Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers
Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business without drowning in admin work, client experience chaos, or systems that let you...
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| 10/15/26 | Business Bestie Chat Q4 – 2026 with Sabrina Gebhardt | What happens when you take a little time off from your business and accidentally come back with an entirely new business model? Apparently, if you're me, you build an app, create your own CRM, and completely rethink how you serve your clients. It's time for another quarterly Biz Bestie Chat with Sabrina Gebhardt, and let's just say we had two VERY different experiences in Q3.While I spent my summer experimenting with AI, vibe coding, and building custom tools for my clients, Sabrina was navigating a major life transition as she sent her daughter off to college. That's exactly why I love these conversations. We're both running successful businesses, but what success looks like in any given season can be wildly different.In this episode, we're catching up on everything that happened in Q3 and sharing what we're changing, testing, and prioritizing as we head into Q4. I'm sharing why I've decided to make The Experience Edit the starting point for working with me, how my approach to building client systems has completely shifted, and why I'm learning that sometimes the most productive thing you can do is NOT immediately jump into implementation.Mentioned in this Episode:Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-sessionThe Experience Edit: coliejames.com/the-experience-editRoot to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistFirst Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membershipSummer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercampOur Quarterly Business Bestie Chats:Q3 2026: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q3-2026-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ2 2026: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q2-2026-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ1 2026: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q1-2026-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ4 2025: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q4-2025-with-sabrina-gebhardtQ3 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ2 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q2-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ1 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/128-q1-2025-business-bestie-chatQ4 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q4-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ3 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ2 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/88-q2-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ1 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/75-quarterly-business-chat-with-colie-jamesConnect with SabrinaWebsite: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotographyPodcast: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast | 39m 22s | ||||||
| 10/13/26 | The Biggest Revenue Mistake Creatives Make (And How to Fix It) | Y’all, the biggest revenue mistake in your business probably isn’t your pricing or your marketing. It’s what happens after the project ends. You deliver something beautiful, send the final email, and then... ghost. You feel shy about asking for a review, guilty about asking for a referral, and you assume they’ll come back when they’re ready.Here’s the thing: they won’t always. Not because the work wasn’t great, but because life moves on and you stop being a priority. In this episode, I’m sharing what I found when I loaded all 551 of my past clients into one place and just how much of my cash collected in 2026 has come from repeat clients.I’m also introducing my very first SaaS microtool, Untapped Potential, along with its built-in Retention Radar. It helps you nurture past client relationships one-to-one in about 30 minutes a week. It tells you when it’s time to check in and when it’s time to invite someone to rebook.In this episode:Why ghosting past clients is costing you real revenueWhy checking in with past clients counts as marketing (yes, really)What my own sales data revealed about repeat clientsHow Untapped Potential and the Retention Radar keep you on track without relying on willpowerGet early access: Check out Untapped Potential at coliejames.com/potential. The first 25 subscribers get an early adopter perk ✨ | 14m 37s | ||||||
