otherwise
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2013
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 0
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
I'm four years into my business and am extremely frustrated with this lack of clients stuff. I have have photographed only about ten weddings, with the first year being only one: that of a friend. Everything else has been booked through Craigslist, which does not seem to be very successful since everyone is looking for a $400 wedding photographer. Sure, I booked a few of those last year and the year before...GREAT portfolio builders, and I even did one for $500 this year because it was an AWESOME couple, but really I charge between $900 and $1,800, and not many Craigslist folks are into that.
When people contact me through Craigslist and don't want to give me any idea what their rough budget is for photography, I just say that I try work within my clients' budgets. Though this is true, I think it turns people away. I direct people to both my website and Facebook page to get them excited about the work itself before talking about pricing, but still...not much luck. And then those who book me and end up LOVING everything about the experience, e.g. working with me (I'm quite an extrovert and life is a smorgasbord to me), the resulting photos, just everything. They basically rave over me. But referrals aren't really happening because most of these clients are coming in from out of town.
I just booked my first $1,800 wedding, actually, but it was that of a friend and not a random individual looking for a wedding photographer. Excited to be charging closer to what I'm worth, not excited to not be booking only a dozen weddings a year like I should be. There is no reason I cannot do this, as my work is excellent, my customer service and client relational skills are excellent, etc. But my marketing? Gotta figure that one out, and that's why I'm posting this. If anyone can help here, perhaps talk me through some of this, that would be very much appreciated. And if you'd like to see my website or some work of mine just send me a quick private message because I'd rather not post links on a public forum.
Thank you all SOOO much!
When people contact me through Craigslist and don't want to give me any idea what their rough budget is for photography, I just say that I try work within my clients' budgets. Though this is true, I think it turns people away. I direct people to both my website and Facebook page to get them excited about the work itself before talking about pricing, but still...not much luck. And then those who book me and end up LOVING everything about the experience, e.g. working with me (I'm quite an extrovert and life is a smorgasbord to me), the resulting photos, just everything. They basically rave over me. But referrals aren't really happening because most of these clients are coming in from out of town.
I just booked my first $1,800 wedding, actually, but it was that of a friend and not a random individual looking for a wedding photographer. Excited to be charging closer to what I'm worth, not excited to not be booking only a dozen weddings a year like I should be. There is no reason I cannot do this, as my work is excellent, my customer service and client relational skills are excellent, etc. But my marketing? Gotta figure that one out, and that's why I'm posting this. If anyone can help here, perhaps talk me through some of this, that would be very much appreciated. And if you'd like to see my website or some work of mine just send me a quick private message because I'd rather not post links on a public forum.
Thank you all SOOO much!