Priority Pursuit

So, you’ve decided to scale your service-based business. Congratulations, friend! That’s an exciting step for any small business owner to take. But, does your business have the capacity to grow? In other words, do you have adequate systems, internal processes, and staff to increase your sales without letting work take over your life? If you’re not sure how to set up your company for long-term succ...

Did you know, as of June 2022, there were more than 130 social media platforms ? From Facebook to Reddit to Athlinks and more, small business owners have plenty of options for targeting a broad (or niche) group of customers. But, it’s impossible to be active on every single platform. And, even if you try to post on better-known sites like Facebook or Instagram, you might not enjoy being on certain...

As a creative entrepreneur, you’re an expert (or you soon will be!) in your field. And, you might like to find a way to teach others what you’ve learned so you can make an income and an impact. So, how can you sell your knowledge and serve your fellow industry professionals? Well, course creation may be just what you’ve been looking for! Creating an online course⁠—and selling it to others in your...

When you think about web design, flawless photos and a gorgeous color scheme may come to mind. But, while those are necessary website components, your site should be more than just beautiful; it must also be strategic . In other words, your website should include relevant, helpful content with a straightforward navigation that makes it easy for visitors to buy or learn more.  Every creative entrep...

In recent episodes of Priority Pursuit , we’ve talked quite a bit about blogging , because as a creative entrepreneur, blogging is a great—and free way—to serve your customers, establish yourself as an authority in your industry, and improve your SEO . However, it isn’t enough to simply write and publish blog posts. You also have to share your blog posts so that your ideal customers can find your...

Creative entrepreneurs often worry that building their business will be difficult and slow. After all, when you consider selling your product or service, marketing your offer, finding loyal customers, and everything else that goes into running a company, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by how long it may take to see results. But, you can grow your business quickly and generate more income by selling...

Creative entrepreneurs often struggle to find the balance between doing what they love—what they’ve spent their entire lives studying and working toward—and making enough money to build the life they want. In other words, any of us aren’t taught how to grow the business side of our craft, whether that’s photography, art, music, writing, or another creative venture. Fabiana Claure —a concert pianis...

If you follow me on Instagram , you might already know about the puppy saga that’s been going on at our house. But, in case you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’ll fill you in.  A couple weeks ago, I was walking Hattie like I do every morning. However this particular walk threw us for an unexpected loop, because when Hattie and I got back to our block, I found a tiny, black puppy frolicing on...

Is blogging already part of your workflow and marketing strategy? If so, great! As we’ve discussed in previous episodes of Priority Pursuit , blogging is a great way to establish yourself as an authority in your industry, attract customers, and lead prospects through your sales funnel. Blogging also gives you content to share on social media on the regular, is a great way to serve your clients, an...

As creative entrepreneurs, we’re constantly trying to grow our businesses by reaching more people with valuable information and solutions to the problems they’re facing. And, because our prospects are spending more time online than ever before, it makes sense to meet them where they are—which is often in their inboxes. But, how do you convince more people to sign up for your emails, engage with yo...

It’s no secret that blogging comes with a lot of benefits. I mean, blogging is great for SEO . Blog posts can be used to attract new customers and lead them through your sales funnel . Blogs give you content to share on social media on the regular. And, as you work with your clients, you can easily refer them to already-created blog posts to give them the information they need without having to dr...

What does your dream business look like, and what would it take to make it a reality? For Maddie Peschong , clarifying her priorities and building an authentic personal brand allowed her to form her ideal business around the life she wanted.  Maddie is a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based brand photographer and business coach who spent years working a 9-to-5 while growing her photography skills on th...

I just had the pleasure of both speaking at and attending The Graceful Gathering —a boutique wedding photography conference—and I’m feeling pretty lit up.  While I used to prioritize attending a couple conferences or workshops a year, COVID prevented these gatherings from happening. And, as a result, over the last two years, I got out of the habit of making conferences a priority.  But, The Gracef...

As an SEO coach , something I get asked regularly is, “If I work from home, do I have to list my home address for my business to appear on Google Maps and for my website to rank well on Google?”  A couple years ago, the answer was—without a doubt—yes. However, over the last couple years, more and more small business owners have started operating their businesses from home. And, for safety and othe...

Whether you just started your small business or you’ve been in business for a while now, it can be so easy to compromise your priorities as you grow your company and provide for your loved ones. But, you shouldn’t have to give up all of your free time—or keep missing your kid’s soccer games—when it comes to making your business flourish. Erica and Jon Hayes know firsthand how difficult it can be t...

061. Social media isn’t just great for keeping in touch with loved ones and sharing memes from The Office . It can also help you connect with clients and build your business!   Katelyn Workman of Katelyn Workman Photography knows the power of creating and fostering connection on social media firsthand. Katelyn is a Virginia-based wedding photographer whose business is thriving thanks to her commun...

If you’re a creative entrepreneur or a small business owner, you may not think self-care is for you because you don’t have time for a long workout, lengthy meditation, or bubble bath. However, Allison Ewing of Allison Ewing Photography is here to dispel that myth and explain why taking care of yourself—even for just a few minutes each day—is essential for serving your clients and loved ones well....

059. Have you ever considered making your brand a “luxury brand”? Whether you’d like to scale back your hours, create an incredible client experience, or even make more money per job, there are several reasons to consider making your brand more “luxurious.”  Alison Stevenson of Alison Mae Photography is an Indianapolis-based wedding photographer who knows the benefits of creating a luxury brand fi...

058. When you’re passionate about what you do and who you serve, it can be hard to say “no” and far too easy to fill every minute of every day with something work related.  However, as a small business owner myself who has suffered from burnout, put my marriage in jeopardy for the sake of my business , and battled workaholic tendencies, I can tell you firsthand that if you don’t have boundaries wi...

Is there a brand you can’t get enough of? You watch their every story on Instagram, open any email they send with excitement to see what’s new, and quickly add any new product to your cart before deciding whether you really need it or not. Is this sounding familiar? Well, my friend, it sounds like you’ve found yourself a bingeable brand, and in this episode on Priority Pursuit , we’re going to tal...

We’re no strangers to the topic and conversation of diversity and inclusion. But, oftentimes the conversation just hovers around the surface discussing marketing strategies that lack an intentional connection with vendors and clients of color. Are you interested in going beyond the surface with your small business and establishing deeply rooted, genuine connections with vendors and clients of colo...

Are you a photographer wanting to improve your SEO ? Have you heard that you need to identify strategic keywords, but you either have (1) no idea what that means or (2) aren’t sure how to identify keywords for your website or what to do with them? If so, this episode of Priority Pursuit is for you, my friend! Because, today, we’re discussing how to identify keywords for SEO that will help you book...

054. Do you have too much on your plate? Can you simply not get everything done? Or, would you like to just work less?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, my friend, chances are, it’s time to outsource something in your business.  Now, I know what you’re going to say. “Outsourcing isn’t an option for me. Nobody can do __ like I can.”  However, friend, the reality is (1) you cannot gr...

053. At one point, you probably hoped and dreamed for the creative career—whether it be part time or full time—you have now. You probably had thoughts like, “Once I can do what I love every day, I’ll be happy, fulfilled, and motivated to work and create every day.”  Then, before you knew it, you had what you thought you wanted, but a busy schedule, too much work, life, and other factors left you f...

Do you need new branding photos? Whether it’s simply time for updated photos or you’ve never had photos taken for your business, don’t stress. Because, today, you’re going to find out how to prepare for your branding photoshoot!    Erica and Jon Hayes are a husband and wife branding photography team. From working with clients like the Chicago White Sox , Soft Scrub , and Amy & Jordan Demos , E...