If email marketing has felt overwhelming or easy to put off, this episode will simplify it for you. Halle sits down with email marketing expert Kieryn Wang, founder of ALLMOST, to break down how to turn your email list into a consistent and reliable source of revenue. Instead of relying on social media algorithms, email gives you direct access to people who have chosen to hear from you, making it one of the most powerful tools for building trust and converting leads into clients.

In this conversation, Kieryn shares a more approachable way to think about email marketing. It does not need to be complex, perfectly designed, or time consuming to be effective. From growing your list with intentional lead magnets to building a welcome sequence that actually nurtures your audience, this episode focuses on what works and how to start without overthinking it. If you have been waiting for the right time to begin, this is it.

• Why email marketing gives you more control than social media
• Common misconceptions about email marketing and why they hold people back
• How to start or grow your email list by consistently talking about it
• How to build trust by focusing your emails on the reader, not just your business
• How often to send emails and how to choose a schedule you can stay consistent with
• Simple ways to encourage engagement and build community through your emails

To connect with Kieryn Wang and learn more about her work, visit https://www.itsallmost.com or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/itsallmost.

Kieryn has also created a resource specifically for Take Your Shot listeners. Her Inbox to Revenue Toolkit includes an email analytics tracker and a content calendar to help you stay consistent and strategic. You can access it here https://www.itsallmost.com/takeyourshotpodcast and use the code TYSP.

If you are ready to build a business that is not dependent on social media and want to create a stronger connection with your audience, email marketing is one of the most effective places to start.

For more support and resources, you can join the Take Your Shot community at https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community, explore tools at https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources, or learn more about coaching at https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

If you’re a wedding photographer or creative business owner trying to stand out in a crowded market, your brand matters more than ever but not in the way you might think.

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m joined by branding expert Jen Dalton, founder of Brand Mirror, to break down what branding actually looks like in today’s market and how to create messaging that connects with your ideal clients and leads to more bookings.

We dive into why so many photographers struggle with their messaging, how to clearly communicate your value, and how to build a brand that reflects who you are while still resonating with the people you want to work with.

Whether you’re refining your website, updating your portfolio, or preparing your business for the next year, this episode will help you create a stronger, more aligned brand that converts.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The three levels of messaging that help you stand out and attract better clients
• How to identify your ideal client and create messaging that resonates
• The biggest branding mistakes photographers make and how to avoid them
• How to use client testimonials and reviews to strengthen your brand credibility
• Why deep work and intentional thinking are essential for long-term business growth
• How to create a business that aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals

About Jen Dalton

Jen Dalton is a branding strategist and the founder of Brand Mirror, where she helps entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business owners clarify their message and build brands that reflect who they are and help them stand out.

With over 13 years of experience, Jen specializes in personal branding, messaging strategy, and helping clients create a clear and compelling value proposition.

Connect with Jen

• Website: https://brandmirror.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jendalton/

Jen offers one-on-one strategy sessions, brand consulting, and long-term support to help you build a brand that aligns with your purpose and attracts the right opportunities.

Take Your Shot Resources

• Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke
• Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community
• Business resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
• Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If you’re looking to improve your branding, attract better clients, and create a business that feels aligned and sustainable, this episode is a must-listen.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wanderlust Videos - Get your time back and start working with a high-end, dedicated post-production team! use the code: TAKEYOURSHOT100 for $100 off your first edit - https://dp.wanderlust-videos.com/sign_up?invitation_link=1637&tkn=Luke

If you’ve been feeling like inquiries are harder to convert, clients are slower to respond, or ghosting is more common, you’re not alone.

The market is shifting, and a big part of that comes down to changing client expectations—especially with Gen Z.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gail Fraser, systems expert and founder of Work Simple. She helps creative business owners build backend systems and automation that support their business in a way that still feels personal and aligned.

This conversation breaks down what’s actually changing, what matters most right now, and how to simplify your business so you can focus on what truly moves the needle.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Gen Z expects faster communication and automation
• How price transparency impacts your ability to book the right clients
• The difference between automation and AI (and why that matters)
• What to automate first to save time and mental energy
• The biggest mistake people make when investing in tools like CRMs
• When to invest in systems versus hiring a virtual assistant
• How to use client offboarding to generate more referrals and reviews

The small tasks in your business are adding up more than you think. When you automate and systemize the repeatable parts of your workflow, you create more space to focus on the relationships and high-impact work that actually grows your business.

Action Steps You Can Take Today:

• Write out your full client workflow in simple bullet points
• Identify tasks you repeat for every client
• Turn one of those into a reusable template
• Start asking how you can make each step simpler or more efficient

Connect with Gail from worksimple IO

Website: https://worksimple.io

Instagram: https://instagram.com/worksimple.io

Free resource (ClickUp template + newsletter): https://worksimple.io/newsletter

Speaking: https://worksimple.io/speaking

Gail offers systems sprints, operations audits, and full custom builds to help you simplify and scale your business with better workflows.

Take Your Shot Resources

Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Free resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Instagram: https://instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a business owner who you think could also benefit from this! BONUS - share it on your Instagram story and tag @takeyourshotcollective

Rachel Traxler is back on the podcast and this time we are diving deep into lead generation — what is actually working right now, what has shifted in the industry, and why waiting around for inquiries to come to you is no longer a strategy. Rachel shares why she still believes Google and SEO are her biggest lead generators, how in-person networking continues to open doors she never expected, and why getting in front of other people's audiences through collaborations and guest blogging is one of the most underutilized tools photographers have available to them.

