The early days of starting my photography business involved a massive learning curve.

I graduated from UW Milwaukee with a Bachelor’s Double Major in Graphic Design + Journalism. I officially started Studio 29 Photography in July of 2010, and within a few months, things exploded.

I was booked for weddings and had multiple sessions during the week, but my income leveled out after a few years. I knew it was now time to invest in myself & the business to grow and reach my new goals.

So I took a handful of online courses. Before I signed up for these online courses, I had never taken a business class in my life.

I owe a large portion of my success in both of my businesses to these amazing online courses!

Online Courses That Helped Grow My Business

1) The Serial Method

Nicole Culver created this course. It is a binge-worthy online course that will teach you how to create content that will attract your current audience AND a new audience. The premise of the series is THE NEW WAY to attract a wildly engaged audience. Many bloggers are frustrated by the algorithm changes on Instagram/Facebook and are in need of the know-how for creating content that attracts an engaged audience.

2) Creative Live

You can find courses on Creative Live for any photography and any level! I highly recommend this site for beginners & well seasoned creative entrepreneurs.

3) Pitch it Perfect

Taught by my favorite creative Californian Podcaster in the world, Julie Solomon. I cannot say enough positive things about this course. I binge-watched it! This course took me only two days to complete. The course is easily digestible, and I started implementing what I learned immediately! I have since re-watched the 5 modules multiple times, and I am active in the Facebook group included in the course. Julie gave me the confidence and guidance needed to reach out to specific brands & I have booked several high-paying contracted jobs. The Pitch it Perfect course has easily paid for itself, time and time again.

4) Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s Making Sense Of Affiliate Marketing is an online affiliate marketing course. It’s a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on how to earn money through affiliate marketing with your blog or internet business. It’s a self-paced course, so you may start anytime and continue as long as you want. I completed the course in early 2017, and I highly recommend it!

Will these online courses work for You?

If you put in the effort! I’ve purchased a number of courses, and sadly, some of them I never finished or completed but never implemented. My suggestion to you is that if you’re going on to purchase the course, make a point of devoting time to go through it! And after you’ve gone through it all, implement it right away. What’s the point of learning if you never put it into practice? I’m sure you’ve heard that we learn best by doing, not just by listening or watching. So go out there and do it! Try new things and experiment! Don’t be afraid to fail because that’s how we learn too.

Have you taken any online courses? Which ones have helped you grow? These online business courses changed everything for me, and I hope one or more might help you!

Thank you for supporting House Fur and all of the creatives that have helped me through my business journey.