January - Did your business slow down?

[ve7clj]

Hi all:

How's January working out for your photography business? I ask this because for me January is really slow. Yes I get lots of leads from my website and word of mouth. I went to four consultation meetings so far this month...

In these meetings I always try to close the deal after talking to the couple about their needs by saying like "So should we get started with the process?" etc. In November and December I got lots more people wanted to sign the contract right away. In this month all of my prospects want to "think about it for a few days" or "think more about it first" etc...

What's your experience? Do you think in general January people are out of money, even for deposit?


(By the way I shoot weddings)

[liza]

I think a January slow down is typical. I've had several senior portrait inquiries and bookings for later on in the year, but have nothing to shoot right now. I did get some print orders from fall senior sessions, however, and expect a couple more as the deadline for yearbook pics draws closer. I'm working on advertising for weddings right now as well as prints and a slideshow for the upcoming winter sports banquet.

[ve7clj]

Liza: Sounds like you keep yourself pretty busy. Keep it up! Thanks for sharing my feelings about January in general.

[liza]

Liza: Sounds like you keep yourself pretty busy. Keep it up! Thanks for sharing my feelings about January in general.

Business has really picked up for me within the past year. If I had health benefits, I'd quit the day job and just do the photography full time.

[ve7clj]

Do any of you think that since Christmas is over and people tend to have less money now their buying habits change? Also may be in December people don't have lots of time to think about stuff so they hire the photographer they meet?

Really perplexed.

[ssim]

I've been getting plenty of inquiries and business. For me business doesn't have to be shooting but selling from previous jobs. I sent out an email "sale" notice knocking 10% off reprint price to those that I had done work for in the last half of 2006. They have to order by the end of January. So far it looks like it is going to work very well.

I do some weddings but try to concentrate on commercial work which I find more financially rewarding. The commercial market is not quite so prevalent with the weekend warrior shooters. The ones responding with orders though are mostly from wedding and portrait work with a few commercial ones thrown in. I don't supply CD/DVD as part of my packages and it works well for me.

You can't sit and hope that business will come your way, you have to seek it. There is always going to be quiet times of the year and January is traditionally one of them, imo.

[ve7clj]

Hey ssim, thanks for the input and advice. I will go out more and get find more clients :-)