Wedding Photographers advertising sites...which actually do work

[fontanka]

Hey everybody :)
Has anybody advertised with The Knot?
I find their terms kinda outdated (vs weddingwire), but was wondering if it's still worth trying?

thanks :)

[sapearl]

No - at one time a few years back I'd considered it, but was put off by the pricing as I was on a tight advertising budget at the time. I'm not sure how many folks still use them when compared to the myriad of other services out there, and really have not looked at them recently.

In all fairness I can't criticize them one way or another now..... simply don't know; but I'm not sure if they're as popular as they once were. - Stu

[jungleland26]

They are THE source for everything wedding..;.


However, with the amount of money that you must spend to have a "featured ad" + multiple markets (for me it's philly, NJ and NY).... I just am not seeing the ROR that I would like. It's roughly $250 per market (featured) per month...

I don't mind paying that, but I need to see some returns on my investment..

I did a FULL page ad in their Philly magazine last year....Spent just under 8k....biggest waste of money. Great ad too... Pitty.


I'd love to hear what other people have to say about how best to generate wedding leads/bookings

[fontanka]

i think it was $170 wash dc area (online only: ur ad is placed somewhere within 4-5 first pages and as usual it rotates).
The funny thing: i got couple of clients saying that they got info reg my site from the knot: not the paid ad area, but from forum, where people just spread the word.
The reason Im asking: I have two separate web-sites: for budget clients and the other one has more expensive packages, so i was considering advertising expensive one with the knot. I am really in between now: not sure what's the best way to go and they don’t give you month to month option.

thanks for your opinions :)

[MarkAnthonyPhotography]

Never used The Knot, we currently use OurWeddingDay.com
It is a lead generating website, so we get to chose 2 service states and we get daily leads from brides that have signed up either through the website or through Davids Bridal portal. Wanna say it costs us about $400 a year, premium listing with first views of new leads. It's nice because one a lead has had so many hits, it automatically closes the lead. We signed up September 08 and booked 6 off it so far. That's about a $8000 return, I'd say it has paid for itself ;)

[jungleland26]

Never used The Knot, we currently use OurWeddingDay.com
It is a lead generating website, so we get to chose 2 service states and we get daily leads from brides that have signed up either through the website or through Davids Bridal portal. Wanna say it costs us about $400 a year, premium listing with first views of new leads. It's nice because one a lead has had so many hits, it automatically closes the lead. We signed up September 08 and booked 6 off it so far. That's about a $8000 return, I'd say it has paid for itself ;)


Without question your investment has paid off, however, the investment I make in the knot, while it may cost more than yours, the knot yield far greater dollars....at least for me..... $8,000 is two bookings for me, no albums just time and talent. Regardless, you're 20x your money per anum, that's outstanding in my book!

[form]

I was recommended by a bride who posted positive feedback about me on TheKnot, and TheKnot called me and tried to get me to pay for advertising, but since my advertising budget has been $0.00 since the beginning and I've done pretty well in spite of it, I had no desire or need to pay.

[jungleland26]

I just got a call from a weddingwire rep ...she walked me through their site and I must say....the ad is much better than that of the knot's...PLUS REVIEWS!!! I can't believe the knot does not allow for reviews of their advertiser's....

also, wedding wire's rates were substatially less than theknot's...


anyone use them?