The Client Experience Strategy That Builds Trust & Attracts Ideal Clients with Alison Bell
23/04/2026 | 51 mins.
If you think sending fewer emails creates a better client experience, today's episode is going to challenge your mindset. I sit down with Alison Bell, a Hawaii-based family photographer who has built a six-figure business serving vacationing clients—with zero room for error and practically no opportunity for reshoots. We dive into what it really takes to create a seamless, high-touch client experience when your clients are traveling, time-constrained, and trusting you to deliver once-in-a-lifetime memories. Alison shares exactly how she uses automation, communication, and clear boundaries (hello, sunrise-only sessions) to create an experience that builds trust, eliminates confusion, and increases sales.
Find It Quickly: 00:24 - Meet Alison Bell 01:24 - CRM Talk 02:31 - Fast Response Wins 05:18 - Sunrise Sessions Policy 06:40 - Repeat Key Details 09:36 - After Payment Onboarding 12:11 - Prep Emails 15:07 - Timing Automations 17:06 - Gallery Reveal Process 19:00 - Weather Boundaries 22:04 - Inquiry Video Touchpoint 23:12 - Product Videos Idea 26:32 - Email Touchpoints 27:42 - Inbox Overload Reality 29:16 -Texting Before Sessions 32:05 - Client Ghosting Horror Stories 36:19 - Next Steps Email Framework 44:53 - Video Alternatives To Calls 46:58 - Pricing Prep Video Strategy
Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 211: Marketing Mondays Will Transform Your Business Strategy with Melissa Arlena and Alison Bell Tave/VSCO: vsco.co/workspace
Connect with Alison: Website: alisonbellphotographer.com Podcast: Get Booked: A Photography Marketing Podcast Instagram: instagram.com/alisonbellphotog
Tired of Sales Calls? Try this instead.
22/04/2026 | 16 mins.
Hey y’all, welcome back to the podcast! It’s been a minute since I recorded a solo episode, and instead of pretending I had some perfectly planned return… we’re just diving straight into what’s been happening behind the scenes and how it led to this conversation. After hosting my Out of Office Ready training, one thing became very clear: most of you don’t actually need more availability to book clients—you need a better way to communicate without being available all the time. So in this episode, I’m breaking down how to replace your sales calls with asynchronous video—whether that’s using VideoAsk or simple custom videos—so you can qualify leads, answer questions, and book clients without scheduling another call on your calendar. Because your business should not stop just because you’re offline.
Mentioned in this Episode Episodes 123 + 217 - 3 Videos to Create for Your Client Experience Right Now Episode 237 - Improve Client Trust & Increase Conversions through Asynchronous Video with Carolyn Leasure Systems in Session Email Like You Mean It VideoAsk (aff link)
Business Bestie Chat Q2 – 2026 with Sabrina Gebhardt
14/04/2026 | 37 mins.
This quarter's business bestie chat is coming at you live and in-person from Texas! Sabrina and I finally got to record together for our quarterly chat after spending a few days together at the Creative Educator Conference! Listen in as we chat through that experience, recap what happened in Q1, and get honest about where we are in business right now. Find It Quickly Recapping the Creative Educator Conference (1:11) Sabrina’s brand new retreat (8:24) Colie choosing to offer only one thing (10:58) A community space for Sabrina’s memberships (12:43) Re-evaluating our programs (18:32) Our ad strategy goals (23:03) Sparking new ideas (27:53) Our plans for Q2 (28:51)
Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 190 From Skeptical to Obsessed with Jaiden Hamilton: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/190-from-skeptical-to-obsessed-with-jaiden-hamilton/ Root To Rise Summer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercamp
Connect with Sabrina Website: sabrinagebhardt.com Instagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotography Podcast: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast
How to Set Up Systems for a Brand New Service (Before You Get Clients) with Anthea Proudfoot
09/04/2026 | 44 mins.
Here's some advice to business owners (new and established): stop waiting until you’re overwhelmed to build your systems. In this episode, I sit down with Anthea Proudfoot to talk about how she built out her entire CRM and client experience instead of Systems in Session before she had a steady stream of clients. It can be complicated to retrofit your processes into your business later, after you've gotten busy and overwhelmed. In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to build a high-touch, automated client experience from scratch, how she completed her systems in just 30 days, and why her clients are already raving—even as a newer business owner.
Find It Quickly 00:24 - Meet Anthea 00:56 - Why Start With CRM 05:01 - Systems in Session 08:36 - Organic Marketing Wins 10:02 - Inquiry Form Strategy 14:36 - Clients Experience 18:21 - The Client Proposal & Booking 20:10 - Post Booking Experience Portal 22:32 - Custom Systems Philosophy 23:38 - Session Reminder Automation 25:46 - Six Month System Tweaks 30:11 - Favorite Feature Workflows 33:41 - Automated Yet Personal Touch 34:51 - Testimonial Form Strategy 36:56 - Questionnaire Photos Planning 38:45 - Why She Chose Systems in Session
Mentioned in this Episode Systems in Session
Connect with Anthea Website: malonephotography.au Instagram: instagram.com/malone_photography_au
Your Marketing Isn’t Converting Because It’s Missing One-On-One Connection with Polly Pollock
02/04/2026 | 49 mins.
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 Quickly 00:24 - Meet Polly 04:47 - Repel And Attract 06:55 - Marketing Beyond Instagram 12:38 - Trust And Messy Middle 17:30 - Nurture Systems That Work 21:22 - Beyond PDFs And Sales Calls 25:39 - Deep Listening Habits 26:34 - Podcasts Build Trust 27:35 - Audience Data Signals 30:02 - Client Interviews Gold 31:31 - Marketing In AI Era 34:23 - Using AI To Synthesize 38:54 - Do Less Better Content 40:49 - Monthly Live Events
Mentioned in this Episode Ep 199: I Audited My Freebies—Here’s What I Found How to Ask for a Client Testimonial: Strategies to Request Feedback and Get Better Testimonials
About Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers
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
Listen to Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers, The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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