Keeping It Candid - Wedding Photography Unfiltered with Sandra Henderson Simply Sandra Yvonne

This week's episode is all about your website's home page! Alex Collier, a brand and web designer, joined me to talk about the importance of a well-designed homepage, common mistakes photographers make when designing theirs, the importance of including clear and compelling calls to action, and more. Alex also shares her formula for creating an effective homepage that you don't want to miss out on!


Takeaways
The homepage is the first impression and should capture attention and establish trust, while the services page is more conversion-driven and provides detailed information.
Common mistakes on homepages include not clearly indicating the location, burying important information, and not including enough content.
It is important to have clear and compelling calls to action on the homepage, using action verbs and guiding the user through their experience.
Must-have elements on the homepage include sections for linking to other pages, showcasing testimonials, including an email opt-in, and providing a call to action to the contact page.
Organizing portfolio and pricing information by category is more streamlined and relevant for potential clients.
SEO is important for ranking in search engines, and internal linking can help improve the relevance and visibility of important pages.
The key takeaway is to put yourself in the client's shoes and make the website experience easy and seamless for them.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:43 Importance of Homepage and Services Page
04:22 Common Mistakes on Homepages
06:35 Above the Fold and Length of Homepage
09:24 Importance of CTAs
14:27 Must-Have Elements on Homepage
19:45 Importance of SEO and Internal Linking
19:51 Final Takeaways
20:52 Fun Question: Taylor Swift
22:39 Conclusion


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Today I'm sharing what's inside my endometriosis toolkit! These are things I use when I'm at home and on-the-go to make chronic illness life a little more manageable.

Takeaways


Having an endometriosis specialist perform a hysterectomy surgery can provide better outcomes.Items like heating pads, ergonomic seat cushions, and proper shoes can help manage pain and discomfort.Using an e-reader instead of physical books can alleviate hand pressure and make reading more accessible.Staying hydrated with a water cooler and water bottle is important for managing inflammation.Cannabis products can be beneficial for managing chronic nausea and pain, but individual comfort and legal considerations should be taken into account.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Endometriosis Toolkit
02:13 Hysterectomy and Surgery Details
03:26 Invasive Surgery and Remission Period
04:21 Expectations and Unknowns After Surgery
04:50 Heating Pads and Robax Heat Wraps
05:46 Ergonomic Seat Cushions
07:06 Proper Shoes for Support
08:23 E-Reader for Reading Comfort
10:05 Water Cooler and Water Bottle
11:43 Cannabis Products for Nausea and Pain
13:49 Recap and Conclusion


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I'm sharing part two of my experience with endometriosis today for Endometriosis Awareness Month! Including an update on where I'm at, how I'm managing things day-to-day, and also how people can support others in their lives who have endometriosis themselves.

Takeaways


Endometriosis symptoms can be managed but not completely eliminated.Tracking menstrual cycles can provide insights into symptom patterns.Adjusting work schedules and limiting commitments can help manage symptoms.Supporting someone with endometriosis requires understanding, respecting autonomy, and educating oneself about the disease.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap
02:19 Effects of Medications
03:05 Waiting for Surgery
04:00 Managing Symptoms
06:18 Tracking Menstrual Cycle
08:05 Adjusting Work Schedule
10:18 Personal Growth and Coping
13:44 Supporting Someone with Endometriosis
20:30 Conclusion



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In this episode, I'm re-sharing my journey with endometriosis and how it's shaped both my personal life and my business. Living with a chronic illness has its own set of challenges, but I'm sharing how I've learned to manage symptoms and prioritize self-care along the way. Join me as I discuss the importance of support from healthcare professionals and the impact of streamlining business processes to enhance the client experience. Whether you're facing endometriosis or any chronic illness, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for navigating life and business with resilience and grace.

Takeaways


Endometriosis is an incurable disease that affects approximately one in 10 women and a countless number of trans and non-binary people worldwide.Living with a chronic illness like endometriosis can be challenging and unpredictable, requiring individuals to find ways to manage symptoms and prioritize self-care.Streamlining business processes and creating systems can help alleviate some of the stress and workload associated with running a business while managing a chronic illness.Creating a dream client experience involves setting up systems and automations to ensure clients are well informed and supported throughout their journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:12 Diagnosis and Understanding Endometriosis
06:20 Struggles and Challenges
07:38 Finding a Way Forward
08:56 Streamlining the Business
10:26 Creating a Dream Client Experience
10:49 Conclusion and Call to Action

SHOW NOTES: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/endometriosis-my-story-pt1/
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Let's be real - showing up on social media is exhausting and the return on investment isn't worth it. Candice Coppola joins me on the podcast today to talk about how photographers can use email marketing in an almost passive way to start generating more sales from new and existing clients. 

Show Notes: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/candice-coppola-email-marketing/
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This week I'm interviewing Cameron and Tia about the use of AI in the photography industry. We chat about our excitement and hesitations surrounding AI and share some of our favourite tools, as well as diving into the impact it can make on your client experience, your business, and your life overall.

Takeaways

AI tools can save photographers time and increase productivity, allowing them to focus on their areas of expertise.
Using AI in content creation, such as email subject lines and blog post meta descriptions, can streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
AI tools for photo and video editing, like AfterShoot and Imagen.AI, can significantly reduce editing time and provide a starting point for further customization.
Integrating AI into client workflows can enhance the client experience by providing seamless and fast responses.
Photographers should set aside dedicated time to explore and research AI tools, as they can provide significant benefits and save time and money in the long run.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Embracing AI
02:15 Introduction of Cameron and Tia
07:42 The Excitement and Hesitations of AI
10:31 Favorite AI Tools for Content Creation
17:53 Favorite AI Tools for Photo and Video Editing
24:10 Using AI to Increase Productivity and Improve Client Experience
28:48 Advice for Photographers Hesitant to Use AI
33:06 Fun Question: Dream Weddings vs. Automated Weddings
38:18 Closing Remarks and Encouragement


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