Stop posting and praying. Start booking. Get Booked is the podcast for photographers who want real marketing, SEO, and business strategies—not another guru telling you to "just be consistent." Your hosts? Alison Bell and Melissa Arlena—two photographers and military spouses with 27+ combined years in the industry. Melissa is an SEO educator who runs Picture Perfect Rankings, teaching photographers how to get found on Google. Alison is a business mentor who's successfully moved her photography business across the country (multiple times) and knows how to book clients fast in any market. Each week, they break down what's actually working: SEO that gets you on page one, marketing funnels that convert, email strategies that book sessions, and the business foundations you need to grow sustainably. It's why thousands of photographers have made this a top 5% podcast. This is the business education photography school skipped.
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October 12, 2026Episode 11424 min
114: Your Biz Bestie Is Your Backup Plan
This is a tough topic this week, but stick with us — because if you died tomorrow, would anyone know how to deliver your clients' photos? We're breaking down exactly how to build a photography business continuity plan before you ever need one. Love the episode but forgot the action steps before you finished the school pickup line? Get the show notes in your inbox every Monday, with notes, action steps and task lists ready to go. On this episode: Why every photographer needs a "biz bestie" backup plan What passwords, access, and information to have ready — just in case How to protect your spouse (and your clients) if the unexpected happens Looking for more ways to grow your photography business? Melissa has put together 35 Blog Post Topics to help you create content that actually works. Too busy to catch every episode? Get the show notes delivered to your inbox — action steps, task lists, and all — every Monday morning. Links: Get the show notes in your inbox Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
October 5, 2026Episode 11330 min
113: Pinterest for Photographers
We're back with Natalie Bardo, Your Pin Coach, for round two on Pinterest — because one episode was never going to cover keywords, boards, AND what to actually pin when you're starting from zero. Love the episode but forgot the action steps before you finished the school pickup line? Get the show notes in your inbox every Monday, with notes, action steps and task lists ready to go. On this episode: Optimizing your Pinterest profile and boards with location-based keywords Turning Pinterest clicks into real email subscribers A realistic pinning workflow for solo photographers with no VA in sight Resources Mentioned Nadalie Bardo, Your Pin Coach, free pin template pack Pinterest checklist from last week's episode: Free Pinterest Profile Checklist Pinterest Templates from Nadalie - Ep 2 - Free Pinterest Pin Templates Tailwind, the Pinterest scheduler Melissa uses and Nadalie recommends Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
September 28, 2026Episode 11242 min
112: Pinterest Explained with Nadalie, Your Pin Coach Part 1
We've been telling you to post more Reels, but what if the real answer was sitting in an app you haven't opened since 2019? Nadalie Bardo — aka Your Pin Coach, and a former wedding photographer herself — joins us to break down Pinterest marketing for photographers and why it might just outwork everything else you're doing. Love the episode but forgot the action steps before you finished the school pickup line? Get the show notes in your inbox every Monday, with notes, action steps and task lists ready to go. On this episode: Why Pinterest works nothing like social media Whether to convert your personal account or start fresh How to optimize your profile, boards, and pins to actually get found Resources Mentioned: Nadalie Bardo, Your Pin Coach, Free Pin Template Pack & Free Pinterest Profile Checklist Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
September 21, 2026Episode 11130 min
111: Email Marketing 103: Email Analytics
We're finally cracking open the spreadsheet on email marketing analytics — the authority stuff, the numbers that actually matter, and why your unengaged subscribers are basically ghosting you and need to go. On this episode: Why email authentication is the foundation of inbox trust Which analytics actually matter (and which ones to stop obsessing over) How to use AI to do the number-crunching for you ________________________ LAST CALL for Email Marketing workshop - 60 minutes to turn that beautiful blog into a growing email list that BOOKS. Alison is going to walk you through the set up, organization, frequency & techy side of email marketing for creatives like you! Save 25% off your first year with Flodesk. Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie —grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: Hit Send: Email Marketing for Photographers Save 25% off your first year with Flodesk. Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
September 14, 2026Episode 11025 min
110: Email Marketing 102: Opt-In Options
We're back with round two of our email marketing series — and this time we're getting into the good stuff: how to actually turn random website visitors into people on your email list. On this episode: What opt-ins are and why "stay connected with me" doesn't cut it anymore The four types of opt-in placements (and when to use each one) Real lead magnet ideas you can steal today ________________________ Email marketing not dead, we promise. Turn random website visitors into potential clients with an platform you own.Alison is hosting a 60 minute workshop specifically for photographers - join now! Save 25% on Flodesk for your first year with the discount here . Want more content ideas to keep your emails (and blog) full? Melissa put together 35 Blog Post Topics so you never run out of things to say. Save 25% on Flodesk for your first year? Grab the discount here . Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: Hit Send: Email Marketing for Photographers Save 25% off your first year with Flodesk. Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
September 7, 2026Episode 10925 min
109: Email Marketing 101: CRM vs. ESP
