Business-First Creatives | Podcast Guru

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Episodes

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Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business without drowning in admin work, client experience chaos, or systems that let you down. This show delivers clear, actionable conversations around marketing, CRM workflows, client communication, Dubsado and Honeybook automation, Airtable systems, and workflow strategies, giving photographers and creative entrepreneurs the systems that scale, operational clarity, and strategic, human-first client experiences they need to build streamlined, referral-worthy business operations that don't require working 24/7. If you're tired of babysitting your inbox, chasing down contracts, or watching your workflows break the moment you look away, this show will help you move beyond "figuring it out as you go" and toward a creative business that brings you joy and a paycheck. This podcast provides answers to questions like: How do I automate my client journey without losing the personal touch? What CRM workflows do photographers and creative businesses need? How can I use Dubsado or Honeybook to streamline my client experience? What systems do photographers need to save time and deliver exceptional client experiences? How do I reduce admin time in my creative service business? Why do my workflows keep letting me down (and how do I fix them)? How can I build a profitable creative business that brings me joy and a paycheck? What's the best way to communicate with clients throughout their journey? How do I create systems that work even when I'm not babysitting them? How can I map my client journey to convert more inquiries into bookings? Hosted by Colie James, a Dubsado Certified Specialist, Honeybook Educator, and Workflow and Automations Guru with 10+ years helping creatives systemize their businesses—this show delivers practical, no-BS guidance for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to streamline their client journey, automate their operations, and make money from their craft. If you're done dropping balls and ready to build a business-first creative operation with systems that scale, you're in the right place. Find out more about Systems in Session ➡️ https://coliejames.com/systems-in-session

Recent Episodes

Your Marketing Isn’t Converting Because It’s Missing One-On-One Connection with Polly Pollock

APR 2, 2026

Your Marketing Isn’t Converting Because It’s Missing One-On-One Connection with Polly Pollock

If your marketing feels like a constant cycle of chasing new leads but never quite getting the sales you want, this episode is going to change how you think about everything. Polly Pollockjoins us to dive deep into what actually works in marketing right now—especially if you’re tired of relying on Instagram or social media altogether.Listen in as we talk about why so many business owners feel stuck, what’s really missing in their marketing strategy, and how to shift your focus from constant visibility to building real, one-on-one connection with your audience. Polly shares her perspective as a marketing expert working with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, and together we unpack the biggest mistake people are making: ignoring the “messy middle.”Find It Quickly00:24 - Meet Polly04:47 - Repel And Attract06:55 - Marketing Beyond Instagram12:38 - Trust And Messy Middle17:30 - Nurture Systems That Work21:22 - Beyond PDFs And Sales Calls25:39 - Deep Listening Habits26:34 - Podcasts Build Trust27:35 - Audience Data Signals30:02 - Client Interviews Gold31:31 - Marketing In AI Era34:23 - Using AI To Synthesize38:54 - Do Less Better Content40:49 - Monthly Live EventsMentioned in this EpisodeEp 199: I Audited My Freebies—Here’s What I FoundHow to Ask for a Client Testimonial: Strategies to Request Feedback and Get Better TestimonialsConnect with PollyWebsite: neuropreneurrising.comPodcast: Neuropreneur RisingInstagram: instagram.com/pollypollockofficialMonthly Coworking: pollypollock.myflodesk.com/tnd1j65jkw

49 MIN

How to Automate Client Communication Without Losing a High-Touch Photography Experience with Ina Jalil

MAR 26, 2026

How to Automate Client Communication Without Losing a High-Touch Photography Experience with Ina Jalil

What if automation didn’t make your client experience feel colder, but actually made it feel more personal? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Ina Jalil, a pet photographer who specializes in high-touch, full-service photography for dog lovers. When Ina joined my Email Like You Mean It live sprint, it became clear almost immediately that her business was the perfect example of something so many photographers wrestle with: how do you automate communication when your process is deeply personal, intentional, and customized?Ina walks us through how she built an in-person consultation model for her pet photography business, why that shift improved both client understanding and sales, and how email still plays a critical role in keeping clients engaged between touch points. We also talk about the “messy middle” of the client journey, the silent gaps that hurt momentum, and why even seasoned photographers need to revisit their workflows from time to time.Find It Quickly01:49 - Meet Ina02:50 - Why In Person Consults08:52 - Scheduling and Studio Sales11:43 - Email Automation Role14:09 - Filling the Messy Middle19:31 - Custom Templates That Feel Personal22:03 - VA Workflows and CRM Notes26:15 - Post Session Education and Sales35:45 - Sprint Results and Three PsMentioned in this EpisodeHow to Transform Your Pet Photography Client Experience with Colie JamesEmail Like You Mean ItConnect with InaWebsite: inajphotography.comEducation: inajphotography.com/for-photographers Skool community: Pet Photographers CollectiveInstagram: @inajphotographyInstagram: @inaj.thepetphotoceo Podcast: The Pet Photographer's Journal

