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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #9 : Social Media & Reputation Management –

We’re heading into Week 9 of the MarketerM8 Live HighLevel Workshop Series — and this one’s all about staying consistent online and building a 5-star reputation without the overwhelm. This week’s workshop: Social Media Planner & Reputation Management📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.69__social_media_planner_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users who want to simplify content scheduling and get more 5-star reviews💸 Free for all HighLevel users This is the behind-the-scenes marketing work that keeps your brand visible, credible, and top-of-mind — even when you’re busy elsewhere. You’ll learn how to:✅ Use the built-in Social Planner to schedule posts across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more✅ Create a simple, repeatable content calendar✅ Automate review requests to get more 5-star Google reviews✅ Monitor and respond to customer reviews from one place✅ Build trust with prospects by showing off your reputation Whether you’re doing your own marketing or managing it for clients, this session will help you take control of your brand across platforms. ✅ Already registered? Check your inbox for your Zoom link✅ Not booked in yet? Reserve your spot here: Click to register 📚 Want to see the rest of the series?👉 View the full 12-week workshop menu Let’s build your presence and your reputation — on autopilot. See you there?
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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #8 : Websites & Funnels –

We’re rolling into Week 8 of the live & updated MarketerM8 Live HighLevel Workshop Series — and this week, we’re diving into the two most powerful tools for converting visitors into leads: websites and funnels. This week’s live & updated workshop: Websites & Funnels in HighLevel📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.68__websites__funnels_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users who want to build high-converting pages without needing a developer💸 Free for all HighLevel users If you’re still paying for tools like Wix, ClickFunnels or LeadPages – stop. HighLevel can do all of that, and more. Is your website already built in WordPress – no problem – why not move it over to the super quick HighLevel hosting and then plug in HighLevel automation? In this session, you’ll learn how to:✅ Build landing pages and funnels that actually convert✅ Understand the difference between a website and a funnel (and when to use each) ✅ Create engagement and capture leads with LiveChat and VoiceAI on your website✅ Add forms, calendars, video, and tracking✅ Connect domains and publish your pages✅ Set up A/B tests and simple lead magnets Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to optimise what you’ve already built, this workshop will show you how to launch pages that do the heavy lifting. ✅ Already signed up? You will get reminders sent to your inbox✅ Not booked yet? Grab your free place here: Click to register 📚 Want to see what’s coming up in the full series?👉 Check out the full 12-week workshop menu Let’s build a funnel that works while you sleep. See you there?
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WhatsApp Voice Calling Has Arrived in HighLevel

This is a big update for businesses using HighLevel. WhatsApp voice calling is now available inside HighLevel, giving businesses another way to communicate with leads and customers directly from the platform. For many businesses, WhatsApp has already become one of the most important communication channels. Until now, most interaction inside HighLevel focused on WhatsApp messaging. The addition of voice calling now opens the door to faster conversations, quicker support, and more personal communication without leaving the CRM. Some potential use cases include: Sales teams calling warm leads directly from WhatsApp conversations Customer support follow-up calls Appointment confirmations International communication without traditional phone costs AI and automation workflows triggering WhatsApp conversations before a live call This is another sign that HighLevel is continuing to evolve into a true all-in-one communication platform, bringing together email, SMS, phone, social messaging and now WhatsApp voice calls in one place. If you are already using WhatsApp inside HighLevel, it is worth reviewing your current setup and workflows to see where voice calling could improve response times and customer experience. For setup details, see the official HighLevel support guide here: WhatsApp Voice Calling in HighLevel . Want to Talk About HighLevel? Chat About HighLevel on WhatsApp If you would like help setting up HighLevel, WhatsApp integration, automation or AI tools, feel free to message us on WhatsApp at +44 7897 031750. We are always happy to chat about HighLevel and help point you in the right direction. Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist. About Julian Mills.
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Best Alternatives to Light Blue Photography Software in 2026

