If you are a photographer who is looking to add Seniors as clients in 2022 or you want to up level your Senior Photography aspect of your business…NOW is the time to begin planning. And I’m going to share with you my 3 tips for doubling your income with Senior Model Teams.

I put out my model applications in January each year. The current juniors are then encouraged to apply. We hold an interest meeting, make the team announcement, and then typically do a summer shoot (the pandemic got us a little off schedule this year), and begin our quarterly shoots and their personal shoots. In my coaching program, I share my specific timeline and templates for emails and questionnaire….but here are three ways Senior Model Teams have the potential to DOUBLE your income!!!

Tip #1: Senior Model Teams elevate the client experience for the Seniors and their parents…

When we elevate the client experience we create happy customers.

And happy customers share their love of you and your work.

And that increases your marketing network!

That brings in new people that otherwise may not know of you due to the know, like, and trust factor. Their friend knows you…likes you…and trusts you–so they likely will as well!

One way to elevate your client experience is to have a guide that helps them prepare for their session. Another way is to have a seamless client management software that keeps you organized and sends out professional looking emails rather than doing business in your facebook or instagram DM’s. Those are great places to connect…but we don’t do business there. We don’t send contracts or client messages in our DM’s. And lastly, love on your clients. Make them feel special, give them shoutouts online, give a little booking gift…and cheer them on in life…even when it has nothing to do with your business. That’s simply a basic awesome human thing to do.

Tip #2: Senior Teams build social proof…

I have a ton of clients and potential clients following me on social media. Kids are usually on instagram and moms are on facebook. But by sharing what you are doing and showing up consistently, you build that social proof. I LOVE instagram!!! It’s literally like an online portfolio where I can share my work, my heart, my silly dog antics, and a little peek into my life and what it’s like to work with me.

I always say that your website is like your virtual “brick and mortar” storefront. It should be well designed, highlight your offerings, be on brand, invite people in, show off what you are selling…

BUT your social media is like your “foot traffic” or your “open for business” sign. It tells people you are working, you are busy, you are in demand. It is so easy as a busy business owner to put that piece on the back burner because there simply isn’t enough time to do it all. And I too have faltered in certain seasons….but either make it super simple to create your content or hire it out. If you haven’t posted or shared in months…it may not look like you are still working or updating with new content and ideas and clients.

Let your work that you are already doing build your social proof that you are worth hiring because are you good at what you do…but if you don’t SHOW people…they won’t know! Show up and Show off…it’s ok…you have permission!

Tip #3: Senior Model Teams are a great way to build connections in your community.

We all know that networking and connecting with others in our communities are great ways to grow our businesses. I never intended for our service projects to impact my business…I was simply hoping to show our Seniors different ways to spread Kindness throughout our community. We started something several years ago called the Kindness Campaign. We would participate in monthly or quarterly service projects. This gave the Seniors volunteer hours that they needed, it served a segment of our community that needed extra hands and hearts and ultimately…even though it was unplanned…it helped my business with connections and networking. We’ve done things like volunteer at a local animal shelter, we fed our local police and EMS workers, we set up for the teachers’ Back to School kick off, we collected school supplies for our teachers, we donated food to a local church’s food pantry…the possibilities are endless. Look for a need and ask your teens to help you show up to meet it. Senior Model Teams provide an opportunity to give back and serve in your community as well as helping with making connections.

I hope these 3 tips for doubling your income with Senior Model Teams helped you think of ways that you can impact your photography business by adding a Senior Model Team. To learn more and get a few added tips, I created a downloadable guide for How to Double Your Income With Senior Model Teams. You’ll love the tips, shoot ideas, and marketing genius that’s included!! It’s truly the way I’ve built my business over the last 7 years!

Blessings,

Corry