A Client Experience Strategist’s Honest Thoughts on Pixieset Studio Manager
Hello there, darling! Welcome to Le Blog, a golden resource for service based business owners (like you) who want to elevate their client experience. My name is Chloe, and I’m in the business of making your business irresistible. I specialize in creating intuitive CRM (client relationship management) systems. This means that I’m really good at customizing software like Honeybook and Dubsado to support you as a business owner and make sure your clients have the best possible experience while working with you.
Which brings me to today’s blog topic: Pixieset Studio Manager. If you’re a photographer, you’re probably already familiar with Pixieset. It’s an online platform for photographers to build websites, deliver galleries, and now, apparently, act as a CRM. If you couldn’t tell by my less-than-enthused tone… I’m not convinced of that last part- and you shouldn’t be, either.
So put on your coziest sweater and pull up a chair. We’re going to dissect pixieset studio manager so that you (and photographers everywhere) can decide if you really want to treat it as the CRM it claims to be.
Why Pixieset Studio Manager Barely Qualifies as a CRM
You might be reading this and saying, “Wow, Chloe, you’re coming on a little strong here.” And you’d be right. Now, I don’t have anything against Pixieset in particular. Several of my photographer clients use it and love it! I think it’s a great tool for delivering galleries.
But running a CRM and delivering galleries are two vastly different things.
My problem is with the way they market Pixieset Studio Manager as a CRM that can solve all your problems- Pixieset itself is fine. Because Pixieset Studio Manager isn’t really, technically, a CRM. It has some CRM capabilities, like scheduling software and payment collection, but it’s more like a very basic, entry-level software. Which, if you are simply interested in delivering galleries, can be great.
But if you’re really looking to level-up your client experience with branded emails, forms, and questionnaires, save time through automations, and track clients, you’re going to need a more evolved CRM.
What a Good CRM Should Be Able to Do
So now you’re probably asking, “What does a ‘more evolved’ CRM look like?” And that, darling, is the million dollar question. A CRM should make running your business easier for both you and your client.
As a business owner, you should be able to trust your CRM to collect payments, contract signatures, and information without you needing to manually send every email. When set up correctly, it can walk your client through every stage of working with you by sending personalized messages through pre-designed automations.
From a client’s perspective, your CRM should make working with you feel like a breath of fresh air. Your CRM makes sure your client feels seen and valued at every stage of the process. Because of your automations, your client will never need to wonder what’s next. They can easily access all shared information through a client portal, and easily schedule calls with you without needing to manage the endless back-and-forth.
A strong CRM is a benefit to every aspect of business. And, unfortunately, Pixieset Studio Manager simply doesn’t have these capabilities.
Want a more in-depth look at this comparison, plus some other CRM options? Read this!
Switch from Pixieset Studio Manager to HoneyBook or Dubsado
If you are, in fact, interested in leveling up your client experience… Here’s what needs to happen. Before you invest in any kind of CRM software, you need to build your client experience map. This is the most important step, where you actually write down every stage a client goes through when working with you. I actually have a free resource that walks you through exactly how to do this!
Once you’ve mapped out your client experience, it’s time to start building within your chosen CRM. And by building, I mean creating your packages, smart files, proposals, price guides, questionnaires, workflows, and contracts. In this same step, you need to structure your settings, payment integration, and, of course, customize it with your branding so everything looks pretty and cohesive!
Honestly, building your CRM takes a lot of work. It can be overwhelming, time consuming, and really, really frustrating. But the end result is absolutely worth it. You can finally focus on the work you actually love instead of micro-managing your schedules, sending the same types of emails multiple times per day, and hunting clients down for payments or information.
Pixieset Studio Manager might not be able to take all of that off of your plate. But HoneyBook and Dubsado can. I know because I’ve helped dozens of photographers switch from sub-par CRM systems (or none at all!) to completely custom systems.
Take it from Leah:
“I have to do VERY little and my clients still get a very tailored and personal experience from me. My work flows are set up so they are easy to manage when I have to trigger something. The BEST part are my FORMS! They are MORE than I had even expected. Chloe went above and beyond what I even knew was possible to have my forms look and feel like the rest of my brand. Everything is beautifully consistent.”
Leah T, Leah Thomason Photography
THIS is the value of a true CRM. The ability to step away from your screen and do literally anything else because you know your systems are working for you- and making you look like the professional you are!
If you’re ready to switch from Pixieset Studio Manager to a more robust CRM, I would love to chat more with you! You can explore my bespoke Honeybook and Dubsado set up services, and fill out the calling card on my contact page to schedule a free, no strings attached call.