| 10/8/26 |  Willpower vs. Strategy: How to Actually Get Your Marketing Done with Tayler Cusick Hollman | If you know you need to market your business but still find yourself staring blankly when someone asks what you actually did to market it this week, this episode is for you. Tayler Cusick Hollman is back on the podcast for a conversation about something that affects so many small business owners: we keep assuming we need more time, motivation, or willpower to finally become consistent with our marketing.But what if willpower isn’t the problem? Tayler has spent more than a decade supporting small business owners with their marketing, and together we’re breaking down why collecting more marketing ideas isn’t the same thing as having a marketing strategy—and why knowing what to do means very little if you never actually do it.We talk about creating a marketing plan based on your real goals and available time, becoming more biased toward action, and identifying the small steps that can actually move your business forward. We also get into the numbers behind your marketing, including customer acquisition cost, lifetime client value, and why your time absolutely counts as a marketing expense.Plus, I’m sharing why documenting your marketing matters just as much as doing it. If something works but you have no idea what generated the lead or sale, it becomes pretty difficult to repeat that success.Find It Quickly03:39 - Willpower And Marketing07:30 - Advice Vs Strategy10:15 - Goals To Action Steps15:11 - Bias For Action17:55 - Make The List23:36 - Start Small Track Data26:38 - Marketing Metrics Nerd Out32:55 - Project Manage Marketing41:48 - Document And Measure42:58 - Action Plan And Enji47:10 - Mind The Gap FreebieMentioned in this EpisodeCrafting an Intentional Marketing Plan with Tayler Cusick-Hollman [Marketing with Intention Series]The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie NutleyMind the Gap Freebie: coliejames.com/gapConnect with the GuestWebsite: enji.coInstagram: instagram.com/enji_coFacebook: facebook.com/enjimarketing | 50m 08s | ||||||
| 10/1/26 |  The System for Finding More Creativity, Joy, and Fun in Your Work with Julie Fried | What if the thing you create doesn’t have to generate leads, sell an offer, or prove its ROI? What if you’re allowed to make something simply because you freaking love it? That’s exactly what I’m talking about with my friend Julie Fried, host of The System for Everything. And unlike most of the podcast hosts I bring onto Business-First Creatives, Julie isn’t using her show as a funnel into a service or offer.She created it because she wanted a place to talk about everything that fascinates her—from business systems and meal planning to reality TV, adult friendships, parenting, travel, and whatever random rabbit hole catches her attention next. And it turns out? That creative freedom has become one of the most fulfilling things she’s done.Julie and I get into how she curates guests and topics, why she loves even the admin side of podcasting, what she’s changing for season two, and how she’s thinking about monetization without sacrificing what makes the show fun in the first place.Find It Quickly01:03 - Meet Julie Fried01:32 - Pre Written Emails02:23 - Why Julie Podcasts05:33 - The System For Everything08:35 - Choosing Guests13:01 - Bad PR Pitches14:16 - Admin And Workflow17:09 - Social Media Choices21:43 - Season Two Plans24:24 - Ads And Monetization24:53 - Producer Ad Read26:39 - Curated Podcast Ads28:00 - Choosing Ideal Sponsors29:39 - Protecting Creative Energy31:41 - Monetizing Mom Systems32:32 - One and Done Talk35:47 - Only Child Systems Ideas37:27 - Summer Camp Logistics41:21 - System Shutdown42:57 - Travel and Couch Life44:09 - Budgeting VideoMentioned in this EpisodeLaylee EmadiCreative Educator ConferenceGaffin CreativeCaptivateFlodesk – Get 50% Off Your First YearSystems in SessionThe Experience EditConnect with the GuestWebsite: dallasgirlfriday.comInstagram: instagram.com/thesystemforeverythingPodcast: dallasgirlfriday.com/podcast | 45m 21s | ||||||
| 9/29/26 | ![Do You Actually Like the Offer You're Selling? [Let's See] episode artwork](https://artwork.captivate.fm/72933fe3-d11c-4ac1-9a07-017ccd02dc02/Do-You-Actually-Like-the-Offer-You-re-Selling.jpg){kind=small} Do You Actually Like the Offer You're Selling? [Let's See] | Profitable? Great. Sustainable? Love that. But if you hate delivering it, no system in the world is going to make you fall back in love with your business.Last episode I asked you to do a time audit. Today I've got one more ask, and it's one you should do right now, while you're in the middle of serving clients. Because if I ask you in January how you feel about your offer, you're not going to remember. And the answer matters before we build a single system around it.In this episode:Why profitable and sustainable still aren't enoughWhy the numbers can wait for slow season, but this can'tWhy I can't help you build systems you'll love around an offer you don'tWhy some of you need an offer review right nowLinks mentioned:How to Build Your Systems Using My Order of Operations → https://coliejames.com/building-client-experience-systems/How Long Does One Client Actually Take You? → https://coliejames.com/time-auditThe Experience Edit → https://coliejames.com/experienceWant to know if the offer you've built your business around can sustain you long term? Let's look at it together: coliejames.com/experience | 5m 23s | ||||||
