How do you advertise yourself as a Tog?

JumboBeef

JumboBeef

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How do you advertise your photography business/service? Word of wouth/repeat business aside..........

I use Adwords a lot, and I am happy with the results. I also hit the phones a lot and talk to, well, everyone! I never send emails (unless asked to) ~ complete waste of time and effort.

What do you do to get your photographic business/work?
 
No paid advertising, money down the drain in my experience. Apart from word of mouth and chasing down leads I get promoted through other businesses in parallel markets such as bridal wear, etc. They have posters, cards, leaflets, etc. up in their shops and links on their websites.

The other main source is google local which accounts for around 80% of my website visitors. Adwords didn't come close to that figure.
 
Any info on the google local, I googled it but haven´t found quite what you refer to yet. Cheers
 
I did some paid advertising for Weddings in normal lineage for 4 months once, loads of enquiries NONE booked - it was all - "Can you do a full day's shoot for a fiver?" type of call - thus I concluded that was the wrong market

I also twice went into a local rag with a very big advert (A5 size) & super offer (no really it was!) - no calls at all from either of them

Aside from referrals, which we encourage with vouchers, ALL our business comes from our website, which is always page 1 in a Google search - not even tried Adwords as yet

DD
 
JumboBeef said:
How do you advertise your photography business/service? Word of wouth/repeat business aside..........
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There's other ways?

OK I'm not a professional, I'm a hobbyist, but all the work I get is through word of mouth, and my MySpace/FaceBook pages. Still, it's different markets I suppose.
 
I dont want masses of business yet (not like I would anyway ;)) so word of mouth is the way to go at the moment.

I talk about it quite often, and people at work are booking me, as well as friends that want kid shots, every bit helps right now, and I would rather get business from someone recommending me :)

Slightly OT here, would it be a good idea to post prices on my website? Or would that scare people off before they've even approached me?
 
I am just using word of mouth, a little SEO work on my site and work from friends in the graphic design trade. Does me ok. Oh and on PapaL's word I have paid for a years sub to photographers.co.uk - Had 3 jobs from that in only a month of being on there. Sweet. Paid for itself already.

As for prices betty I put them on my site, would rather 50 people look at them and go yes or no than have 50 emails all asking for prices.
 
wingnut said:
As for prices betty I put them on my site, would rather 50 people look at them and go yes or no than have 50 emails all asking for prices.
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Ah, fair point. I dont always have time to reply to emails, and by the time I have, they might have found somewhere else.

Good plan Batman :D
 
Betty said:
Ah, fair point. I dont always have time to reply to emails, and by the time I have, they might have found somewhere else.

Good plan Batman :D
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On the other hand you are simply offering a price sale rather than a quality one. People are picking you, or others, merely on a number rather than for your work & personal merit

Cuts both ways, but if you want to offer a cheap product then saying that on the website will get you those 'cheap' clients

There's no right/wrong way to do it, just do what you feel is right for you

DD
 
When I used to offer portraiture, I had the prices on the website and most promo material.

I did make sure that I was the most expensive for miles around though. As said, the last thing I ever wanted to portray was a cheap service.
 
I just use a starting price - lets people know if you are in their ballpark without denying me the opportunity to have a discussion with them.
 
I am stumped now, you guys have seen my work, and I hope you dont think its cheap looking, I just want to be able to provide shots like this for the masses, without them paying through the nose for it. Tough call :(

Hmmm, maybe that "Prices start at..." idea wouldn't be so bad?
 
Betty said:
I just want to be able to provide shots like this for the masses, without them paying through the nose for it.
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Is it a business or a charity ? ;)

Just kidding, but further encounters with 'the masses' will likely change your opinion over time ...
 
Fair enough, but I dont want to charge pro time for amateur shots :)
 
If you're charging, then they are pro shots ...
 
I don't offer any prices as I try and provide a bespoke service to any potential clients and don't like pigeonholing them into Gold, Platinum or Diamond (or whatever) packages which can be a bit restricting.
 
Just take a look at some of the top photographers. All they do is show their work. People know you're a photographer and if they like what they see enough to hire you they will get in touch. I don't put any prices on my site because I'm not a high street industry standard portrait studio offering a photo of your kid on a white background for £9.99 complete with keyring.
 
I don't have prices on my website: everything is negotiable and I want people to talk to me, and not just read a website.
 
petemc said:
Just take a look at some of the top photographers. All they do is show their work. People know you're a photographer and if they like what they see enough to hire you they will get in touch. I don't put any prices on my site because I'm not a high street industry standard portrait studio offering a photo of your kid on a white background for £9.99 complete with keyring.
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Bloody Hell Pete - £9.99 :eek::eek::eek:

Didn't realise Liverpool was so expensive

Round our ways, we have to pay people to come into our studio and be photographed

:D

DD
 
WeddingHack said:
I just use a starting price - lets people know if you are in their ballpark without denying me the opportunity to have a discussion with them.
Click to expand...

Sorry to go off topic but I really like your website, especially the contrast between the initial splash page and the main site!
 
I just go on various forums that relate to a championship that just held a round at Oulton and post pictures on there and then wait for people to ask for them. This way they know I am local to Oulton. They know my pictures quality and they know how to get hold of me if they want a 'tog for a race day they maybe taken part in!!
 
definitely agree with what others have said , as far as pricing. you offer too cheap, you get people that want service for a price. not a good service at a fair price.

were upping our bottom end prices again. we seem to get either the top end packages selling, because the customer has seen our work and weve been recomended.
or theyve seen our bottom end price and thought thats cheap enough.
weve almost exhausted our supply of bottom end albums, we bought very competatively. when theyve gone, so has our bottom end price.
its realy annoying that some customers who buy based on a price, can be such ***** demanding customers.often trying to cadge extra coverage or shots , and buying few reprints.
yet the folks spending £1000+ are brilliant to work for, and often give us big reprint orders.
as for advertising, dont bother with yellow pages. waste of time.
yell.com has been slightly better value, but next year were dumping the lot.
going for leaflet drops in the targeted local areas.
we also have leaflets/albums/portraits in local wedding purveyors/venues etc and links on other wedding specialists websites.
again , most of our work comes from referals.
 
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