We know, we know — "CRM vs. ESP" sounds like alphabet soup, but getting email marketing for photographers right might just be the missing piece between random Instagram eyeballs and clients who actually read what you send. On this episode: The real difference between your CRM and your ESP Why owning your email list beats borrowing your audience on social media What to look for before you invest in an email service provider Turn random website visitors into potential clients with an platform you own-email! It's not dead, we promise. Alison is hosting a 60 minute workshop specifically for photographers - join now! Want more content ideas to keep your emails (and blog) full? Melissa put together 35 Blog Post Topics so you never run out of things to say. Save 25% on Flodesk for your first year? Grab the discount here . Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: https://flodesk.com/c/0QOFJM Get 25% off your first year Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
August 25, 2026Episode 10818 min
108: How to Get Repeat Clients as a Photographer (Without Being Salesy)
The easiest clients to book might be the ones who already love you. One Facebook comment. That's all it took. Melissa was doom scrolling when she spotted a video of a store reopening in her old town, two hours away, and recognized a past client family cutting the ribbon (with a brand new baby she didn't even know about). She left a quick congrats comment, the kind you'd leave for a friend, and within a few hours mom had messaged asking if Melissa would travel back to photograph their family again. No promotion, no discount, no "my fall calendar is open, link in bio." Just a comment. In this episode, Melissa makes the case that we pour so much energy into chasing total strangers while the people who already know us, trust us, and have our work hanging on their walls are one quiet reminder away from rebooking. She shares how she stays connected with past clients on social media without being weird about it, why back to school season is the perfect window to reconnect, and how to start locking clients in for next year's sessions right now. What You'll Learn: Why past clients are the easiest people on the planet to book (the know-like-trust work is already done) Melissa's "quiet reminder" approach to commenting on past clients' posts without ever pitching Why back to school season hands you five solid weeks of natural reasons to reconnect How one Instagram comment habit brought an overseas client back for family photos Ways to lock in next year's sessions at gallery delivery, from soft email commitments to deposits for peak fall foliage week How this works beyond family sessions: seniors with younger siblings, baby plans, extended family sessions, and branding clients Why this strategy needs no algorithm, no keyword research, and no funnel Join Alison's Email Marketing Workshop Sept 24! Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie —grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: Join Alison's Email Marketing Workshop Sept 24! Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
August 25, 2026Episode 10727 min
107: IG B-Roll for Photographers
Confession: our reel game has been feast or famine all summer. So we brought in a marketing pro to show us how to build a B-roll bank so full, you'll never scramble for content again. Kate is a marketing specialist supporting photographers with everything from Instagram to lead magnets. She loves helping photographers build out the marketing ecosystem that works for them, so everything works together (without more work for them). On this episode: Building a B-roll bank that keeps your content consistent, even in your busiest season The B-roll ideas most photographers skip that Instagram actually rewards Simple tools and systems for filming (and finding) your footage later Alison's favorite (and surprisingly affordable) gimbal hack for hands-free BTS footage at sessions Join Alison's Email Marketing Workshop Sept 24! Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie —grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings —no ads required. Links: Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
August 17, 2026Episode 10626 min
106: Quarterly Catch Up Q3 2026
Grab a red pen — we're grading our own Q2 goals on air, and not everybody's getting a gold star. From a marketing launch that tripled expectations to a very suspicious streak of "I didn't see the prices" clients, this quarterly update is equal parts confession and game plan. On this episode: Our Q2 wins, flops, and honest report cards Raising the barrier to entry for better-fit clients Setting fewer, more realistic goals for fall Want your blog doing the heavy lifting while you're busy shooting? Melissa's 35 Blog Post Topics will keep your content — and your SEO — working for you. Alison's next pop-up workshop is all about email marketing — nurturing past clients and turning new leads into booked sessions. Get on the waitlist now so you don't miss it. Links: Braden Drake's Contract Club - Alison's Fave Join the Black Friday Summit - Alison is teaching! Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!
August 13, 20267 min
BONUS: I've Never Been a Black Friday Person. I'm Speaking At a Black Friday Summit Anyway
This summit isn't about photography. It's about business: 26 business experts and mentors talking about launches, strategies, sales, copywriting, integration, and automation - the behind the scenes things that make it all work. On this episode: What the Black Friday Summit actually is (and who it's really for) The strategy behind whether a Black Friday sale makes sense for your business What's free, what's not, and how to decide if the upgrade is worth it Aug 25, 26, 27 VIRTUAL Talks are 20 to 30 minutes long each, buy for just 24 hours unless you get the VIP. Register here! The Black Friday Summit is a free 3-day virtual event — August 25th, 26th, and 27th - with 26 speakers each teaching their single best Black Friday strategy. Registration is free, and I'm honestly not a Black Friday person, so if I'm speaking, you know it's worth a look. Quick disclosure: I'm a speaker at this summit and an affiliate — if you upgrade through my link, I earn a commission. The summit itself is free either way.
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