085: One Sales Mistake Cost Me a $40,000 Photography Deal

I broke my number one rule of sales. The rule I teach my students over and over again. The rule I know better than to break.

And it nearly cost me the biggest deal of my photography career.

We're talking about a nearly $40,000 opportunity from a single family photography session. The client loved the work, approved the proposal, and was literally asking how she could pay me.

And instead of taking her credit card, I told her I'd send an invoice later.

Big. Fucking. Mistake.

Within 45 minutes, the deal was gone.

But here's where the story gets interesting. Instead of letting my bruised ego take over, I asked myself a better question: What does this client still need that only I can provide?

That one question helped me turn what could have remained a $10,000 sale into a $21,000 client.

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly what happened, the money block I didn't realize I had, the sales mistakes I made, and how I managed to salvage $11,000 after hearing no.

Because understanding sales isn't just about knowing how to close. It's about knowing how to think when things don't go according to plan.

In this episode, I talk about:

  • The number one sales rule I broke and why it matters for photographers
  • How a family photography session turned into a nearly $40,000 opportunity
  • Why creating an incredible buying experience is only half the equation
  • The unexpected money block that made me hesitate when my client was ready to pay
  • Why having all decision-makers present matters for high-ticket sales
  • How I lost a $29,000 order during a 45-minute drive back to my studio
  • Why hearing "no" doesn't necessarily mean the entire opportunity is gone
  • How I restructured the deal to recover $8,000 in print sales and another $3,000 in referral revenue
  • Why understanding your value gives you more options when a sale falls apart
  • How confidence in your business helps you navigate mistakes without letting your ego take over

If this episode hit home and you're ready to build the machine behind your ambition, enrollment for Posers | The Mastermind is officially open.

Book a call with me here: https://j-anne-photography.kit.com/posers-waitlist

Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Intro
00:43 Breaking The Rule
03:06 Close On The Spot
05:48 Client And Big Vision
10:59 Designing The Template
15:18 The $29K Moment
17:12 Money Block Mistake
20:16 The Deal Collapses
25:29 Salvaging The Offer
28:19 Rescue Revenue Strategy
33:35 Key Sales Lessons
38:51 Mastermind Invitation
39:42 Final Wrap Up

πŸ”— Connect with Jodi:
πŸ“Έ Website: https://www.j-annephotography.com
πŸ“· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.annephotography

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