I am starting up a photography business and am not sure what the best way to advertise is. I don't have a lot of family or friends that are good at supporting people and helping with word of mouth. I can't figure out how to get any business. Any advice is more than helpful.
2007-08-22 05:51:32 · 12 answers · asked by missbabygator1983 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
alavishaffair nailed my first suggestion. When I was looking at photographers, I definitely did the bridal shows since I could look through the portfolio right there.
In addition to that, how much does a kiosk at the mall cost? It may be out of your budget but I notice those all the time. The gorgeous wedding and family at the beach shots. They put a stack of business cards and brochures on each side.
Certain halls get used for weddings a lot. I know the wedding hall I rented gave me a list of caterers that use that hall a lot and I thought that was a fabulous idea. Go to the local halls in the area and ask to get an ad placed on the side of their info sheet, or leave business cards there in the bridal folder.
Also consider churches. If you've used the church before, give them a couple free pictures of their church sanctuary. A lot of large churches have wedding coordinators that meet with prospective brides and help them with names of florists or other vendors that the church has done a lot of business with. If your area has a couple impressive cathedrals, likely to be used by non-members, definitely go there and discuss an ad in the church directory or post a flyer on their bulletin board if nothing else.
One thing--I live in a large neighborhood. Over 600 houses. We have a neighborhood directory that has everyones street and phone number, the neighborhood real estate agents, who baby/pet sits, etc. A lot of people put ads in the neighborhood directory. It's published once a year and reaches a lot of people at once.
People want to see the pictures you have taken more so than anything--so take your portfolio whenever you go out. You'd be shocked at how many people will be interested or know someone getting married.
One thing I have been thinking about for my anniversary. A new photographer in my area did a really cheap rate at a very nice public garden. The garden charges you so much per day and thats why it costs a photographer so much money to shoot there. He did 4 weekends in the garden and advertised a great rate of like 20 frames and 1 large picture for $50. Then he was able to book an entire day out there taking pictures, getting roughly 20 brides out there--and only had to pay the location fee once.
Of course most people are still going to go by word of mouth, so make sure you offer some incentive package for people to give you referrals. If a future bride mentions an older brides name, both brides get a free 8x10 or $10. That will make former brides want to tell people their experience with their vendor.
Hope these ideas get your name out there more than just the yellow pages. Good luck!
2007-08-22 06:30:53 · answer #1 · answered by phantom_of_valkyrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you want to get the best value for your buck. What you could do is offer to do a few sessions for free, in order to build your portfolio (they pay for any prints). If you're wanting to concentrate on weddings, ask independent bridal stores if you can leave a stack of business cards, or flyers. If you're wanting to stick with portraits, tack a business card/flyer on a community bulletin board. With Christmas coming soon, families will want portraits--again, maybe offer a special just to help get the word out. Also, get a small yellow pages ad. Even now, people still turn to the yellow pages when they need a particular business, but don't have someone particular in mind. Good luck!
2007-08-22 06:05:54 · answer #2 · answered by basketcase88 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
advertise for free on all the bridal sites like decidio, onewed, wedplan, eventicive. Anyone that will give you a free reciprocal banner. Then go to freewebs.com or comcast if you have it and create a website. neither cost any money but you need it to do the reciprocal banner.
Then i put money ($30) per site into each of the ones I have a banner and I pay for leads in my area only. Wedplan is the best for me. I get about 3 leads a day and it costs me 65cents a day to be there. the leads more than pay for themselves. On your website make sure you put samples of your work. If it means that you have to go and shoot a couple of weddings for free starting out do it so you get access to the pics. Most of all don't forget to get waivers from the couple allowing you to use their pics for free.
2007-08-22 09:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by psstoffagain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The website I used to find all my vendors was theknot.com. I planned a wedding from 400 miles away, and found this site indispensable. If you ever watched The Apprentice one of the first years, they had a wedding challenge, and the group that won had advertised on the knot.
2007-08-22 07:05:05 · answer #4 · answered by nic_fish99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make yourself a portfolio and put it on a website! Advertise on craigslists! Also look on the gigs section you might want to see if someone needs a cheap photographer you could do it and get permission to put the pictures on your website and then she will also spread the word too! Good Luck!!
2007-08-22 06:04:25 · answer #5 · answered by RedSoxRock!!! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for wedding sites that offer free vendor listing. There are several out there but don't forget to make sure and put where you are willing to go or surrounding areas or travel miles. Otherwise, you'll be going to Tennessee when you live in California.
2007-08-22 06:52:58 · answer #6 · answered by Carol S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a website. Put sample pictures and a price list on it.
If you don't have a lot of samples, put an ad on craigslist offering free services or cheap services to establish your portfolio and word of mouth.
2007-08-22 05:56:32 · answer #7 · answered by LB 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go to the various bridal stores and talk to the manager and tell them about yourself and then I would put a ad in the paper maybe by the wedding announcements...
Good Luck!
2007-08-22 07:22:44 · answer #8 · answered by spagirl23188 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Local papers, wedding sections, etc... Also building a proper and good portfolio will ensure an easy sell once you get a call.
Craigslist is another resource.
2007-08-22 05:55:36 · answer #9 · answered by chaoss13 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bridal shows are AWESOME for advertising and affordable depending on the area...also start a website and join associations such as:
www.wpja.com
www.wedplan.net/photographers
www.onewed.com/wedding-photographer.php
or your local wedding association
2007-08-22 05:57:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