Light Blue has long been one of the most popular business management platforms for photographers. It combines CRM, bookings, contracts, invoicing and workflow management into a single system designed specifically for photography businesses. For many photographers, it does an excellent job. However, as marketing automation, AI and digital lead generation become increasingly important, many photography studios are beginning to look beyond traditional photography management software. In this article we’ll explore the leading alternatives to Light Blue, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and look at whether a modern marketing platform such as MarketerM8 / HighLevel might be a better fit for growth-focused photography businesses. What Is Light Blue Photography Software? Light Blue is a photography studio management platform designed specifically for photographers. Key features include: Client management CRM Online booking Contracts Invoicing Workflow management Calendar scheduling Financial reporting Its biggest strength is that it understands how photography businesses operate. Many photographers can start using it quickly without needing extensive customisation. For photographers who primarily need a studio management system, Light Blue remains one of the strongest options available. Why Photographers Start Looking For Alternatives In our experience, photographers rarely leave Light Blue because they dislike it. Instead, they often discover they need capabilities beyond studio management. Common reasons include: Running Facebook Ads Running Google Ads Automating lead follow-up SMS marketing WhatsApp communication Review generation AI tools Sales pipeline management Website and funnel building At that point, the question becomes: Do I add more software to my stack, or replace Light Blue with something that handles both operations and marketing? The Main Alternatives To Light Blue 1. MarketerM8 (Powered By HighLevel) Best for photographers focused on growth, marketing automation and lead generation. MarketerM8 is built on the HighLevel platform and has been customised specifically for photography businesses by Susan Campbell, Photography Studio Marketing and Sales Consultant who has over 15 years experience working with studios. Rather than simply providing software, it includes proven marketing and sales processes designed for photography studios. Key features include: CRM Marketing automation Online booking Sales pipelines SMS marketing WhatsApp marketing AI-powered tools Electronic contract signing Facebook Lead Ads integration Google Ads integration Review generation Unlike many photography platforms, MarketerM8 is designed not only to manage enquiries but to help generate and convert more of them. 2. Studio Ninja Best for photographers wanting simplicity. Studio Ninja is built specifically for photographers and offers a clean, straightforward experience. Strengths: Easy to learn Photographer-focused Good workflow automation Limitations: Limited marketing capabilities Fewer lead generation tools 3. HoneyBook Best for wedding photographers. HoneyBook is particularly popular within the wedding and creative industries. Strengths: Excellent client experience Attractive interface Contracts and invoicing Limitations: Less powerful automation More US-focused than some competitors 4. Dubsado Best for creative businesses requiring flexible workflows. Strengths: Powerful forms Workflow automation Client portals Limitations: Learning curve Limited marketing tools 5. Pixieset Studio Manager Strengths: Gallery integration Good client experience Online booking Limitations: Basic CRM functionality 6. Tave One of the longest-established photography business management systems. Strengths: Highly customisable Photographer-focused Limitations: Older interface Steeper learning curve 7. Sprout Studio Strengths: Photography-focused Client galleries Studio management tools Limitations: Limited marketing automation 8. 17hats Best for solo photographers and freelancers. Strengths: Simple to use Good business management features Limitations: Less scalable Limited automation Comparison Table Platform Photography Specific Marketing Automation AI Features SMS & WhatsApp Ads Integration Online Booking Light Blue Yes Basic No Limited No Yes MarketerM8 / HighLevel Yes (customised) Advanced Yes Yes Yes Yes Studio Ninja Yes Moderate No Limited No Yes HoneyBook Yes Moderate No Limited No Yes Dubsado No Moderate No Limited No Yes Pixieset Studio Manager Yes Basic No No No Yes Tave Yes Moderate No Limited No Yes Sprout Studio Yes Basic No Limited No Yes 17hats No Basic No Limited No Yes Light Blue vs MarketerM8 This is probably the comparison most photographers should be making. Light Blue and MarketerM8 / HighLevel approach the problem from different directions. Light Blue began as a photography business management platform. MarketerM8 / HighLevel began as a marketing, sales and automation platform and has been expertly customised specifically for photographers. Where Light Blue Wins Photography-specific workflows out of the box Strong studio management features Established reputation within the photography industry Financial reporting Where MarketerM8 / HighLevel Wins Photography-specific Marketing automation Facebook Lead Ads integration Google Ads integration SMS marketing WhatsApp marketing AI-powered tools Sales pipeline automation Review generation Website and funnel building Over 20 years marketing automation experience A Practical Example Imagine a bride completes a Facebook Lead Form after seeing your wedding photography advert. With a typical photography management system, that lead may need manual handling or third party integration tools like Zapier and Make. With MarketerM8 / HighLevel: The lead enters the CRM instantly. An email is sent automatically. An SMS is sent automatically. A consultation booking link is offered. Follow-up continues automatically until the prospect books or opts out. The entire process can run without manual intervention. Why MarketerM8 Exists One criticism often levelled at HighLevel is that it can be overwhelming to set up. That criticism is fair. HighLevel is incredibly powerful, but most photographers do not want to spend weeks learning HighLevel and building automations, pipelines and marketing systems. To solve this problem, MarketerM8 has partnered with Susan Campbell, Photography Studio Marketing and Sales Consultant. Together we have created a complete Photography Studio Marketing & Sales System built on HighLevel. Instead of starting with a blank HighLevel account, photographers receive: Proven studio management and sales/ marketing system Lead nurture campaigns Photography sales pipelines Appointment booking systems Follow-up sequences Review generation campaigns Photography-specific guidance The result is a photography-focused implementation of HighLevel designed specifically to enable studios to generate more enquiries and convert more bookings. Final Thoughts Light Blue remains one of the best photography business management platforms available. If your primary goal is managing bookings, contracts and studio administration, it remains a strong choice. However, if your focus is generating more enquiries, improving lead conversion, automating follow-up and growing your studio, Read more…
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Alternative to We Build Trades? Understanding the Done For You, Done With You and Done By You HighLevel Models

