Has anyone thought of a clever way to get email address from all guests @ reception?

Curious to see what people have done?

I have been thinking of ways to collect this information for marketing purposes.

Maybe like a drawing or something that the bride/groom could do for a prize, sponsored by the photographer, but that may be too tacky/tasteless.. trying to find something that is low key and not obvious.

Any suggestions, besides handing out cards or whatever telling people to go to your website and see slideshow and pictures is one way. But for this technique people have to actually remember to go to your site, and think about it and it's too much effort for a lot of people. People are lazy these days and like to have stuff delivered to them.

Lets chat! Wedding networking biz tips

I dunno, I personally would have a difficult time turning someone else's wedding into my own marketing opportunity. I can't imagine a couple agreeing to a raffle!!

agreed , i'm tired of advertising and selling EVERYWHERE. if they need a photographer, they will see the wedding pics, and say i liked those who took them. i just got married, everyone loved the pics, everyone asked who it was. just rely on word of mouth, it is very powerful.

Dude. It's a wedding, not a carnival.

Just hand out your cards to the guests while they're eating (no one likes to be photographed at that time anyway) and if they like you they'll check you out. The cards I hand out have the couple's proof gallery url on them so they can see something familiar and complete (sequentially, not necessarily processed).

iTakeFauxToes wrote in post #7250248
I dunno, I personally would have a difficult time turning someone else's wedding into my own marketing opportunity. I can't imagine a couple agreeing to a raffle!!

Was not suggesting trying to start a raffel at a wedding. Just using it as an example technique used to get peoples email addresses.

jimmyb_2 wrote in post #7250296
agreed , i'm tired of advertising and selling EVERYWHERE. if they need a photographer, they will see the wedding pics, and say i liked those who took them. i just got married, everyone loved the pics, everyone asked who it was. just rely on word of mouth, it is very powerful.

Yes pay thousands to advertise in a magazine or pay a couple hundred to give some high impact direct marketing to people who you've already got their attention. Drill your brand into their minds with weekly/monthly newsletters, specials, featured blog articles, etc.. People will eat that stuff up! And the best thing is you don't have to pay out the butt to be put in a pool with 30 other photographers paying $2,000 per page to advertise in a magazine. True the magazine hits more people, but direct marketing is smaller scale and higher impact. Ideally you want to use the magazine route but the direct marketing is still good way to make lots of bookings/sales. Not just for weddings but portraits/commercial etc...

cdifoto wrote in post #7250335
Dude. It's a wedding, not a carnival.

Just hand out your cards to the guests while they're eating (no one likes to be photographed at that time anyway) and if they like you they'll check you out. The cards I hand out have the couple's proof gallery url on them so they can see something familiar and complete (sequentially, not necessarily processed).

LOL
wow you guys really think I'm suggesting brides and grooms to start a raffle in the middle of their wedding...
god i was just using it as an example, I change the words a bit to make it more clear hopefully. jeez, I bet 10 more people are going to say a raffle is a bad idea... just watch... read people read!!!
I already said I'm looking for ideas other than the card thing.. reading comprehension much?

I would never 'market' myself at a wedding I was paid photographer for. More then likely most of the guests will see the end result and judge my work for themselves.

It would feel wrong and I doubt the B&G would appreciate me running around trying to drum up business when my sole purpose there is to capture their day.

Always have cards on hand in your BAG and if the moment presents itself you have them there on hand. That's "if'.

_Jo_ wrote in post #7250501
I would never 'market' myself at a wedding I was paid photographer for. More then likely most of the guests will see the end result and judge my work for themselves.

It would feel wrong and I doubt the B&G would appreciate me running around trying to drum up business when my sole purpose there is to capture their day.

Yes running around trying to market yourself at a job your are being paid to do is not a good idea. AHEM... DID YOU READ THIS PART OF THE ORIGINAL POST?

Adaptive wrote in post #7250207
trying to find something that is low key and not obvious.

_Jo_ wrote in post #7250504
Always have cards on hand in your BAG and if the moment presents itself you have them there on hand. That's "if'.

Oh god did you read my first post at all?

where's my gun..

Pardon my intrusion.

As you were.

I reinforced the card idea because it's about as low key as you can get, since you're talking to people one on one or one on 5 at the most.

cdifoto wrote in post #7250519
I reinforced the card idea because it's about as low key as you can get, since you're talking to people one on one or one on 5 at the most.

I have the card thing down, and I even took it up a notch to increase effectiveness.
Yes the card thing works but I want to supercharge the process by getting the contact information for everyone at the reception not just 30-50%.

But I want it to be the other way around where I get THEIR information.
I know there has got to be a way, and when it's figured out it will be the next big thing I just know it.

How did you take it up a notch? Inquiring minds want to know.

I suppose you could get their email via your own guest register. Not sure how that could be implemented though. People would probably skip it if they already signed one book for the couple...especially when they know you want their information for the sole purpose of selling them something.

Sorry - but it smacks of desperation and in my opinion looks unprofessional.

(couldn't help myself)

cdifoto wrote in post #7250335
Dude. It's a wedding, not a carnival.

Just hand out your cards to the guests while they're eating (no one likes to be photographed at that time anyway) and if they like you they'll check you out. The cards I hand out have the couple's proof gallery url on them so they can see something familiar and complete (sequentially, not necessarily processed).

i concur - but prolly wouldnt bother people while they were eating - and usually i do end up shooting during that time

when ive been a guest at a wedding the last thing i would have wanted is to have anyone quizzing me for my details while im enjoying the experience with my friends/family

but i would totally appreciate someone letting me know that if i wanted to, i can access the photo gallery if i pick up a card - that is something helpful & relevant