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How To Show Up As An Expert

How To Show Up As An Expert

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Business Ownership, Podcast

How To Show Up As An Expert

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Welcome to the Crystal Clear Podcast where we strive to empower the everyday creative boss to elevate and grow a business that matches your creativity and passion for creating products.

 

Things mentioned in this podcast episode:

 

Today on the podcast I am sharing my top 5 tips on how to show up as the expert in your field now. 

First, you need to define your zone of genius. So you are a photographer, content creator, product boss or web designer. Great! That is good to know but you need to take it a step further and know the ONE thing that you do really well that will help you create that position of expert to other people. As a photographer that could position yourself self as a photographer who specializes in product photography with an emphasis on flat lay product photography. This is getting really specific and giving you an area to market your expertise. 

 

Next, you need to make your communication clear. When you are talking about what you do you should always be very clear about what you specialize in. When positioning your content, by the language you use, your “elevator pitch”, your bios on social media, everything! It should CLEARLY state what you are an expert at. 

Give more than you take. ALWAYS. Giving mediocre and generic tips aren’t cutting it anymore. People want VALUE. When you give tips they should be worth something. They should be specific to your expertise. 

Along with giving more than you take you also need to show up and be helpful! This is hard. It sometimes takes a little bit to see the fruits of your labor in this area but don’t give up. You have to develop trust and you do that by showing up and being helpful consistently. This is the only way they will truly see what you have to offer. Make sure you are always offering a quick and easy solution. 

Lastly, show up confidently and be REAL. You can do this by talking about the thing you know and know WELL. Wrap it into realistic stories about yourself. Be real. People crave real. Show up imperfectly. Showing some flaws will pull people into you because it makes you relatable. It allows them to see that they can one day be at the point you are or they can afford you because you were once just like they were. That relation is gold. 

When you take these five tips and put them into action your customers will start to see you as the expert in your field and will come to you for all their needs.

One of my favorite ways to show up confidently and real is Instagram stories. It’s my jam. If you are looking for some tips around stories pop on over in my inbox and I am happy to share! I also want to invite you to The Creative Boss Society where we meet twice a month making sure you get the strategy you need and the accountability to execute on it. I offer support around exactly what you need to grow every month.

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Comment, share on Pinterest, or even snap a screenshot and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to hear what you think about props for product photography.

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About Crystal

Corporate America had me at hello for 10 years. And just when I thought I was where I was supposed to be, God changed the narrative and helped me find more time for my husband and two beautiful girls through my own photography business. Now, I live for all things styled photography and serving the business community exclusively through styled imagery and personal brand photography.

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What You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

What You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

by | Oct 15, 2020 | Business Ownership

The Blog

What You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

What You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

Starting a business requires a lot of patience and determination.

Y

ou have to be willing to make some sacrifices in your life, change your mindset, and keep pushing through when the going gets tough. But before you hit the ground running, there are a few key things you should know before you start your business. 

 

Why? What? Who?

Why – The first and most crucial part of your business is knowing your “Why.” Why are you doing what you’re doing? What is the driving factor that pushes you to keep this business running? Your “why” gets you out of bed every morning, even when you’re at your lowest. Being a boss babe is a rollercoaster of a journey, but you need the drive and grit to push through when the obstacles appear.

 

What – What are your goals? What is it that you’re trying to accomplish? Set small milestones that will help you get where you want to go. Start by creating small goals that are within reach. Not only will this help you stay on track towards the bigger picture, but you will build your confidence as you go along. The more precise you are with your goals, the less likely you will become distracted with anything that steers you away from that.

 

Who – Lastly, who is it that you’re doing all of this for? Who is your ideal client? The one that you dream of working with or would benefit from your services or products. The more you know about them, the better you’ll provide them with exactly what they need. When you do that, they begin to trust you, and you ultimately start to build a loyal following who believes in you, your brand, and what you’re selling.

Prepare to Sacrifice

Within the first year of your business, prepare yourself to make sacrifices. Running a business takes a lot of time. The reality is that you’ll work more hours for yourself than you ever did at your corporate, full-time job. That’s entrepreneur life for you, but the reward is worth it when you see your hard work paying off. Personally, I had to trade nights out for nights of work.

The Money Doesn’t Come Right Away 

Starting a business doesn’t mean instant profit. It could take a year or longer to see a consistent and profitable income. This is usually because, within the first year, your expenses go towards building a solid foundation for your business. You’re paying for different startup costs, new equipment, software, tech, etc. You may even find yourself working for free to build a clientele that you can work with in the future. So, before you start a business – don’t quit your day job just yet. Set aside some money so that you can compensate for the days that your new business doesn’t bring any income. 

Conclusion 

Running a business is hard and takes a lot of sacrifices. If you’re not 100% passionate about why you started and who you’re doing it for, it’s easy to get lost in the struggle of trying to build a successful company.

 

The thought of quitting will often cross your mind, but when it does – take a step back and reevaluate where you are in your business and if it’s in the direction you want to be going. Know that you will have to pivot along the way and adjust to the many challenges that come your way, but these are the things that will make you stronger. Take those lessons, learn from them, and grow.

