The Nifty Knowledge Rocks Podcast

This podcast addresses email lists and why they are important for your photography business. Then it goes further and explains how to capture these emails... Everybody is online these days, and while social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are great, it's super important that you start your email list. You need to build an email list of your audience, those people that want to hear from you. Why? You can't assume your audience will come back to your blog without prompting. If somebody comes across your website today and absolutely loves your work, will they think of you when they are looking to hire a photographer? Maybe not. BUT, if you create a relationship with them via your email updates, you WILL be fresh on their mind when they finally get engaged and are planning their wedding or when they have their first child... Listen to the podcast and learn more: Resources to help create and manage your email list: Mad Mimi Mail Chimp Aweber Optin Skin (Wordpress Plugin - see example at bottom of post and sidebar to right) Pippity (Wordpress Plugin Pop-up that appears on the blog to capture email addresses) Pop-up Domination (Wordpress Plugin for pop-ups) WP Subscribers (Wordpress Plugin for top/bottom bars, sidebars, pop-ups, etc.) Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. Please take a minute to leave a quick rating and written review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show. Plus all reviews entered will be eligible for a drawing at the end of the month of May to win a $50 Gift Certificate to The Nifty Knowledge Rocks Shop! Leave a review for the podcast! Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to purchase a product or service,  I may receive a small percentage as a commission. Your purchase will not cost you more in anyway. Thank you for your support, your contributions help keep the NKR content super valuable for your business.

In this first Nifty Knowledge Rocks video interview I chat with Boston wedding photographer Kristin Chalmers. Visit the Kristin Chalmers Photography Website to see her awesome images. I met Kristin a few years back while presenting at a Boston PUG Meeting. I thought she was pretty cool...and she certainly had a ton of great stories. It's been awesome to see her build her wedding photography business. She has accomplished a ton with her business over the past few years. Kristin is a Fearless Photographer and her work was most recently featured on Rock and Roll Bride. I thought she would be a great photographer to hear from in the first NKR interview. Below is the video of our interview. Settle back and relax, we chatted for well over an hour... Kristin talks about few resources and photographers that helped her out along the way which included: The Inspire Conference Doug Levy who offers Off-Camera Flash Workshops Carla Ten Eyck Meg Belanger Matt Grazier Richard Esposito Two Bright Lights Being a good interviewer is definitely a skill.  And it is a skill I am determined to learn. Kristin made it easy for me to dive into bringing you photographers' stories...and I look forward to bringing you more!   Nifty Knowledge Rocks Interview with Boston Wedding Photographer Kristin Chalmers If video isn't your thing, I have also posted the audio of this interview in the Podcast Feed. You can play the audio version below if you would like (just push play) or you can SUBSCRIBE to the Nifty Knowledge Rocks Podcast via iTunes. Subscribe via iTunes to the NKR podcast!

Be everywhere - you have probably heard me talk about this concept a few times, particularly how it relates to photographers. It's not a new concept and it isn't rocket science. The more places you can be, the more opportunities you will have to build an audience and find prospective clients. The more clients you have, the more bookings you can secure, and with more bookings comes more revenue for your photography business. This podcast discusses: The importance of utilizing media such as a videos and podcasts to catch the attention of prospective customers, build up your SEO juice and be everywhere. As a photography business, if you are on page one of Google, you are golden... Listen and learn how, in just a few short months...I was able to get to position #1 on a Google search for my targeted keyword. While there are no black and white answers when it comes to the Google algorithm and search rankings, I am confident that you can drastically improve your rankings by implementing some of the things I share with you in this podcast. After you listen to this episode - get out there, implement and BE EVERYWHERE -- and please, share the results with me! Resources: SEO Moz Beginners Guide to SEO SEO Tips Market Samurai - Dig Deeper into SEO Starting a Podcast for your Photography Business Video Pat Flynn's Podcasting Tutorial Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show and all reviews entered will be eligible for a drawing at the end of the month of May to win a $50 Gift Certificate to The Nifty Knowledge Rocks Shop! Leave a review for the podcast! Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to purchase a product or service,  I may receive a small percentage as a commission. Thank you for your support, your contributions help keep the NKR content super valuable for your business.

