I’ve made my fair share of investments in my business over the years.
Some were wins, some were lessons 😅
Some have truly stood the test of time and continue to prove their value again and again.
There are a million things you could invest in for your business, but the best ones keep paying you back with more visibility, credibility, ease, and consistent revenue.
Here are six business investments that have given me (and my clients) a surefire ROI 👇🏽
1. Your Website: Attract Dream Clients on Autopilot
Your website is your hardest-working team member. It’s showing up 24/7 while you’re out living life, editing a session, or taking a well-earned break with your favorite iced coffee.
And it’s not chasing trends or hoping the algorithm shows it love.
When you build it with strategy, it can quietly work in the background, attracting your dream clients and filling your inbox with inquiries for years to come.
Although I’ve learned it’s not just about having a website that looks pretty, a gorgeous design means nothing if it’s not doing its job.
You want your copy, visuals, and layout working together to guide your A-list clients straight to “book now.”
When your site is set up to convert, it doesn’t just sit there looking cute.
It pays you back with qualified leads who already feel connected to you before you even hop on a call.
I’ve been fine-tuning this for my own brand too, and whew … what a difference.
I just launched my refreshed website, and it already feels like my business finally has the home base it deserves.
If you want to peek behind the scenes, check out my post “How to Get Branding Photography Clients from Your Website.”
(My favorite website platform for creatives is Showit!)
2. Brand Photos: Sell the Experience Before You Speak
Brand photos are often the first thing people notice about your business.
They stop the scroll, tell your story, and build trust before anyone even reads a word.
The truth is, your visuals speak long before you do. They show potential clients who you are, confident, approachable, and ready to serve.
When you invest in intentional, storytelling brand photos, you create visuals that communicate your vibe, your expertise, and your personality.
That connection helps people feel something before they ever inquire or click buy.
And yes, I practice what I preach.
Here’s a sneak peek from a recent branding shoot I did for myself. It was a healthy reminder that you’re not just the face behind your brand. You are the brand.
View this post on Instagram
If you’re looking for a local branding photographer, check out my Brand Photographer Directory. It’s filled with talented Growth Lab members who are absolutely crushing it, creating next-level visuals, and helping their clients show up with confidence.
3. CRM: The System That Keeps You Organized
Running a business means juggling a lot.
Inquiries, contracts, payments, follow-ups, client questions… whew. It’s a lot of tabs open, both on your laptop and in your brain.
That’s why having a solid client management system (aka CRM) is such a game-changer for me.
It keeps my business running smoothly behind the scenes, helping me stay organized from the first inquiry to the final invoice, and makes my entire client experience feel effortless and professional.
Think of it like your virtual assistant who never sleeps, never forgets a task, and always sends things on time. Truly a dream team member.
My go-to is HoneyBook.
It saves me hours every single week, keeps all my communication in one place, and makes my clients think, “Wow, she’s so on top of it.”
If you’ve been feeling scattered or spending way too much time in your inbox, it might be time to let a CRM take some of that weight off your shoulders.
Because when your systems are smooth, you get to focus on the fun stuff … like creating, connecting, and serving your dream clients with ease.
4. Email Marketing: The Long Game That Sells
As much as I love social media, we both know it’s borrowed space.
Algorithms change, reach fluctuates, and sometimes your best post barely sees the light of day.
Your email list is different. It’s your home base that keeps you connected to your people, no algorithm required.
When you consistently show up in someone’s inbox, you’re building a relationship that social media alone can’t create.
Every email you send reminds your audience who you are, how you help, and why you’re the go-to in your industry.
(You already know that Flodesk is my go-to!)
If your email list has been sitting quietly in the background, THIS is your reminder to bring it back to life.
Start by sending one email that offers a quick win or shares a story your audience can relate to.
Your people want to hear from you, and your next dream client might already be on that list waiting for a reason to reach out.
5. SEO: Get Discovered by Dream Clients via Google Search
Not every investment requires money. Some of the best ones just take time and consistency.
And SEO is one of those gifts that keeps on giving long after you’ve hit “publish.”
Every blog post, landing page, or service page you create has the potential to bring in leads for months or even years.
When people find you on Google, they’re usually not just browsing. They’re already in decision mode and actively looking for someone like you.
That’s where conversions happen.
These are the dream clients who type something like “business coach for creative entrepreneurs,” “social media strategist for small businesses,” or “branding photographer in [your city]” and land on your website thinking, “Yes, this is exactly who I need.”
SEO has played a huge role in my own business.
When I first optimized my site for local search, I started getting inquiries from clients who found me on Google — people who were ready to book before we even got on a call.
Over time, my blog and location-based keywords started doing the marketing for me, which freed me up to focus on client work and creative projects.
Here’s how I start simple with quick SEO wins:
- Refresh old blog posts with updated keywords and fresh photos.
- Add recent client stories and location details to help your content rank locally.
- Write about recent shoots and include phrases your ideal clients are already searching for.
- Keep it natural and conversational. Google loves clarity just as much as your readers do.
- Make small, consistent updates each month to build momentum that compounds over time.
I keep my SEO simple by using WordPress and the Yoast SEO plugin.
It takes the guesswork out of optimization and helps me make sure every page and blog post is ready to rank.
I love how the Yoast SEO plugin gives me an easy green-light checklist for things like keywords, meta descriptions, and readability. It’s made SEO feel less like tech jargon and more like a natural part of how I share my work online.
6. Education: The Investment That Multiplies Your Growth
The right course, coach, membership, or retreat doesn’t just teach you something new. It shifts how you think, lead, and grow as a business owner.
When you learn from people who’ve already built what you’re aiming for, you shortcut years of trial and error and start making confident moves faster.
Education has been one of the biggest returns on investment in my own business. Every time I’ve invested in learning, I’ve gained not just new strategies but a new level of clarity, confidence, and community — and those always pay you back.
It’s also what I love most about teaching inside The Branding Photographer Growth Lab.
I’ve watched photographers go from sporadic bookings to fully booked calendars, from underpricing to hitting consistent $8K–$10K months, and from feeling stuck to leading thriving local brands with ease.
When you put yourself in the right room and surround yourself with the right guidance, growth multiplies in every direction.
If you’ve been on the fence about investing in education, think of it as a catalyst.
It’s not just learning, it’s expanding into the version of yourself who already knows what to do next.
Start Small, Grow Big, Stay Consistent
At the end of the day, every investment you make teaches you something … whether it’s a win or a lesson.
The key is to start where you are and focus on the one thing that feels ready for an upgrade.
Each small step builds momentum for the next, and before you know it, you’ve created a business that’s visible, profitable, and thriving with ease.
These six investments have paid me back over and over again, and I know they can do the same for you.
- Branded website
- Brand photos of myself
- CRM system
- Email marketing
- SEO
- Education
Which investment are you locking in this month to move your business forward?
DM me on Instagram. I love hearing how you’re growing and leading.
And just a reminder, you don’t have to do all of this at once.
Just start with one, stay consistent, and let the results speak for themselves.
Yes, you’ve got this! Claim it. ✨
– Angie
