Montana Diaries Creative Business Blog
creative business resources, Shownotes, extra media, and links from the pod!
The fastest way to grow an elopement photography and videography business in 2023
The fastest way to grow an elopement photography and videography business in 2023
Hellooooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here as always — today’s episode is features a chat with my dear friend Devin of Backcountry Bohemians. Devin and I are obsessed w/ what we do andddd we’re hosting a content retreat in New Mexico this June! In this conversation, we go over the obstacles that are holding our fellow elopement photographers + videographers back from growing their businesses and finding the sucess they so desperately want…and that we want for them!
calling all photogs + videographers for a free online class — INSIDE LOOK: Our exact strategy for year-round elopement and destination wedding bookings
EVERYTHING you need to know to get fully booked year round by diversifying your portfolio, up leveling your customer experience, networking with purpose, and building a business that supports your dream life
Join Devin + Shay Thursday April 20th at 8PM Mountain / 7PM Pacific to blow upppp your elopement photography/videography business.
HERE’S JUST SOME OF WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS FREE CLASS:
Booking high ticket ($10,000+) destination weddings and elopements (yes, even during a recession)
Portfolio building w/ purpose: how to build a portfolio that helps you book dream weddings
Nurturing vendor relationships, collaborating, and growing w/ your community
Getting the max return on investments in your business: making the most of every dollar you spend to grow your biz
The fastest way to grow an elopement photography and videography business in 2023
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
TWO FULL TIME ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS GET REAL
In this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast, I chat with Devin allll about investing in growing our businesses, money fears, client experience, values, and finding community.
The fastest way to grow an elopement photography and videography business in 2023
Hellooooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here as always — today’s episode is features a chat with my dear friend Devin of Backcountry Bohemians. Devin and I are obsessed w/ what we do andddd we’re hosting a content retreat in New Mexico this June! In this conversation, we go over the obstacles that are holding our fellow elopement photographers + videographers back from growing their businesses and finding the sucess they so desperately want…and that we want for them!
Andddd we want to continue this conversation in our free class, and in our New Mexico content retreat! I hope to see you at both!
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!
Perfectionism is literally ruining your life and business lol
2023 Content Marketing Strategy for Creative Business — Hellooooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here as always — today’s episode is on literally my favoirte topic in the universe when it comes to creative business, which is creative business content creation strategy— I really just want to dive deeepppp on content in 2023, and I want to go hard on quantity and on service, so truly helping people on the photo/video side of my business and the business education side — I am such a huge believer in content marketing and I think brands will win when they go hard on content — can you tell I’m deep into Gary V’s universe!? I’m so bought in though, and if I can get you to buy in just a little I really really really think we can majorly impact the success of your business.
calling all photographers!
join me for my FREE masterclass: HOW TO UPLEVEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS USING VIDEO
EVERYTHING you need to know about integrating video into your photography biz without buying new equipment, getting super techy, or wasting your precious time!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN…
1. Why video is KING online, AKA why YOU should incorporate video into your business strategy
2. The leg up that hybrid shooters have in the photo + video industries and why it IS possible to learn with your existing equipment
3. Action steps you can take RIGHT NOW toward incorporating video content!
PERFECTIONISM: TASTE VS. TALENT, PROCRASTINATION AND FEAR, MESSY ACTION, AND MORE!
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
PERFECTIONISM IS LITERALLY RUINING YOUR LIFE LOL
In this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast, I share multiple stories revolving around perfectionism in creativity and business, why I’m so passionate about “messy action,” and other creatives’ perspectives on perfection.
Perfectionism is literally ruining your life lol
Hellooooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here as always — today’s episode is centered around one core principle that I know in my bones is true and I hope you can internalize: perfectionism will literally ruin your life and business. Fun!
A CONVERSATION ON PERFECTION:
Real stories from my life + business centering on perfection
Taste vs. Talent
Ira Glass on “The Gap”
Messy action
Liz Gilbert: “Done is better than good.”
