Advertising yourself? What's the best option?

[burningbright]

Hi everyone,

I recently began to look at options to advertise myself and I was wondering what kind of advice you had for a "newer" professional photographer. I have been shooting professionally for a few years and have had great clients but I've gotten into a little bit of a rut. The problem is that even though my prices are what you would consider on the lower end, I'm only getting people who want to pay $300 or $500 for a wedding. While I don't mind doing this for close friends and family and sometimes as a gift to them, (I realize weddings are expensive and times are tough) I obviously can not build a business on FREE.

I was wondering specifically about Wedding Wire. I was contacted by them a couple of days ago and at $115/month for a year, it seems like a great deal but I have never dealt with a company like this before. They promise a lot but does anyone have experience with them or any other companies that are similar? Is this the best route to go? How did you get more business?

Any help would be appreciated and I thank you so much in advance!

 

[Robin Usagani]

Here is how wedding wire works. A future bride within your area registered to WW and put what she needs (florist, photog, dj etc.) WW then send mass email in that area with that profession. You can get the bride's info if you pay $2. It will limit to like 5 people to each category. So once 5 photographer paid the #2, no other photographer can get her info. Now that doesnt mean only 5 photog will contact her because some of the photog will share the info to someone else.

YOu can pay more to get premium listing etc. Not sure how effective it is.

 

[burningbright]

I will have to ask about that fee when I call the representative back!

 

[KmH]

Hi everyone,

I recently began to look at options to advertise myself and I was wondering what kind of advice you had for a "newer" professional photographer. I have been shooting professionally for a few years and have had great clients but I've gotten into a little bit of a rut. The problem is that even though my prices are what you would consider on the lower end, I'm only getting people who want to pay $300 or $500 for a wedding. While I don't mind doing this for close friends and family and sometimes as a gift to them, (I realize weddings are expensive and times are tough) I obviously can not build a business on FREE.

I was wondering specifically about Wedding Wire. I was contacted by them a couple of days ago and at $115/month for a year, it seems like a great deal but I have never dealt with a company like this before. They promise a lot but does anyone have experience with them or any other companies that are similar? Is this the best route to go? How did you get more business?

Any help would be appreciated and I thank you so much in advance!

Well, I'd recommend paying closer attention to things in general.

For instance, why did you decide to post this in a general photography critique gallery section of the forums,

General Gallery
A gallery for sharing photos and getting feedback, including general critique.

and not the forum section devoted to photography business discussions? :scratch:

General Shop Talk
Looking to make your hobby into a business? Already in business? This is the place for you. Discuss marketing, pricing, legal issues and other ideas relating to the business of photography.

The 2 most effective ways a retail photography business can advertise is by having good WOM (word-of-mouth) and direct mail.

Low end pricing is your main problem.

 

[Tbini87]

Business cards may be a big help for you if you aren't using them yet. How have you been getting work in the past? Is that not working for you anymore?

 

[burningbright]

Yes, I have business cards. In the past, I would drop them around the city when I found a hip coffee shop or local store that allowed that kind of thing. I first began just by word of mouth and dropping cards, I still get inquiries but everyone wants the work done for nothing and they move onto students who are into photography at the local schools.

I actually had some very expensive letterpress cards done for an indie wedding show and I have never had so many responses because they were so original (thanks to a very talented graphic designer and my favorite letterpress gal!)

 

[burningbright]

I'm obviously new to this forum so I looked for the best possible forum type for my question. Thank you for your time in answering my question, but there is no need to be rude. Thanks again!

 

[JCphoto]

KmH was not rude at all.

It is however rude to post in a forum without first reading where best to post, obviously a photo gallery is not the best place to post a question, that is common sense.

I would suggest placing an ad in your local newspaper(s).

 

[burningbright]

Not an argument and until someone can spell check and get advertising right, I'm probably not going to be taking their advice on how I should be doing anything.

Thank you for making my first post in this forum a pleasant one. You all seem like you have such great people skills, I'm sure you have a great customer base...this is just silly!

Happy New Year!

 

[Destin]

Not an argument and until someone can spell check and get advertising right, I'm probably not going to be taking their advice on how I should be doing anything.

Thank you for making my first post in this forum a pleasant one. You all seem like you have such great people skills, I'm sure you have a great customer base...this is just silly!

Happy New Year!

If your posting questions on a forum, they should be in the correct category. Nobody is mad at you or being rude, simply telling you for next time. The point of forums is to learn from each other, and obviously your missing the fact that they are just trying to help you get more responses.

This forum has it's fair share of people who post a few times and leave because they don't understand that, and they are all missing out on a great community.

Just gotta thicken your skin up a bit and not take it personally.