Marketing Monday and a Freebie too.....

Hi, all... back in action:) Today I wanted to talk about partnering up with local businesses to promote your photography business. Here are a couple examples.

1. Contact local bridal shops, limo services, DJ's , Retailers that have gift registries. See if they would be interested in raffling off a free engagement session to their customers or maybe $200 off a wedding gift certificate. This would be something that they would promote so the only cost to you is your time for the session. If they like you they may book you for the wedding. This can generate a lot of business.

2. Partner with a local business for advertising or to take place in local bridal shows/baby shows. Offer to donate the prize (usually required for registration) and offer to man the booth/buy lunch. Give them acknowledgment on your blog/website and even offer to give brochure to customers of yours for engagements. This is free advertising for them, you are covering the giveaway and they are going to the show anyways, so they incur the cost of the show.

3. Offer to do a photobooth at the local event. This won't cost you anything, yet you will get a lot of exposure. I did this for the local fire company. Gave them a disk of the pictures for the website, set up online ordering for the parents and included a $25 off session gift card.

4. Call the local paper or magazine and see if you can offer the "weekly giveaway". I would donate a free session. Possible exposure of thousands!!! Our magazine offers the readers a chance to in a product/service from the business of the month. I am awaiting a call back from the advertising director - keeping my fingers crossed:)

These are just a couple Ideas that can help you market your business....More to come

FREEBIE - This is courtesy of THE FREEBIE BLOGGER, one of my favorite freebie sites

Free Guide 10 innovative ways to use twitter for business

Planning Vaentines Mini Sessions

Time to start thinking about Valentines Day minis incase you haven't already. I will be sending out my newsletter to friends/family/customers/referrals In the next week or so. Offering limited mini sessions. As a perk to past clients, I am offering them to existing customers first come first serve. Mini Sessions are great because they are usually in one spot, customer comes to you and you can pack a day or two and work your butt off for those two days.

I am offering packages only for Valentines Day. Since this is my first ever, I will keep it simple. I am doing a choice of three backgrounds (but only one choice per child)

Package one 

1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
4 - Wallets

Package two

1 - 11x14
1 - 8x10
4 - 5x7
8 - Wallets
16 - Greeting Cards

Package Three

1- Photo Necklace
1 11x14
1 - 8x10
4 - 5x7
16 Wallets
20 Greeting Cards

I am still working out pricing details (way to wait for the last minute, Jen!) I am doing this two days (only) at the hall behind my house (so far) still working out details

It will be $100 for the two days (not bad considering these sessions are about 15-20 minutes long and I will book about 45 minutes apart. I could fit about 8-10 in per day. About 16- 20 total customers. If I can generate that many!!! Still marketing my butt off. I know I have 4 guaranteed without even advertising. Got to luv the fam and friends who wants to get in on these all!!!

I feel like this is a little commercialized. However, this is a great way to get an add on for customers who don't necessarily want a full session but want to enjoy a small mini. Keep our fingers crossed!!!

Will let you know how it works out!!!

Been hustling my butt off the past couple weeks. Lets see - my new car broke down (again can we say LEMON?) , lost a beloved family member to a health battle (very hard time for us) Xmas, new years, my aunt who lives with us is starting Chemo on Tuesday and I had a crazy bug (but had both my flu shots go figure!!!).

I wish everyone a happy new year and hope that this is the best year ever.

I am on a positive thinking kick - so only good thoughts. Been reading a book by Joel Osteen, a famous TV preacher that my mom swears is the greatest and believe me I am not using this as a forum to shove my religious beliefs to anyone cuz that is not me, but regardless of your beliefs it is a great way to think positively and to put your best self forward. It is very inspirational. and I can see a difference in myself lately. No more dwelling on the hard times just better times ahead! :)

Marketing Monday - Thank you cards for Repeat Business

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. My little mans first christmas was the best. It is neat because he is 10 months now, so he was very into it:)

Now for marketing monday.......

Remember to send a thank you card to all clients after they complete, order and pick up prints. This goes a long way. When I buy something, if the sales professional sends a thank you card. It blows me away. With mega stores and the hustle and bustle of life, we sometimes forget our manners.

In my thank you card I send a coupon - whether it is a free 5x7 with their next paid session or $25 off session. Not only will you drum up repeat business, but you will make a great impression as well!!!

