Hi First name / friend,

 

I'm typing this from the airport as I get ready to fly down to Texas for a photoshoot with my laser friend Bail of Just One More Project (and it's the first time we're meeting in person!). I won't even be there for 24 hours, but that's plenty of time to get some content created because…

 

We'll be collaborating on another joint course launch this fall!! I'll be offering my newly updated Strategies to Scale course for anyone wanting to start and grow an SVG file shop on Etsy, and Bail will be teaching how to master SVG design in Adobe Illustrator. It's a winning combo to set you up for file-selling success, more details coming in September!

 

Speaking of photoshoots, have you considered scheduling one for your brand this fall? Your visual brand identity can be just as important as the design of your products, and quality photos make a significant impact.

 

And it’s not just about how others perceive your brand—it’s also about how you perceive your business. I was nervously excited to schedule my first shoot, because it meant that I was treating my business more seriously than a side-hustle, and getting good photos was part of my commitment to grow!

 

Now I know photoshoots can be expensive, in my area about $600 is the starting rate for a simple branding shoot. That being said, to get a good start you really only need 2-4 photos to populate a website (those three above have taken me far). 

 

If budget is a concern, you might think about reaching out to a few photographers to see if anyone would want custom signage, client gifts, photo props, etc. in exchange for a few photos. If they have a studio space, ask if you can bring your laser with you (if it's portable). It doesn't need to get plugged in, it's just there for the staging. 

 

Side note: I was going to rebrand with a lot more blues in my palette, and then I changed my mind. Lesson learned, mostly neutrals packed for this trip!

 

I am just barely on the other side of Covid so I don't have a ton to add about my week. But probably my biggest takeaway was discovering that I could mostly beat covidsomnia by sleeping with the lights on, the brighter the better (and I'm someone who usually needs total dark). Hopefully you won't need this information, but if you do, give it a try!

 

SAVE THE DATE: To kickoff our course launches, Bail and I will be teaching a free live workshop on Sept. 13th @11amCT, if you'd like to learn more about designing your own files and selling them on Etsy, I'd love to see you there!

Until next time, happy lasering!

xo,