If you have a limited or non-existent marketing budget, like mine:) Here are a couple of CHEAP ways I got my name out and built a list of people to market to.
1. YOU NEED A WEBSITE, and a professional looking one. You can get one at Photobiz.com (tell them Jen Carl sent you if you sign up - my family appreciates it:) or portfolio sitez. I host mine through photobiz. I had to pay $125 upfront and just $15 a month. It is DEFINATELY worth it. You have hundreds of templates to choose from and you don't lose your work when you do. Make sure you only put your best images, professional images, and a nice selection truly showing your work as a photographer. This is much cheaper than radio, tv, magazine and newspaper ads trust me. You can hand out your business cards directing people to your site. Can I repeat again - You need a website!
2. Get a FACEBOOK PAGE for your business - make sure you get everyone you know on your regular page to fan you. Then get all of their friends to fan you. Then put a widget on your blog where people can fan you.
3. Get a free blog like mine from BLOGGER This will serve as a makeshift website for you until you can afford one. Make sure to make it as visually appealing and professional as possible. I got my template here from Shabbyblog.com . You can search around and find more free templates on the web, too.
There are great tutorials on Blogs like Coffeeshop and Blogger Tricks
4. Get a Twitter - make sure all your followers follow this as well.
5. Get a myspace:) Friend everyone and everyones friend, family, etc. get as many "potential" clients as possible.
6. Put on your facebook (once you get as many fans as possible and you have some images in your blog) that you are having a contest. The first 5 people to comment will get a $50 print credit (or you make the terms)with a paid session. (P.S. Most of the time, you will pay from 2-5 for a 5x7 personally I charge $25 for the 5x7 so That $50 print credit cost me $4. But it causes a buzz). You can come up with your own terms, but people love freebies.
7. Get on every photographers resource blog, or local blog, or mom blog in your area. Introduce your business and tell them a link to your blog. Some may post it on your site. I usually announce a contest for that blog or group(like $25 starbucks gift card or if it is a local mom blog maybe a half price session or print credit) however if you cant afford it, that's OK just introducing yourself and telling them about your blog or website will get your name out there.
8. Make a quality business card or promo card. You can do a simple one on your own with business cards from Office Depot (I reccomend the clean edge) or you can go to Vista Print - they have free and seriously discounted business cards. Click the link below to check it out.
Approach local businesses like dr offices, stores, childrens stores ask if you can put the cards out. Place your card in any bulletin boards that allow - churches, library, anywhere where people will see it.
9. Send email out to editors at local magazines and newspapers. Fashion it like a press release and explain to them why they should have an article about this new up and coming photographer. If they do an interview - TONS of free press. At the least maybe they will just have a little article or mention you as a new business.
10. Volunteer with an organization to take pictures of an event that can be sold with the proceeds going to the charity. For example, the fire company up the street is having an open house. You are a family photographer - these events will have hundreds of familys that show up. Little kids love firetrucks, parents would LOVE a picture of their kid in one. Approach and offer to set up a booth where you would take a picture of their child in the truck with the fireman. Have parents sign a release and give you their email address. Then you take images and put them in your proofing session of website and email all the parents with the passwords. Just do one large proofing cart and same password to keep it easy. They can view and purchase the 5x7 and then you could send them a special thank you with a coupon or gift certificate for a future session. Oila!!! Future customers! Don't forget to give the donation (after you have taken the cost of printing) TIP - give a deadline for ordering. Do not edit each proof. Just when they order and just basic - do a batch if you can. This will make life much easier for you. You can have them pick up prints at the station on a certain day.
You could also do the same basic thing with any charity event. Just use your creativity.
More to come.... for another Marketing Monday!
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