Okay, friends, that’s really what I have for you for this episode — I really really really hope you’ll leave this episode with a new perspective on perfectionism and you’ll, like…knock it off and just take some sort of messy action today, just make something, literally anything.
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!
In-Depth Q/A Business Coaching Call w/ Videographer Alexandra
Alex is a beautiful soul + a new videographer on the scene — she attended my very first content day last fall and she’s always had the most thoughtful questions on business, client relations, and creativity, so I knew she’d be the PERFECT first live coaching call on the Montana Diaries podcast. Alexandra serves the Missoula, MT area + beyond and you can follow along with her work + business journey at the links below!
calling all photographers!
join me for my FREE masterclass: HOW TO UPLEVEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS USING VIDEO
EVERYTHING you need to know about integrating video into your photography biz without buying new equipment, getting super techy, or wasting your precious time!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN…
1. Why video is KING online, AKA why YOU should incorporate video into your business strategy
2. The leg up that hybrid shooters have in the photo + video industries and why it IS possible to learn with your existing equipment
3. Action steps you can take RIGHT NOW toward incorporating video content!
LIVE COACHING CALL w/ ALEXANDRA: ACTION ITEMS TO DO EACH DAY/FIGURING OUT A SCHEDULE, WHAT TO DO IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF BUSINESS, OVERCOMING PERFECTIONISM AND EGO, WORKING FOR FREE, AND SO MUCH MORE
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
MEET ALEXANDRA DONALDSON
Alex is a beautiful soul + a new videographer on the scene — she attended my very first content day last fall and she’s always had the most thoughtful questions on business, client relations, and creativity, so I knew she’d be the PERFECT first live coaching call on the Montana Diaries podcast. Alexandra serves the Missoula, MT area + beyond and you can follow along with her work + business journey at the links below!
In-Depth Q/A Business Coaching Call w/ Videographer Alexandra
Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here today because we have my very first live coaching call on the podcast with a really beautiful soul + up and coming videographer Alexandra Donaldson. Alex attended my very first content day last fall and she’s always had the most thoughtful questions on business, client relations, and creativity, so I knew she’d be the PERFECT first live coaching call on the Montana Diaries podcast. Alexandra serves the Missoula, MT area + beyond and it’s been such a pleasure to follow her growth as an artist and business owner so far, I know there’s so many amazing things coming her way because honestly this girl just works her ass off and implements like no other.
If you listen to this episode and you love it then apply to be on an episode like this yourself to ask alllll of your burning creative biz questions — just DM me at @shayna_lloyd or email me at shayna@montanadiaries.com to apply
APPLY FOR 1x1 COACHING WITH SHAY: montanadiaries.com/coaching to apply; My coaching clients can expect personalized PDFs recapping what we go over in our calls after each session, complete with super specific, actionable homework to help you get closer to your goals. I’m a business coach for action takers — no over-researching or learning as a form of procrastination. If that sounds like your thing, then go to montanadiaries.com/coaching
Alsoooo if you want to get on the wait list to be the first to know about my in-person education and content days, aka how I met Alex, then info on that can be found at montanadiaries.com/content-days — Everyone who signs up to that list also gets a free educational PDF called Portfolio Building with Purpose…anndddd, ya know, it’s exactly what it sounds like. I teach you how to build your portfolio with strategy in mind.
AN-DEPTH Q/A W/ AN UP-AND-COMING VIDEOGRAPHER
ACTION ITEMS TO DO EACH DAY/FIGURING OUT A SCHEDULE
WHAT TO DO IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF BUSINESS
OVERCOMING PERFECTIONISM AND EGO
WORKING FOR FREE
WHAT DOES “IDEAL CLIENT” EVEN MEAN??
