Unpopular Opinions with Sandra Coan | A Photography & Business Podcast

Photographers, do you experience slow seasons in your business? When slow seasons hit, do you panic and stress? If you've ever wondered what you SHOULD be working on during the slow season, this episode will give you some insight.

One of my Six-Figure Studio students mentioned she had a very slow period this summer, and we discussed what you can do during times like that in your business. In this episode, I share that very conversation that we had during a Six-Figure Studio group coaching call!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/inside-the-six-figure-studio-what-do-you-do-when-things-get-slow

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Book a discovery call with Sandra: https://calendly.com/sandracoaneducation/sfs-discovery-call

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

During one of my Six-Figure Studio coaching calls, we had an in-depth conversation about all the things that make being in business for yourself so hard. I swear, 97% of the problems photographers face in their businesses boils down to mindset!

We are so good at beating ourselves up, picking apart our work, creating pricing structures to compete with others and none of that actually serves us or helps us move our careers forward. It just keeps us stuck.

In this episode, I share on old Cherokee legend that will have you asking yourself what wolf you're feeding, and why it's so important to ask this question.

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/which-wolf-are-you-feeding

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Book a discovery call with Sandra: https://calendly.com/sandracoaneducation/sfs-discovery-call

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

The next question in our New Year's series is "How?". This is the final piece of the goal-setting puzzle that comes after you know the what, why, who and when.

How are you going to turn your goals for your photography business into a reality? What is your strategy? What is your plan?

In this episode, I share my marketing method called "Three Cs of Business", which are clarity, communication and consistency. When those pieces are all working together, you have a solid brand that helps you stand out from the crowd and a marketing system that works for you—with minimal effort on your part. Tune in to learn more about each of these marketing components so your photography business can generate more revenue and your marketing can run on autopilot this year!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/how-stand-out-in-the-competitive-photography-market-without-having-to-pay-for-ads-hustle-or-do-work-you-hate

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Book a discovery call with Sandra: https://calendly.com/sandracoaneducation/sfs-discovery-call

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

The next question in our New Year's series is "When?". Now that we know what it is you want, why you want it, and who you need to be and how you need to show up to make it happen, you need to know when you're going to start turning your dreams into your reality.

Business, and marketing in particular, is a marathon—not a sprint. The work you put in now will start paying off three months from now. So, if you want a busy spring and summer and fall, your marketing needs to start in Q1. If you are waiting for the perfect time to do this work, it will never come. You will always have your life to live and other things pulling you in all directions. It's important to give yourself a start date!

In this episode, you'll learn about why you need to know when you're starting and I'll share a resource for starting your marketing journey!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/what-every-photographer-needs-to-know-about-creating-a-successful-business-in-2023

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

The next question in our New Year's series is "Who?". We discuss the mindset shift that is necessary for every single photographer who wants to build their dream business and reach their goals this year. 

Success is not something you just wake up having one day. Success is a series of choices. It’s what happens over time when we decide to continually show up and work at moving ourselves closer to our goals. To show up like that, consistently, with passion, it’s also really important that we’re in the right mindset. Being in the right mindset helps me continuously grow my business every year and reach the goals I set for myself. 

In this episode, you'll learn about the difference between being a struggling photographer who uses excuses to justify inaction, versus an empowered photographer who looks for solutions and moves forward.

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/the-1-mindset-shift-that-every-photographer-needs-as-they-build-their-business-this-year

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

The New Year is the perfect time to sit down, get clear on what you want and then start strategizing on how you are going to turn your dreams into reality. This is something I do for myself every year, and I really think that it is one of the big reasons that my photography business continues to grow, year after year—for the past 24 years.

When setting my New Year intentions, there are a series of questions that I ask myself every year. I'm asking you those questions here on the podcast all month long, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single episode!

In this episode, we'll chat about why you want what you want and why you became a photographer in the first place. This is the next question in the series, so don't miss it!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/the-one-thing-every-newborn-and-family-photographer-needs-to-know-in-order-to-smash-their-goals-in-the-new-year

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

In the spirit of the new year, we're focusing on business growth strategies all month long to help you get started on the right foot. In order to create a solid marketing plan or a growth strategy, you need to know what you want. You need a goal, and the new year is the perfect time to talk about setting goals—especially for your business.

The truth is, real business growth comes when you figure out what you do, what your dream business is and do that. That starts with knowing what you want and being intentional about creating it. That’s what we're focusing on today. What do you want for your business this year?

In this episode, we'll chat about knowing exactly what you want for your photography business and how that will help you reach your goals this year!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/how-to-create-success-for-your-photography-business-in-the-new-year

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

Welcome BACK to the Beyond Natural Light Photography podcast—I've missed you! It has been a minute since I’ve shared an episode with you, so I wanted to tell you a bit about why I disappeared, what I’ve been doing, why I’m back and what I have planned moving forward.

Going forward, I have big plans for this podcast! I LOVE helping other photographers grow and reach their full potential. So, that is what this podcast is all about!

I’m going to continue sharing what I’ve learned over the course of my photography career with you, but I’m also going to reach out to my friends in the industry and invite them to share as well. I’m going to ask the students in my community to join us here. I’m even thinking of doing a monthly book review or something fun like that! I’m an avid reader and read like about one book a week (mostly about marketing). I’d love to share some of my favorites with you!

Tune in to this episode to learn more about what you can expect from our new podcast episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/welcome-back-to-the-podcast

LINKS

Free marketing training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-six-figure-studio-2/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

When I listen to my gut, I never regret it. Intuition is a powerful thing and should be respected. But sometimes, when facing a big decision, it's hard to tell the difference between intuition and fear.

First of all, when I'm talking about fear, I'm not talking about the healthy "don't walk down that dark alley alone at night" kind of fear. That kind of fear is aligned with your intuition and needs to be listened to. I'm talking about the kind of fear that doesn't serve you—the fear that holds you back, keeps you playing small and gets in the way of you making decisions in your life and business that will move you forward.

Now, I personally believe that we are all put here on this planet to live the best, most fulfilling life we can. We are here to grow and learn and serve others. That belief is one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about helping photographers thrive in their businesses.

Being an artist is a gift. It's a calling. You are the only person on the planted with YOUR specific gift. No other person in the entire world can see or capture things the exact way that you do. As a photographer, you are called to share whatever it is you see and capture with the world.

In this episode, we dive into the differences between intuition and fear.

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/is-it-fear-or-intuition-how-to-tell-the-difference

LINKS

Free training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-three-marketing-mistakes-every-photographer-needs-to-avoid/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between group coaching programs and masterminds? I've been in the entrepreneurial world for a while, and these are terms that have been popping up in that space for years. Lately I've seen more and more photographers offering masterminds and group coaching programs, and so I thought it would be helpful for you to know what those things are and how they are different. If you are looking to reach the next level in your business, knowing the difference may be helpful.

Full disclosure, I run a group coaching program called the Six-Figure Studio. I've also participated in a number of high-end group coaching programs and in some very high-end masterminds. Both experiences have been amazing for me and for my business, but they are not for everyone and are very different. Tune in to this episode to learn more!

SHOWNOTES

https://www.sandracoaneducation.com/podcast/what-is-the-difference-between-group-coaching-and-a-mastermind

LINKS

Free training: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/free-masterclass-three-marketing-mistakes-every-photographer-needs-to-avoid/

Learn more about the Six-Figure Studio: https://sandracoan.lpages.co/step-inside-the-six-figure-studo/

Connect with a Six-Figure Studio Ambassador: https://sandra-coan-photography.ck.page/9f3f9b6f8a