| 9/28/26 |  You're Sending Emails. Why Isn't Anyone Clicking? | Jocelyn of Scale Your Resonance wants every one of her Best Seller clients making five figures from email, and yes, that includes me. Bold goal? Absolutely. In this episode, we dig into her new app, Email Studio. She built it for herself first, but you don't need to be a Bestie to use it, because it's open to the public and she's on a mission to get 100 users in the first 100 days. It's how I'm making email part of an always-selling marketing plan, and it can be part of yours too.Because here's my confession: I sometimes email my list multiple times a day, my click rates are in the toilet, and almost none of my sales come from email. Jocelyn, who helped me launch this podcast four years ago, tells me how to fix it. We talk about the missing proof in your emails, why your best emails start out loud, and why "I'll just use Claude" isn't the same thing as a tool built on real expertise.In this episode:Why emails without client proof don't convert, and why the small progress wins count just as much as the big resultsHow a miserable afternoon writing emails in an airport lounge turned into a voice-note-first writing processThe moment a stack of AI skills needed to become an actual appHow to keep AI-assisted emails sounding like you and not like a press releaseWhy real users and real feedback are what separate a tool that works from a tool that just existsWhat you get from a tool built on someone's frameworks that you won't get from plain Claude or ChatGPTLinks mentioned:Email Studio (my affiliate link) → https://coliejames.com/jocelynMy episode with Kara on why everyone's an AI expert now → https://coliejames.com/everyones-an-ai-expert-ft-kara-duncan/My episode with Annemie Tonken on AI and IP → https://coliejames.com/beyond-diy-chatgpt-the-human-first-ai-blogging-tool-for-intentional-creatives/For a limited time, grab Email Studio for $199 for six months (normally $299) → https://coliejames.com/jocelynCurious how I actually use this thing, or where I've written emails lately (volleyball bleachers included)? DM me on Threads: @coliejames | 42m 39s | ||||||
| 9/25/26 |  Time Audit for Photographers: How Long Does One Client Actually Take You? | How long does it actually take you to serve one client? Not the session. The whole thing.If you're not sure, you're not alone. When I review offers, I find the same time leak over and over. It's hiding in emails you write from scratch, proposals you rebuild for every lead, and the "quick" peeks into your CRM that you never count. This one's short, and it comes with homework. Yes, even if you're not my client.In this episode:The homework I want every photographer to do before slow season hitsWhy your session time is barely part of what your price has to coverThe time suck almost nobody writes downThe phase that takes the least time but has the biggest impact on your revenueThe two templates I'd build first if you're too busy to build anythingLinks mentioned:The Experience Edit → https://coliejames.com/experienceOrder of Operations Framework → https://coliejames.com/building-client-experience-systemsFind me on Threads → @coliejamesDo your time audit, then come tell me your number on Threads @coliejames. I really want to know. | 9m 02s | ||||||
| 9/17/26 |  Everyone’s an AI Expert ft. Kara Duncan | What happens when you get tired of forcing your business into software that doesn’t quite work the way you want it to? Apparently, if you’re me, you accidentally spend your birthday sabbatical building your own app. In this episode, Kara Duncan is taking over the mic and interviewing me about how a few experiments with AI tools turned into the Systems Professor app—and eventually opened my eyes to an entirely new direction for my business.I’m sharing how I went from custom GPTs, Airtable, Notion, and existing CRM tools to building software around the way I actually want my clients to experience Systems in Session. We’re talking about Claude Code, vibe coding, personalization, accountability, AI, client experience, and why having the ability to automate something doesn’t necessarily mean I should.And yes, we also talk about the fact that I got so absorbed in building the app that my husband handed me coffee on his birthday and I still forgot to tell him happy birthday. 😬Find It Quickly01:22 - Birthday Sabbatical Chaos05:25 - Why Build an App07:41 - Action Taker ADHD09:40 - Rolling It Out14:14 - Welcome Guides Playbooks16:11 - Better Audit Delivery18:18 - Accountability Personalization23:14 - Origins in Custom GPTs25:39 - Why Build an App27:19 - Onboarding Intake Flow28:59 - Offer Scorecard Check33:11 - App Enhances Coaching37:18 - One Click Build Debate41:43 - Tech Stack Behind It44:57 - Custom Tools for Clients48:49 - AI Optional PhilosophyMentioned in this Episode:Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-sessionExperience Edit: coliejames.com/the-experience-editClaude Code: claude.com/product/claude-codeClaude Cowork: claude.com/product/coworkHello Stencil: hellostencil.comLovable: lovable.devAirbase: airbase.comSupabase: supabase.comVercel: vercel.comCloudflare: cloudflare.comAmazon Web Services: aws.amazon.comConnect with the GuestWebsite: thekarareport.comInstagram: @thekarareport | 52m 23s | ||||||
