 Jennifer Harden |
Marketing? What worked/s for you? I'm actively trying to market my new wedding, portrait and event photography business and am considering several options. I've taken out an add in my local paper and am comparing several on-line bridal sites to determine which ones, if any, I want to pay the $200-400 annual fee to advertise with and have them link to my site (along with the 35-50 other photographers already there and wondering how to differentiate myself). I'm wondering what marketing things have worked for you guys when you were first getting started and where you get the most bang for your marketing dollar? Once you're established most of your business will come from referalls and repeat clients I expect but everyone has to get started somewhere, right? What about local wedding magazines? Booths at wedding shows/fairs? Other types of advertising, like the yellow pages? I also do portrait and event photography but would like to specialize in weddings. Any suggestions so I don't waste what little money I've managed to earn thus far?
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Debbie Del Tejo |
Jennifer, I don't know if you live in a big city...but I will tell you what worked for me and I live in a pretty big area. I joined the Chamber of Commerce and became active in it. Joined a Committee and met so many people that everyone in town knew me as a photographer. I also joined a small networking group...where 25 businesses all worked for me. They only allow one proffession to join. I walked and met every merchant in town. I attended any free event for politicians etc. I took free photos for non-profit organizations and this quite often resulted in weddings. People in those organizations would know me already and they would recommend me and hire me for their own weddings. I have not placed an ad in any magazine or newspaper for over 10 years and I am busy with weddings every Saturday. Give great customer service and let that be your strength. Now I don't attend many Chamber functions and I have passed the baton, so to speak. I say, give it 2-3 years and become well known in your comunity and you will see the big payoff. I know so many photographers that are shy and don't want to go out there and meet people....well, no amount of advertising is going to help you if you are shy. Go out there and meet people. I wish you the best of luck. I know of no better way to advertise yourself then be a shining light in your community.
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Mark Feldstein |
I wholeheartedly agree with Debbie. Excellent points although I do disagree with one: I wouldn't try to get started by giving your work away for nothing. Afterall, non-profit doesn't mean "no-profit". Being a philanthropist is one thing but not while you're in a start-up mode. The reason is because you may get a reputation as someone who does just that and next time around when you offer to charge, they'll likely remind you that the reason they called is because you didn't charge them last time. Also, you should have a marketing budget and flexible start-up biz plan, and drop a dime on a couple of books by a friend of mine, Maria Piscopo who is a photographer rep and member of SPAR. The other thing is join one or more professional associations and attend local chapter meetings in your area. Let other studio owners know you're out there and offer to assist them (for a fee).
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Debbie Del Tejo |
I agree,Mark. It does take a skill to not be taken for granted. I picked a non-profit that I supported THE RED CROSS. I feel they will be there if I needed them. But in some instances I had to say NO. Your added advice was RIGHT ON!
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Mary Iacofano |
Like Jennifer, I am also wanting to make some extra money or full time income on photography. I will share this... I am the photographer for a local Charity Fishing Tournament Circuit. This means 3 weekend events a year. And I meen a 3 day weekend event. I spend at least 40 hours shooting, editing a wonderful portfolio for the directors. I have noticed, the more ppl get to know me, the more they ask for me to shoot their other charity events. Of course charity meens they cant pay a dime. This year I finally started to say no...sorry, cant do it. As much as I give, the charity events will drain you. Dont get the reputation like I did for doing alot of work for free. Funny how people forget to thank you when you send them personal cd's of their images. Now, ... I am finally beginning to "take it light" ;) Cheers,
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Jennifer Harden |
Thanks for all the information. I'm going to pick up Maria Piscopo's and Vik Orenstein's photography marketing books next week. Any other ideas?
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Mark Feldstein |
Interesting Debbie, I offered my services to the local Red Cross chapter too. The first incident I covered, the chapter director sent copies of my pix to their national media director. They published the work in a news letter (which was ok with me) but THEN claimed they owned the photos and their copyright. ROFLOL !!!! I think NOT. Then they tried to get me to sign an after-the-fact transfer and copyright release. (Do I look that dumb?). That promptly put an end to our photographic relationship. I now volunteer by teaching instructors how to teach CPR and whenever they ask me to photograph something, whether an event like a burger cookout or something else, I just politely decline. Mary is right. Doing non-profit work, whether for pay or not, will just drain you. Sure it may be worthwhile, but on a regular basis you can't eat volunteerism. It just won't fill the pantry.
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Mark Feldstein |
Hey Jen !!! There's an old marketing adage that goes "when business is bad, advertise. When business improves, advertise more." I think that's true. The objective in promoting your work as a photographer is to keep your work out there in front of the potential buyers. It should be as distinctive and unique as possible to really catch and keep their attention. That way, people who see it and who aren't even getting married will keep it somewhere and use it if and when they do. My vibe on local publications like weddings mags, is that they're largely or solely "advertorial" in that businesses pay pretty good dough to have articles in there about themselves. What you could try to do is SHOOT for the bridal mags, get them to give you photo credit and then COMP you on your advertising with them. See if that one floats.
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Carolyn L. Fox |
Jennifer and Mary, I don't know if you're interested or have the budget for it, but PDN is sponsoring a photo marketing seminar in various locations across the country. Check it out at pdnontheroad.com and see if it's something you might be interested in attending. Best of luck.
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