ShootQ Review

Okay photogs, another post for you.

If you want the abridged version, here it is: Get ShootQ, then use it!

And now, I’ll try to make my case.  First off, I know many will say, “ahh, I have my own system.  All those database things just aren’t for me.”  I respect you guys!  I’m one of them.  But at some point your biz will get big enough to where organization takes something more than email folders, calendars, and excel spreadsheets.

And I’ll say this one more thing.  Reviewers of products need to have actually used it thoughtfully, not just tried it half-arssed.  I’ve used ShootQ now for about 5 months.  So, my perspective comes from this.  And I’ll be the first to admit, the first time I tried ShootQ over a year ago, I stopped after the trial.  I didn’t think it was nearly customizable nor powerful enough.  My how things have changed.  The ShootQ team updates their service every few weeks it seems.  And of course, all updates come free and installed automatically, since it’s all web based.

Without further ado, my top 5 reasons to use ShootQ:

1) Without doubt, I mean heads and tails above every other reason: WORKFLOWS.  Okay, we’re hear this all the time from studios.  I’m not talking about editing workflow.  I’m talking about the workflow that happens from the first email inquiry to the final delivered product.  ShootQ is UNBELIEVABLY smart and helpful at this.  I have an extensive workflow set up for Portrait Sessions, Senior Sessions, and Weddings.  From sending out FAQ emails, to pricing and packaging, to booking online, to collecting payments, to keeping the project on task, the workflow system of Shoot Q does it all!  A-MAZ-ING.

2) Booking online.  Okay, when you wake up and see someone booked while you were sleeping, need I say more?

3) And yes, number two includes the contract.  Online booking always includes a place for the client and photog to complete the contract.  Oh, and did I mention the contract is autopopulated with the shoot date and time, the package, the price, the upgrades, downgrades, and of course the terms and conditions?  Yep, it’s all done, automatically.  No more filling out contracts.

4) Client Portal.  Each client gets their own mini portal site to update their own information, answer questionnaires from the studio, view their contract, view invoices, pay invoices, etc.  Customer service…get some with ShootQ.

5) Invoicing, invoicing, invoicing.  Want to set up a payment plan? Check.  Book a wedding and always get paid late because you don’t have the time to send out invoice due reminders?  ShootQ will do it for you.  What’s more, your clients can pay right there on their own portal, securely.  You get paid more on time when it’s easy.

BONUS: 6) Okay, have to say this last thing.  Integrations and updates.  ShootQ is always pushing themselves to make new integrations with other software and the lifestyle of photogs.  For example, the recently added QuickBooks integration and Twitter integration….now you can send new tasks to your shootQ task manager via twitter.  Bottom line, these guys are always thinking, always creating, and always LISTENING.  So, chances are, if you don’t have a feature you’d like and you’re a client, they might develop it in the (near) future.

Go ShootQ.