Advertising : Putting DoorHangers on Vacation Rentals

[Ursula]

So I had this thought to interest people who are on vacation to get their beach portraits. The only concern I have is I really want to tell people about my services BEFORE they're on vacation so there's a larger chance they haven't gotten a photographer. I wish I knew a percentage that actually book photographers prior to visiting the area. :(

BUT ANYWAY...

I'm planning on buying 1,000 doorhangers that say something like like "Hey, Don't forget to bring back memories from your vacation! Book a fun beach portrait session today, and take $50 off!" Then I will go around the area and hang them on all of these beach vacation rentals around. (And there's a bunch!) The only thing I'm worried about is how this will work out, if at all!

So, has anyone done doorhangers type of advertising for photography?

Thanks!

[blackshadow]

Unless it's a wedding or other special event I wouldn't think too many people book photographers before they go on holidays - it's more a spur of the moment thing when you are there. I think the door hangers sound like a great idea. Maybe brochures in the lobby of hotels etc might be a good idea too.

[Ursula]

Really? I didn't think so either but I actually have only gotten 1 beach booking when they were actually in town. Granted I've only done about... 14 beach sessions but that's a pretty small ratio so far. It's probably just how I'm marketing myself at the moment so I get more bookings prior to when they come into town. (Because when they're IN town they arn't online looking for a photographer anyway and I'm not in the phone book or any hotel lobbies.) So wow, I pretty much answered that mystery myself :D Haha!

I think I'll start designing my doorhanger now.

[Redfish]

Instead of door hangeres, you might talk to the vacation rental places where the people check in. Offer to do a session for the owner in exchange for including a brochure with their check-in package and room keys, then have a couple prints hung in the lobby. .....

good luck and keep us posted

[justisnmnz]

That's actually a great idea, you'd probably need to hire a couple more hands just ot keep up with the calls. :D

[Elphaba]

I like Redfish's idea. I use vacation rentals when I am in Hawaii or Ireland and I always pour over the adverts that come in the rental packet info that has my keys to the rental. Usually door hangers just get trashed...

[Converge]

When anyone puts anything on my car or on my door, it goes in the trash.

[figmented]

there is a reason door hangers exist tho.

[tcphoto1]

That's got to be the tackiest thing I've ever heard.

[justisnmnz]

That's got to be the tackiest thing I've ever heard.
Care to explain?

[tcphoto1]

If I'm on vacation enjoying my time off with family or friends, do you think that it's appropriate to solicit someone for a photograph? What do you do when someone puts a flyer under you windshield wiper or hand you a flyer on a city street? I trash it 100% of the time. If you're going to solicit, ask the resort or hotel management if you can leave cards with the other local attraction materials.

[justisnmnz]

True, but for every 10 or even 20 people who throw it away, one family may be interested in a nice beach photoshoot. Honestly, just because you personally throw them away(as do I) that doesn't mean everyone does.

[Ursula]

If I'm on vacation enjoying my time off with family or friends, do you think that it's appropriate to solicit someone for a photograph? What do you do when someone puts a flyer under you windshield wiper or hand you a flyer on a city street? I trash it 100% of the time. If you're going to solicit, ask the resort or hotel management if you can leave cards with the other local attraction materials.

It's true to some extent. Most people do trash it and that's fine... but if I saw something on my door that looked PRETTY I think I would at least consider it and wouldn't trash it instantly. I'm definitely not looking for 100 calls... my expectations are maybe 1 call out of the 50 hangers that I put around. But I suppose that's why when you buy flyers/door hangers/etc the quantites start at least around 1,000. :)

It's not worse than this company at Baytowne Wharf here, he has people go down to the beach and take pictures of families/etc down there while they're relaxing. Then they can come back to the booth later on and see them on the computer and he prints them in the booth. His print costs start at like $50 for a 8x10. I know he makes damn good money out there but I personally find it intrusive and highway robbery. (The pictures are crap quality too in my opinion.)

I like redfish's idea too! Thank you, I'll definitely do that.

Also since we're talking about ideas I read somewhere about magnets on mailboxes. I'm going to try that during the winter for local portraits. His description of when he markets is just drive down the road and stick a magnet to all the mailboxes. Sounds easier than doors to me! :lol:

[tomd]

I personally feel door hangers are in invasion of privacy. I assume you will be going onto the property of the owner to hang your advertisment. Do you have permission to do this?
When door hangers are on the doors for a few days, this is a clear signal to theives that no one is home!

[Ursula]

I personally feel door hangers are in invasion of privacy. I assume you will be going onto the property of the owner to hang your advertisment. Do you have permission to do this?
When door hangers are on the doors for a few days, this is a clear signal to theives that no one is home!

The places I have in mind of going would probably be impossible to ask any owners permission. The rentals here, even though they are all the same, are mostly owned by many multiple people. It's more like little minihomes next to one another with some for sale and rent.

I actually never thought about thieves before... that's a point... but at the same time you can say that with a lot of things. What about phone books? Same thing can happen.