Anndddd that was a live Q/A with videographer Alexandra Donaldson— how amazing is she!? I really do love how thoughtful and intentional this woman is, and I encourage you to go give her a follow on IG to follow along with her business journey. I expect great things from her! Remember to email me to be on a live coaching episode, applying for real intensive 1x1 business coaching with me complete with actionable homework, getting on board with an in-person education event, you know…all the things. Links are below!
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!
2023 Content Marketing Strategy for Creative Business
2023 Content Marketing Strategy for Creative Business — Hellooooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here as always — today’s episode is on literally my favoirte topic in the universe when it comes to creative business, which is creative business content creation strategy— I really just want to dive deeepppp on content in 2023, and I want to go hard on quantity and on service, so truly helping people on the photo/video side of my business and the business education side — I am such a huge believer in content marketing and I think brands will win when they go hard on content — can you tell I’m deep into Gary V’s universe!? I’m so bought in though, and if I can get you to buy in just a little I really really really think we can majorly impact the success of your business.
calling all photographers!
join me for my FREE masterclass: HOW TO UPLEVEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS USING VIDEO
EVERYTHING you need to know about integrating video into your photography biz without buying new equipment, getting super techy, or wasting your precious time!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN…
1. Why video is KING online, AKA why YOU should incorporate video into your business strategy
2. The leg up that hybrid shooters have in the photo + video industries and why it IS possible to learn with your existing equipment
3. Action steps you can take RIGHT NOW toward incorporating video content!
2023 CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGY FOR CREATIVE BUSINESS: Defining your marketing goals, crafting consistent value-packed long form content, focusing on quantity for short form content
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
2023 Content Marketing Strategy for Creative Business
Hellooooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so stoked you’re here as always — today’s episode is on literally my favoirte topic in the universe when it comes to creative business, which is creative business content creation strategy— I really just want to dive deeepppp on content in 2023, and I want to go hard on quantity and on service, so truly helping people on the photo/video side of my business and the business education side — I am such a huge believer in content marketing and I think brands will win when they go hard on content — can you tell I’m deep into Gary V’s universe!? I’m so bought in though, and if I can get you to buy in just a little I really really really think we can majorly impact the success of your business.
DON’T FORGET TO SNAG THE FREE PDF GUIDE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS EPISODE!
CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGY FOR CREATIVE BUSINESS
CREATIVE BUSINESS CONTENT CREATION
What is your goal? What do you ultimately want people to buy/do?
How can you serve your audience related to what you want them to buy/do? What questions do they have? What problems? What do they need to know?
Craft 1 piece of long form content each week related to the above
Break it up into a tonnnn of content for short-term marketing platforms like IG, TikTok, etc.
Email bby
Download the guide above to follow along with the episode!
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!
Tracking the health of your creative business in 2023
Tracking the health of your creative business in 2023: A biz + life update from Shay, all about process oriented vs. product oriented tasks, KPIs, and more!
calling all photographers!
join me for my FREE masterclass: HOW TO UPLEVEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS USING VIDEO
EVERYTHING you need to know about integrating video into your photography biz without buying new equipment, getting super techy, or wasting your precious time!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN…
1. Why video is KING online, AKA why YOU should incorporate video into your business strategy
2. The leg up that hybrid shooters have in the photo + video industries and why it IS possible to learn with your existing equipment
3. Action steps you can take RIGHT NOW toward incorporating video content!
Tracking the health of your creative business in 2023: A biz + life update from Shay, all about process oriented vs. product oriented tasks, KPIs, and more!
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
TRACKING THE HEALTH OF YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS IN 2023
I’m so stoked to present this episode allllll about tracking the health of your creative business in 2023 — join me as I pull back the curtain on my life + business in 2022, my big plans for 2023, how I plan to track all of my goals, and how YOU can implement a strategy for doing the same in a way that aligns with your unique business.
BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS EPISODE:
TRACKING THE HEALTH OF YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS
TRACKING THE HEALTH OF YOUR CREATIVE BIZ:
I get v personal w/ pulling back the curtain of my life + biz in 2022
Process oriented vs. Product oriented
KPIs — Key Performance Indicators
Don’t forget to snag the free guide above and follow along!
