Done-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany Herzberg
20/03/2026 | 57 mins.
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 Herzberg Episode 202: SEO is Everywhere: Optimizing Your Content with Brittany Herzberg Mentioned in this Episode: The Resonance Effect - How to Attract Action Takeers with SEO Queen Brittany Herzberg Dubsado HoneyBook Google Search Console Keysearch ChatGPT Connect with Brittany Website: brittanyherzberg.com Instagram: instagram.com/brittany_herzberg Threads: threads.com/@brittany_herzberg Podcast: brittanyherzberg.com/the-basic-b-podcast
The Rebooking Strategy You’re Probably Not Using (But Should Be)
19/03/2026 | 9 mins.
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 ends The biggest mistake creatives make in their offboarding process 3 different ways to create a rebooking offer for your clients A simple exercise to help you turn past clients into repeat revenue
Mentioned in this episode: Systems in Session Disney Cruise Want additional resources to rebook your clients? Read THIS blog post for an outline of how to implement this strategy.
3 Ways Your Systems Can Generate More Revenue in Your Business
12/03/2026 | 8 mins.
In the last episode, I sat down with money coach Emilie Nutley to talk about understanding your numbers, paying yourself, and planning your finances like a real business owner. Because once you actually know your numbers, the possibilities for your business start to open up. But today I want to flip the conversation to something that most people don’t immediately connect to revenue: your systems. Most creatives think of systems as organization tools. Something that saves time, reduces stress, or keeps things from slipping through the cracks. And while that’s true… systems can also directly impact how much money your business actually generates. So in this episode, I’m walking you through three ways your systems can help you generate more revenue this year — without simply trying to book more clients. In this episode, we cover: Why raising your prices becomes easier when your client experience actually supports it How messy onboarding and inconsistent communication can make photographers hesitate to charge more The hidden capacity ceiling that happens when you’re manually managing every part of your client process How structured workflows allow you to serve more clients without increasing your workload Why repeat clients are often the fastest path to additional revenue The simple system touchpoints that turn one booking into referrals, testimonials, and future rebookings
Mentioned in This Episode Episode 296 - The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie Nutley Systems in Session - coliejames.com/systems
The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie Nutley
10/03/2026 | 47 mins.
If you’ve been avoiding your numbers this year—this is your sign to review them. I invited financial expert Emilie Nutley to join me for a powerful, no-fluff conversation about pricing your signature offer, paying yourself consistently, and a financial concept that will completely change the way you think about business finances: overflow. We talk about why you should never price based on competitors, why revenue is not the same as take-home pay, and how to build a business that brings you both joy and a paycheck. If you’ve ever had inconsistent income months, questioned your pricing, or treated your business like an ATM, this episode is for you. Find It Quickly 01:19 – Meet Emilie Nutley 03:16 – How Much Do You Want to Pay Yourself? 04:37 – Revenue Goal ÷ Capacity = Price 05:41 – Need vs. Want: What Do You Actually Have to Pay Yourself? 06:11 – The Bare Bones Budget Explained 09:05 – The Restrict/Binge Cycle with Money 16:10 – What “Overflow” Is and Why It Matters 18:41 – Profit Isn’t the End: What Happens After Profit 21:40 – Using Overflow to Make Strategic Decisions 24:20 – Overflow & Growth Decisions (Hiring, Investing, Time Off) 25:11 – Revenue-Generating Hires vs. Expense Investments 26:43 – The Simple Overflow Spreadsheet 28:36 – Stop Living Month-to-Month in Your Business 29:42 – The Habit of Paying Yourself Consistently 33:08 – How Much Should You Be Saving? 38:33 – The Freedom of Owning a Business 40:46 – Focus on Your Signature Offer First 44:17 – Thinking Long-Term: Retirement & Future Planning Connect with Emilie Website: emilienutley.co.uk Instagram: instagram.com/emilienutley Youtube: youtube.com/@fundthedamnlife
Before the Inquiries Roll In: 3 Systems to Fix Now
08/03/2026 | 6 mins.
Busy season might not feel close yet—but if you rely on fall bookings, the inquiries that fill your calendar are coming sooner than you think. Instead of waiting until leads start flooding your inbox, this is the time to make sure your client experience systems are ready to support them. Because when your backend is messy, slow, or inconsistent, it becomes a lot harder to book clients confidently… and even harder to justify raising your prices. In this episode, Colie breaks down three essential systems every creative service provider should have in place before busy season begins. These systems help you book clients faster, create a smoother client experience, and build long-term relationships that lead to referrals, reviews, and repeat business. And the best part? When these systems are working well, raising your prices becomes a natural outcome—not a scary decision. In This Episode • Why waiting until slow season to raise your prices often backfires • How a faster inquiry and booking process increases booking confidence for both you and your clients • The role your client communication plays in building trust before, during, and after the service • How better delivery and offboarding leads to reviews, referrals, and repeat clients • Why preparing these systems now makes it easier to raise your prices once you're partially booked
Mentioned in This Episode Episode 215: The Confidence Loop Systems in Session- https://coliejames.com/systems
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
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