Quick Answer If you’re looking for an alternative to We Build Trades, you’re probably not actually looking for alternative software. You’re looking for an alternative way of implementing and using HighLevel. The reality is that most businesses choose between three different implementation models: Done For You A specialist partner builds and manages the system for you. Example: We Build Trades Done With You A specialist partner helps you build a system around your business while teaching you how it works. Example: MarketerM8 Done By You You purchase HighLevel software directly and build everything yourself. Example: HighLevel Direct The best choice depends on how much support, customisation and involvement you want. What Is We Build Trades? We Build Trades is a UK-based HighLevel implementation partner that specialises in renewable energy, solar, heating, EV charger and home improvement businesses. They provide HighLevel software together with industry-specific templates, workflows, automation and implementation services. Their approach is built around proven systems and blueprints designed specifically for trades and renewable energy businesses. What Is MarketerM8? MarketerM8 is a UK-based HighLevel implementation partner that focuses on custom CRM design, marketing automation, training and ongoing strategic support. Rather than primarily deploying standardised templates, MarketerM8 follows a “Done With You” implementation approach that helps businesses build systems around their own processes. The emphasis is on education, flexibility and helping clients understand how their CRM works. What Is HighLevel? HighLevel is the underlying CRM and marketing automation platform used by both We Build Trades and MarketerM8. It includes: CRM Sales pipelines Marketing automation Email marketing SMS marketing WhatsApp integration Websites and funnels Calendars Reputation management AI tools Online courses and memberships Communities Many business owners don’t realise that they can buy HighLevel directly and build everything themselves. The Three HighLevel Implementation Models This is the framework I use when helping businesses decide which route is right for them. The software is often the same. The implementation model is what changes. Option 1: Done For You Example: We Build Trades A Done For You approach typically uses proven templates, workflows and blueprints that have already been tested within a particular industry. The provider does most of the work and makes most of the implementation decisions. This can be an excellent option if you want speed and simplicity. Pros Faster implementation Proven frameworks Less decision making Industry-specific experience Reduced learning curve Lower time commitment from the business owner Cons Less flexibility Customisation may be more limited The business may need to adapt to the system Some businesses eventually outgrow the blueprint Best For Business owners short on time Companies wanting a proven framework Businesses happy to follow established processes Companies wanting the quickest route to implementation Option 2: Done With You Example: MarketerM8 A Done With You approach combines expert guidance with client involvement. Rather than simply deploying a standard template, the system is designed around the way your business operates. You remain involved in the decision-making process and develop a better understanding of how the CRM works. The goal is not simply to give you a CRM. The goal is to help you build a CRM that reflects the way your business actually works. Pros Greater flexibility More customisation Better understanding of the system Ongoing education and training Weekly workshops Strategic support Easier to evolve as the business grows Cons More involvement required Implementation can take longer Requires collaboration between client and consultant Best For Growing businesses Companies with unique sales processes Business owners who want flexibility Teams wanting to build internal capability Companies planning significant growth Option 3: Done By You Example: HighLevel Direct A Done By You approach gives you access to the software and complete control over implementation. You decide how everything is built and configured. The trade-off is that you are responsible for learning the platform and building the system yourself. Think of this as being given a blank canvas. For some businesses, that’s perfect. For others, it can be overwhelming. Pros Complete control Direct relationship with HighLevel Unlimited flexibility Potentially lower ongoing costs No dependency on an implementation partner Cons Steep learning curve No strategic support No implementation guidance No industry-specific expertise Easy to make expensive mistakes Significant time commitment Best For Technically confident users Businesses with in-house CRM expertise Companies with dedicated marketing teams Owners who enjoy building systems Julian Mills’ View Most businesses don’t struggle because they chose the wrong CRM. They struggle because they chose the wrong implementation model. The right software with the wrong support model can be just as frustrating as the wrong software. Over the years I’ve seen businesses spend thousands of pounds switching software platforms when the real problem wasn’t the software. The problem was that the implementation approach no longer matched the stage the business had reached. Many businesses start with a Done For You approach. As they grow, they often want more flexibility, more understanding and more ownership. Others start by doing everything themselves and eventually realise they need specialist support. The trick is matching the implementation model to your business, your team and your ambitions. Comparison Table Feature Done For You Done With You Done By You Example We Build Trades MarketerM8 HighLevel Direct HighLevel Software Included Included Included Industry Templates Yes Limited No Customisation Low/ Moderate High High Training Some Extensive Self-Service Weekly Workshops No Yes No Strategy Support Limited Yes No Speed Of Deployment Fast Medium Variable Technical Knowledge Required Low Low High Ongoing Guidance Yes Yes No Signs You May Have Outgrown Your Current Setup Many businesses start with one implementation model and later discover they need another. Common signs include: You have pipelines nobody uses. Staff avoid using the CRM. You don’t understand how the workflows work. Every change takes time and requires agency involvement. You want to introduce new services but the system feels restrictive. You feel the software is dictating your business process. Your team is using spreadsheets because the CRM doesn’t quite fit. You struggle to generate meaningful reports. You don’t know which automations are still active. Read more…
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How HighLevel Fixes the Leaky Bucket That’s Costing Your Business Leads, Sales and Revenue