What is your legacy or have you even thought about leaving a legacy? Episode #12 of the Nifty Knowledge Rocks Podcast gets a little deep...well, a bit reflective. The events of this past Monday's Boston Marathon has my mind racing and in this podcast I decided to talk about legacies, the importance of and the ability to stay balanced, and living in each moment of our daily lives. How does this relate to business? Business is more than business -- it's what you do with the majority of your time. Your business, or what you do day to day in order to support you and your family, is a HUGE part of your life. And because of that, there is a strong likelihood that what your business will be a major part of your legacy... In this podcast, I bring up some things that might be worth thinking about, as I reflect on my own life and my desire to try and find balance and meaning in what I do each day. After listening to the podcast, please leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, advice, reflections... In this podcast I mentioned the following two books: A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last by Stephen Levine Meditation Book - Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Last week I posted a video on photography contracts but I thought it was important to follow up with a podcast. Some people who watch videos don't listen to podcasts. Some people who listen to podcasts don't watch videos. You know how it goes... The great thing about podcasts, unlike videos, is that they are convenient. You can listen to them anywhere and everywhere! Plus, it is easier to make longer duration podcasts versus video. So now, I present to you #11, Photography Contracts and Protecting Your Photography Business. Whether you are just starting your photography business, or are working on improving the health of your existing business, this podcast will provide you with a starting point for not only why you should have a contract, but also what types of provisions should be included in your contract. This podcast discusses: Why you should have a contract What types of provisions are important Educating Clients Acts of God Dispute Resolution Cancellation and Late Policies Copyright Considering template contracts and much more... Resources: Photography Contract Templates and other types of Photography Business Forms are now available in The Nifty Knowledge Rocks Shop. For more information please see the blog post discussing the video.

Photography accounting woes...why does the word "accounting" cause such great fear?!? Have you just started a photography business?  About to start a photography business?  Maybe you have been in business a few years, and your business has grown to the point where you need to beef up your business accounting systems? Well then, this podcast episode is for you... If you are like most photographers, you want to spend more time capturing images and less time doing the behind the scenes stuff like the bookkeeping and keeping track of your numbers. But when it comes down to it, you really need to know how much money is coming in versus how much money is going out. Not only do you need to know these numbers, you need to try and understand them and fine tune things, such as possibly cutting down on expenses, so that you can run a successful, profitable business. Do I sound preachy? Probably, but it's because I REALLY want your photography business to be successful! I know you are doing something you are passionate about! There is nothing more rewarding than finding joy in what you do for a living. Given the choice between subjecting yourself to the daily grind of corporate America or capturing memories that will last a lifetime...I think most people would choose to capture memories. We all search for meaning in what we do, and photographers have such a special role in people's lives. Know your numbers, don't let "not knowing them" keep you from your dreams! In this podcast I discuss: 1. Manual accounting systems vs. automated accounting systems (Excel vs. Quickbooks) 2. Cash Method 3. Accrual Method 4. Bookkeepers 5. Chart of Accounts 6. General Ledger 7. Sales and income 8. Expenses Some resources you might find interesting:                 Intuit QuickBooks Pro Quickbooks Tutorials from Solar Powered Business Tools Sage One Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show! Leave a review for the podcast! Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to purchase a product or service,  I may receive a small percentage as a commission. Thank you for your support, your contributions help keep the NKR content and super valuable for your business.

Deciding which type of business structure - or business formation - is right for your new photography business can be a tough choice and overwhelming.  Even if you have been in business for a few years, you still might have questions about the various business types and whether you should make the investment in becoming an LLC or an S Corp. Stress no more...this podcast discusses the sole proprietor, LLC, and S Corporation so you can take a more educated approach to which one may be right for you and your business. This podcast discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of each of these business structures. I am not giving you legal advice and I can't tell you which type of business formation is the best for you. Only you know the specifics for your business, so you should definitely consult with a lawyer or tax professional  to determine which is right for you. But these basics should help get you started... In this podcast I discuss: 1. What is a sole proprietor or sole proprietorship? 2. What is an S Corporation or S Corp? 3. What is an LLC or Limited Liability Company? 4. The Pros and Cons of each. 5. Income Tax and General Tax Considerations for each Type of Business Formation. 4. Have you considered doing a podcast for your photography business? Some resources you might find interesting: What's a DBA? Legal ZOOM (Create LLC or S-Corp) LLC Costs by state for 2012 LLC's with S-Corp Status Reasonable Salary for S Corp Owners Thanks for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't already done so, please take a minute to leave a quick rating and written review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show! Leave a review for the podcast!

