When Is the Best Time to Invest in Education?

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Are you thinking back on this year and looking at what went well and what didn’t go well? Maybe there is something you started doing that you really loved, but you’re not really sure what the next step in learning about it looks like. It could be that you absolutely love what you’re doing, but you’re not moving forward. 

If this is you, then it may be time to invest in education. I know there can be some hesitancy when it comes to investing, so I’m sharing the 3 biggest objections people have when it comes to investing in their education. 

Time Objection 

The first thing I hear a lot when people choose to not invest in their education is that they don’t have the time. They say, “Maybe next month” or, “Maybe next year,” and as they go down the road doing this, they are not able to learn valuable tools to keep their business running sustainably and they end up stopping because they are just so burnt out. 

I’m just going to say this – There’s never a perfect time to invest in your business, but I want to share some of my personal experiences to show you that even if it doesn’t seem like the right time, it’s still going to be beneficial. 

The first really big financial investment I made into my education was a workshop for weddings when I was building my wedding business. The workshop fell during my first week of my senior year of college, meaning I would have to take all of my absences at the beginning of the year. Terrible timing, right? But I knew I needed this to drive my business forward, and you better believe I saw my investment back not once, not twice but ten times over. 

Another time was last October when I made my biggest investment which was $30k in a coach. And if you’re a photographer, you know that’s the busiest time of year by far, but I knew it was the right fit, and I saw that investment back within 2 months. 

I know you value your time, and I value my time too. I value my time so much that I decided if there was an opportunity where I could learn how to better my business and work with more intention that would move the needle forward, you better believe I would rather make that investment. 

Money Objections 

Whenever I’m looking at an investment opportunity of any form, I always look at the big picture. Am I going to see this money back and more long-term? Is this actually going to move the needle forward in my business? For me, if the answer is yes, it’s a no-brainer. If it’s an investment where someone can show me how to do something and I’ll be able to make a lot more money, then I’m going to do it. 

For instance, when a new piece of equipment came out, I didn’t go and purchase it right away. I took some time to think about if it would move my business forward and if it would help me be a better photographer. Once I realized the answer was yes, I went out and bought it. 

If there’s something that can move the needle forward, why on earth would I not jump on it if it’s the next step I need? And because of this thinking, because I’ve been so intentional about what coaches I invest in, big things have been happening. 

And while there’s a lot of free education out there, those tend to not reap many results. Oftentimes, when I have a financial stake in something, like when I invest in a coach, that’s when I saw the ROI. There’s so much more motivation to do something when you are paying for something because there’s more pressure to do it. 

So, I give you permission to invest 10% of what your business brings into education. You may do more, you may do less, but make sure it’s substantial enough that it’s going to push you to the next level. 

Mindset Objection

Will this work for me? Can I do this? Should I wait until I’m more established? These are common questions I hear when someone is hesitant about investing in their education. 

So, let me walk you through a few things. Something I see happening a lot is photographers just investing in photography education over and over again. Yes, you want to get good at that, but the thing that I see is some photographers have incredible work, but if you’re missing that business piece, you will only go so far. 

I’ve also seen the opposite where some photographers’ work isn’t the most refined, but they’re having killer sales because that business piece is set. You are NEVER too new to start setting your business up the right way. 

One of the biggest regrets I have with the method I teach of adding in prints and products is that I didn’t start sooner because when I did implement my process, I was already established and years into my business, I had to make this big pivot and attract a portrait clientele all over again because I had pulled back and just focused on weddings. 

How much better would it have been to start it up the rigid way instead of getting going, then changing and realizing this isn’t sustainable? So, you’re not too new to get going the right way. You will not regret it. 

The other thing I hear is people saying, “I can’t do it.” Everybody has that self-doubt at first. Even if you’re established, not everyone loves their business every single day. There are going to be hard days, but it means you’re pushing yourself to keep going and that’s what’s going to bring you to the next level. 

If you’re concerned about figuring out how to do something, find a coach who has been there, done that. Find someone who has success stories from other students and reach out to those past students to see how their experience was. 

If you’re still hesitant about investing in your education, think about this – What’s the best thing that can happen and what’s the worst thing that can happen? It’s easy to think about what can happen if it doesn’t work out, but I like to think, what if it does? What if this changes your entire life for the better? 

Looking at time, money, and mindset, I hope when an educational situation comes up, and you know that this will help your time be so much more utilized, that they’re going to show you what to do to move your business forward the way it needs to be to save you time, that you’re going to make that investment back tenfold, then that investment becomes really small compared to how much more you made from this. 

So, break past those self-doubts and try something different and new because it could literally change not just your business, but your life. 

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why there is never a perfect time to invest in your education 
• Breaking past money mindset blocks  
• The reason you can invest in your education, even if you are new

Connect with Christa

Ready to take your business to the NEXT level and have regular 4-figure portrait sessions? I’d love to invite you to check out a case study HERE. We’re starting here to see if you’re a good fit! If so, shoot me a DM on Instagram!

Want more info on adding in prints and products for BIG sales? Send me a DM on Instagram @‌christa_rene or check out my website https://christarenephotography.com/

More about the Uncapped Photographer Podcast

The Uncapped Photographer Podcast is a podcast for established photographers teaching them how to uncap their offerings and setup in their photography business without the burnout. Every other week, Christa Rene Robinson will share the clear and concise actions you need to take to grow your photography business. This is the info she WISH someone had told her much, much sooner that would have allowed her to grow even FASTER!

This podcast is for you if you are ready to hit the next level in your business and income so you can build the life of your dreams!

Christa is a wife, mom, and photographer turned business coach with 10 years of experience in the industry. If you’d like to connect or work with Christa, reach out to her on Instagram @‌christa_rene. You can also learn more about her on her website https://christarenephotography.com.