| 9/16/26 |  I'm Done Squeezing Your Business Into Software That Wasn't Built for You | For five and a half years, I've helped you map your client journey, get excited about what's possible, and then spend the rest of our time together bending that vision to fit inside Dubsado or HoneyBook. As of today, I'm done with that.This one's short and sweet — part behind the scenes, part building in public. My business has flipped upside down in the last year and a half, and building the Systems Professor app cracked something open that I can't un-see. So here's where I'm going next, and what it means if you want to work with me.In this episode:The pivot I've been circling for five years and am finally saying out loudWhy building my own custom tool changed how I think about your toolsWhat I got wrong with workflows, and then again with Email Like You Mean ItWhy the Experience Edit is now the front door to everything I offerThe one step I'll never skip with a client again, no matter what software they useWhen a custom-built tool is actually the right move (and when it isn't)Links mentioned:The Experience Edit → https://coliejames.com/experienceOrder of Operations episode → https://coliejames.com/building-client-experience-systems/Tomorrow's episode with Kara: how I built the Systems Professor app → https://coliejames.com/everyones-an-ai-expert-ft-kara-duncan/Ready to map the client experience you actually want, before we ever talk about tools? Solo sprints are open now, and one more group sprint is coming before the end of 2026: coliejames.com/experience | 11m 09s | ||||||
| 9/9/26 |  Stop Sleeping on Your Onboarding: 3 Questions My Clients Keep Asking Me | Your client just paid you hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars. And the only thing that landed in their inbox was a payment receipt and a "your contract has been signed" email. That's not onboarding. That's a transaction.I've been seeing the same three onboarding mistakes over and over inside my Experience Edit and Systems in Session client accounts, and most of y'all aren't making them on purpose. You want this part to be good. You just don't know what "good" looks like, or you're so focused on making it personal that nothing actually gets sent. So this is a quick and dirty episode answering the three questions I get asked most about the onboarding phase.In this episode:Why a booking confirmation email is non-negotiable even when the receipt and contract emails already went out — and why it should land last in their inboxThe "kitchen sink email" problem and what to drip out over time insteadWhy I want you to ditch the heavily designed PDF prep guide for a live Canva linkWhat actually belongs in a welcome or prep guide (hint: everything you were cramming into that one email)How to decide when to send your client questionnaire based on how far out your clients book and when you need the informationLinks mentioned:The Experience Edit → https://coliejames.com/experienceCome tell me what you fixed on Threads → https://threads.net/@coliejames | 9m 21s | ||||||
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| 9/3/26 |  Stop Trying to Replace Your CRM With Notion, Airtable, or Anything Else | A booking tool is not a CRM. A project management tool is not a CRM. And the $20 to $40 a month you're trying to save by getting rid of yours might end up costing you bookings.Every single week I see someone on Threads asking if they can replace their CRM with Notion, Airtable, Google Workspace, or Squarespace. I use Notion and Airtable daily in my own business — and neither one of them would have replaced the CRM inside my photography business. So let's talk about what your CRM is actually doing for you before you cancel it.In this episode:The four things a tool has to do before it counts as a real CRMWhy conditional logic is the line between a CRM and a very organized file cabinetWhat actually happens (and doesn't) when a lead fills out your Squarespace formWhy "I have Dubsado and I'm not using it" is a setup problem, not a CRM problemWhere Notion, Airtable, ClickUp, and Asana genuinely earn their place in your stackLinks mentioned:The Best CRM for Photographers → https://coliejames.com/best-crm-for-photographers/Building a Custom Notion Dashboard with Ania Ha → https://coliejames.com/building-a-custom-notion-dashboard-how-i-streamlined-my-entire-business-with-ania-ha/Systems in Session → https://coliejames.com/systemsSitting on a CRM you set up but never fully figured out? That's the whole thing I do. Let's talk: coliejames.com/systems | 13m 31s | ||||||
| 9/1/26 |  How to Pick All-in-One Software for Photographers Without Sacrificing Your CRM | There is no all-in-one software that does everything well. Every single one of them makes you give something up. The only real question is whether you're okay with what you're giving up.This one is for the photographers. Every time I open Threads, someone is asking how to consolidate their tech stack down to one tool — fewer logins, fewer subscriptions, one connected experience for their clients. I get it. But I'm also going to tell you why gallery software that added CRM features and a CRM that added gallery features are two very different things, and why that difference should decide what you do next.In this episode:The three reasons photographers try to consolidate their tech stackWhy I'm fine with Sprout Studio when I'm not an all-in-one personThe one thing Pixieset would have to fix before I'd stop steering people away from itWhat HoneyBook