MARKETING

[cccp145]

Marketing is one of the Biggest tools, or application that photographers need. I hope this thread will get filled with marketing advises, tips, and techniques. this is also were a lot of photographers stuggle once in a while. Markting is the Tool that can help your photography business grow. I'll start and if anyone want to continue go for it!

Advertising= Not a lot of people understand how big this is in a business. This is the key on getting yourself know, and spread around to other people. You also have to focus on a groups or the target that you want to focus, Like for wedding= the brides! for seniors= of course the high school students

I wont go on about it but will continue later if this thread grows on

[dsc_1972]

Better grammar and spelling would help.

I wont go on about it though.

[cccp145]

i know, was in a hurry t get this posted up. lol

[dsc_1972]

i know, was in a hurry t get this posted up. lol

First rule of anything...

Don't rush in t it.

:)

[cccp145]

So no one wants to start sharing?

[sebmour]

Advertising is important but you need to know what type works the best in your area.
We all know internet is a big part of advertising now, you need to insure yourself that you come out on top of search engines.

Customer service: simple, a happy customer will talk good about you and he will make you free advertising.

[JJacula]

cccp, dsc_1972 actually has a very valid point. Photography is very much about HOW you present yourself, and your spelling and grammar have a lot to do with that in this time of e-mail and websites.

I know that I, personally, am less inclined to do business with someone whose spelling and grammar aren't up to my personal standards. I won't even buy something off eBay if the seller seems less than average in intelligence.

You also need to think about how you present yourself in public - and not just at shoots. I live in a rural area, and I do business in small towns where EVERYONE knows who I am. Like a celebrity, I can't even consider running to the store for a jug of milk in my pajamas. I need to look my best and behave professionally at all times - even if my daughter is hanging off the neck of my shirt in the grocery store at the time. EVERYTHING matters. When you're a photographer, you ARE your business. People don't pay for your cameras to show up, they pay for YOU, and appearances matter.

[cccp145]

cccp, dsc_1972 actually has a very valid point. Photography is very much about HOW you present yourself, and your spelling and grammar have a lot to do with that in this time of e-mail and websites.

I know that I, personally, am less inclined to do business with someone whose spelling and grammar aren't up to my personal standards. I won't even buy something off eBay if the seller seems less than average in intelligence.

You also need to think about how you present yourself in public - and not just at shoots. I live in a rural area, and I do business in small towns where EVERYONE knows who I am. Like a celebrity, I can't even consider running to the store for a jug of milk in my pajamas. I need to look my best and behave professionally at all times - even if my daughter is hanging off the neck of my shirt in the grocery store at the time. EVERYTHING matters. When you're a photographer, you ARE your business. People don't pay for your cameras to show up, they pay for YOU, and appearances matter.

I know and you have a good point. I was just in a hurry to get this thread posted while it was on my mind. But I totally agree with you.

[cccp145]

So no one else wants to share

[trantz]

cccp145, for marketing myself, I try to find ways that no other photographer, or at least not many photographers are using. For example, I've been doing some agressive marketing through Facebook. For very cheap, you can do instant market research, finding out what demographics are on facebook, and you can target advertising at them. (ie. I've been able to isolate over 54,000 brides-to-be just in my province, and concentrate my energy towards them).
I guess also it's good to pick up the phone to get in touch with wedding planners, even bridal stores, salons and even wedding videographers. I've been chatting with 2 wedding videographers about cross promotion. We have an agreement that if I book a couple they will get 10% off said video producer's services, and vice-versa. We're both in the same department of weddings, so it's natural for the B + G to want to knock both services off almost immediately. And it's also great working with a video guy who you know and who you can work well with.
just a few things I'm trying to implement -- hope it helps!

[sapearl]

CCCP, have you tried blogging as way to generate traffic or search engine interest in your site? Actually, do you have a website where people can check out your work, or any online galleries?

Also, you made the statement: "Advertising= Not a lot of people understand how big this is in a business." Perhaps this is true for people just out of high school or somebody very young (not trying to slam youth here at all) but the importance of advertising is really evident for anybody who has just a couple of shoots under their belt.

[mmahoney]

I would expect the majority of members here are not professional wedding photographers and don't do a lot of advertising.

You pretty much need a product (in this case a portfolio of wedding photos) to even start an advertising campaign. So many here lack the product.

See some recent polls on this forum on the numbers of weddings shot and the number of weddings booked to get some sense of the number of shooters here who actually are in the business of wedding photography.

But I would disagree with your assumption that marketing is one of the biggest tools photographers require .. many successful shooters spend very little in the way of advertising.

I'm not suggesting that you don't ask the question .. but you will find better sources of information on advertising techniques elsewhere.
Mike

[cccp145]

But I would disagree with your assumption that marketing is one of the biggest tools photographers require .. many successful shooters spend very little in the way of advertising.

I'm not suggesting that you don't ask the question .. but you will find better sources of information on advertising techniques elsewhere.
Mike

Mike, Marketing is still the biggest tool, its how you market yourself and how you present yourself, is how good the business grows for you. Properly doing so, is going to get you a better start and better business. Business is marketing, without is there is no business.


