Finding Customers

As many of you know, I'm fairly new to the photography business.

I feel as though I've been doing 'everything' right, by setting up a website, facebook page, handed out cards, etc, I've even have a Yellowbook ad, but I have not had much business at all. Over all, I've had over 800 photo views this month.

My question, of course, is what am I doing wrong and what are some ways you've been able to get customers 'through the door'?

Here is the link to my facebook page and website...

oklahomashutterbug.smu​gmug.com

http://www.facebook.co​m …ug-Studio/165540866790919

I appriciate your views and comments...

What is your marketing plan? How do your clients find you?
I would also suggest you proof read your general information on your Facebook page. There are some spelling and grammar mistakes.

There are no customers. Think HOBBY my friend and learn to enjoy impressing folk with your free art and you'll do fine.

This entire forum section reminds me of a time I overheard a woman in the book store ask the clerk if they sold any books on how to become a movie star.

I choked on my gum.

Stating you have 2 years experience on your home page is not putting you in a good light.

"There are no customers. Think HOBBY my friend and learn to enjoy impressing folk with your free art and you'll do fine.
This entire forum section reminds me of a time I overheard a woman in the book store ask the clerk if they sold any books on how to become a movie star."

I agree with this, to an extent. There are customers, just not enough to go around.

I would never suggest to someone that they not follow their dream, and if it's professional photography, go for it if you can - but have a Plan B. The fact is there are many, many more people who want a career in photography than there is demand. So if you're going to really succeed, you can't be just good, you've got to be a lot better than most. And then lucky.

There are many amateurs doing work as good, and sometimes probably better, than the best pros. They get to shoot what they want, on their terms, without the commercial pressures and constraints a pro may have. The ecstasy without the agony, so to speak. And they can often afford better equipment. Just something to think about.

Photoman, there's a similar thread here that may give you some ideas:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1099917

Also, I'm not sure if a FB website conveys the serious level of business professionalism that you may be trying to promote. Consider a dedicated site.

I really appriciate your comments.

My dream is to make it in the photography business, open a store front and succeed, but first I need customers. The main purpose of this thread is to better my business skills and get customers to want me to take their photographs. I honestly have had hundreds of views on my website, but no emails, or calls.

Focus on getting better at what you do rather than any business aspects-that's my advice. It doesn't matter how many folks you can get in the door if what your selling isn't, er, selling. Stick around, post some photos to the forum, get critique, study, shoot.

Sure there are customers, they just do business with someone else.

The biggest problem you "pros" have is differentiation. What makes you different and can people see it? No one cares how good you are at masking. People notice big stuff. What is your style (composition and editing), what is your specialty (sports or weddings, etc)? People generally know what specialization is and nothing spells amatuer more than having football and engagement pics on your website. People are going to hire the photog that only does what they want that day so pick something way more specific than just photographer. Then, develop your style and become the best at it.

Then, when business slows down, change your style so people are excited again. People want new, new, new. You have to evolve.

I think it's funny that my pictures look better than the hired pro at some events I attend (like my brother's wedding and reception - they wanted me to take pics separately, which I did, then I enjoyed the events). I'll tell you this, if your pics don't at LEAST look better than mine, you won't make it (I didn't look at your sites).

There are a lot of awesome photogs out there with crazy good editing skills so I will always be a hobbyist (plus I just make more money than I ever would taking pics). If you want to make it as a pro, your sole income, you better make a plan. A business plan.

Who's viewing your photos now? Potential clients? or friends / family / your competition / tire kickers ?

You need to figure out who your potential clients are, and get your photos in front of said clients. And don't just think that 'anybody / everybody' is a potential client, because that is not true.

My mom likes looking at my photos, but she's not a potential client.

^^To be honest, I'm not sure, I'm nearly positive you all have looked at them, that's why I'm having a HUGE jump from the average of a few hundred to 1400 views the last few weeks.

How can I isolate those potential customers? How can I reach them individually?

I guarantee that other photographers are not your target customers. They may be good for getting feedback on what you are doing right and wrong from a photography standpoint, but making money from your photos is almost completely independent from taking a 'good' photo.

Reverse engineer the situation.

If you ran a business, what kind of situations would lead you to buy a photo? Particularly, the type of photos that you (as a photographer) like to take? If you wanted to see photos of certain people / products / events / situations, where would you expect to look? In what situations would these photos benefit you as a business?

example - If I was in the business of selling widgets, I would buy photos from a photographer of my widgets so that I could put them on my website and in my catalog. Also, I would read Widget magazines and websites to find out what everyone else in the widget market was doing with similar / competitive products. That makes the widget maker, the widget magazine, and the widget review website all potential buyers of widget photos. Beyond that, if I was were to take my widget company to a widget trade show, I would buy more photos to put in / around my widget booth at the trade show.

Looking at your site from a customers perspective I simply would not book you.

I want to be honest with you.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net …919_1111845_547​5048_n.jpg
You can see every pimple on his neck and face and they seem to be highlighted with effect your have chosen, the picture made me cringe, you should photo shop that stuff out. Also since the photo is suppose to be a guy and his best friend, why is the dog blurry and the image is appearing to double? I can see two tongues on this dog.

There are some good photos:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net …919_1183675_140​5901_n.jpg

And there are some that you should not put on your profile:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net …0919_731654_379​9492_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net …919_1183676_214​9071_n.jpg

You have a long way to go, keep practicing.

I'll give you 2 suggestions:

1 - drop the smugmug from your website. make it www.oklahomashutterbug​.com. Sounds way better and more professional without the smugmug portion.

2 - This may sound dumb and may not work in your area, but it's something that always has people stopping to talk with me. Find a public park, somewhere with families and women. Breakout yout camera, tripod and the biggest reasonable lens you have (I like to use a 70-200). Start taking pictures, but not of the kids or families (to some that would be creepy). Shoot the surroundings. When people walk by and comment, tell them you're getting pics for your website and hand them a business card and a quick synopsis of what you do (architecture, landscapes, family portraits, pet portraits, so on).

Potential customers have to know your name before becoming actual customers. Clean your website up before going this route - if it is even questionable, remove it.

Thank you all for your suggestions, I really appriciate it.

I'm already working on fixing the problems you've brought up.

Huntersdad, I'll defenatly give your suggestion about shooting around town a try.