trying to keep busy. . .

[gummibear]

Well, business has been really down and My Husband just deployed to boot camp for the next 3 months. I need to keep busy, to keep from getting so depressed. Anyways, I was thinking of some sort of special or coupon deal to draw more people in. I have one client but she said in a really nice way that my price list was way to complicated. Is it?
Joy Russell Photography: Packages and Pricing
I just want to do something simple that will draw others in. My brain is so fried right now - any suggestions? what have you done in the past?
A little about my self: I do natural lighting, on site photography, and I've done everything except for weddings ( I just dont believe that I have the right equipment/ lighting for weddings yet).
Something like 25% off newborn-2 year olds? Is that a little much? I dont know. . . I want to do something. I just want time to fly till the time that he gets back. Everyone tells me I'm freaking awesome, but no one wants a photoshoot.
I think I'm just depressed.
Sorry this turned into a vent.

 

[Malone]

Maybe just something as simple as offering a free print or two as a promotion?

This is something a find a bit confusing -

$50 / 2 hours
+ 2 hours $20/hr extra

Couldn't you just say $50 for 2 hours and $20 for each additional hour? The "+2 hours $20/hr extra" is worded strange.

Your "Package 2" doesn't state how many photos are in the album (if any at all). As a consumer, they may read it as just a CD with all their photos and a photo album, either blank or with an unknown amount of photos.

 

[KmH]

Package 2
© CD with all photos
11 x 8.5" Sued Hard Cover Photobook
Choose Black or Blue Sued
$150

Do you mean Suede Hard Cover?

 

[gummibear]

(bang my head on the keyboard)

Shoot, yeah, I'm an idiot. I need to go through all that stuff again. And I am normally one for spelling.
Well, the photo books are 20 pages. So they will have 20+ images with atleast one per page.
Thanks, seems I've got some work to do

 

[gummibear]

A free print or two sounds do-able.

 

[Malone]

You may also either post your portfolio on the website or provide a link to it as well.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I think you are priced a little low. Does the $50 sitting fee pay for your drive time, gas, prep, liability insurance?

CD's of "all" images? What does all mean? Do you select only the good ones an edit them? How many good ones do you average for a 2 hr shoot?

Your list really gives the customer no idea what they are getting.

Maybe you should break your packages into sitting times...more expensive packages take longer but yield more photos, and include progressive print packages. So the cheap person will choose the $50 session, and a CD of a given number of images $150 session is three hours, CD of X images, and 5 various prints. $350 session is two locations, 4 hours, CD of x number of images, 10 prints (premium size)... Etc. (all figures chosen at random with nor regard to actual costs and compensation)

Just a little nit pick on your site, as viewed on myPad, the background image cuts through the first letters of the the left justified text, and looks bad, interferes with reading.

 

[gummibear]

Good idea about the portfolio. Will have to do that.
Yeah, $50 covers all - in a 2 hour period. CD's, prints, etc are more.
I generally get about 15-20 photos per shoot. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put in a post, these ideas and the corrective critisism really helps.
I think I need to redo my whole website, and you just confirmed that
See . . . I've already got some work to do to keep me busy. yay, lol.

 

[KmH]

I was wondering if your business is legally established at both the local and state level there in Alabama? ADOR - Sales & Use Tax

Are you aware of the IRS guidelines that they use to decide for federal tax deduction purposes what's a business, and what's a hobby? Business or Hobby? Answer Has Implications for Deductions

 

[gummibear]

No, its not. I dont make enough money, so I was told by HR block, to have a "real" business. Till I make up a certain amount. Need to look that up. Thanks for the links I will look those up.

 

[KmH]

IIRC the federal limit is $600 a year ($50 a month, average). I highly recommend you take advantage of information the IRS offers for free, because H&R Block has gotten into trouble with the IRS many times in the past for dispensing bogus information.

Assuming you are operating as a Sole Proprietorship - Sole Proprietorships

Some info on deducting business expenses: Deducting Business Expenses which the IRS will not allow if they determine you are not making a reasonable effort too make a profit (because your prices are to low to ever attain profitability)

Here is a free 9 part IRS workshop: IRS Virtual Workshop

It appears the State of Alabama expects you to collect and forward to them any and all applicable sales and use taxes generated by any products you buy or sell. http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/taxpayerassist/StartingANewBusiness.pdf