Whether you are just starting your photography business, or just now trying to get legitimate, photography business insurance, especially general liability insurance, should be a priority. I get it -- you really want to spend your money on new camera equipment and awesome lighting gear, not business stuff like insurance where it is hard to to see an immediate return for your money. But investing in insurance is critical because it confirms you are serious about both your well-being (peace of mind) and the future of your business. Do you need to know more about what types of insurance might be important for your photography business? You are in the right place. Episode #8 covers various types of insurance and hopefully will answer some of your questions as well as give you some things to think about! In this session, I discuss: 1. Equipment Insurance 2. Liability Insurance and Certificates of Insurance - COI's 3. Errors and Omissions 4. Office or Studio Insurance 5. Disability Insurance 6. Health Insurance 7. Life Insurance - Term 8. Costs of doing business and importance of pricing appropriately 9. Shooting Pro Bono and importance of having general liability insurance Resources mentioned in this podcast include: Hill & Usher - Package Choice Insurance PPA - Insurance Solutions (Professional Photographers of America) Marsh USA The "must have" book I mentioned: Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition, by John Harrington Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show! Leave a review for the podcast!  Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to purchase a product or service,  I may receive a small percentage as a commission. Thank you for your support, your contributions help keep the Nifty Knowledge Rocks content super valuable for your business.

Sorting through sales tax issues relating to your photography business can be tough. Throw in the fact that you photograph weddings or portraits in multiple states (outside of the state in which your business is physically located) and things get even more complex. Episode 7 is a follow-up to my recent post on nexus, as well as a discussion of a recent issue that came up for a Maryland wedding photographer on The Digital Wedding Forum. If you are a photographer who is photographing in states outside of your "home state" then you should listen to this podcast. These are sales tax issues that need to be on your radar to ensure you are running a healthy photography business. ** In case you have never heard of it, I also want to add that The Digital Wedding Forum is an amazing resource for wedding photographers. I have been a member for a few years, and while I don't post a lot of threads, I read a lot of threads. This forum has been around for a while and the amount of information it contains is immense! I have used this forum to find answers to a multitude of "how-to" questions as I worked on becoming a better wedding photographer, and I highly recommend joining. Topics covered in the podcast include: 1. What can happen if you don't collect sales tax 2. Photography businesses and photographers that aren't legit 3. Nexus and what it is 4. Engaging in business activity in other states 5. When are you considered to be "doing business" in Maryland? Call in Information: Call in with questions you would like to hear addressed in future podcasts. I have set up a voicemail line at 585-466-4389 (58546 -NIFTY). Please leave your name and email along with your question so that I can also follow up with you personally. Update: I just realized that I didn't really make it clear in the podcast that I was talking about taxable transactions. Don't presume that everything is taxable in every state, this discussion was about taxable transactions. Each state (and sometimes even the local county and city levels of a jurisdiction) has varying sales tax laws on what constitutes taxable tangible personal property and/or taxable professional services. This discussion presumes that the transaction at hand is taxable in nature. Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful to the show! Leave a review for the podcast!

Being a small business owner is hard and it takes hustle and hunger to be a successful photographer and run a successful photography business. This podcast episode is a bit different than some of my others. In this episode I get a little philosophical and passionately discuss why I think it is important to be a DOer and to work on making things happen for you and your photography business. As I work on gaining momentum with my new business, the sales tax guides and sale tax consulting, I was thinking about what needs to be at  the core of a "person" to achieve success and fulfillment in life and to reach goals and climb over mountains. We see photographers and small business owners that we aspire to be like, but do we really know how hard they worked to get where they are or how many times they failed before they got there? Or even how hard they work to maintain the success of their business? So yes, being a small business owner is damn hard, and I hope you will find this podcast episode somewhat inspiring. Recording this episode certainly helped me out and gave me the "talk" I needed to hear. And hey, these are just my opinions, I would absolutely love to hear your comments, so please share them below! A brief description of the topics covered in the podcast: 1. Looking up to other photographers 2. Focus on you and your business!! 3. People don't just get lucky 4. Don't give in to rejection 5. It is hard to stay hungry and to keep hustling 6. Instant gratification Articles, books and videos that might be of interest: What most successful people do before breakfast Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview 9 Things Successful People Do Differently Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals- I LOVE this book and think everyone should read it! Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful to the show! Leave a review for the podcast!  

