What if "Just raise your prices" is the wrong advice for right now?

That's a question a lot of photographers have been sitting with lately - and honestly, it's one worth taking seriously. When budgets feel tight and bookings feel uncertain, the standard advice can start to feel a little tone-deaf. But here's the thing: there are real, strategic ways to increase your profitability without ever touching your prices.

In this episode, I'm revisiting a framework I introduced way back in Episode 38 - the Donkey, Workhorse, and Unicorn business models - and looking at it through a fresh lens. Because after 16 years in this industry, I can tell you that the most profitable version of my business wasn't the one where I was working the hardest or charging the most. It was the one where I finally got smart about how I was structured.    

In this episode, I'm breaking down:  

• Why profitability is about what you KEEP, not just what you charge  
• The three business models that can all be profitable in photography (and the very different ways they get there)  
• Why the donkey model is the most misunderstood (and often the most profitable) of the three  
• How to calculate your actual effective hourly rate so you can see exactly where you stand

This episode is the first in a four-part pricing and money series, and it sets the foundation for everything we'll be covering this month. Whether you're feeling nervous about the economy or just curious about whether there's a smarter way to structure things, this is a good place to start.

LINKS:

• Take the business model quiz:
• Listen to Episode 38 (from 2020)

Sign Up for the FREE Webinar: Economy Proof Your Business - 3 Ways to Make More Without Charging More

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!