted businesses in the area.

After booking, I send clients how to prepare PDFs including how to show up, things to remember day of, and things to remember to bring too for the session! After the session and I send the photos, I created another PDF called now what what goes through how to choose and what comes next so they don’t feel left in the dark.

After studio sessions- I give my clients a little thank you card, magazine issue I work for, and business cards (sometimes with polaroids too!) so they leave with something In hand. Always feels good to get a gift!

My biggest thing was to add value, but after creating several pdfs just to encourage and help guide them through the process- I started created a few that could also point them int he direction to eventually make me a little money too- like an affiliate link but only to things I believe in.

Here are some other ways to mix up what you’re sharing, showing your authority in the field

ask for reviews/share them

Start a newsletter- whatever feels right for you once a month/once a week/ whatever you can stay consistent with

Get on a few podcasts to talk about what you do and share it!

Create PDF’s that can encourage your clients

-create a streamline way to communicate

-have points where you send them fact sheets/pdfs/etc of what to do (photos help)

-connect with local businesses

- get in front of the camera, talk about you, business, behind the scenes, and whatever you’re comfortable with- not just showcasing your work. Your clients want to feel connected.

This year I have created PDFs so I can send them ideas and so they feel confident in the type of boudoir they’re choosing also seeing photos from that category so they get inspired. I also created a Pdf of bachelorette themes with photos from each theme I’ve photographed, things to think of when choosing that theme, experience ideas at the end for activities and each theme has a link to purchase on amazon what fits the theme you love to make it easier!

I’m telling you this because it might seem like a no brainer but this idea didn’t even hit me until I was digging and brain storming into how I could add value but ALSO potentially make money while giving ideas. Because the links I have in the bachelorette PDF are connected to amazon- it’s a way that even people who aren’t my clients could find it online and click - I also have one specifically for my area that has done REALLY well that lists restaurants, experiences, vendors, and more in the area that I suggest for bachelorette and girls trips. It’s a great way to have those vendors share it too and collaborate with local businesses

These PDFs will be going in newsletters (it’s okay to share them more than once, each month one will be featured.. some people don’t see them, don’t click them, it may not be the right time for them and you’ll have new followers.. so don’t be afraid to share and share again.. just mix it up! It’ll also be a way to share on pinterest, instagram, google, my website, and Facebook- however it can get seen so eventually NEW clients will find me organically and right away I can add value even before they’re a client.

These don’t have to be FREE but for what I’m doing with them right now, they’re FREE. However, because I spent time designing and they’re 15-20 pages of indesign files, I could also sell them in the future or create something with similar design for clients and other photographers to purchase. I also do one more thing monthly which is MONTHLY amazon favorites I’ve photographed or love for clients to have in their photo shoots and once a year (my birthday month) I make it personal must haves.

How are some other ways to add value to your clients

make contact/be the first to reach out, send a thank you card or even a Christmas card

Give tips, pointers on your service and expertise

Create Pdfs to guide, encourage, inspire, or show how to care for service/product

Send out newsletter

Give a gift when they leave from your service or purchasing their product.

Be there for more than the service

Whew- feels like a lot of information and depending on your expertise, there are ENDLESS possibilities to add value and show your authority in the field, doing these things that DO take a while to research, design, and get on my website are ways I can continue to chat during the off season about what I what to continue to serve during the busy season!

You’ll get better as you try- so I’d love to hear what you brain storm and how you’re going to add value to your ideal clients