 

If you’re seeking extra help and guidance along the way, check out my free resources here or you can join our membership – The Creative Boss Society. 

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

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How to Stay Productive as a Mom and Business Owner

How to Stay Productive as a Mom and Business Owner

by | Aug 27, 2020 | Business Ownership

The Blog

How to Stay Productive as a Mom and Business Owner

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Being a Mom and a Creative Boss is possible all the power of things we do naturally, like organization and structure!

B

eing a mom and a business owner has some striking similarities, and it’s safe to say that both can be a juggling act.

 

I’ve had to make sacrifices in order to prioritize certain things, but most of all, I’ve had to be strict about my time. Nights out were traded for nights to get work done. Lunch dates were traded for virtual chats or special events and so forth. It’s not to say that this year hasn’t been tough for everyone, but I have found a lot of my friends are seeing (just like me) that it’s a task to stay productive, teach your kiddos and run your business owner. 

 

However, we pivot, and we adjust where we need too. In this season of life I made pivots and changes to serve both my family and my clients – so I want to share some of my top hacks to stay productive!

 

I Keep a Priority List

 

It’s up to you to decide what takes priority and what doesn’t. As a mompreneur, time is my most valuable asset, so I use it wisely. This is why I keep a priority list. Sometimes it’s helpful to braindump everything and anything that I need to do just to see it all in one place. Then, I prioritize each task by importance and by the deadline. My rule of thumb is choosing to prioritize starting with the business and marketing tasks first!

 

Bonus tip! Things that fall to the bottom every time could be outsourced if you’re finding that they are still higher priority items when it comes to growing your business.

 

Automate Systems

 

Automated systems have been a lifesaver for me. They increase my productivity levels and make my workdays more efficient. If you’re not already, then it’s time you start. When you schedule your social media posts, email newsletters, blogs, invoices, etc. to automatically go out, you’re spending less time on smaller tasks and more time on essential areas of your business.

 

Getting your systems automated takes some time in the initial setup because you’re spending a chunk of your day planning and scheduling your content. However, once you complete it, you don’t have to worry about it until your next content batch, and you can focus on other things that are making money or growing your business.

 

Bonus! This also helps you a TON when you are getting ready to hire a VA or other team members that can help assist in scaling your business.

 

Block Out Times in Advance

 

Take some time to sit down and look at everything going on for the month. Do you need to take the kids anywhere? What needs to get done in the business? Are you planning any getaways? Brainstorm everything you need and block out those times in advance. When you know what to expect for the day, you boost your productivity and are more likely to get things done more efficiently.

 

My day usually doesn’t start until 9am. I know by then I have done breakfast, coffee, kids are settled into their online activities and I can tune in to focus. I intentionally don’t schedule ANYTHING before that because once the kids are set the day flows much smoother.

 

Bonus! You run your schedule Momma! If you’re feeling overwhelmed find time to create space in your schedule. Curb your expectations and thanks to Covid you can get away with kids running around in the background!

 

Conclusion

 

It’s not easy being a mom and a business owner, but there are ways to stay productive and get things done. Know your limits, what works for you, and what doesn’t. Have a clear vision of your daily tasks and set aside time to focus on each one as you go. Staying productive can be tricky, especially when you’re working from home, but put these practices in place and you’ll be well on your way.

 

If you have any questions or would like to share some of your most productive tips, feel free to connect with me – I’d love to hear from you. We can also connect on Instagram!

 

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Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

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3 Ways to Display a Product in Images for Social Media

3 Ways to Display a Product in Images for Social Media

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Content Creation

The Blog

3 Ways to Display a Product in Images for Social Media

Social media is one of the best marketing resources you can use as a business owner.

I

f you’re not already utilizing social media in your business, it’s time to get on it, friend. Social media is one of the best marketing resources you can use as a business owner. It’s a FREE and easy way to showcase your products while sharing your brand message with your customers.

 

Before you take your photos, know exactly what it is you want to sell and how you want to sell it. When you understand your customer’s journey, it’s easier to provide them with what they need. This also allows you to tell a visual story in a way that appeals to your ideal customer. There are many ways to capture your product in its best light so I thought I’d share my top 3 ways to strategically display your product in images for social media.

 

Artistic Label & Product Display

While you want your product to be the main thing you present in your photos, don’t be afraid to show off your artistic labels and displays. Use this opportunity to flaunt your cute packaging and decorative labels along with your valuable product. Give your customers an idea of what they can expect when they purchase from you. Advertising the little pieces that make your brand unique is a great way to share your brand’s message, style, and personality. Your current and potential customers will appreciate your transparency.

 

Consider this – display 3 to 5, of the same type of product in one photo. Sticking with odd numbers adds visual appeal and make it easy to direct the eye to where you want it to go. I teach this method in the Flat lay Method e-course. This is especially popular for website banners. Mixing a display of various products allows you to market different things at once. You can also utilize this strategy if you’re selling a full package of products and you want to show what’s included when someone makes a purchase. The clearer you are about your offer, the less confused your buyers will be about you and your product.

