Using Dubsado to Save Time in Your Creative Business
Running a photography business (or any other creative business) is so much more than simply taking photos or making art—it's also about managing the numerous tasks that keep everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes. All those tasks add up to a LOT of time spent running a business instead of being focused on creating meaningful artwork, but if you know how to use your CRM (client relationship manager) to the fullest, it can give you some of that precious time back and you can get back to your personal projects that have been on the backburner for ages, you can stop working into the wee hours of the night, and you can get back to enjoying downtime with your loved ones. My CRM of choice is Dubsado (I’ve used Honeybook and 17hats extensively for comparison). Below are a few of my favorite time-saving features Dubsado offers.
Lead Capture Forms
First up, lead capture forms are invaluable for collecting information from new leads and save you a ton of time on data entry at the very beginning of your client relationship. They also help you understand your leads better and help you gather information to determine whether you’re a good match for their photography needs. When a lead fills out your lead capture form, Dubsado automatically creates a new project and client profile and sends you a notification to let you know you have a new inquiry ready to view. You can even connect workflows to your lead capture forms to automate next-step actions based on form responses.
Workflows
Speaking of workflows, they are absolutely crucial and Dubsado has the most robust and flexible workflow system I’ve seen in any CRM. Workflows help you ensure nothing is overlooked—reminders, forms, emails, and more are automatically sent out as scheduled, and you can also set up to-do items to remind yourself of tasks that need your personal attention throughout a project. It definitely takes a little time and effort to map out your client process and set up your workflows properly, this upfront work pays off significantly and allows you to give your clients an elevated and consistent experience from start to finish. For me, workflows offer not just efficiency but peace of mind. Knowing that every detail is handled allows me to focus on my photography without worrying about administrative tasks.
Schedulers
Schedulers can save you so much time when coordinating with leads and clients. Instead of back-and-forth emails to find a mutually convenient time for a consult or session, simply share your scheduler link, and clients can choose a time that suits them, and your availability is automatically considered to prevent double bookings. You can also connect forms to your schedulers, which allow clients to fill out necessary information before booking an appointment. You can even include your preferred video call software right in the scheduler so clients have the call information handy right away. Another great feature baked into Dubsado’s schedulers is the ability to send out preset email reminders a specific number of days or hours before a consult or session. This gives you another chance to include additional information beyond just the appointment details, such as styling guides and helpful tips for preparing for their session, or directions to your studio.
Need help setting up your workflows, schedulers, and lead capture forms in Dubsado?
If setting these tools up feels like a lot of work, I get it. Dubsado can be overwhelming because you can do SO MUCH with it. At times it can be difficult knowing where to start. If you want some help getting it done quickly and easily so you can start using Dubsado to the fullest, I’d love to chat. I offer Dubsado Setup Sessions for creatives who need help setting up workflows, lead capture forms, schedulers and more. Book a setup session with me below and get your time back!
Not using Dubsado yet but ready to check it out?
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