446: Michael Anthony – How to build a seriously successful wedding photography business

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Mike Zawadzki of www.mikezawadzki.com is based in New Jersey, USA and is big on being a photographer for all couples, gay or straight... black, white or brown. His website is one of the best I've seen when it comes to connecting with potential clients!

It's rare to land on a photographer's website and feel like the copy is so good; the photographer has said everything so well that you feel like, yes, this is the photographer for me.

Today's guest has this website! And the copy feels like it'd honestly speak to anyone looking to book a wedding photographer today.

Dive a little deeper, and yes, the photography is fantastic, then you realise there's a team of photographers behind the work.

Go deeper again, and you'll see that the name on the shingle, the man behind the business, is doing everything he can to promote the work of his team of shooters over himself.

Is this a conscious business decision, or is he simply trying to make his shooters feel special?

I'm going to hazard a guess; it's both, and I plan to find out in this episode.

Here's some more of what we cover in the interview:

• Creating content for your photography website
• Hiring a copywriter that understands lead conversion
• How Mike started his wedding photography business
• How to scale your wedding business successfully
• The impact of COVID19 on Mike's business
• Mike's take on refunds during the pandemic
• Mike's annual revenue
• Mike's business goals
• Is it limiting to use your name in your business branding
• Can a website become a great lead generator on it's own
• How clients initially find Mike's business
• Mike's lead generation processes
• Mike's reason for using The Knot
• The inquiry process and how it's the secret of Mike's success
• Why you need to stop sending PDF portfolios to potential clients
• Using scheduling software in your photography business
• How to successfully convert leads from inquiry to booking
• Mike's sales psychology
• Mike's response to the money questions clients ask
• What Mike would do if moving to another country to start his photography business
• Mike's advice for new wedding photographers

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.

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My goal is within the next seven years is to turn this into a million dollar company. – Mike Zawadzki

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group. You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Mike shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in today's episode.

Referrals are one of the most powerful tools in a photography business. – Mike Zawadzki

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Mike or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

Make this year your best yet!

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