By Anna Gay on | No Comments
When it comes to advertising your photography business, the amount of options can seem overwhelming, and oftentimes very expensive.
If you are just starting to get your photography business up and running, chances are that you will need to advertise in SEVERAL different areas in order to draw in business.
Here are a few great ways to advertise, without draining your wallet:
Offering a shorter photo session to your clients at a discounted price can be a fantastic way of getting a few extra shoots under your belt. People may not always have the time or the means to afford a full session, but by offering photography mini sessions, you can give them an option to have the photos done in a shorter time and at a smaller price.
This will not only help you build a client base, but will also help you develop your style as a photographer, because the more your shoot, the more comfortable you will become with your style.
Holidays and seasonal events can be the perfect opportunity to offer specials. For example, if you have a Facebook business page, try advertising a summer special, or maybe a back-to-school special where clients can get a discounted price for their shoot if they book by a certain date.
If you are hesitant to offer a discount on price, think of bonuses you can add to your special – like a matted print or small photo album.
There are a lot of people who would like to have photos of themselves or their family, but a photo session may not be a top priority due to time or financial constraints.
Offering gift certificates gives friends and family the opportunity to give your clients a gift certificate for a photo shoot that they can schedule for a time that works well for them.
Boudoir and glamour shoots are very popular too and significant others will often purchase gift certificates for these to give to their partners.
If you are trying to break into wedding photography, finding a wedding photographer who will hire you as a second shooter is a way of both getting your feet wet with wedding photography, but also a way to network.
Shooting a wedding by yourself for the first time can be intimidating, but if you have a couple of weddings under your belt as a second shooter, you should be much more comfortable when the time comes for you to shoot a wedding on your own.
Being a second shooter often involves some monetary payment, but if not, the lead photographer will most likely allow you to use the images in your portfolio. And having a selection of wedding images in your photography portfolio will definitely draw more potential wedding clients to your work.
If you take a look at the items and services being offered for auction at a charity event, you will often find photography packages.
By participating in a charity auction, you will have the unique feeling of satisfaction that comes with standing up for a cause that is important to you. And when someone purchases your package, you will have a guaranteed shoot.
There's a good chance those clients will come back to you for more shoots in the future at regular prices, and even refer you to their friends.
Finally, and possibly the best form of advertising are referrals.
As a photographer, word-of-mouth is essential to your business. If your clients are happy, they are going to show their photos to everyone they know, and also tell their friends and family that they had a great experience with you.
Many people have had poor experiences with photographers, so when they find a photographer they like and trust, they will usually remain loyal to that photographer AND send more business their way.
Consider offering “refer a friend” specials to your existing clients. Or, if you are attracting new clients, give them a bonus or a special first-time discount if they were referred to you by an existing client. Also, be sure to keep a stack of business cards with you on shoots, and give your client a few of your cards to take with them and give out to their friends and family.
Do you have any questions or comments about 6 Ways to Advertise Your Photography Business? Leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!
Anna Gay is a portrait photographer based in Athens, GA and the author of the dPS ebook The Art of Self-Portraiture. She also designs actions and textures for Photoshop. When she is not shooting or writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and their two cats, Elphie and Fat Cat.
Comments