We also get into the nitty gritty of building social media funnels using ManyChat, why your call to action might not be converting the way you want, and how to think about guiding potential clients down the funnel rather than sending them backwards. Rachel breaks down how she has updated her own contact form and pricing guide process to better serve different types of buyers, and why being transparent and direct with your potential clients is not salesy — it is just good service.

Take Your Shot:

1. Business Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
2. Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Rachel Traxler:

1. Website: racheltraxler.com
2. Instagram: instagram.com/racheltraxler
3. Shop (Digital Products + Done for You Funnels): https://racheltraxler.com/shop

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media Co. She is a seasoned ads strategist with nearly seven years of experience helping entrepreneurs and online coaches grow their businesses through paid advertising. Melissa breaks down one of the most misunderstood tools in the online business world — Meta ads — and why they're more important than ever in today's unpredictable social media landscape. From the rented land of Instagram to building an audience you actually own, Melissa walks us through what it really takes to run ads that work and how to know when you're truly ready.

Melissa also talks about the full picture of a lead magnet funnel — from attracting cold traffic to nurturing new leads with an email sequence — and unpack the biggest mistakes business owners make along the way. Whether you've never touched Ads Manager or you've tried ads before and walked away frustrated, this conversation meets you where you are. Melissa shares how to lay the right technical foundation, how to avoid the most common setup errors, and why working with an expert (even just for an hour) can save you thousands of dollars and months of wasted effort.

What you'll walk away with:

1. Why ads are a tool that amplifies what's already working — not a magic fix — and how to know when your foundation is ready
2. The three most common lead magnet mistakes and how to calculate whether yours is actually converting
3. What a simple, effective landing page and email nurture sequence should include (and how many emails to start with)
4. How to choose the right ad objective so Meta is actually sending you real leads — not just clicks
5. Practical first steps for getting your Meta Business Portfolio set up correctly before you ever spend a dollar on ads

Take Your Shot:

1. Business Resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
2. Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Melissa Litchfield – Litchfield Media:

1. Website: www.litchfieldmedia.org
2. Instagram: www.instagram.com/litchfieldmedia
3. Free Resource — Roadworthy in 48 Hours (Meta Business Portfolio Setup Guide): https://litchfieldmedia.org/roadworthy
4. Sign Up for the Test Drive Ad Sprint (Live Challenge – $97): https://takeyourshot--litchfieldmedia.thrivecart.com/test-drive-ad-sprint-live/

In this 100th episode (ahh that still doesn't even feel real!) we reflect on the journey behind the Take Your Shot Podcast as it reaches 100 episodes. From leaving a corporate career to building a photography business and eventually launching this platform, she shares the story of how it all started, the lessons learned along the way, and the values that continue to shape the community today. This episode is an honest look behind the scenes of building a creative business and a reminder that success rarely looks as polished as it appears online.

Thank you for being here! Be sure to check these out:

Enter the giveaway!

Get on the waitlist for the booking breakthrough:

Follow on Instagram @takeyourshotcollective

If you’ve ever said, “I’m just not a numbers person,” this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, and we’re talking about the financial mindset shift every creative business owner needs to make. In this episode, you'll learn:

– The biggest money mistakes creatives are making

– Why revenue growth doesn’t always mean profit

– The truth about “spending to save on taxes”

– How AI and automations can quietly mess up your books

– What healthy, sustainable profit actually looks like

Danielle breaks down how to review your numbers monthly, make smarter decisions, and build a business that lasts.

More from Danielle Hayden:

1. Website: https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartaccounting/

More from Take Your Shot Collective:

1. Try Dubsado (Use code: TAKEYOURSHOT for an additional 30% off):
2. https://www.dubsado.com/?c=takeyourshot
3. Free SEO Guide:
4. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
5. 1:1 Coaching with Halle:
6. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
7. Free Online Community:
8. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

What happens if you step away from your business for six weeks? In this episode, I share how I worked just 3–5 hours per week, stopped posting on Instagram, and still brought in over $10,000 in payments last month AND I booked a $13,000 wedding. Being able to do this was the result of years of investing in SEO and building strong backend systems that keep our photography business running, even when we’re not constantly visible.

A huge part of that foundation is Dubsado, the CRM we’ve used since 2020. It manages our inquiries, contracts, payment plans, questionnaires, and automated workflows from start to finish. Because our systems were already in place, clients were nurtured, payments were processed, and nothing slipped through the cracks — even while I stepped back to focus on what mattered most in this season. And so when they flew us out to California this past week to connect, learn more, and help shape the future of their platform - it was an easy yes for us!

This episode is your reminder that resilience is built before you need it. If you want a business that supports your life instead of consuming it, you don’t need more hustle — you need infrastructure. I’m sharing exactly what made that possible and how you can start building it too.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Try Dubsado (Limited time birthday sale + code TAKEYOURSHOT):
2. https://www.dubsado.com/?c=takeyourshot
3. Free SEO Guide:
4. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources
5. 1:1 Coaching with Halle:
6. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching
7. Free Online Community:
8. https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community