BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Photography Careers and Making Money

Photography Question 

Eric Neese
 

How do I get custmers?


I have a 2400 sq. ft. house. My garage is my studio. I want to take pictures every day. I need custmers. How do I get them? My wife will help but dosen't know what to do. I have price packages and photos to show but I cant afford to advertise much. I'm giving my cards out to everyone I can. I need customers, what can I do? Help! My site is www.mydigitalstudios.com. Do I suck or what?

Eric


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April 05, 2004

 

Liz Novak
  Eric,

I looked at your site and your work is really good. I just started doing portraits and it seems like clients are very few. I think it just takes a while for word to get out. I did my first portraits about 6 months ago and I am just starting to get calls from people who have heard about or seen my work for someone else. Patience is the key I think. Good luck!!


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April 06, 2004

 

Bob Cammarata
  I agree with Elizabeth's assessment about patience, and about the "word of mouth" referrals you'll get from past clients.
In the meantime,...do whatever you can to get your name out there among perspective customers. (A good start, would be to add your name to your Home Page, and Bio Page...I looked twice to be sure, but it wasn't there.)
In addition to the business cards you are already doing, you could also create a signature message, which would appear on all of your out-going e-mails,...both personal and professional.
The message should include your name, company name, a brief "slogan" to describe your services, and your web address. Anyone with whom you correspond, will be able to instantly click to your web site.
This service is free from most..(if not all), e-mail providers under "options".

Good luck!


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April 06, 2004

 

x
  Your work is very good. This business is tough. I too am struggling with this. But, I am fortunate that I have money to spend on advertising.

I advertise in several places. I've also been using my contacts. For example, a friend of mine owns a hair salon...perfect. So, she lets me keep a little display on their counter with some business cards. I just started that, but it seems that very slowly, words getting out.

People, in my experience, don;t just jump right up and do it. It's something where eventually, all the cards will fall into place, and they'll say, hey, I know someone who does that. But, it takes a while.

It's tough. It doesn't seem to be a money making business, although, there must be a way. I think it takes enormous dedication and talent.

Jerry


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April 07, 2004

 

Josh Hudson
  Best advertising is comps for starting out. Go to events and shoot. Just shoot. Then get those photos out to the people at the event. They will go "wow!" I found that if you just find the right people everything opens up.
I have even gone so far as to just show up at someone's bed and breakfast and asked if I could shoot some photos and give them copies. You would be amazed how that turns into a brochure or a webphoto with a link.
Another friend of mine got lots of gigs by going to a Medical Convention and just shooting candids. He brought his laptop and printer and had prints by the end of the day to show. They not only bought the prints, he has ten new clients.


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April 22, 2004

 

Cindy K. Bracken
  Eric,
You don't suck! I run a home-based studio, too and keep VERY busy! I average about 5 to 7 new customers every week. You can read more at www.shuttermom.com

Thanks and good luck!


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June 28, 2004

 
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