Need some advice
Monday, November 19, 2007
I have just started my business this past summer. I had 5 weddings which I was happy with but obviously I want more next summer. I've been trying to figure out a smart way to use my very limited funds to market myself without making costly mistakes. I know that I have to be in the phone book and have been thinking about getting a small ad with a picture. The thing is that it costs $900 to do this. That is with the discount of paying in full up front and another discount for getting it in early. I just don't think I can swing this. I am going to do a wedding show in January and want to get some sample albums and samples of other products I offer but if I get the ad I won't have enough money to do this. So I guess the question is....Where do you think my money is better spent? Which one would you think I'd get more bookings or inquiries from? If I don't get the ad, I do plan on getting just my name, phone and website in there which is much more affordable. Please help me!! I need feedback!
Labels: Photography Marketing
posted by Kates @ 1:16 PM,
10 Comments:
-
At November 19, 2007 3:20 PM,
June Arras said...
-
You might be able to put together a postcard with some of your work on it and put some at local bridal boutiques, send to caterers, local venues, and such. You might get more bang for your buck until you have more funds. I think on overnightprints.com you can get 250 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 postcards single sided for $59.95 and I hear they are good quality.
-
At November 19, 2007 3:24 PM,
June Arras said...
-
Oh..and between the two I would probably go with the sample books. Since technology is so dominate a lot of people go to the web before they even think of a phone book. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to the web instead of the phone book myself.
-
At November 19, 2007 5:37 PM,
Hickok Photography said...
-
Well..you can also got to uprinting.com. They are REALLY cheep. You can order about 500 for 50.00. I am not sure why they are SOO affordable, but I have seen the quality of their work and it looks pretty good. I have had a lot of sucess just showing my work through fun books from Shutterfly or from Blurb.com. They are nice to present your images even if that isn't the product you want to offer and if it is you can make them easily for a low cost. You are not alone on this one that is for sure. It is a constant struggle for me.
-
At November 19, 2007 6:33 PM,
Jason McGrew Photography said...
-
I recommend a credit card. It is the down fall of America. However it will get you what you need.. Worked for me
-
At November 20, 2007 3:53 AM,
Kristin Kaufman said...
-
I would not do the phone book, it really is not worth the money especially since the internet is where people go to find what they need for just about everything. Doing postcards would be a better way to get your name out, it is no doubt going to be a better quality than an ad in the phone book, but it will be a good example of your photography and possibly design if you are into that. Most of our business is from word of mouth and we don't advertise in phonebooks or magazines. We do some local things as well as a few internet things, but when we have events or specials we send out mass e-mails and cards, which has been much more successful than when we did do magazines and phonebooks.
-
At November 20, 2007 6:38 AM,
Kates said...
-
Thank you all so much for your advice. It's really, really helpful!!
-
At November 20, 2007 9:09 AM,
Carl Kelliher (2000) said...
-
Post some ads on your local craigs lists, that might help to.
-
At November 20, 2007 11:47 AM,
Wayne Wallace said...
-
I only have a name and phone number listing in the phone book and have only had 2 people in the past year call from the phone book.
It depends on what type of client you are looking for. You have to put yourself in front of your target audience with the correct marketing message.
I personally only use the web for marketing. It's the most bang for the buck for me.
Successful selling on the web is more than just showing galleries of pictures.
No matter how you market yourself you need to know your customers, how to attract them, and how to convert them into customers.
Learn more about how to do this see http://www.photographymarketingsecrets.com -
At November 20, 2007 12:34 PM,
Wayne Wallace said...
-
BTW,
I've setup a chat forum for topics like this at www.funwithphotography.com -
At November 20, 2007 7:09 PM,
Faith Dugan Photography said...
-
I really don't think you need a yellowpages ad if you are only doing weddings. The only reason I still have mine is for Buniess headshots. (However, I did just book a wedding from yellowpages.com)
From the 5 weddings you just shot, can you make some pretty samples to leave at the venues? Zookbinders does 50% off studio samples. (You can 2 for the price of 1--one for you and one for the venue.) Make nice 6x9 size promo cards of the weddings to go with the hotel/venue samples, so that the brides can take your card with pictures from their wedding place.
If you looking for purely advertising and not marketing, I would try theknot.com over the Yellowbook.
