Bridal EXpo tips and advice

[kobus2]

I have done some reading on this topic in this forum and elsewhere, and have got some good ideas from those. Stuff like have lots of business cards ready, have a few fav pics printed/framed big, a book for booking weddings in advance, flyers, giving 10% discount for bookings done at the expo, etc...

I will not have a laptop available - so a slide show will be out of the question at this stage. What other things could I consider to help me market my business better?

I have a small space available at this event 3m2 - basically a small table and space for a flip chart type stand.

Any advice, especially from experience is appreciated.

[gkwood]

Do you have any room for some of your work to be hung on the wall or around your area ??? also do you have a printed price plan???

[LeesaB]

What about a Desktop? our lap top fried when we went to put it in...the power supply went...So..we had to bring in a desk top..and it worked fine..all anyone saw was the moniter..flat screen...

I honestly cannot think of anything else...People really do not stand around and "look" at your stuff...they breeze by, it' a busy day or two.

Stand outside your booth..hand people things and greet them..be nice and upbeat and fun. I joked with some that looked so zombie like...and some won't have the time of day for you..that is ok..

Oooooo some other tips..do not eat at your both, do not sit behind your booth and chat while people walk by. Answer questions...Do not talk negitive about anyone else there...

and do the raffle..and a bowl of individually wrapped candies..not hard candy, but something fun, like kisses..those are cool...

[coreypolis]

I haven't been a vendor, but have attended them. Our expo was about 60% photogrpahers, so that was awful. There wasn't much to differentiate between low cost and high value, the booth with a 1k guy was next to the 1020k guy and really didn't show it.

80% of the vendors had the costco larger picture prame with 4 5x7s, 4 4x6's and 1 8x10. Most had a 24" or 30" display running photos. One had a plasma.

What we found really intrested couples:
Who the actual photographer was, many were there that an unknown associate photographer would be doing it.
Digital negs, they wanted them, even if not full rez
Reason to book on the spot or right away, some type of incentive
Wide variety of styles of imagery, albums, products.
Take aways, I grabbed them all, only 1 or 2 even seemed decent to me. Some had a slot for a cd or dvd and it wasn't in there (this firm I later found out is nuts, 105+ booked weddings this year already, 15 staff photogs, highest priced package is less than $3k with album and 2 photogs and digi negs)
Interative - let them flip some album pages, grab for something, if they can just walk right by they probably will. Be there greeting and talking with them, have water and fresh breath, wear comfy shoes, network like crazy with other vendors, DO NOT bad motuh the competition, sell your style and services, don't compare yourself to others.

[oldshooter]

I haven't been a vendor, but have attended them. Our expo was about 60% photogrpahers, so that was awful. There wasn't much to differentiate between low cost and high value, the booth with a 1k guy was next to the 1020k guy and really didn't show it.

80% of the vendors had the costco larger picture prame with 4 5x7s, 4 4x6's and 1 8x10. Most had a 24" or 30" display running photos. One had a plasma.

What we found really intrested couples:
Who the actual photographer was, many were there that an unknown associate photographer would be doing it.
Digital negs, they wanted them, even if not full rez
Reason to book on the spot or right away, some type of incentive
Wide variety of styles of imagery, albums, products.
Take aways, I grabbed them all, only 1 or 2 even seemed decent to me. Some had a slot for a cd or dvd and it wasn't in there (this firm I later found out is nuts, 105+ booked weddings this year already, 15 staff photogs, highest priced package is less than $3k with album and 2 photogs and digi negs)
Interative - let them flip some album pages, grab for something, if they can just walk right by they probably will. Be there greeting and talking with them, have water and fresh breath, wear comfy shoes, network like crazy with other vendors, DO NOT bad motuh the competition, sell your style and services, don't compare yourself to others.

Wow, Corey hearing that 60% of the vendors were photographers is a bit scary! I am curious what show did you attend? The Convention Center show in January, or Bellevue show?

Warm Regards,
Joe

[coreypolis]

Wow, Corey hearing that 60% of the vendors were photographers is a bit scary! I am curious what show did you attend? The Convention Center show in January, or Bellevue show?

Warm Regards,
Joe
the convention center one. Our friends booked at least 5 from it, but they said they won't do that one again. Supposedly tacoma is a good one, the seattle one has a several year waiting list. I'm shooting for the next Bellevue one, but ideally I'm more working on networking with vendors and anyone in general to get personal referals.

It was kinda sad, only 1 caterer, 1 cake person, mostly photogs, video, travel agents, makeup, Lovers package and davids bridal.

[oldshooter]

the convention center one. Our friends booked at least 5 from it, but they said they won't do that one again. Supposedly tacoma is a good one, the seattle one has a several year waiting list. I'm shooting for the next Bellevue one, but ideally I'm more working on networking with vendors and anyone in general to get personal referals.

It was kinda sad, only 1 caterer, 1 cake person, mostly photogs, video, travel agents, makeup, Lovers package and davids bridal.

I considered going to the Convention center show myself just to see what the competition was up to. I have attended it many times over the years, but not in the last five or so years. Networking with other vendors has worked well for me over the years and the web now too. You are a good shooter and if you want to get together some time let me know.
Warm Regards,
Joe

[kobus2]

mmmm thnx for the ideas so far

seems the trick is to get ppl to actually slow down and stop at your booth, something attention grabbing is required

keep the ideas coming ...