and VSCO (formerly Táve) just quietly added to their platformsThe type of photographer who should not touch either one of them yetLinks mentioned:The all-in-one software blog post (kept updated as features release) → https://coliejames.com/photography-all-in-one-software/Episode 297: Three Ways Business Systems Can Generate More Revenue → https://coliejames.com/generate-more-revenue-with-systems/What Pixieset will and won't give you → https://coliejames.com/dubsado-vs-pixieset/Systems in Session → https://coliejames.com/systemsLooking at a new tool and want the Colie seal of approval before you jump? Come drop it in my DMs — or if you'd rather stop shopping and start using what you already pay for, that's Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems | 14m 33s | ||||||
| 8/27/26 |  How Brand Photographers Can Automate Their Client Experience with Holly Birch | If you're already booking the number of clients you want to work with, but it feels like you're spending so much unnecessary time behind the scenes, your systems and automations might need an update. In this episode, I sit down with Holly Birch to talk about what happened after she completely overhauled her HoneyBook workflows using automated systems.What's especially interesting about this conversation is that Holly wasn't starting from scratch. She already had templates, proposals, email sequences, and workflows in place. But she knew her systems could be more efficient, more professional, and more scalable. A year after implementing new automations, we're looking back at what's actually changed in her business, from booking studio headshots automatically to creating a completely hands-off client experience for brand photography sessions.We also talk about why switching CRMs isn't a decision to make lightly, how automation creates consistency, and why the ultimate goal isn't simply saving time—it's deciding what you want to do with the time you get back.Find It Quickly00:23 - Meet Holly01:42 - Choosing a CRM02:56 - Why Switching CRMs Is Hard03:58 - Holly Before the Toolkit06:24 - Commercial Workflow Gaps08:25 - Brand Shoot Automation Flow10:18 - HoneyBook Smart File Workaround11:30 - Headshots Offer and Lead Forms13:54 - Schedulers and Calendar Control17:08 - Discovery Calls and Contact Paths20:19 - Headshot Clients and Repeat Companies22:39 - Prep Guides and Automation Savings23:58 - Time Saved Per Client24:27 - Updating Your Prep Guide25:27 - Automation Timing Fixes26:19 - Next Systems To Build27:31 - HoneyBook Galleries Debate30:23 - Pic-Time Integration Tips32:32 - Reducing Digital Clutter34:27 - Why Templates Help36:01 - Systems Create Consistency38:17 - Annual Systems Audit41:56 - Biggest Process Logjam43:00 - What To Do With TimeMentioned in this EpisodeThe Systems Behind the Scenes: How Automation Buys Me Back Time for MarketingHoneyBookFlodeskDubsadoPic-TimeRebrand by Maddie PeschongConnect with the GuestWebsite: hollybirchphotography.comInstagram: @hollybirchphoto | 48m 12s | ||||||
| 8/26/26 |  Introducing Order of Operations: My 4-Phase Framework for More Reviews, Referrals, and Repeat Clients | There's only one right order to build client experience systems in. Not one right tool, not one right CRM — one right order. And I've been doing it this way with clients for five years without ever naming it out loud.Today I'm naming it. Order of Operations is my new four-phase framework inside Systems in Session, and I'm walking through all four phases in this episode — including the brand new one I've never talked about before, which happens before we touch a single workflow.I'm also clearing up something people keep getting twisted, because I don't want it to be the reason you put this off until January. Whether you're already booked solid for the rest of the year or you're still steadily filling sessions, right now is the moment to work on your systems — and where we start depends entirely on which one of those is true for you. I explain exactly how I decide inside the episode.I've got seven seats left inside Systems in Session for 2026. If one of them has your name on it, head to coliejames.com/systems and let's have a chat.Mentioned in this episode:→ Your Origin Story Is Your Marketing Superpower — Here's How to Tell It with Megan Yelaney (episode 334): https://coliejames.com/your-origin-story-is-your-marketing-superpower-heres-how-to-tell-it-with-megan-yelaney/→ My guest episode on Business Not As Usual: How Systems Generate Revenue and Sustainability in Your Business: https://meganyelaney.com/2026/08/24/how-systems-generate-revenue-and-sustainability-in-your-business/ | 14m 23s | ||||||
| 8/25/26 | The Goldilocks Guide to Client Experience | When your kid needs braces and you schedule a consultation, I think the bare minimum is to see the actual orthodontist, right?Turns out that is a bad assumption. Here's how it went ⤵️I took Chloe to three consultations this month and in this episode I'm walking you through all three to compare the client experience and how that affected my decision to choose one. Then I want you to go figure out if your own client experience is similar to one I reviewed. And if you're ready to give your systems a glow up, I've got 7 final Systems in Session spots for 2026. Come find me at coliejames.com/systems. | 14m 17s | ||||||
