Senior portraits - when and how?

Mid summer is nigh upon us, when and how do you plan to start actively marketing to the 2008-09 seniors?

Advertise now. Can't be too early, better than late right?

Definitely start now. I've been advertising since March and even created a pricing schedule of gradually increasing rates to encourage people to sign up early. It was crazy last year, trying to do what seemed like half the graduating class in three weeks.

As for the how: sports program ads, gift certificate/ free coffee cards, a couple of on-screen ads, exposure in the newspaper, exposure in the previous year's yearbook, and a heck of a lot of word of mouth.

I'm somewhat lucky in that parents and kids already frequent my website due to my coverage of their sports events through the year. Just posting a "Senior Portrait Info" option on my site has produced a lot of leads.