Most businesses don’t have a lead generation problem. They have a follow-up problem. Every missed call, forgotten quote, uncontacted lead and unanswered enquiry creates another hole in the bucket. Many business owners believe they need more leads. More Google Ads. More Facebook Ads. More SEO. More website traffic. But after working in marketing and CRM systems for nearly 30 years, I’ve found that many businesses don’t have a lead generation problem at all. They have a lead management problem. More specifically, they have a leaky lead bucket. Every missed call, slow response, forgotten quote, lost Facebook message and uncontacted prospect allows potential revenue to leak away. Imagine trying to fill a bucket with water. You can keep pouring more and more water into the top, but if the bucket has holes in it, much of that water simply leaks away. The same thing happens with sales leads. Businesses spend thousands of pounds generating enquiries, but many of those opportunities disappear because of poor follow-up, disconnected systems and inconsistent processes. Before spending more money generating leads, it often makes sense to repair the bucket first. That’s where HighLevel can help. By combining CRM, sales pipelines, marketing automation, AI receptionists, email marketing, SMS, WhatsApp and follow-up systems into a single platform, HighLevel helps businesses repair the leaks before spending more money generating new leads. What Does A Leaky Sales Bucket Look Like? Let’s look at some of the most common leaks I see when working with small businesses. Missed Phone Calls A potential customer calls. You’re driving. You’re with another customer. You’re in a meeting. The call goes unanswered. The prospect simply phones the next company on Google. One missed call can easily represent hundreds or thousands of pounds in lost revenue. Slow Responses To New Enquiries A prospect completes a website form. You intend to call them back later. Later becomes tomorrow. Tomorrow becomes next week. By then the prospect has often bought elsewhere. Speed matters. The first business to engage usually has a significant advantage. Social Media Messages That Never Reach Your CRM Many businesses now receive enquiries through: Facebook Messenger Instagram Direct Messages Facebook Lead Forms WhatsApp Social media comments The problem is these conversations often live in separate systems. Messages get buried. Notifications get missed. Team members assume someone else has replied. The lead disappears. Website Visitors Who Leave Without Contacting You Most visitors leave a website without making contact. Some are interested. Some have questions. Some are not quite ready to speak to someone. Without a mechanism to engage them, they leave and are never seen again. Quotes That Are Never Followed Up This is one of the most expensive leaks of all. Work goes into nurturing the sale, Writing the quote. The quote gets sent. Then nothing happens. The prospect becomes busy. The business owner assumes they weren’t interested. The opportunity quietly disappears. Leads That Need More Than One Follow-Up Many prospects do not buy immediately. They may: Need approval Compare suppliers Wait for funding Become distracted by day-to-day life Many businesses follow up once and then stop. The prospect isn’t saying no. They simply haven’t said yes yet. No Appointment Reminder System People are busy. People forget. No-shows happen. Every missed appointment is another leak in the bucket. Trade Show Leads That Go Cold Businesses spend thousands exhibiting at trade shows. They collect hundreds of leads. Then return to normal business activities. The follow-up never happens. Weeks later those leads have gone cold. Leads Trapped Inside Other Systems Another hidden leak occurs when leads become scattered across: Gmail Outlook Facebook Instagram WhatsApp Spreadsheets Website forms Event systems Nobody has a complete picture. Nobody knows exactly where each lead sits in the sales process. Things inevitably fall through the cracks. The Hidden Goldmine: Lead Reactivation One of the biggest leaks I see is also one of the easiest to fix. Most businesses have hundreds or thousands