If you want to be green, send a e-thank you. Although I feel that this is a little impersonal for me , guess I am just a little old fashioned.

Marketing Monday/New Years Resolutions - Plan of Attack for 2010

Since it is coming to the end of the year, I have decided to work on my marketing plan and new years resolutions for 2010. I want to be a little more aggressive with my marketing. I plan on "hitting the pavement" and participating in more events (like fairs/festivals) and hitting the mommy groups. As a photographer starting out, you must be vigilant and market every day. I take the TAOPAN workshop with Ana Brandt who is a GENIOUS marketing whiz and AMAZING Pregnancy and Newborn photographer. She had us do a 21 days of marketing challenge. I passed with flying colors and basically launched my business off of it actually:) It is possible to market every day. Whether it is to create material, call or email a moms group, go to a business card exchange or just talk to people in your daily routine. Tell them you are a photographer. Most people are fascinated by that. When I tell people that I am, a lot of them say - I love to take pictures or I always wanted to do that or how fun!

I also am planning my mini sessions and charitable giving for the year as well. Each month I would like to offer a unique mini session idea for my clients - Portraits in the Park, Valentines Day, etc. Maybe designate one weekend for those sessions - pack them in and rent a studio space to save time and travel (and post processing because the lighting would be the same)

I plan on giving away a couple sessions at varius charity events that are high profile in my area. For example, They have a MASSIVE basket bingo at our high school. Usually between 250 and 400 people come. Probably will do a display, sponsor a basket and donate a $50 off print order or Free mini session for that one. EXPOSURE is key. People like businesses who give back. Maybe someone there was just thinking - Wow its been years since a family portrait or maybe I could get that for my grankids as a present.... hmmmm . Any school charity/function is good especially if you are a portrait photographer.

I also plan to market to pre-schools and day cares in the area. At least 3 that I know of within a mile of my house do not do any type of portrait photography. Need to do A LOT more research on that one. I would like to offer something different. Like take the kids to the playground and do them that way. More lifestyle, less stuffy. We'll see. Just a dream for now!

I'll share with you my plan as soon as it is finished (the new year has really snuck up on me!)

As far as a personal note, I plan on working on being a better mom in the new year. Will be leaving where I have been working to stay home, blog, and continue to build my business part time (for now). Don't get me wrong - I love being a mommy and feel that I am a great mom but there is always room for improvement! I will have more patience and understanding. I will enjoy every minute. We will go on adventures.

I plan on taking better care of myself 2009 was a tough year - difficult pregnancy, emergency surgery, complications from the surgery, then my back injury it has taken a toll. I plan on getting out and active and trying to reduce my stress level.And just stay healthy!

I want to be less of a worryer.

I want to renew my faith as sometimes we get busy and don't leave time for that.

I am going to read books again and relax (from time to time hehe:)

I'd like to stick to my blogging schedule that I made:) and if Santa is good to me maybe I will get that HD Cam under the tree so I can do video tutorials:)



Well that is about it. I wish EVERYONE a happy holiday to you and your families!

Giveaways, Marketing, and Freebies OH MY!!!

Don't forget to sign up for your shot to win the Sharper Image Digital Photo Keyring!!!! Find the post from last week and follow the directions....

I was having an issue with my feedburner and just had to ping so check back - we have had a lot of great posts - Marketing, Money Saving Tips, giveaway, etc:)

Hope you all are having a great Monday:)

Marketing Monday - a little early & Save $ on dinner out!

As the days are getting crazier decided to post this a little early:) Here is a quick Idea to generate new business. Offer a Restaurant.com gift card with a booked session. Send a note to your FACEBOOK, Myspace, Twitter, Email, Blog fans where the first 10 (you pick the #) people to book a January session will recieve a $25 Restaurant.com gift card or you can offer the card to all booked session however you choose. PS These gift cards will only cost you $10... I actually ordered them this afternoon because I got a tip that they are 80% through today. So I ordered them for $2 per card!!! So my promo cost me $20 for a potential 10 or more booked sessions. If the average session is $250 that is $2500 worth of business. You can always give them as referral bonuses or thank you for larger orders....You can even do a gift card a month giveaway... All sessions booked and finished in that month will get a chance to get a $25/$50/$100 gift card.... PS the $100 gift cards today are $8 OMG....