My website is currently under construction. I started this thread to help everyone, not just myself. I see that a lot of peole struggle on getting clients, so i wanted people to share there ideas and there strategies so other can learn. So this is like the section were people can trade information learn from each other, and gain more knowledge.

[sapearl]

cccp, some people use blogging as a marketting tool and there's been some discussion on this topic that may interest you. Check out the following links:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=388956&highlight=blogging

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=319959&highlight=blogging

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=379566&highlight=blogging

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=378914&highlight=blogging

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=353692&highlight=blogging

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=346136&highlight=blogging

Stu

[tim]

I think people aren't posting on this thread because it's been asked before. I use google adwords and it's done good things for me.

[cccp145]

thx, for all your guys input, keep more comming if you please

[sapearl]

In addition to traditional websites, what are your views cccp on such tools as blogs, craigslist, myspace, etc.?

thx, for all your guys input, keep more comming if you please

[cccp145]

In addition to traditional websites, what are your views cccp on such tools as blogs, craigslist, myspace, etc.?
these are excellent to show people who you are as a professional and as a person also.

[sapearl]

Do you blog yourself? If so, what sort of articles/text do you run that you find helpful?

these are excellent to show people who you are as a professional and as a person also.

[cccp145]

People want to see you as a friend, not just as a photographer. so post thing what you do on your free time, what intrested you have in things. People dont pay you for how good you are at what you do, but for how good you are at who you are.

I had to restart my blog, so I'm redesigning my blog, should be up running in like 2 weeks or less.

[sapearl]

I understand what you mean about people being interested in you as a person. At the same time I believe in a certain amount of discretion, and value my privacy. I do blog about projects in which I'm involved, and enjoy sharing those experiences, but I have no intention of putting my private life on the web. Too much of this goes on already, and I don't think a lot of people really appreciate how information can be abused and people taken advantage of as a result.

Let us know when your blog is up and running :D. Which blog service do you use?

People want to see you as a friend, not just as a photographer. so post thing what you do on your free time, what intrested you have in things. People dont pay you for how good you are at what you do, but for how good you are at who you are.

I had to restart my blog, so I'm redesigning my blog, should be up running in like 2 weeks or less.

[cccp145]

https://www.blogger.com/start

[oneninerfiver]

personally I put a lot of creative efforts into my market material, and I understand why this thread does not have a lot of content to it. I'm proud of my products/clients and want to keep my 'trade secrets' to myself.

Though as a bit of advice, I would spell check, and better yet, perhaps get a job @ sears /jcpenny to see how they shoot/use best practices rather re-inventing the wheel for yourself. And at the least, get a thesaurus.

[cccp145]

personally I put a lot of creative efforts into my market material, and I understand why this thread does not have a lot of content to it. I'm proud of my products/clients and want to keep my 'trade secrets' to myself.

Though as a bit of advice, I would spell check, and better yet, perhaps get a job @ sears /jcpenny to see how they shoot/use best practices rather re-inventing the wheel for yourself. And at the least, get a thesaurus.

This thread isnt just for me, I have my own little secrets, who doesnt. but I wanted this thread to be just aa a help and eye opener to some

[sapearl]

I don't mind sharing "secrets" and some techniques with other POTN members. Typically we are not in direct geographic competition with each other so I am not cutting my own "business throat" as it were by discussing my work or marketting.

[NZDoug]

Advertising shooters dont market the same way wedding guys do.
Executive portraiture is different than baby photos.
You pick your target market.
Specializing helps, ;) then target that market.

[rhys]

Starting with babies and stuff is good but everybody does that. You need to progress into different areas.

[sapearl]

Do you have a particular direction you want to follow cccp?

[NZDoug]

Is that in Russia?

[cccp145]

Is that in Russia?
lol

[cccp145]

Do you have a particular direction you want to follow cccp?
not really just what ever people want to share with others

[sapearl]

I don't believe you will be seeing a lot more on this thread, unless perhaps you come up with some specific comments or questions. As Tim pointed out this has been covered in several other areas already. Do a forum search and you will be able to find additional info.

not really just what ever people want to share with others

[Binning]

Advertising shooters dont market the same way wedding guys do.
Executive portraiture is different than baby photos.
You pick your target market.
Specializing helps, ;) then target that market.

NZDoug makes some good points.

Marketing does not equal advertising. Marketing is the combination of product, price and promotion wrapped inside a business plan.

[rhys]

Is that in Russia?

CCCP is the Russian for USSR but in the Cyrillic alphabet. Transliterated it's SSSR (Soyuz Sovietskikh, Sosialistnikh Respubliki).

[sapearl]

Any other thoughts cccp? What part of the business do you think you will be concentrating on?

not really just what ever people want to share with others

[cccp145]

Any other thoughts cccp? What part of the business do you think you will be concentrating on?
my name is Vlad. I focus on Weddings and Portrait photography. As far as what I wanted on this thread is people sharing about what advertsing methods work for them and what doesnt so others can learn from their mistakes and not repeat the same ones

[sapearl]

Vlad, have you tried any of the online wedding listing services that typically will target particular cities and offer their sites as one-stop bridal shopping locations for things like caterers, photographers, bands, DJ's, videographers, etc.