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!
41: A candid talk about race and diversity, building a successful baking business, the power of networking, and much more! w/ Randi Smith
RANDI SMITH
Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so freaking stoked you’re here because on today’s episode we have the lovely Randi Smith, a wedding cake designer and business coach — Randi is an island girl who is passionate about celebrating life's big moments. She’s obsessed with my family, lipsticks, and chai tea lattes. When she’s not working with her wonderful clients, you can catch her watching reruns of A Different World. I do want to warn you all that we had someeeee technical difficulties with internet connections and headphones, which resulted in me asking Randi to repeat herself a lot and she was a frreaking champ about it — hopefully it isn’t too disruptive but this episode is worth bearing with it — On this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast, we discussed race and diversity in the wedding industry and how wedding professionals can respectfully build inclusivity into their portfolios, how Randi built her business, and how she’s helping other wedding pros become as profitable as she is. This is a must listen!
calling all photographers!
join me for my FREE masterclass: HOW TO UPLEVEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS USING VIDEO
EVERYTHING you need to know about integrating video into your photography biz without buying new equipment, getting super techy, or wasting your precious time!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN…
1. Why video is KING online, AKA why YOU should incorporate video into your business strategy
2. The leg up that hybrid shooters have in the photo + video industries and why it IS possible to learn with your existing equipment
3. Action steps you can take RIGHT NOW toward incorporating video content!
RANDI SMITH: A candid talk about race and diversity, building a successful baking business, the power of networking, and much more!
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
MEET RANDI SMITH
“I'm an island girl who is passionate about celebrating life's moments, both large and small. Hailing from the land of sun, sand, and sea, I'm happiest lounging on a beach. As the founder and lead designer at Sugar Euphoria, I get so much enjoyment from working with my clients to create beautiful and delicious creations. I am truly obsessed with my family, skincare, and white chocolate lattes (in that order). When I'm not working with my wonderful clients or teaching a course, you can catch me watching reruns of A Different World.”
RANDI SMITH
Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so freaking stoked you’re here because on today’s episode we have the lovely Randi Smith, a wedding cake designer and business coach — Randi is an island girl who is passionate about celebrating life's big moments. She’s obsessed with my family, lipsticks, and chai tea lattes. When she’s not working with her wonderful clients, you can catch her watching reruns of A Different World. I do want to warn you all that we had someeeee technical difficulties with internet connections and headphones, which resulted in me asking Randi to repeat herself a lot and she was a frreaking champ about it — hopefully it isn’t too disruptive but this episode is worth bearing with it — On this episode of the Montana Diaries Podcast, we discussed race and diversity in the wedding industry and how wedding professionals can respectfully build inclusivity into their portfolios, how Randi built her business, and how she’s helping other wedding pros become as profitable as she is. This is a must listen!
A chat w/ Randi Smith, founder of Sugar Euphoria
Randi left the Bahamas to go to college at UNC — her original plan of going to medical school fell through when she found out medical schools here don’t take international students. She instead started Sugar Euphoria right out of school, got married, and started her family. Randi truly hits the ground running with whatever she’s doing!
Her business grew thanks to her scrappiness and willingness to go to trade shows, network with vendors, and invest in her education.
We chatted about race and diversity in the wedding industry and how vendors can and should grow their portfolios to include POC.
Today, Randi offers business coaching for others in the industry. I HIGHLY recommend checking her out!!
Anndddd that was Randi Smith — isn’t she amazing? My key takeaway from Randi is how important it is to showcase diversity in our portfolios as wedding professionals so that every couple feels safe inquiring with us. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topics we discussed here— head over to the Montana Diaries Podcast Facebook group and write a post to continue this discussion, or just introduce yourself over there. Don’t forget to leave your honest review on the Apple Podcasts app — it helps us get more amazing guests like Randi and I’ll give you a shout out on a future episode. Please go create something today, friends, and I’ll catch ya in the next episode.
