The heart of business growth lies in the strength of its relationships.

Do you believe that to be true? I certainly do.

As a seasoned photography coach, I’ve been asked countless times about the secret ingredient to success.

Without hesitation, my answer remains: relationships.

Building genuine connections isn’t just beneficial—it’s transformative.

Episode 175 dives into how to cultivate these powerful relationships.

From identifying key allies to engaging them with authenticity.

Plus you won’t want to miss my free Connect & Collaborate Playbook tailored specifically for photographers that will give you 10 ideas of who to connect with and how, for each photography niche.

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about cultivating relationships that are rich in quality and mutual respect.

Think about of a few of your best clients who always refers people to you.

Can you think of a business who is constantly recommending you, and telling people about your incredible services? These are the type of relationships that I am talking about. These are the ones that I really want to help you cultivate and grow.

I truly believe if you take the time and you dedicate the time to connecting with new people and nurturing and growing these relationships, they will serve you so well.

Networking 101 Tips

Quality Over Quantity

I think it’s truly important that you think about the quality of these relationships versus the quantity.

Networking and collaborating with people isn’t just about collecting contacts. It’s truly about cultivating deep relationships that are rich in quality and rich in mutual respect.

Step 1: Commit to Making it a Habit

It is vitally crucial that whenever you are starting something new, that you make a commitment and you actually write it down.

Step 2: Brainstorm

Brainstorm who to connect with (photographers, businesses who service your ideal client, or other services your ideal client might hire before you)

You could also think about past contracts (people you’ve worked with in the past).

Don’t just brainstorm the overarching person that you want to reach out, get really specific about who specifically in that niche that you’re going to reach out to.

Step 3: Reach Out and Introduce Yourself

Always lead with service, curiosity, and commonality, compliments.

Don’t lead with a pitch!!!

Personally reach out via Instagram/contact form. 

I think leading with a message with text first is great, because then they can read it. And then I think following up with a voice message is so extremely helpful.

Or you could do it the other way around and send a voice message and then a text saying a little bit about who you are, and what your voice message is because normally we don’t want to listen to random voice messages from people.

You also want to make sure that whatever you are about to present is mutually beneficial, and not only beneficial for you.

Ask questions, get to know people, go for the voice messages, and it will really make such a huge difference!

You could offer to hop on a Zoom call, Voxer message, offer to bring a coffee to their workplace to chat, or set up a co-working session as a way to connect on a personal level in order to get to really know the person you’re aiming to work with.

This helps to vet people before jumping into a collaboration relationship with someone.

Here are a few ways to know if you might be a good fit with someone:

• Personality 
• Values
• Mutually beneficial 
• Someone at a similar level of business 
• Someone you’d like to be friends with in real life

Also, don’t discount the speaking and the teaching opportunities as a way to network and make connections with people.

Even if you don’t think you have anything to say I promise you, you have knowledge that other people don’t. And you should should share that.

I think that God has intricately designed each of us to have gifts, special gifts, and you have something to share with the world.

A final way you could find people to network with is you could also sponsor a certain event or you could trade services as a way to get to know people, network, and collaborate with others.

I truly believe that our photography industry only gets stronger when we all unite and share strategies together.

Personally, I like to view all of the photographers out there as my community, and not competition! So, I love sharing ways to help you make your business better, and networking is just one of them!

Complimentary Episodes:

1. Ep 75. Marketing your Business with Relationship Marketing
2. Ep 46. Uncover Your Visibility Super Power + Ignite Your Business Growth
3. Browse all Business Related Episodes

Resources:

1. Connect + Collaborate Playbook www.thepurposegathering.com/collabplaybook
2. Need support managing your time well and creating systems to streamline your Photography Business? Join the Efficient Mom Photographer (12 Week Group Coaching Program)
3. Looking for tips and strategies for making motherhood and business easier? Join Our Free Community – The Organized Mom Photographer
4. Message me on Voxer (My username is afreehan)
5. Join the Waitlist for my Free Masterclass, The Profit Shift: 3 Strategies to Optimize Your Limited Time and Maximize Your Revenue as a Mom
6. Have a question for me? Or a specific struggle you’re dealing with? I’ll address your question on the podcast. Submit your ‘Ask Ashley’ question here
7. Local to Gilbert/Mesa Arizona (For Mom Business Owners) Join our in person membership community