The customer then will go on the site to print out the certificate at the restaurant of their choice that participates.

 In our area 3 of my all-time fave restaurants are listed so today my husband and I did a dry run before I offered as a gift/promo. We eat at a place called the Blue Monkey - great Sunday football spot. Instead of buying a gift card. I purchased a $25 cert for the blue monkey direct for $2 (today only). I can then print it out. Some restaurants have restrictions - like has to be dinner or $25 cert has to be used with $35 or more purchase, most will have a set 18% gratuity - what we usually tip anyways. We called and checked because Sun they don't offer a lunch menu. They said we can really use the cert. anytime on the weekends. We got drinks, appetizers, 2 cheesesteaks, and desert and paid $19 for tax and gratuity and the difference of the certificate plus we had paid $2 for the $25 certificate. So basically we got a meal that would have cost us $40 + gratuity about $7 so we saved almost $30 by just going on and printing out first at this.

Check the restrictions on http://www.restaurant.com/ to see if it is for you or if the area you live in has a nice selection before you give to clients. If they can't use it then they will feel tricked and you want them to be happy:)

IF YOU ORDER TODAY, for the 80% off, Use the code SHARE  :) Enjoy

Marketing Monday - Hometown Heroes the Untapped Market

Police, Fire (volunteer or paid), EMT - these are all the people in uniform who are a new segment to work with. There are a couple of ways to market to them....

** Remember as always tweak this to work for you. Figure your price margin. It may not be the same as mine. Make sure it works for you, too before you jump in.
1. DISCOUNT SESSIONS - at your studio/alternate location

You can offer them to do a headshot of them in uniform and dress uniform discounted. Usually this is just a few poses and often will only take a few minutes.  My current discounted rate for them is $29 and they get a free 5x7. Make sure you capture information and add to your newsletter. Many of these professionals have families and they will remember you when it comes time for family pics! Make sure that you treat as any customer. Send thank you note with cards and referral cards. P.S. these all will work easier if you offer online proofing and ordering. Come up with a couple packages that seem to work. This would resemble how your kids school pics work. A la Carte and a few packages. Keep it simple.

How to market - Simple letter or promo card to station about the offer- you may want to call ahead or check the town/city website for chief or head name. The mailer should let them know that there is a discount price. In some towns they have conventions. If it is a small convention (like we have in our town) the booth may only be between 20-50 (in our town it is $25 for the firefighters trade show). Small price to pay to reach out to thousands of people. If you know any men (or women in uniform) it wouldn't hurt to do a couple shots for display and promo cards. 

2. Offer Picture Day at the Station

This would be offered on a specific date and time. You may have to be flexible as fire calls and police calls happen unexpectedly - trust me I know as a wife of a volunteer firefighter. Just ask me about the time I was abandoned at Target:) I would also have a day that would be for make ups only. I personally would have a signup. Keep the signups about 10 min apart. Take 2 poses. 1 head shot and one length. Either in dress uniform or their duty uniforms (if chief wants both to be offered, I would make the appts 15 min apart). Only one background, light set up and limited poses will make these consistant like school pictures. If there is more than a certain # signed up, I usually just charge for prints and a "handling charge" of $5 (you can charge what you like). I personally would do the prepaid packages and ala carte just like school pictures. I would not do online proofing as it is time consuming and you are not charging a session fee. I also do not retouch photos unless there was an error with white balance or color on my part. I order packages from my printer and deliver to the chief or my contact. They are responsible for getting to the people. In every pack, I include a discount card for a "full Hometown Heroes session" This will let them bring family, do multiple dress changes, will offer creative options - black and white, and retouching. I would give them $50 off my session fee. Also include referral program and your card. Make sure the ordering form includes a release and a spot where you can capture email.

How to market - Simple letter or promo card to station about the offer- you may want to call ahead or check the town/city website for chief or head name. The mailer should let them know that there is a discount price. In some towns they have conventions. If it is a small convention (like we have in our town) the booth may only be between 20-50 (in our town it is $25 for the firefighters trade show). Small price to pay to reach out to thousands of people. If you know any men (or women in uniform) it wouldn't hurt to do a couple shots for display and promo cards.  *** You may want to offer the chief/head low res cd of all the headshots (for badges/ID's) either for a low price or for free depending on participation. As a goodwill gesture, I do offer to take a group shot with the trucks or vehicles. I will give the station one as a donation, however, this is a add-on sale for the guys as well - they can order one for XX amount. I charge $15 for a group shot 5x7.


