Episode 235

full

Published on:

21st Aug 2025

Creating Accountability in Airtable with Melissa Arlena

If you’re not tracking it, you’re winging it. That's why it's important to have a system in place to help keep you accountable. In this episode, Melissa Arlena joins us to discuss the power of airtable and accountability. Listen in as we discuss systematizing recurring revenue and keeping clients from slipping through the cracks. Whether you’re running a course, a coaching program, or a service-based business—this episode unpacks the real reasons you need better systems (and how Airtable can be your operations BFF).

Find It Quickly

00:27 - Welcoming Back Melissa Arlena

01:20 - Diving into Airtable

01:52 - Client Hub & Airtable

04:14 - Website and Offer Refinement

05:39 - Airtable for Blogging Club and Recurring Income

06:40 - Automations and Payment Tracking

13:16 - Email Automations and Client Check-ins

16:05 - The Importance of Client Accountability

16:43 - Challenges of Time Zones in Coaching Programs

17:23 - Maximizing Group Coaching Calls

18:48 - Using Airtable for Client Experience Audits

19:47 - Automating Client Follow-Ups with Airtable

20:10 - Organizing Content and Client Data with Airtable

22:48 - Airtable for Photographers: Tracking Client Interactions

25:03 - Leveraging Airtable for Business Insights

Resources Mentioned

Episode 211: Marketing Mondays Will Transform Your Business Strategy with Melissa Arlena and Alison Bell

Episode 80: SEO Best Practices for Photographers | Simple SEO Series with Melissa Arlena (Part 2)

Content Hub Template

Connect with Melissa

Website: pictureperfectrankings.com

Podcast: pictureperfectrankings.com/photography-podcast

Free FB Group: facebook.com/groups/pictureperfectrankings

Instagram: instagram.com/pictureperfectrankings

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About the Podcast

Business-First Creatives

A podcast about systems, workflows, and business advice for creative service providers.

Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business without drowning in admin work, client experience chaos, or systems that let you down.

This show delivers clear, actionable conversations around marketing, CRM workflows, client communication, Dubsado and Honeybook automation, Airtable systems, and workflow strategies, giving photographers and creative entrepreneurs the systems that scale, operational clarity, and strategic, human-first client experiences they need to build streamlined, referral-worthy business operations that don't require working 24/7.
If you're tired of babysitting your inbox, chasing down contracts, or watching your workflows break the moment you look away, this show will help you move beyond "figuring it out as you go" and toward a creative business that brings you joy and a paycheck.

This podcast provides answers to questions like:
How do I automate my client journey without losing the personal touch?
What CRM workflows do photographers and creative businesses need?
How can I use Dubsado or Honeybook to streamline my client experience?
What systems do photographers need to save time and deliver exceptional client experiences?
How do I reduce admin time in my creative service business?
Why do my workflows keep letting me down (and how do I fix them)?
How can I build a profitable creative business that brings me joy and a paycheck?
What's the best way to communicate with clients throughout their journey?
How do I create systems that work even when I'm not babysitting them?
How can I map my client journey to convert more inquiries into bookings?

Hosted by Colie James, a Dubsado Certified Specialist, Honeybook Educator, and Workflow and Automations Guru with 10+ years helping creatives systemize their businesses—this show delivers practical, no-BS guidance for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to streamline their client journey, automate their operations, and make money from their craft.

If you're done dropping balls and ready to build a business-first creative operation with systems that scale, you're in the right place.

Find out more about Systems in Session ➡️ https://coliejames.com/systems-in-session