Well, 2021 was definitely better than 2020. My 2020, just like most of yours, was full of surprises and being blindsided left and right. So I am very thankful for the little bit more security that came with 2021. It still wasn’t the easiest of years, but I was blessed in ways I never would have expected.

This podcast has been one of my many blessings of 2021. Even though I started it in Quarter Four of the year, I feel like it has been one of my biggest accomplishments. It’s definitely something I’m very proud of & have loved getting to do. If you listen pretty regularly you know I always release one on Wednesday mornings. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you should definitely do that. Shameless plug - because I can. But I’ve decided to give myself a little break & enjoy the last week of the year. So this will be my last podcast episode of 2021 y’all.

The next time you will hear my voice here will be in 2022.

And since it is the last one of the year, I thought I’d give you a little year in review & a heads up on what I’m focusing on in 2022.

Senior Photography Business Podcast, Marketing Tips For Senior Photographers

What went right

I had a consistent flow of bookings & booked all of my available session dates.
My sales averages increased by about $1000.
Pre-Booking Consults went really well. The closing rate was around 75% this year.
I stuck to my guns about no client meetings or sessions on the weekends.
And we welcomed 50 amazing students into Studio Secrets. And they are doing BIG BIG things already! If you watch my Instastories on Fridays, I share their weekly wins. That’s been so much fun to do.

What went wrong

I overpromised with my model team. Not initially, but I told them one last shoot & wasn’t able to deliver because my dad got sick & because of some things going on in my personal life.
While there were no client meetings or sessions on the weekends, I feel like I did work too much on the weekends, especially with adding so much more content to Studio Secrets. I think that has to do with adjusting to my new life with the divorce too. There are weekends that I don’t have the kids & instead of enjoying life, I put in the work to get ahead. Definitely not a good idea all the time.
I wasn’t always doing what I said I would do on my calendar. I’m a great planner but sometimes I don’t follow through with that. That gets me in trouble & gives me that feeling of being behind. And that is something I definitely want to avoid moving forward.

What will I do differently next year

I will not be a people pleaser.
I will set better expectations for image release for my model team shoots.
I will have a better balance between life & work.
I am planning to outsource a few more things in my business so that I can be available to coach my students more.

What I'm focusing on in 2022

My physical health - My trainer & I decided to kick it up a notch. I’m excited & scared at the same time. Today is the day after leg day & I can barely walk. It’s a little funny. On my off days, I am adding in some cardio & do fun things like going on group hikes & adventures. My biggest challenge is setting time aside to eat right. I love it when I do, but slowing down to make that happen has to start being a priority again.

My boys - If you don’t skip right over the podcast intro, you know I have 3 boys. As boys get older and especially in their teen years, it’s not always easy to get them to talk or hang out. It turns out that I’m not near as cool as Fortnite or Minecraft. So this next year, I’m working on that, getting to spend more time with them, planning some special things & being more intentional with our time together when I get it.

My mental health - managing my mind. Better understanding how our thoughts create our emotions which ultimately lead to our results. You’ll hear me talk a lot about that next year on the podcast.

Integrity with my schedule - I have to be able to trust that I will do what I say I’m going to do. Plan the things & do the things because I know that will get me the results I am aiming for. I’m training myself that it’s ok to not be motivated at the moment. When I scheduled the things I knew it was the best decision even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. I don’t always want to write a blog post. I’m going to do it anyway when I said I was. I don’t always feel like answering emails or returning phone calls. I’m going to do it anyway when I said I was. Running a business isn’t always about being motivated to do the things. It’s about having the discipline to do them.

“Running a business isn’t always about being motivated to do the things. It’s about having the discipline to do them.”

Improving my systems - While I have a good handle on systems in my business & things run pretty smoothly, there is always room for improvement. Things are always changing anyway & I love creating more & more efficiency so we can get more done as a team & create an even better client experience.

Travel - I already have 5 trips planned that I am crazy excited about & I’m determined to add a few more to my calendar. I cannot wait to get out and live life again! Weekends are for fun again & I’m going to reward myself with those. I’ve earned it.

I would love to know what you’re planning to focus on next year. Does your list sound like mine? I’m always curious to know. We get better together you guys.

Remember I’m taking a break next week from the podcast but will be back here with you the first week of 2022! I’ll see you guys over in the Senior Studio Success Facebook Group & over on Instagram too.

If you wanna give me a little Christmas present, leaving a review or sharing a screenshot of your Insta stories would be the best gift ever!! 🎁

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year my friends! ❤️