Pick up the Phone! | The Magic of Phone Consultations

POSTED IN : Business & Client Experience
FILED UNDER : ,

I’m not a phone person and to be honest, I don’t think that I ever will be.

I’m a quiet and shy individual, and making conversation with new acquaintances isn’t my strongest quality, so talking to a complete stranger over a phone connection scares the BIJEEZES out of me.

I’m talking cold sweats, anxious jitters, and serious bouts of nervous laughter whenever I have to pick up the phone and start sounding official and/or competent to a new person – you know, like I actually know what I’m talking about…

In our first few years of business, I hid behind email as much as I possibly could.

Of course, I wouldn’t have admitted that I was “hiding.” I was simply “playing on my strengths of writing”.

Because Jeff and I had impeccable booking rates when we met with couples face to face, our goal was to schedule in-person meetings with every potential client.

Meetings worked for us, so we didn’t want to mess with a good thing.

But we soon began working with clients from across the US, so we quickly realized that in person meetings were no longer a realistic option.

And suddenly, my worst fears were realized – I would not only have to speak to brand new couples over the phone, but I would have to charm them as well. Eek.

I’m talking RIVERS of cold sweats at this point.

Can I get an amen from all of my fellow phone phobics from across the internet? I know you’re out there, because if you’re not, I’m just a ridiculous introvert speaking to myself about a seriously neurotic weakness.

But if you are, I’ve got some news for you – you’re not alone, we’re all in this together, and I’ve got some coping strategies coming your way.

 

When we stopped meeting with couples face to face and moved to phone calls, you know what happened? We booked more weddings than ever before at better average rates.

 

Why?

Because phone calls are easy and fast.

Just think about it – if you’re able to call a bride, get to know her, talk through everything you do, and have your pricing and/or a booking proposal in her hands less than 24 hours after she inquires, you’ve got a huge advantage over other photographers that she may have scheduled a meeting with in the next week or so.

It’s simple – the easier you make the booking process for your couples, the more likely they are to actually book you.

[clickToTweet tweet=”It’s simple – the easier you make the booking process, the more you’re going to get booked.” quote=”It’s simple – the easier you make the booking process, the more you’re going to get booked.”]

So how did a self-proclaimed phone-phobic like myself cure her fears?

Well, I didn’t, but I did develop some strategies to help me out.

Here’s the most effective ones:

1. Write a Script

The biggest fear I had to overcome was not knowing what to say over the phone, so I wrote an outline for myself to follow when I’m speaking to a bride or groom.

This outline follows the major points that every call should include and in what order, and I have the freedom to follow it as loosely or closely as I need to for any particular call.

In some parts I’ve written out what I should say word for word, especially when speaking about budget or pricing where phrasing is important, and in other parts I’ve just written loose talking points, like when I want to get to know them as people and as a couple.

I don’t always follow the outline exactly – every conversation is different – but there are certain phrases that I always use because I know that they will garner the most positive and comfortable response from a potential client.

2. Be Prepared

In our online contact forms on our website and blog, we ask our couples to list how they heard about us and where they are getting married.

This is pretty basic and necessary information for any inquiry, but it helps me start every conversation with a connecting point.

Google the venue and do some research on it so you can get excited about the couple’s wedding – ask what they love about the location, why they chose it, if they have any fun ideas, when and where they got engaged, etc.

Use those connections as ice breakers for the conversation and you’ll always be able to start the phone call on a fun and personal note.

3. Practice

Talk through your outline or client meeting notes in front the mirror and in front of someone else.

 

Yes, practicing is awkward, but do it anyway.

 

Ask for feedback – are there phrases that need to be worded differently? Is the conversation simple and not overwhelming?

Don’t overwhelm anyone over the phone – send additional information via email later – and practice your phrases and content so you’re comfortable and confident.

4. Do Your Thing.

If you’re a phone-phobic like me, do whatever you need to do to psych yourself up for a great phone call.

Close the door on your office, go somewhere comfy, get excited about meeting a new bride or groom, and put a smile on your face before picking up the phone.

Then be yourself.

 

Talk to them as if they were sitting right in front of you.

 

People like to talk about themselves, so ask them questions and make connections based on their answers.

And remember to smile. I always like to think that everyone can hear a smile over the phone.

What kinds of tips and suggestions do you guys have for your phone conversations? What has worked well for you? Hop on over to our Photographer-Only Facebook Group and join the conversation!

 
Hugs,
Erin
 

Search

We teach photographers to build life-giving businesses that they absolutely love.

About Us

We're Jeff & Erin

We’re Jeff and Erin Youngren – and it’s our mission to help you thrive not just as a wedding photographer, but as a business owner. It’s time to set aside the stress and comparison of a hustle mindset, and build a life-giving business instead.

We met in college, got married, and started corporate jobs before we discovered (and fell in love with) wedding photography. But like many creative entrepreneurs, we were booking anything we could, strapped to our laptops and living dangerously close to burnout.

So we dug in and learned how to build a thriving business that supports our dream life – instead of a joyless business that runs a stressed-out life.

Today, we photograph only 10 Dreamie weddings per year, but we also run two other wedding brands plus a commercial studio in San Diego, CA. And we do it by only working the hours that fit into our life. The other hours? We spend those living a joyful life raising our two beautiful sons, James and Samuel.

hugs,

Jeff and Erin

New Here? Start with these posts!

Free Resources

Freebie – Ten Books for Photographers

our list ofTEN MUST-READ BOOKSWe're constant learners, and you should be, too. Snag our list of the ten books we think every photographer should read at least once.what other people ARE SAYING These templates were so very helpful for me getting my inbox under...

Read More

Creative Rising

Starting Over

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify Creative Rising Episode 208 [NARRATIVE] Mary Marantz has run a highly successful photography business for over a decade. In fact, it's the kind of thriving business that most wedding photographers dream of...

Read More

Creative Rising

Ten Things I’m Afraid to Tell You

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify Creative Rising Episode 207 Jeff and I are incredibly open and honest on this show about the behind scenes struggles and challenges of running a photography business, but there are still a lot of things you...

Read More

Creative Rising

Is Failure Holding You Back?

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify Creative Rising Episode 203 Do you have a hard time with failure? Does the thought of failing hold you back from the things you most want to do? Jeff and I would say 'yes' to both of those questions. And we're...

Read More

Listen to the Creative Rising Podcast

Listen to the Latest Episodes – or Subscribe Here

Our Signature Program

Thrive Business Intensive

The Thrive Business intensive is a 12 week program for photographers who are ready to level up their business in ways they never thought possible. 

Are you ready?

"This program changed everything..."

-Rebecca