of old prospects sitting in their database. People who: Requested a quote Made an enquiry Downloaded a guide Attended an event Nearly bought Then nobody followed up. These leads are often much easier to convert than finding brand new prospects because they already know who you are. A simple lead reactivation campaign can produce remarkable results. One specialist sash window repair company had accumulated thousands of old quotations that had never been properly followed up. Using a simple email reactivation campaign, they contacted previous prospects and asked whether they still needed help. Within days, the campaign generated approximately £40,000 in additional sales opportunities. No additional advertising. No additional SEO. No additional lead generation. Just better follow-up. Sometimes the easiest sale is already sitting in your database. How HighLevel Repairs A Leaky Sales Bucket Most CRM systems store information. HighLevel helps businesses take action. By bringing together multiple tools into one platform, HighLevel helps ensure leads don’t slip through the cracks. HighLevel CRM Every enquiry, customer and prospect is stored in one central database. No more hunting through spreadsheets, emails and notebooks. HighLevel Sales Pipelines Every lead can be tracked from first enquiry through to sale. You can instantly see: New enquiries Quotes sent Follow-up required Appointments booked Won business Lost opportunities HighLevel Marketing Automation Follow-up no longer relies on memory. Workflows can automatically: Send emails Send SMS messages Trigger WhatsApp messages Create tasks Notify staff Move opportunities through pipelines HighLevel AI Receptionist An AI-powered phone assistant can answer calls, qualify leads, answer common questions and book appointments. Many businesses use this to cover evenings, weekends and holidays when staff are unavailable. HighLevel Missed Call Text Back When someone calls and nobody answers, HighLevel can immediately send a text message. Instead of losing the lead entirely, the conversation continues. HighLevel Lead Nurturing Not every lead buys today. Automated nurturing ensures prospects remain engaged until they are ready to make a decision. The Three Fastest Ways To Repair A Leaky Sales Bucket When I work with clients, there are usually dozens of improvements we could make. However, three areas consistently produce Read more…
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🎓 HighLevel Level Training Workshop #10 : Courses & Communities – 6th October 2026

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #11 : eCommerce & Ad Manager – 23rd June 2026

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #12 : Advanced Marketing –

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #13 : AI Employee – 7th July 2026

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #1: HighLevel Foundations for Beginners – 28th July 2026

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #2 : Simple Email Marketing – 4th August 2026

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #3 : Calendars & Appointments – 11th August 2026

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #4 : Sales Pipelines & Opportunities –

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #5 : Automation & Workflows -

🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #6 : Database Management

Book Review. Endless Customers by Marcus Sheridan

The Ask. What’s The Best Survey Funnel Software Bucket.io Alternative for Ryan Levesque’s Ask Method (HighLevel)

Book Review: Scorecard Marketing by Daniel Priestley

Book Review: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Clear, practical, and genuinely enjoyable – The Personal MBA is a book that’s earned its permanent place on my shelf

DotCom Secrets (2020 Edition Review) by Russell Brunson – A Must-Read for All HighLevel Users

Wow! Just Read: Sell Like Crazy – Sabri Suby

Have you read “The Ultimate Sales Machine” by Chet Holmes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Selling to Serve – James Asford – GoProposal

Have you read ‘They Ask You Answer’ by Marcus Sheridan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