Back from day 2 of the bridal expo..with over 300 raffle entries

[LeesaB]

Do I call them ALL? I can't see how I can..What I did is seperated 07 from 08 and 09. I won't call the 07's. They most likely have their photographer an if not..they are going to need to get them real fast. i went through 08 and deleted duplicates and waht not..and will pick 20-30 from there? waht do you think?

[johnstoy]

Where is the rest of your post referring to, please? a previous thread started here?

What are 07's, 08's, and 09's? Qualifiers?

[LeesaB]

I was in a two day bridal show? Am I supposed to link threads? I have NO idea how...

But I was told to call them all...07 refers to the year they are getting married...2007, 2008 and 2009

[johnstoy]

I was in a two day bridal show? Am I supposed to link threads? I have NO idea how...

But I was told to call them all...07 refers to the year they are getting married...2007, 2008 and 2009

I see so you're sorting leads from a bridal show...the more leads the merrier...How much did the booth set you back? did you get a corner booth? how many days was the show?

To link a Thread, just copy the thread Address from the top of the screen and paste it into your posting... (Copy and Paste) it's pretty easy...the copy saves the address link to the clip board and than you just paste it onto your reply post. or new thread posting...Cool, huh?

[jessiper]

If they have e-mail, then make out a form e-mail that you can change just a bit for each one, and send it out. A lot of '07 brides are not going to have their photogs yet. Just call/e-mail as many as you can/have time for.

[coreypolis]

you did a raffle and are throwing out entries and posting that on a public forum?

Or are you just talking about leads and not a contest?

Its only Jan so its not out of the question by any means for a 2007 couple to not have a photographer yet. Many got engaged over the holidays and are planning a summer wedding.

[xtravaluemeal1]

glad to hear the suggestion helped! Let's see you book some!

[LeesaB]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=260498

Ok..here is the thread...and someone told me to do a raffle then call them all...I can't do that and I want to just pick like 20 names...

Not throwing any out...

I think originally it was corey's idea...

Most did not leave emails..they brought those address stickers and just put them on...amazing, must be the newest thing.

It was a two day show...they cut me a deal I got a 10x10 booth for 250 dollars...normal price is 500. I sgned up for next year because they give you a percentage off for that also...

It's all new to me, the best thing I gained was networking also.

I got one booking so far....They say it does not happen alot if ever at the show, but it did and I am excited...an outdoor May wedding...let's pray for now rain....

[sugarzebra]

I think you need to contact all of them.....its easy and inexpensive to set up a personalized letter, enclosing some of your promotional materials. It should be a low key letter and really acts as another touch point with a potential client. You need to do this ASAP because the effectiveness of this type of letter diminishes as time since the show increases. To try and select 20 potential clients from a random collection of 300 names is pointless. You are in a great position with all those potential contacts....I hope you can parlay those conatcts into clients.

[anjc]

Congrats on your success at the bridal show! I am a newb here, but what if you offered the winning 07 couples an 'after honeymoon' session instead of a wedding session? Give them a coupon for photos that would equal the value of the wedding session photos, but with an expiration date...say..not valid after 6 months, that way if they DID have a photog already, they are still in a win-win situation with you? If they don't have a photog, and it isn't a wedding booked for next month (lol) then maybe you still would have the opportunity to shoot the wedding. Again Congrats!

Like I said, I'm a newbie to photography..been lurking here for a looooong time and I see there are people who think they are God behind a camera post sometimes...so no flamey the newbie who just wants to learn and help :D :D

[LeesaB]

I think you have a great idea...and I understand about the posts...

I am not sure people think they are God, but sometimes when people type, they become a little insensitive or nasty...for what ever reason..AND sometimes it just comes across that way...

The one thing I know for sure..with all lists..are good and bad...

The good being so many people coming together for one cause and helping others, like you and I, who are new and not as schooled in understanding things many of the others have gone through and been through years ago.

I hope I remember the days when I was first learning and very NEWB, so that I can help others in a kind way.