45 MIN

The “Oops, This Is Episode 300” Update

MAR 21, 2026

The “Oops, This Is Episode 300” Update

Hey y’all… so apparently this is episode 300 😅This episode snuck up on me so fast I didn't have a chance to plan a milestone moment. My 4th Podcast Anniversary in 2 months away, so maybe I'll do better then!🎙️ In this episode, I’m sharing:Updates inside Systems in Session (and what that means for availability & pricing)The 3 biggest changes I made to improve client momentum and results inside Systems in Session and how it panned out 60 days laterA peek at my upcoming live training and why you should joinGrab your FREE seat for From Hello to Booked, happening on April 2nd at Noon MT/2pm ET.Final note: if you’ve been here for a while—or even if this is your first episode—thank you. Seriously. 300 episodes is kind of wild, and I wouldn’t still be doing this without you.If this episode gave you a little clarity (or a kick in the pants to finally fix your systems 😉), share it with a friend or leave a review. It helps more creative business owners find the show—and start building a business that actually supports their life.

11 MIN

Done-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany Herzberg

MAR 20, 2026

Done-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany Herzberg

What happens when the thing you’ve always sold so well no longer fits the life or business you want to build? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Brittany Herzberg to unpack the real difference between done-for-you and done-with-you services, what it looks like to sit in the messy middle of an offer evolution, and why both of us are rethinking how we help clients get results.Brittany shares how she supports business owners with SEO, from website strategy and keyword research to helping them understand how all the pieces of their visibility strategy fit together. I also share more about my own shift away from done-for-you systems work and into a done-with-you model that gives my clients more confidence, more ownership, and better long-term results.If you’ve been wondering whether your current service model still fits the way you want to work, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.Listen to Brittany's Other Episodes on Business-First Creatives:Episode 81: SEO through Case Studies | Simple SEO Series with Brittany Herzberg (Part 3)Episode 159: Embracing Workflows & Automations in Your CRM: HoneyBook Case Study with Brittany HerzbergEpisode 202: SEO is Everywhere: Optimizing Your Content with Brittany HerzbergMentioned in this Episode:The Resonance Effect - How to Attract Action Takeers with SEO Queen Brittany HerzbergDubsadoHoneyBookGoogle Search ConsoleKeysearchChatGPTConnect with BrittanyWebsite: brittanyherzberg.comInstagram: instagram.com/brittany_herzbergThreads: threads.com/@brittany_herzbergPodcast: brittanyherzberg.com/the-basic-b-podcast

57 MIN

The Rebooking Strategy You’re Probably Not Using (But Should Be)

MAR 18, 2026

The Rebooking Strategy You’re Probably Not Using (But Should Be)

If you’ve ever wrapped up a project, delivered the final files, and then… just waited to see if your client comes back—you’re not alone.But here’s the thing: your next sale shouldn’t start after the project ends.In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at my recent Disney cruise (yes, I already booked another one 👀) and the simple, strategic move they used to get me to spend more money before I even stepped off the ship.And more importantly? How you can use that exact same strategy in your business.Because if you’re not intentionally inviting your clients to rebook, refresh, or continue working with you… you’re leaving money on the table.In this episode, I’m breaking down:The “onboard offer” strategy Disney uses (and why it works so well)Why your next sale should happen before your project endsThe biggest mistake creatives make in their offboarding process3 different ways to create a rebooking offer for your clientsA simple exercise to help you turn past clients into repeat revenueMentioned in this episode:Systems in SessionDisney CruiseWant additional resources to rebook your clients?Read THIS blog post for an outline of how to implement this strategy.

9 MIN