3. Offer to take pictures for a community event

Donate your time to go to the event and take pictures. I would set up a stand where the kids can take a pic with the fireman/firetruck, etc. Have parents sign a release get an email. Online proof them as a batch in one cart - use same password for all to make it easy. Send them email when ready. You can either donate net to station or send a fixed $ amount. That is up to you. Add them all to your newsletter list. Have a pick up day at the station. If they are not able to come, they pay shipping to their home. Simple, easy. And who doesn't want a picture of their kid with a firetruck? Great way to build your client list! In each pack - offer a % or $ off session coupon, a referral program promo card and a business card!

How to market - Simple letter to station about donating your time- you may want to call ahead or check the town/city website for chief or head name who to address to. You can also make a personal phone call or visit.


Numbers crunch - lets say there are 40 guys at a volunteer station and 3/4 participate. My cheapest package is $20 so if 30 guys participate at the minimum there is $600. for 30 guys - may take you 4-5 hours, less if you are more efficient and have helpers or you schedule 5 minutes apart - you can do in under 3 (or if you have second light set up and background and person- you can do in an hour or two. Plus you know have more potential customers!


I am working on a Freebie Friday with some of the promotional material that I talked about here. I am also working on the full package as well. Getting together all my material and writing a manual as well. Stay tuned!!!

Marketing Monday -JSO (Just Starting Out) 10 Free and Low Cost ways to market

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!

Marketing Mondays - Generating Clients and Building Portfolio

Are you a new photographer or just starting out your business? Do you have a decent client base but long for more? Then here are a couple solutions for you:

MODEL CALLS

But I don't have money to hire models!!??

You don't need to. These are the models of the non-pro kind. People who are willing to spend an hour posing for you free of charge. Do these people exist? Yes they do!!! Trust me on this one. The best way to drum up business at the start is a model call. The model call works in two ways. The first is that you will get much needed practice in a professional setting. The second is that you can also build clients this way as well. If they are happy with the pics, they will share them with others and if you then treat them like a client instead of a "freebie" you may develop a client for life. I started out with a model call. My first "family" session was engagement pictures. I met them, treated them as a prized client. I lalso made them sign a no charge session model release so I could use all of their pictures for marketing in anyway including my website (which you ABSOLUTELY NEED AS A PHOTOGRAPHER). I then offered to make them prints at a discount price. I put these pictures up on a blog (a showing of the best) and sent an email of the link. I asked in the email that they forward the link to all their friends and family and have them offer feedback as well. I also strategically placed in that email that I am having a friends and family referral and for every one they refer, they will get a $50 print credit and the new customer will get a half price session fee. This got me two referrals. The print credit for two referrals cost me $10 to get two clients (who even at 1/2 price still is paying $75 for session plus the prints). When I delivered the prints, I also threw in a couple of my "referral business cards" so they could hand them out. I get a call they love the pics and need a wedding photographer and would like to hire me. Awesome! So the model call turned into new business. This is a Cinderella story and it may not always happen, however, this is an example of how you can use this to build your clientelle. PEOPLE LOVE FREEBIES. For example, people will buy things at the grocery store that they don't need just because they have a coupon.... The power of savings is a powerful thing! P.S. you don't have to be a newbie to use this method, you can also use this to drum up business. Just think - fresh pictures for your website and a few more contacts on your client list! Also a great way to use a new location or new props before you use them on a new customer who is paying a premium for their session fee.

Where do you post a model call?

The best one I did was on my friend list on FACEBOOK. Tweet it. Post in your local free papers, or on Craigs List. When you are photographing people you do not know, take utmost care. Do it in a public well travelled place of your choice where you feel comfortable. Take along your boyfriend, friend, etc. BE SAFE. If you know the person well you can do it at their home or location.

Tip:

Make sure that you designate a specific # of free sessions. If someone responds and your already booked. Tell them "I'm sorry, I am already booked for the model call but I would be willing to do a session for you for a half price session fee (or give you a $25 print credit.)" You are still getting either 50% of session fee (or full session fee if you use the print credit method.