 

Lifestyle

The second way to display your products in images on social media would be by using models and implementing the “lifestyle” look. A good example of this would be to utilize a model’s hands to hold your product. It’s one of my favorite techniques to show the texture and application of the item you’re selling. The hands, more specifically, because you can get in closer to the product itself while also tying in the human element.

 

Models are a great way to add the human element to your photos. Remember – people build connections with other people before they decide to buy a product. Your customers could love what you’re selling, but if they can’t relate to you or your product, they won’t buy. Models add that extra touch needed to make your product more relatable. Don’t forget to mix it up. You don’t want all of your photos to be closeups of your product and some hands. Instead, have the model show emotion with their face, body language, etc. all while using your product. Your photos are all about telling a story, so incorporate relatable elements that will give your photos the upper hand (literally).

 

Flat-Lay

The third and most obvious way to display a product in your images for social media is with a Lifestyle Flat Lay. This is my favorite thing because it gives you an aerial shot of your product in its entirety.

 

A solid and well-planned flat lay is great to show texture, the application process, and a variety of tools and supporting items that your ideal customer might find. A flat lay helps them see the product in a way that they would use it on-the-go or at home, bringing it into their real-life spade. If you really want to stretch your creativity and stand out you can use lots of fun paper cut-outs, blocks, flowers and other props for an artistic flat lay that pulls that editorial, high end, commercial look.

 

Flat lay photography can be a lot of fun, but to get the best results, there are a few things to consider. Check out my list of 7 do’s and don’ts for flat lay photography to help you slay the flat lay.

 

Conclusion 

There are many ways to display your product in an image for social media. Plan and implement a strategy before you move forward with the entire shoot. Time is valuable as a business owner so you want to be sure that you’re utilizing it as best as you can.

 

Like anything in life, it takes time to nail the perfect flat lay or product photo so remember to be patient with yourself and to have fun with it. Experiment with different props and colors (related to your brand, of course) and see what works best, what looks good, and what fits your brand. If you think you need some extra help putting together the perfect flat lay, check out my Flat Lay Method Course. I cover the basics of what it takes to make the perfect, Insta-worth images. You can also schedule a call with me if you have any questions or we can connect on Instagram!

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

Resources

 

Business Ownership

Content Creation/Marketing

How-To

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Outsourcing Your Product Photos Pt. 2 – What You Need to Know

Outsourcing Your Product Photos Pt. 2 – What You Need to Know

by | Aug 3, 2020 | Content Creation

The Blog

Outsourcing Your Product Photos Pt. 2 – What You Need to Know

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the thought of outsourcing your product photos, especially when you know you can do it yourself.

B

ut overcoming your fear of outsourcing is another hurdle to conquer. It’s normal to feel this way when you’re doing it for the first time, so take a deep breath, overcome your anxiety, and outsource the work so you can focus on other parts of your business.

Here are 3 easy steps to help you let go of that fear:

 

Do the Math

Don’t worry – I cringe too when it comes to numbers, but when you realize the increased sales from better quality equals more money in your pocket – you will be outsourcing left and right. Know that outsourcing your photos means more opportunity to focus on:

 

  • Marketing your product
  • Engaging with your ideal customers
  • Creating more content

 

The payoff will be entirely worth it. Don’t think of investing in another photographer as a waste of money, but rather an investment in your business. Outsourcing your product photos to someone else with the same or better skill set than you will result in a higher Return on Investment (ROI). This is because you’re increasing your productivity levels by doing other important tasks that need your attention. In-house efficiency is vital for business growth, so take advantage of the opportunities to invest in a few month’s worths of photos and see the big-picture results. 

 

Ask Yourself Questions

Ask yourself questions like – would this save me time, stress, and money doing it myself? What can I get in done in that timeframe instead of focusing on trying to take photos? Does it make more sense to focus on marketing, creating products, and driving sales over 4-8 hours trying to do a photoshoot? 

 

When you can answer these questions with a solid answer, really think about the benefits you can have towards growing your company. Be sure you know the answer first before you decide to outsource. Like anything, it’s important to have a plan and a goal in mind. Time is money and it shouldn’t be wasted on things that can be handed over to other professionals in the business.

 

Brand Evaluation 

Another great way to overcome your fear of outsourcing is taking a step back and assessing whether or not your brand is ready to take it up a notch. Believe it or not, our businesses can easily dictate when it is time to outsource. The bank account balance looks good, your crazy busy filling orders, talking to wholesalers, etc. These are all things that indicate your business is growing and it is time to offload them before you fall behind on important tasks like customer service. The sooner you can outsource, the sooner you can focus on what you need to.

 

Conclusion

The fear of outsourcing your work is real. Every successful business owner has had the feeling, but has taken the necessary step for growth – and you can too. Understand that it may take a few trials before you find the right person but it’s all part of the process. Take what you learn and grow from it. It’s important to realize the successes that come from outsourcing your tasks. As business owners, we need ongoing support to help teach us the right things and lead us on the right path towards success. You can’t do it alone and this is why I offer more than just photography services. If you’d like to learn more, I’d love to connect with you! You can also find me on Instagram!

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

Resources

 

Business Ownership

Content Creation/Marketing

How-To

Connect

 

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