| 8/21/26 | How to Build a Client Experience That Gets You Reviews, Referrals, and Repeat Clients Without Switching CRMs. | I gave three talks in three groups on three consecutive days this week, and in the last one I made an announcement I need to make here too: Systems in Session is no longer Dubsado-or-HoneyBook-pick-your-poison.I'll now build your client experience inside any of the five CRMs I actually recommend — Dubsado, HoneyBook, 17hats, Sprout Studio, or VSCO Workspace (formerly Táve). Because you were never paying me to teach you how to push buttons in a tool. You're paying me for reviews, referrals, and repeat clients.Also in this one: what's changed at all five CRMs recently, why I'll look at an all-in-one built on a real CRM but not at gallery software cosplaying as one, three weeks into my Systems Professor app build, and Knock Knock — the personal video tool I built this week because I got tired of the workarounds.Want to see Knock Knock in action? Go to https://coliejames.com/systems and click the bubble in the bottom right. Send me one while you're there — I have 10 seats left in Systems in Session for the rest of 2026.Best CRMs for PhotographersLatest episode with Kara | 17m 56s | ||||||
| 8/20/26 |  Outsourcing Your Blogging: How Search-Driven Marketing Creates Long-Term Business Growth with Kara Duncan | What if the marketing strategy you've been treating like an optional task is actually the one thing that could create a more sustainable business? In this episode, I sit down with Kara to talk about one of my favorite topics: outsourcing your blogging. If you've been relying heavily on social media to attract leads, this conversation might completely change how you think about your marketing strategy.We dig into the difference between social media and search-driven marketing, why user intent matters, and how blogging can continue working for your business long after you hit publish. We also discuss why blogging is one of the easiest marketing activities to delegate and why building a library of content creates long-term business assets that continue generating results for years.If you've ever wondered whether blogging is worth the investment, this episode will help you think differently about the role SEO can play in creating a business that doesn't depend on constantly showing up on social media.Find It Quickly00:23 - Meet Kara and the Series00:46 - Why Blogging Beats Social03:42 - Search Intent and Keywords05:51 - Keyword Strategy vs ChatGPT07:47 - Discoverability vs Client Content09:14 - When to Outsource Blogging11:30 - Long Game SEO ROI13:27 - Rankings Reality Check16:33 - TikTok as a Search Engine18:17 - Using AI the Right Way20:34 - Outsourcing for Strategy22:54 - Hands Off Blogging Workflow27:20 - Deciding If Blogging Fits31:06 - Blog Posts as Editable AssetsMentioned in this EpisodeBuilding a Steady Stream of Potential Customers through SEO and Pinterest with Kara Duncan [Marketing with Intention Series]Connect with the GuestWebsite: thekarareport.comInstagram: @thekarareportPodcast: thekarareport.com/podcast | 33m 49s | ||||||
| 8/19/26 | Autopilot Isn't the Only Way to Build a System That Keeps You Consistent | I got myself in a little pickle this week — three presentations, three days in a row. And the one I'm most fired up about is tomorrow's.Here's why: the number one objection I get when I start talking about automating your client experience is that you don't want it to feel automated for your clients. So in this episode I'm walking through the three kinds of systems you can build and why you get to decide at every single stage of your client experience how much automation and how much personalization belongs there. It's not all or nothing.If you want the actual how, that's what I'm covering in Human by Design. Free training, and I'm announcing a 48-hour bonus you'll only hear about if you're registered. Systems in Session is open for 2026 with 10 spots left.Grab your seat: coliejames.com/human Work with me: coliejames.com/systems | 6m 25s | ||||||
| 8/13/26 |  Even Part-Time Business Owners Need Systems for Efficiency with Jess Hoffman | If you think you don’t have enough clients to need systems in your business, this episode might completely change your mind. Whether you’re balancing a business with a full-time job or running a part-time side-hustle, you don’t have less need for systems—you have less time to operate without them.In this episode, I’m chatting with my client Jess Hoffman, a Florida-based pet photographer who runs her photography business alongside a full-time corporate job. Jess and I have worked together on her Dubsado systems and client communication, and we’re digging into what changed when she stopped trying to piece everything together and built a client experience that could actually support the way she works.We talk about replacing required discovery calls with a book-first process, using video to educate potential clients before they book, and automating client communication without losing personality. Jess also shares how making one simple change to her booking process led clients to prepay for her highest collection—before she even photographed their session.Find It Quickly02:00 - Why Pet Photography02:55 - Charging From Day One05:52 - Systems Mindset Begins09:58 - Simple Sales Explained10:53 - Dubsado Workflow Struggles11:50 - Audit to Blueprint Jump13:00 - Video Instead of Calls19:49 - Handling Corporate Inquiries21:06 - Upsells and Pay Upfront Wins25:06 - Gallery Education and Mockups29:05 - Selling Wall Art With Samples35:00 - Why Systems Matter Part TimeMentioned in this EpisodeThe Experience EditConnect with the GuestWebsite: hoffhousephotography.comInstagram: @hoffhousephotography | 38m 23s | ||||||
