Creative Ideas to increase client base

Okay, I've been professionally (as a side business) photographing families, babies, weddings and senior for almost 3 years now. My photography has improved dramatically over that time and I am capable of exceeding my client's expectations on a regular basis. I've had a very consistent flow of clients for a couple of years now... 4-6 paid assignments every month. Even had several repeat clients, which is great! But...

I'm ready to increase the volume of business.. How do I go about creatively and cost-effectively advertising? Local magazines? Facebook deals? Booth at local expo? What works best for you? All of my weddings have been by referral, how do you go about finding wedding clients yourself?

my website:http://www.settlephoto​s.com
my Facebook:http://www.facebook.co​m/settlephotos

I get a lot of referrals. I also got 4 weddings from another photographer this year. He was booked and asked me if I could do them.

I did hear some photographers networking with Jewelers.

word of mouth is the best advertisement....good or bad...if your doing stuff local i would do up some flyers for the local supermarket and put them up there...elderly love to browse through those things and all they do is gossip to each other...

in regards to electronically, you could go the facebook route as that is what everyone else is doing but then you are competing with everyone else that has a facebook page.
keep it simple and start off small starting with your neighbourhood. don't kid yourself, people read those flyers that you see as you walk into the supermarket.

Referral cards.....Hand out 5 referral cards with the clients name on them when you deliver their order. If they get 3 people to book with you, they get a free 16x24 print. Works well for us.

people love free stuff

discounts for repeat customers.

my buddy Clint Davis did a GREAT Mailer a few years back:

http://www.clintdavis.​net …/09/getting-the-word-out/

This is a great example of thinking outside the box (or inside a box?)

BlurredImage wrote in post #14411724
discounts for repeat customers.

Alternatively, put yourself on Groupon.

First get a website that can collect the details of prospects, not just pretty photos. The first place people look is online, even if you hand out referral cards (good idea) make sure they relate back to your website it's the centre of all your marketing. You need a special offer on your site and a call to action so the prospect gives you there details so you can then market to them.
Another cheap way to market is do a exhibit in a local restaurant or office foyer make sure you leave your referral cards for prospects and testimonials from happy clients, find as many locations as possible the more exhibits you have running the more business you will get. for a lot more photography marketing tips go to by blog alan-chapman.com
Cheers