Income tax time is just around the corner . For photographers (and many other small business owners), thinking about income taxes can be super stressful. Is your photography business ready for filing federal and state income tax? Episode 4 features information on Federal and state income taxes and notes some important deductions and tax tidbits that can help both new businesses and existing businesses. Taxes don't have to be terrifying... In this session, I discuss: Setting up a tax file Keeping records and receipts Auto expenses Equipment purchases Entertainment and Meal expenses Travel expenses Home Office deduction Common deductions you should know about Hobby vs. Business Self-employment tax Estimated Quarterly taxes Items mentioned in this podcast include: Legal Zoom for LLC's and more Quickbooks Good book on deductions -- Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes Free mileage log excel templates Form 8829 Form 1040 ES Self Employment Resources on IRS website Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to purchase a product or service,  I may receive a small percentage as a commission. Thank you for your support, your contributions help keep the Nifty Knowledge Rocks content super valuable for your business. Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show! Leave a review for the podcast!

Episode 3 in the house with the 12 most important steps for starting a photography business. There is so much information on what to do when starting a business, it can easily get overwhelming. This podcast, which clocks in at over an hour, is jam-packed with must have knowledge for new photography business owners to help start their businesses out right. In this session, I discuss: Business formation, sole proprietors DBA and business licenses Sales tax and permits Business bank accounts and why they are important The number stuff, dealing with business accounting Business insurance (liability, general, errors and omissions) Contracts, legal documents and getting booked Accepting credit cards Setting up a website, logos and business cards Getting your social media presence organized Selling stuff Items mentioned in this podcast include: Getting an EIN number from the IRS Calgold for California business owners QuickBooks Software or Quickbooks in the cloud Excel templates LawTog Business Accounting Spreadsheets (just added this, will discuss in future podcast!) Hill & Usher and PPA - Insurance for Photographers ShootQ and Contracts from Law for Creatives Google Checkout, Paypal and Square 99 Designs for Logos Business cards from Uprinting.com or Moo Squarespace, BluDomain, LiveBooks, Folio Websites Prophoto Blog and Mojo themes and Wordpress & Go Daddy Website Hosting Zenfolio for selling stuff - use code HGZ-C2U-9UN during sign-up for 10% off your subscription! Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to purchase a product or service,  I may receive a small percentage as a commission. Thank you for your support, your contributions help keep the Nifty Knowledge Rocks content super valuable for your business. Thank you for checking out this podcast episode from Nifty Knowledge Rocks. If you haven't done so already please take a minute to leave a quick rating and review of the show on iTunes by clicking the link below. This would be super helpful for the show! Leave a review for the podcast!  

Episode 2 of our bi-weekly podcast is out and this one discusses business plan writing for photographers and their new photography business. If you are just tuning in to the Nifty Knowledge Rocks blog, you can click here to find us on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. In this second episode, I discuss: 1. The new and free eBook "Business Plans for Photographers" which you can get by signing up for the newsletter. 2. What goes into a business plan and why they are important for photographers. 3.  Dive into each component of a business plan and discuss the specifics as they relate to photographers and starting a new photography business. Stay tuned for episode 3 -- and if you like what you are hearing please leave a comment on iTunes. If there is something you want to hear more about, get in touch and give me some feedback. I want this podcast to be the best resource it can be for photographers. And a big thank you to kimroushphoto (a complete stranger who was not paid in any way for her feedback) for our first feedback on the show! I am so glad that this is helping people!!

The Podcast is here and it is about sales tax for photographers! Yes!  You read correctly, the first podcast from Nifty Knowledge Rocks is live! And you can find the podcast on iTunes!  Click here to find us on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the show t...