Pursing clients...

Hey,

Lately I've had a lot of friends and people I work with tell me they want pictures taken, I either give them my card or tell them to call me when they are ready to schedule (most of the time they say they don't have their schedule with them right at that moment to book a session), and then nothing happens for weeks and I don't hear from them.
So my thing is that I don't want to appear annoying by bugging them or appearing pushy, but should I approach them and ask them about it?
Or should I just give them more time and they will come around? I dunno, What is your experience?

That would be pursuing a client after you made initial contact.

I play it by ear with no stead fast rule. I try to gauge their seriousness when the initial contact is made and I might follow up once with some of them that I feel are somewhat serious.

How many times do you go to different stores to look at the same item. A lot of the times these people are window or price shopping or sometimes just plain curious with no intention of booking. The one thing I won't do is be pain to them by repetitively asking them if they have made a decision or similar. I know how much I hate that and I like to treat clients the same way that I like to be treated. I treat family and friends no differently when it comes to this stuff. I guess it also depends on how badly you want that work. Personally I love not working with family or friends, their expectations of freebies is always too high.

I chase hotties but that's about it.

SnapsbyPoteat wrote in post #10247278
Hey,

Lately I've had a lot of friends and people I work with tell me they want pictures taken, I either give them my card or tell them to call me when they are ready to schedule (most of the time they say they don't have their schedule with them right at that moment to book a session), and then nothing happens for weeks and I don't hear from them.
So my thing is that I don't want to appear annoying by bugging them or appearing pushy, but should I approach them and ask them about it?
Or should I just give them more time and they will come around? I dunno, What is your experience?

This is really a common thing with most people. I find this type of situation everywhere and not just with photography.

I just drop it, but then again. I'm not a full time photographer yet.
It can't hurt to give em a nudge and see what they say, but don't be surprised if they blow it off.

What about building up their excitement level by showing them keepers from new photo sessions?

Ive had the same problem. One person has wanted a dog portrait for over a year now, and its always "Ill call you later". They do seem to really want it, just never schedule it.

One thing im going to have to get better at is to get them to schedule on the spot instead of later. Even let them cancel if they find it doesnt work with their schedule.

msfvirginia wrote in post #10256926
One thing im going to have to get better at is to get them to schedule on the spot instead of later. Even let them cancel if they find it doesnt work with their schedule.

thats a good idea, I may try that. Most of the people who have said something are fans on my facebook fan page and have seen other photosessions and honestly seem interested. Two people had photosessions scheduled and they were canceled due to rain and they haven't rescheduled yet. It's just frustrating.

Since my posting I've had someone else at work approach me about doing her daughters wedding and she asked if I was available on the day, I gave her my card and told her we would talk about creating a package. I'm so hoping to get that booking! My goal was to do 3 weddings this year and if I get it, I'll reach my goal!

I would prefer someone never getting around to scheduling a session over putting them on the spot, forcing them to pick a random day, thinking I have a job, setting all other options aside, and them canceling at the last minute. I can actually book other real serious work in the meantime if they never bother to call. I'm sitting on my ass doing NOTHING if the latter happens.

cdifoto wrote in post #10259252
I would prefer someone never getting around to scheduling a session over putting them on the spot, forcing them to pick a random day, thinking I have a job, setting all other options aside, while they cancel at the last minute and force me to just sit on my ass.

I didn't see 'forcing; as an option in her suggestion, just suggesting a day to schedule, if people are serious, I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem with it.

I fail to see the point of having someone come up with a date when they're already telling you they don't know when they can do it. You ARE forcing them to do it by putting them on the spot.

But, if you think it'll work - good luck!

I have two types of conversations:

Client: "Hey I'd love to have you do my photos. When are you available?"
Me: "I have XXXday open. How does that sound?"
Client: "Perfect! See you then!"

and

Client: "Hey I'd love to have you do my photos."
Me: "Cool. When did you want to do them?"
Client: "I'm not sure. I need to figure out my schedule."
Me: "Okay just keep me posted and we'll work something out!"
Client: "Awesome, I will!"
Client gets schedule
Client: "Hey I have my schedule and I have XXXday I can do it."
then we proceed with the above convo.

Do I make them pick a random day knowing full well they'd PROBABLY have to cancel? Heck no. There are 30 more emails I need to reply to that look the same and that day could be filled by someone who is definitely available. When they get back to me, we talk details. If they don't, oh well. At least I didn't get stood up and left without a dang thing to do.

cdifoto wrote in post #10259658
When they get back to me, we talk details. If they don't, oh well. At least I didn't get stood up and left without a dang thing to do.

This is the Key IMO. Let them get back to you if they need to figure things out. If they don't then it's not worth bothering them IMO. If they don't get back to you, they aren't really very serious about it IMO.
Don't waste time chasing someone who's a FLAKE. It cost you more than just moving on with someones business that's serious about it. Wishful thinkers are the worst type of perspective clients

Indeed. Most of my sessions are booked within a few exchanges of the initial inquiry because the serious ones have their sh*t together before they contact me in the first place.

Also, don't confuse a "I would like to do photos" complement with a "When can you do my photos?" booking inquiry. Tons of people tell me they wish or would like or want me to shoot their pics. The serious ones want to know when I'm available.

cdifoto wrote in post #10259658
Do I make them pick a random day knowing full well they'd PROBABLY have to cancel? Heck no. There are 30 more emails I need to reply to that look the same and that day could be filled by someone who is definitely available. When they get back to me, we talk details. If they don't, oh well. At least I didn't get stood up and left without a dang thing to do.

I believe your situation is different than those getting started. If your getting started then you probably need the money and dont have alot of appointments yet. So it makes sense to persue the interested client.

If your established and have lots of appointments, then your probably doing ok financially and you dont have to worry if this person books or not. So persuing them doesnt make sense.

Gotta keep in mind the situation.

msfvirginia wrote in post #10262317
I believe your situation is different than those getting started. If your getting started then you probably need the money and dont have alot of appointments yet. So it makes sense to persue the interested client.

If your established and have lots of appointments, then your probably doing ok financially and you dont have to worry if this person books or not. So persuing them doesnt make sense.

Gotta keep in mind the situation.

On the other hand, if you annoy people they'll probably pass word that you're a pain in the ass and you'll sit bored anyway.

Gotta keep in mind the other person.

cdifoto wrote in post #10264889
On the other hand, if you annoy people they'll probably pass word that you're a pain in the ass and you'll sit bored anyway.

Gotta keep in mind the other person.

Exactly. Nothing pisses me off more than a persistent sales person. We went to furniture store A, salesman meets us at the door, tell him we're just looking, he comes around every 5 minutes to "check" on us and we tell him we're looking and will find him if we need help. After his 5th trip to check on us, we both say #@$& it and leave - no sale even tho we saw a couple of things we liked. Off to store B - salesman greets us, we're looking around, he says let him know if he can help. We look around 45 minutes without being checked on, go find him and he makes a nice sale.

If they're serious they will get back to you.