Promotional Materials

[emmy]

I was thinking about putting together a little package of promotional materials to mail to potential wedding customers. I'd like to include:

-a few sample images
-a pricing guide

and... what else? Have any of you done something like this?

[tim]

Why? I don't send anything out to people until they come to see me, since my prices and a LOT of photos are already on my website.

When people make contact via my web form (90% of people contact me this way) I call them if possible or reply to their email if they don't leave a number, inviting them to come and see me in my office. I chat with them about them and their wedding, show them a show on the big screen LCD TV with a great sound system hooked up for music, show them sample albums, and give them a folder of information to take away with them. I don't do pressure sales, I suggest people visit other photographers and give me a call if they'd like to book. I typically book every weekend each summer anyway, and i'd rather people book the photographer they're most comfortable with.

[emmy]

Why? I don't send anything out to people until they come to see me, since my prices and a LOT of photos are already on my website.

When people make contact via my web form (90% of people contact me this way) I call them if possible or reply to their email if they don't leave a number, inviting them to come and see me in my office. I chat with them about them and their wedding, show them a show on the big screen LCD TV with a great sound system hooked up for music, show them sample albums, and give them a folder of information to take away with them. I don't do pressure sales, I suggest people visit other photographers and give me a call if they'd like to book. I typically book every weekend each summer anyway, and i'd rather people book the photographer they're most comfortable with.

True. I'm a lower priced wedding photographer ($1,500-2,000 range), and I'm also VERY broke. I put an add on Craigslist every week, and have gotten a few weddings this way. I know that the number of hits on my website do not reflect the number of people who are emailing to request more information. I was thinking that if the ad said "please send your mailing address to this email ______ for a package of sample photos and more information," that more people would be inclined to request information. I was just hoping that would make me stand out from all of the other photographers.

[Peacefield]

I'm in the same price range as you and do direct mailing. Do not try to fit too much into a mailing. Just the key points. Send too much and the key points get lost and the whole thing is tossed. The purpose of direct mail is not to make the sale, the purpose is to have them be interested enough to visit your site and/or call you so YOU can make the sale.

I use just a 4x6 postcard. I designed it myself and had them printed inexpensively by VistaPrint. The cover really features my tag line, below which is the company name and web address. Finally, three small sample images. The back has my contact info and a line indicating that packages start as $X.

Unless you're buying lists, direct mail is a tough road to travel, but I do get some weddings this way.