We recently connected with Emery Slate and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emery, thanks for joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

Showing my appreciation for my customers is one part of business I pride myself on tremendously. From giveaways, to my end of the year thank you party for my top customers, making sure I’m always giving back is something that will always be so important to me. I want each & every customer I am lucky enough to get, to know how appreciated and valued they are as a customer for me. I do my best to leave each of my conversations with a “thank you” whether someone booked, asked for information, or just received their photos. Any amount of engagement or interest is always appreciated by me. I also offer a rewards program for my customers who refer me to their friends & family! Because I personally believe you have to support the people who are supporting you!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I knew from a pretty young age that I wanted to be a photographer. I asked for my first camera at 13 years old. Then at 23 years old, I finally started my own business, “Emery Slate Photography”. Starting out was terrifying. I didn’t know if I would have support, or if I’d be able to grow a good customer base. I was scared it was going to be an embarrassing chapter in the story that is my life. However, I’ve been truly blessed with an AMAZING support system. Customers who RAVE for my business. & opportunities I never imagined I’d have. I’ve been able to use my business to help others, which is something that means so very much to me. I’ve met so many amazing & diverse people through photography, I can’t imagine my life without it now. The feeling I get when I send a gallery back to a customer & they tell me things like “these are the best photos we have ever had” or “I can’t believe how amazing these are” is indescribable. Seeing my work hanging in the homes of my customers is unmatched. My business means so much to me, because I get to see how much it can mean to so many other people. Photos are timeless, something you can keep forever, & will never change. Take time for yourself & your family to get some updated pictures. It’s something you’ll never regret, especially if you’re booking with me!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Good social media presence can make a drastic difference in starting your business. I highly recommend immediately making a page devoted straight to your business, & not trying to start it on your regular social media accounts. One mistake I see a lot of small businesses make, is they use their personal socials for advertising. Your friends are not going to be your target audience, as harsh as that may sound. Make yourself a page where you can specifically grow people who are particularly interested in your business & what it has to offer, I promise you’ll get much more engagement. & of course, post your work often! Show people what you’re capable of doing, put yourself out there! If you’re able, do giveaways, & raffles-fun contests to get your followers involved & keep your posts on their newsfeeds. Social media can be pretty effective & helpful for your business once you’ve got it down.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Facebook has been my highest rate of booking source. I’ve got my biggest following, & customer bases on there. My website has recently started to get more bookings as well. Instagram gets some every now & then, & TikTok has never brought me any new bookings, but I do find it to be fun for my business anyways!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://EmerySlatePhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emery_slate_photography?igsh=c3Q3aHpjaWRjY2Z6&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/r5wJp9LvZoBuzhQn/?mibextid=JRoKGi
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emery.slate.photography?_t=8qUvcF6Adkw&_r=1