053. The Three Reasons You MUST HAVE A Google My Business For Photographers (AKA Google Business Profile)
Google My Business, or what’s now called Google Business Profile, is something you have to have as a photographer. If you want to rank, you have to have great reviews as well.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the three reasons you need a profile with great reviews and how you can actually get more reviews from your current and past clients.
What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google business Profile is a free listing that allows businesses to add important information such as hours, website, contact info, current photos, and more. It helps you get found online.
Did you know that Google accounts for 92% of searches in 2023?
If you want to book out your photography schedule, your website needs to rank on Page 1 of the search.
Just as importantly, though, you need to rank with your Google Business Profile. If you don’t, you’re missing out on a ton of potential clients.
Your Google profile will get you more qualified traffic than social media, and will also help you show up on maps. These searchers are literally searching for what you offer and are usually ready to book.
Where as with socials, you’re talking leads into becoming clients.
You need reviews to rank with your Google Business Profile.
At this point, you aren’t going to rank if you don’t have plenty of reviews. You definitely need more than just a few.
I don’t want that to discourage you, though. We all start somewhere.
If you keep showing up for your clients and giving them an amazing experience, this will easily result in lots of 5-star reviews on your Google Business Profile.
And if you just keep chipping away, one review at a time, you’ll see results and start ranking in your area for your keywords.
Three reasons reviews are important:
There are three very important reasons reveiws are important for your Google Business Profile.
- Your potential clients are checking your reviews before they book a session with you.
- Google reviews help your Google Business Profile rank higher in the profile listings.
- More reviews help your actual website rank higher on page 1 of your keywords.
Three ways to get reviews:
Now that you understand you need reviews for your Google Business Profile, how do you get them?
1. Make sure your photography experience is amazing.
From the minute a lead contacts you until you deliver the final product, clients have to feel like you’re there for them every step of the way.
And the actual session needs to blow their mind–they need to leave feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world.
2. Ask for reviews from your past clients and current clients after their session.
You can get Search Engine Optimization benefits if they use words you want them to use in the review. This is really important because it will help you rank even more than the number of reviews you get.
Did you know that Google can pick up on the tone of a review? It’s scary, but true–and it’s the world we live in with AI.
If your clients are raving about your business–and especially using positive words like “best” or “great,” google will believe your business is also great.
If Google believes you’re doing a good job based on the words of your past clients, they’re going to reward you with higher ranks in the local search.
A great experience is so much more than just good photos.
If you get just one thing from this episode, I want you to understand that a great experience is worth so much more than just beautiful photos.
A great boudoir experience results in great reviews–which result in more great clients–which results in more money…
And more money results in more time off with your people–which was the real reason you started your business, right?
Run your business like a business.
I’ve seen extremely talented photographers fail at business–and I’ve seen mediocre photographers have major success.
It’s because the decent photographers that succeed–they run their business like a business. They put their clients first and make sure they provide the highest quality service possible.
The experience you provide can make or break your business. Make sure you deliver a great experience and get those amazing reviews.
Ready to level up your marketing strategy?
If you’re wanting to level up your marketing strategy, and start booking more clients in an organic way–without Facebook ads, Facebook Groups, or model calls, download my free PDF.
It’s called 5 Tips To Book Clients Without Facebook Ads. It lays out my entire organic strategy–the exact strategy I use in my own business to stay booked all year long.
This strategy, once implemented, is a strategy you can automate. It will allow you to get back to living your life without constantly being attached to your phone and social media–so you can be more present in your own life instead of in your business.
Tracy Lynn is a boudoir photogapher for brides-to-be in the St. Louis area, and a mentor + coach for photographers looking to level up their businesses with better systems and processes.