| 8/7/26 | I Built a Custom Client Portal in 7 Days (And Deleted Half My Tech Stack) for a Better Client Experience | I recorded this one live on the last day of week two of my birthday sabbatical, and it published about ten minutes after I stopped talking. Because I spent the last seven days — on roughly four hours of sleep a night — building a custom client portal that replaced Airtable, Fillout, Notion, Google Docs, and Google Sheets in my business.What started as "let me move my AI assistants out of ChatGPT" turned into a full app where my clients log in, map their client journey, draft their emails, submit support tickets, send me voice notes, and do their weekly check-ins. I had a fully deployed version in 12 hours after telling myself since February that I needed time to plan it.I also knocked South Dakota off my list (47 states down, 3 to go), and I get into the irony of doing the exact thing I tell y'all not to do with your own systems.Not only was this an upgrade to my own systems, but an upgrade to my client experience. Demo and debrief coming to the blog soon. Get on the list so you don't miss it: coliejames.com/subscribeWork with me: Systems in Session | The Experience Edit | 21m 37s | ||||||
| 8/6/26 |  How to Use Human Design for Better Business Storytelling with Breanna Owen | Have you ever wondered why some stories feel effortless to tell while others never seem to land? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Breanna Owen to explore how Human Design can completely change the way we approach storytelling in our businesses.Instead of trying to tell every story or following someone else's content formula, we're diving into how your Human Design can help you identify the stories you're naturally meant to tell—and why those stories create stronger connections with your audience.Mentioned in this EpisodeEpisode 254: Using Human Design to Transform Your Business Strategy with Breanna OwenEpisode 216: Energetic Email Strategy for Connection & Conversion with Breanna OwenEpisode 277: How Human Design Is Influencing the Way We Do Business with Sabrina GebhardtEpisode 299: Done-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany HerzbergConnect with BreannaWebsite: owenyourmark.comGrab the Email Type Freebie: owenyourmark.com/energy-type-email-playbookInstagram: instagram.com/owenyourmark | 41m 01s | ||||||
| 7/30/26 |  Your Origin Story Is Your Marketing Superpower: Here's How to Tell It with Megan Yelaney | Most business owners think they need a dramatic transformation story to connect with their audience. In this episode, I sit down with Megan Yelaney to unpack one of the most overlooked pieces of effective marketing: your origin story. We explore why so many entrepreneurs struggle to tell their story, how to identify the version that's most relevant to your current audience, and why authenticity will always outperform trying to sound impressive.Along the way, I found myself reflecting on my own business evolution (from photography to systems strategy) and realizing that my story has changed just as much as my business has. If you've ever wondered whether your story is "interesting enough," this conversation will completely change how you think about marketing.Find It Quickly00:25 - Meet Megan01:48 - Why Origin Stories Matter03:23 - Megan’s Career Pivot06:03 - Pretty Awkward Goes Viral08:03 - Twins and Business Reset10:30 - Colie’s Professor Edge16:00 - Not Dramatic Enough21:32 - Choosing Your Story25:06 - Beyond Your Own Story26:59 - Case Studies That Convert28:33 - Organizing Client Proof32:29 - Who Gets the Credit34:34 - Reusing Testimonials Smartly37:40 - Where to Share It40:56 - hort Form to Long Form43:08 - Stories Beat TeachingMentioned in this EpisodeBrittany Herzberg: brittanyherzberg.comDone-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany HerzbergSEO is Everywhere: Optimizing Your Content with Brittany HerzbergEmbracing Workflows & Automations in Your CRM: HoneyBook Case Study with Brittany HerzbergSEO through Case Studies | Simple SEO Series with Brittany Herzberg (Part 3)Jordan Gill: instagram.com/systemssavedmeConnect with MeganWebsite: meganyelaney.comInstagram: instagram.com/meganyelaneyBusiness Story Blueprint: meganyelaney.com/business-story-blueprintBusiness Not As Usual: meganyelaney.com/podcast | 47m 29s | ||||||