[anjc]

You're right, the people here are generous with their time and help on this site, and I am grateful for all the learning experience I can get from this site. The wealth of knowledge and experience here is phenomenal!

[cosworth]

I'd kill for 300 leads. Are you seriously only going to touch 20 of them?

If you can't touch them, sell your leads to someone that CAN use them. Or as pay it forward suggests, take the suggestion given free here and pass on your leads to someone you trust nearby not to screw you in the future. You might buy an alliance that keeps you in work.

[LeesaB]

Noooooooo...what I meant was..I dont' think I can give them all a free engagement photo session....I think I may have mis understood from the original post...I thought she said to give them al a free shoot..but I can definetly send a letter etc...I am going to start to work on that now.

Later tonight, my daughter and I are going to pick 20 out of the bowl and call them for the free session...

I think that will work the best.

[johnstoy]

Labels at trade shows are as old as labels themselves...If you can sort the leads out by urgency and proximity to you...I would call them first...

Best is a mail-out and a telephone chaser ...Everyone else at the show will be doing the exact same thing...Calling right away is the rule of thumb for trade show leads...The first person who talks to your prospective client will have the first shot to make them a great offer...;)

Sort by Alphabet and copy a master list, file away for future reference...sort the loose leads by phone number...

and call the local #'s first...include cell phone #'s in the to be called first...after the round of first calls, sort by:

talked to
booked
CB - call back
NA - no answer
wrong number
NI - not interested
etc.

create a working file system of all of the above...use the master list copy for cross reference only...:cool:

Build your lead inventory from the call backs and no answers...call back exactly on time and exact day they request the return call...:D

[Eoseni]

Great scott! You are in an enviable position. Do all you can to secure as much business as you're able/want to. All the suggestions given thus far are good. Now it's just getting to work. Good luck to you!

You have their wedding dates so you can fill out your calendar right? 07,08 and 09. YOu may have enough for 3 years...

[LeesaB]

I am making up a few letters to send out, I have called a few, left messages..it is exciting..and wow...the more I think of it, all I can do with these names...

next year, because I paid in adance, the promoters of the show give us a list of names and addresses of the brides to be that sign up...so that will be even cooler

[tofuboy]

If you can convince some of those 300 to reschedule their weddings for later years and book with you, you could be booked solid for about 6 years!! Probably a long shot there though :o

One thought, as you say you can't give out 300 free sessions so pick 20 or whatever number you're comfortable with; then send the rest a letter (or contact them in some way) along the lines of thanks for entering, sorry to say you didn't win, but I'd like to offer you <something free> if you book me for your wedding.

That way you're not giving away 300 free sessions, but are still making some sort of contact with everyone who entered.

[islandphoto]

Is a phone call to every potential client really neccessary? I would think that a nice email or flier would work fine. Do most photographers get on the phone after a bridal show? If so, what do you say??

I'm doing a show this weekend. That's why I'm so curious.

[johnstoy]

Is a phone call to every potential client really necessary? I would think that a nice email or flier would work fine. Do most photographers get on the phone after a bridal show? If so, what do you say??

I'm doing a show this weekend. That's why I'm so curious.

Write a telephone presentation with an Introduction...some qualifying questions for the prospective client... and try to create some urgency for them to make a decision to do business with you, right then and there...
Follow this exact presentation format every time...and start calling...

For the, no answers and call backs and appointments;
Create a Call Back file and call them at a specific time convenient to them...

You'll be surprised to find that when you sit down and start dialing from the list of 300, you will find most are no answer... the decision maker is not home... call back at a more convenient time... wrong number...not interested...and some will listen to your presentation...and several will want to take you up on your offer...

They need to know sufficient information to make a decission...
Give them that information... and try to make the appointment... You may want to consider a "home sit" appointment... If they won't come to you, offer to go to them...

Get comfortable, with all your lists, appointment book, calendar...even a credit card machine...you can take a deposit right over the phone...and start calling...thereafter, call to confirm every appointment.

Be discrete, polite and smile when you talk to them...they are your bread and butter for your business.

The return on mail outs is very, very low...