This Can't Be That Hard

Annemie Tonken
  • 5.0 (17)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
This Can't Be That Hard

You love photography, but running a business? That's a different story. If you've ever thrown up your hands trying to figure it out yourself and said "This CAN'T be that hard!!!" you've come to the right place. Host Annemie Tonken's secret superpower is cutting through the confusion to give you actionable, step-by-step strategies and systems that will help you build a business that reflects your values, serves your needs, and thrills your clients. Tune in to find out why thousands of photographers around the world love Annemie's simple, you-can-do-this approach to everything from pricing to marketing to customer service... and so much more! Whether you're still just dreaming of starting a photography business or have years of experience under your belt, you'll find ideas and inspiration every week to help you run a profitable, sustainable business you love.

  1. 7 HRS AGO

    The Case for Systems

    Have you ever made the mistake of going to the grocery store without a list—or at least a plan? We've all been there, right? And while we might manage to wing it in the produce section or snack aisle, we almost always end up forgetting something essential.In the early days of my photography business, I actually ran things a bit like those haphazard grocery trips. Every morning, I’d jot down a list of to-dos from memory—relying solely on my brain to keep track of what needed to happen. On my g...

    16 min

  2. 29 OCT

    288 - Photographer Horror Stories

    A few weeks back, I put out the call for your photography-related horror stories... from silly mistakes to dealing with nightmarish clients, to just plain bad luck. We've all been there. When you're a small business owner, things are bound to go wrong sometimes, and as much as we take our jobs seriously, there's also value in acknowledging the cringeworthy, mortifying, and downright bizarre situations that can come with running your own photography business!Thanks to everyone who shared ...

    43 min

  3. 22 OCT

    Including Fido with Monica Adalsteinsson

    In the never-ending battle to stand out from other photographers in your niche, you may have tried many different tacks - whether in your editing style, your locations, or your business model. But have you ever considered that the thing that could push you to the top of your ideal client's list might already be living in their home? Over 66% of US families have a pet that they consider part of the family, and yet most family photographers don't specifically encourage pets in their sessio...

    28 min

  4. 15 OCT

    5 Reasons to Run a Holiday Sale This Year

    I’m all about sharing the mistakes I made in my business to help you avoid making the same ones…. and one of the biggest, most costly mistakes I've ever made was not bothering to create a sale at the holidays for the first 8 years of my business. When I do the math, I estimate that one mistake cost me north of $50K (it still hurts to write that number!) If the word “sale” makes you cringe inside, then this episode is for you. There are plenty of reasons you can come up with to not run a ...

    18 min

  5. 8 OCT

    285 - Stamina and Slow-Growth Marketing with Leah O'Connell

    Leah O'Connell has been a family photographer for over a decade, and her success has been a slow crescendo. In this era of streaming movies and Amazon Prime, we often expect everything to happen quickly, but most businesses - perhaps especially photography businesses - take a while to reach the point of sustainability... which is simply a part of the process!Leah's story is a refreshing reminder that steady, intentional growth is often the key to long-term success. If you’re feeling stuck in ...

    36 min

  6. 1 OCT

    284 - New Business Blues

    This week's episode is a bit of a departure, but I promise it’s worth the ride: I’m sharing the story of a new business venture my husband and I launched at the beginning of this year. Think you might be able to guess what it is? I'd be pretty shocked if you did... this new enterprise is about as different from our work as photographers, Airbnb owners, and online educators as it's possible to be. But as different as it is, it's still business! Tune in to hear about the challenges, t...

    12 min

  7. 24 SEPT

    283 - My Client Privacy Update

    As photographers, we walk a fine line when it comes to client privacy. On one hand, we rely on being able to share session photos for marketing and growing our businesses. But on the other hand, a ever-growing number of clients are uncomfortable with their images being shared publicly. It's a tricky line to walk.For years, I offered some baseline privacy to my clients, and anyone who required more could pay an extra fee. But recently, I realized this approach no longer felt right to me, so I ...

    20 min

  8. 17 SEPT

    282 - The Unexpected Benefits of Failure with Alison Hatch

    Failure is an inescapable fact of life and business, but how we respond to it is what defines the experience. Whether failure happens in your art, your business, or your personal life, learning how to navigate setbacks with grit and grace is a major stepping stone on the way to success. This week's guest is Alison Hatch, who is sharing the difficult journey she experienced taking over the Photo Native conference. Navigating financial struggles, emotional hurdles, and the sting of failure...

    35 min
See All (289)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

You love photography, but running a business? That's a different story. If you've ever thrown up your hands trying to figure it out yourself and said "This CAN'T be that hard!!!" you've come to the right place. Host Annemie Tonken's secret superpower is cutting through the confusion to give you actionable, step-by-step strategies and systems that will help you build a business that reflects your values, serves your needs, and thrills your clients. Tune in to find out why thousands of photographers around the world love Annemie's simple, you-can-do-this approach to everything from pricing to marketing to customer service... and so much more! Whether you're still just dreaming of starting a photography business or have years of experience under your belt, you'll find ideas and inspiration every week to help you run a profitable, sustainable business you love.

Information

  • Creator
    Annemie Tonken
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    289
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 This Can't Be That Hard
  • Show Website
    This Can't Be That Hard

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