stupid idea? Free portrait for local library

There are a few libraries around here and we really appreciate the service they provide. I lost count how many dvd's and cd's we got from there, let alone books, so I was thinking of giving back by offering them a free group portrait and free 11x14 print. If they want to upgrade that to 16x20 or larger then just charge the difference. They would provide their own frame and mat.

But I also want to make the best of this deal, perhaps get some advertising for myself. perhaps a plaque on the frame, but since Im not providing that they probably wont go for that, or I could put my logo on the print itself in the corner, but it wont scream out who took the picture.

I would also offer to do a mini portrait session of each employee, with the hope they would purchase prints, since im already there.

Is this a stupid idea?

I know some here hate the idea of giving away prints, because they believe it devaluates their product.

msfvirginia wrote in post #10536119
There are a few libraries around here and we really appreciate the service they provide. I lost count how many dvd's and cd's we got from there, let alone books, so I was thinking of giving back by offering them a free group portrait and free 11x14 print. If they want to upgrade that to 16x20 or larger then just charge the difference. They would provide their own frame and mat.

But I also want to make the best of this deal, perhaps get some advertising for myself. perhaps a plaque on the frame, but since Im not providing that they probably wont go for that, or I could put my logo on the print itself in the corner, but it wont scream out who took the picture.

I would also offer to do a mini portrait session of each employee, with the hope they would purchase prints, since im already there.

Is this a stupid idea?

I know some here hate the idea of giving away prints, because they believe it devaluates their product.

Business complimentary work and charity work do not devalue the product--it's doing work at cut-rates (obviously, if you think about it) that devalues the product.

There is no problem whatsoever with carefully placed complimentary display work. I have work on display in various places that produces a major portion of my contacts.

Whether portraits of library staff will pay off is a question you have to consider closely (if you're talking about something more . It depends on whether your intended market is also their market...whether it will be seen by the people you want to call you.

You also have to think more magnanimously. In most cases, you have to do the kind of display work that you want to sell, so make the most of the display opportunity. Do the job you'd do if you were shooting the portraits of the wealthiest family in town. Produce art for their walls.

One of my best marketing investments was a large portrait I produced for my barber. He is actually a hair stylist--he does women's hair and eyelashes and has some of the highest end clientele in town. They sit in his chair where they have nothing to do for half an hour or more but look at the magnificent wall portrait I did of his family...which he's pleased to tell them about and give them my card.

Another idea: See if you can't take that same idea to a country club--offer to do such portraits for their board of directors for display in the club. This is not for direct profit, this is a marketing expense that can really pay off if you do it right.

I attended a David Ziser seminar last September and one of the things he mentioned is that he printed large banners (I believe for a hotel) at no cost to the vendor. At the bottom, he put his name in a tastefull size that did detract from the banner, but was still big enough to be noticed.

Gifts to vendors and the like are not bad if you're smart about it. If you think there is a real chance that it may bring you business, then go for it. If you just want to give back to the library staff, then don't worry about being repaid with advertising. Keep a good relationship with them and they may send you business anyway.

One thing to consider about giving them a print is if they even want to spend the money to frame and matt it. They may or they may not...

Perhaps I should do this with a veterinarian office. One of my things is pet portraits. This might be more effective than the library one since it targets my customers. I still may do the library, wouldnt be a bad thing for them to know who I am, and possibly give me referrals. : )

I'd say definitely not, the libraries here are gov't and the librarians make like 25-35$ an hour...

They can afford their own damn advertising lol.

the point is making money, and thinking about ways to do that...not shutting out every opportunity you can think of by giving it away for free. think backwwards.

even if they can afford their own advertising, why would they pay to advertise me? : ) I think you misread something.

i think you're misreading something....why would they pay you if you go and give it away for nothing? they'll just call you, cut out who they would normally get (and pay) to do it for them.

trust me, i get quarterly letters still from places that i did "free" work for. they don't care about you. they just want what they want for nothing.

though its different if you know the people that work there or do it for a friend...well...i'd do it if i could find a reasonable and realistic way to make more in the long run.

This isnt something they have done in the past from what ive seen, so im not taking business away from someone else. And in a year if they ask for a free updated one, Ill just give them a quote for a paid one.

sounds like ya got it all figured out, go for it.

I could figure it out this way. assume I get paid $200 for the portrait, then I could reinvest that $200 in advertising at the place of business!

i agree, that would be good!

do it !

I once listened to a webinar where they were talking about the way Sandy Puc gets her foot in hospitals, etc...She phones them and asks if they would like art worth e.g. $35000 displayed on their walls for free. Can they say no to that? of course not. Does it cost her $35000 to create a few large canvases and such? No. But she gets prequalified clients from it.

If I were to place an portrait for advertising, the library would probably be last. Most folks go to the library for free stuff, not to look for a photographer to hire. If you want to do the pro bono work, pick a location that has at least some promise of return on investment.