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!
39: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome w/ Small Business Strategist Melissa Koehler
MELISSA KOEHLER
Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so freaking stoked you’re here because on today’s episode we have the incredible Melissa Koehler, a Small Business Strategist who is passionate about helping women build a business they can be proud of! On this episode of the MD Podcast, we dive deeeepppp into what it takes to build businesses as a creative woman, imposter syndrome, shifting careers, and much more.
calling all photographers!
join me for my FREE masterclass: HOW TO UPLEVEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS USING VIDEO
EVERYTHING you need to know about integrating video into your photography biz without buying new equipment, getting super techy, or wasting your precious time!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN…
1. Why video is KING online, AKA why YOU should incorporate video into your business strategy
2. The leg up that hybrid shooters have in the photo + video industries and why it IS possible to learn with your existing equipment
3. Action steps you can take RIGHT NOW toward incorporating video content!
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome w/ Small Business Strategist Melissa Koehler
psssttt…
join us in the Facebook group, your space for talking all things creativity + business!
MEET MELISSA KOEHLER
“HI! I'M MELISSA KOEHLER.
After successfully growing several businesses over the years - including one that earns seven figures annually - becoming an Enneagram coach, getting StoryBrand certified, and starting my own podcast, I uncovered a passion to help other entrepreneurs do the same! And there’s good news for you: You don't need to hustle your life away to get there! Let's connect and get you running your own profitable business without missing out on life!”
MELISSA KOEHLER
Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, I’m Shayna and I’m so freaking stoked you’re here because on today’s episode we have the incredible Melissa Koehler, a Small Business Strategist who is passionate about helping women build a business they can be proud of! On this episode of the MD Podcast, we dive deeeepppp into what it takes to build businesses as a creative woman, imposter syndrome, shifting careers, and much more.
A chat w/ Melissa Koehler, small business strategist
Melissa began her career as a professional scrapbooker before eventually shifting into full time photography — she dives right into talking about her fears and objections she had during this time growing a creative business without feeling “qualified.”
“I think so many of us deal with imposter syndrome. In our heads, we think everyone else has it figured out and is doing better, or someone will figure out we’re not the complete expert in our field. That stops us from doing things that bring joy to our hearts. Every creative entrepreneur deals with that. With social media, we get to look at EVERYTHING everyone else is doing, and we think they’re doing it perfectly and have education in that thing. We think if we do the same thing...we’ll get criticized. At the heart of it, we’re scared of being judged.”
Melissa and I chatted about the transition from service-based business to education — she mentored other photographers during her tenor as a successful photographer, and this process of helping other creatives toward their goals became her favorite thing to do.
Melissa is big on doing “gut checks” in business, and she talks through how she periodically stops to ask herself if her business moves and lifestyle is bringing her joy. As she transitioned out of photography, she kept checking in with herself and asking her own why, which helped her work on her clients’ “why’s” as well. She credits her ability to communicate in a way that is “loving, kind, and constructive” to her success in transitioning to the education world.
As a story-brand certified and enneagram-certified educator with multiple businesses under her belt, Melissa now does small business strategy for every type of creative business. She has integrated a one-to-many model into her business to scale the type of help she’s able to give
Anndddd that was Melissa Koehler, the incredible small business strategist, isn’t she awesome!? My favorite part of the episode was how beautifully Melissa talks about imposter syndrome and her take on how to overcome it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topics we discussed here— head over to the Montana Diaries Podcast Facebook group and write a post to continue this discussion, or just introduce yourself over there. Don’t forget to leave your honest review on the Apple Podcasts app — it helps us get more amazing guests like Melissa and I’ll give you a shout out on a future episode. Please go create something today, friends, and I’ll catch ya in the next episode.
hey, photog friend!
If you’ve been wanting to learn videography with the gear you already own, I have a free guide just for you!