| 7/24/26 | Can You Cut Your Client Management Time in Half Without Losing the Personal Touch in Your Client Experience? | Hey y'all, it's Colie. I'm popping back in after two weeks of guest episodes to talk about something that's been shifting in my business — and honestly, in how I think about systems altogether.I recently noticed a real shift in who's showing up to work with me, and it sent me down a rabbit hole of rethinking how I talk about automation, personalization, and what I actually deliver for clients. That rethink turned into a new framework I'm calling Human by Design — the idea that you can automate the hell out of your client experience and still have it feel personal, present, and led by you.I'm walking through what changed, why "automate everything" shouldn't be THE goal, and how you can start applying this in your own systems — plus, I'm announcing a free training where I'll break the whole thing down.In this episode:Why I've moved away from "automate everything that can be automated"The real difference between personal and manual (they're not the same thing)An inside look at how I'm rethinking my own offers and sales pagesDetails on my free training, Human by Design — August 20th at 11 AM MTSign up for the free training: coliejames.com/humanJoin the waitlist for The Experience Edit: coliejames.com/experience | 10m 30s | ||||||
| 7/23/26 |  The Pop-Up Studio Strategy That Builds Long-Term Photography Clients with David Enloe | What if giving away something for free was actually the smartest marketing move you could make? In this episode, I'm joined by David Enloe, who shares how a simple idea born during the uncertainty of COVID transformed into one of the most effective marketing strategies I've heard for photographers. What started as a way to meet people in a brand-new city has grown into a long-term client acquisition system that continues to generate premium bookings years later.Instead of chasing social media algorithms or relying on paid ads, David built his business through free pop-up photography experiences at local community events. We dive into why this strategy works, how it builds trust, and why nurturing relationships over time can outperform short-term marketing tactics.Find It Quickly00:24 - Meet David01:50 - Origin Story During COVID05:13 - Why Its Free Marketing10:38 - Delivery Pricing And Timeline14:33 - Reviews And Community Building20:00 - Business Partnerships And Events22:45 - Who This Works Best For28:00 - Logistics Finding VenuesMentioned in this Episode:Pop-Up Studio Guide: the-enloe-creative.myflodesk.com/popup-studio-guideApplying the Rule of 7 with Dayna Schaaf: coliejames.com/applying-the-rule-of-7-with-dayna-schaafYou Can Build Authority & Visibility Without Shaking It on Social Media with Kylie Kelly: coliejames.com/you-can-build-authority-visibility-without-shaking-it-on-social-media-with-kylie-kellyHow to Grow Your Email List as a Photographer at In-Person Events with Tiffany Crenshaw: coliejames.com/growing-your-email-list-at-in-person-events-with-tiffany-crenshawConnect with DavidWebsite: theenloecreative.comInstagram: instagram.com/theenloecreative | 38m 31s | ||||||
| 7/16/26 |  Building a Custom Notion Dashboard: How I Streamlined My Entire Business with Ania Ha | What if the systems slowing down your business aren't your workflows, but the software you're forcing yourself to use?In this episode, I'm joined by Notion consultant and workflow strategist Ania Ha to pull back the curtain on the custom Notion workspace she built for my business. We talk about everything from team management and automations to the growing conversation around replacing traditional CRMs with personalized systems built in Notion.I share what it was like hiring someone to build my systems for the first time, how that experience completely changed the way I think about my own clients, and why I believe the best tech stack isn't always the one with the most features—it's the one that actually fits the way your brain works.Find It Quickly:00:25 - Meet Ania05:38 - Instagram Widget09:17 - Why Clients Hire Her13:11 - Learning Notion as a Client19:36 - Toggles and Dashboard Design21:47 - Team Tracking and Databases25:45 - CRM Alternatives Debate28:58 - Simple CRM Starts30:18 - Zapier and Breakpoints31:54 - Frankenstack vs Scaling33:44 - Notion Client Portals35:43 - Notion Pricing Advantage36:51 - Team Workflow Automation41:49 - DIY Automation Tweaks44:00 - Notion Second Brain46:23 - Design Views and Tables49:39 - Mobile App and Shortcuts50:26 - Ask an ExpertMentioned in this Episode:Notion: notion.comDubsado: coliejames.com/dubsadoHoneyBook: coliejames.com/honeybookAirtable: airtable.comGoogle Workspace: workspace.google.comZapier: zapier.comTidyCal: tidycal.comDescript: descript.com/?lmref=0HiLlgLoom: loom.comMetricool: metricool.comCanva: canva.comThe Subscriber Society: latitudelane.com/subscribe-societyLaunch Your Own Way: cominguproses.co/products/lyowConnect with the Guest:Website: shecreatesmgmt.comInstagram: instagram.com/shecreatesmgmtThreads: threads.com/@shecreatesmgmtTiktok: tiktok.com/@shecreatesmgmt | 52m 06s | ||||||
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Chart history for Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers
Peaked at #165 in KE, currently #165 in KE.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KE | — | #165 | #165 | — |
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.