That time I forgot something super important...
I was hanging out with a photographer friend last week. We were knitting on her front porch, enjoying one more of the unseasonably cool May afternoons we’ve been gifted this spring. And talking about business, like we often do. (Actually we usually meet to co-work on business related stuff, but the sunshine and breeze and birdsong was too tempting!) She was telling me about some updates she had made to her Google Business Profile as part of updating the ways that search engines help clients find her.
“Wait…” I said. “I think I don’t have a Google Business Profile!”
See… a few years ago I rebranded my business from being Red Turtle Photography to being Katie Jett Walls Photography. New website, new web hosting, the whole nine yards. And in the process … I never set up a Google Business Profile for Katie Jett Walls Photography.
What’s the big deal, you might wonder. Well, Google is the most popular search engine on earth, and one of the ways that they help searchers find high quality, reputable businesses is by having businesses create a profile that allows Google to verify that the business is legit. That profile causes Google algorithms to say “Yeah, searchers would like to see this business” and gets your website up in front of those looking for, say, family photographers in Washington DC, or best fall mini sessions for families, or newborn photography in Northern Virginia. And I’d totally forgotten to make this profile!
People who might love to work with me might not be finding me when they search for photographers in the DC Area.
No lie: I want families to be able to find me when they’re ready for easy, fun, low-key photography that makes them look and feel amazing. I definitely want new parents to see Katie Jett Walls Photography pop up when they’re considering newborn photos at home, or imagining a Day in the Life documentary photo session. And I want them to find me if they’re looking for Fall Mini Sessions.
Without that dang Google Business Profile, I might as well be hiding under a rock when Google goes looking for family photographers.
So I fixed that problem — I’ve got the Google Business Profile up and running. Loaded in some great recent photos with families from all over the DC area. Now there’s one more thing I need, which I can’t do by myself. Google loves business reviews. The more reviews a business has, the more it knows I’m an established business - which is true: I’ve been photographing children and families in the Washington DC area for more than fifteen years!
But that Google Business Profile thinks I might be new on the scene! Yikes!
This is where you come in! If you have a minute, and you’ve ever had family photos taken by me, would you follow this link, and leave a quick review?
https://g.page/r/CQqBLJ54oWsrEB0/review
Want a quick formula for writing a business review?
First: write one sentence saying how you found their business.
Next: write two sententences that describe what they did for you and how it made you feel.
Then: write one sentence telling others why they should use your favorite business too.
Example:
"I found Katie through a friend who worked with her for newborn photos. We booked Katie to do a family photoshoot at our home, and she made our kids feel relaxed and comfortable. I feel like she really sees who we are and makes us shine in our photographs. I think any family with young kids should hire Katie because she's easy to work with and the photos are great."
I promise this formula works for all your favorite businesses - try it out! (Start with me!)
Here’s that link one more time: https://g.page/r/CQqBLJ54oWsrEB0/review
THANK YOU!!