Some have tie-in's with glossy magazines of their own or other publications. Cost to participate in these listings usually starts around $700/yr. and goes up from their depending upon the size of advertising you order. Ever use one of those Vlad?

my name is Vlad. I focus on Weddings and Portrait photography. As far as what I wanted on this thread is people sharing about what advertsing methods work for them and what doesnt so others can learn from their mistakes and not repeat the same ones

[Big WIll]

I found these very useful for marketing.

10 Ways to Write More Effective Ads
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160185741582

18 Secrets to Successful Marketing:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160185754279

[EOSFanatic]

I'm an upcoming wedding photographer with several weddings under my belt before reaching college. Aside from searching for possible cross-promotions what are your suggestions for the most cost effective means of advertising? ps: I do already have a decent portfolio.

[rhys]

I'm an upcoming wedding photographer with several weddings under my belt before reaching college. Aside from searching for possible cross-promotions what are your suggestions for the most cost effective means of advertising? ps: I do already have a decent portfolio.

Different things seem to work for different people. Heck, let me tell you a story. We had a bill that needed to be paid. The company sending the bill took forever to answer the phone to me then told me they wouldn't accept credit cards. Then they told me their address to come down to hand them a cheque. The address didn't exist and I forgot to mention that both the account number and the telephone number on their bill were wrong. I got nowhere and wasted an entire morning on those peasants. My wife rang a number she found in the phonebook and paid by credit card! I know I must have met the department prize idiot when I rang. It does demonstrate that different people have different experience of the same thing.

For me, advertising has never been all that effective. My website did generate a call or three - mostly people trying to sell search-engine placement (so how did they find my website - lol). I have received calls from people who've seen the adverts on my van too.

In terms of press advertising - generally I find this a waste of money. Word of mouth is better. An entry in the yellow pages for those that don't use the internet is even better. Offering discount coupons through the local paper is something the paper should do free in order to increase its sales.

[cccp145]

Vlad, have you tried any of the online wedding listing services that typically will target particular cities and offer their sites as one-stop bridal shopping locations for things like caterers, photographers, bands, DJ's, videographers, etc.

Some have tie-in's with glossy magazines of their own or other publications. Cost to participate in these listings usually starts around $700/yr. and goes up from their depending upon the size of advertising you order. Ever use one of those Vlad?
I'm thinking about using the magazine soon.

[sapearl]

What primary geographic area do you plan on covering? There are several mag/web services out there that will provide various types of coverage depending upon what location your target is.

I'm thinking about using the magazine soon.

[cccp145]

I'm in Portland OR, so around there, But nooo wedding is far for us to travel.

[sapearl]

Well, just remember you have to factor in the cost of travel as part of your overhead :D, and then you'll be competing with the "locals."

I'm in Portland OR, so around there, But nooo wedding is far for us to travel.

[Market]

There are many marketing strategies available to photographers. Unfortunately, many photographers, like most people, don’t understand what marketing is. Some, think that advertising and marketing are the same activities – of course, this is not the case.

I’m actually torn about responding to this thread – my website is dedicated to “marketing for photographers!” (http://www.marketing-for-photographers-and-photography.com/marketingforphotographers.html)So please, pardon the blatant plugs.

Good books on photography marketing include:
“Successful Self-Promotion for Photographers” by Elyse Weissberg
“The Photographer’s Guide to Marketing & Self-Promotion” by Maria Piscopo
“88 Secrets to Selling & Publishing you Photography” by Scott Bourne

Of course, I write and recommend articles on my website (http://www.marketing-for-photographers-and-photography.com/marketingforphotographers.html). For example, “Excuse me, may I shoot your dog?” (http://www.marketing-for-photographers-and-photography.com/amateurphotographer-dog.html)This is an informative article on a successful strategy for ‘shy’ photographers looking to find willing photography customers.

I hope this is helpful

[sapearl]

Hi Market, welcome to the forum. I like your title about "Dog Photography." Another possible phootgraphy promotion strategy (for wedding gigs) would be something like MyWeddings.com, TheKnot., etc. I just started a thread along those lines over at:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=415061

Some of these started out strong in recent years and some fizzled. I don't know if it's a function of the economy or S.E. characterstics.

[kevo2005]

I don't really have much street experiences, but I have a minor in business. One of the main things that are stressed is that you know your client. For example, where I'm working we have several different business cards that we use. We have one that is for seniors, more edgy, pictures of their peers (old clients). On the other hand, for a bride the card is more elegant, clean and simple. That way if they get their hands on a card that appeals to exactly what they are searching for, we might get a call. Where as if we have one business card that is elegant, that senior might not call us, and vice versa.

[cccp145]

keep this thread going

[sapearl]

Unless you have something new to add or a question ask, this thread may have had it's run.

keep this thread going