This question is focused towards wedding pros. We all know that word of mouth is the most powerful mode of marketing. I would like to know if there's any other means of marketing that is also useful in generating new clients.
This question is focused towards wedding pros. We all know that word of mouth is the most powerful mode of marketing. I would like to know if there's any other means of marketing that is also useful in generating new clients.
This question is focused towards wedding pros. We all know that word of mouth is the most powerful mode of marketing. I would like to know if there's any other means of marketing that is also useful in generating new clients.
This question is focused towards wedding pros. We all know that word of mouth is the most powerful mode of marketing. I would like to know if there's any other means of marketing that is also useful in generating new clients.
Thanks all for your valuable input!
Like all newcomers I was thinking of ways to find more clients as my current base of clients is still small. Added in the fact that when you start to increase your price, your previous client's friends might not be able to afford the new price. Thus the need to find new clients that could via other means.
万事起头难.
I'm not sure about others, but for me which I'm in the 1k and 1k+ sector i am starting to get hit really bad. Luckily cheonged last year from around Oct to this Feb or so and so at least I have 50+ ROMs/ADs now. But from mid March to now there has been a lot of enquires which I roughly estimate around 30-40 couples, but only 2 signups. I tried massive discounts to even $700 for a basic package (DVD return only) for the weekday weddings but no effect. Lately there were 4 couples who cancelled (6th Dec being oen of them). WTH.... Seriously I don't know what effect would advertising have....
Just trying to stay alive with normal day job, my other small biz and US stocks as lobangs. (its actually gambling nowadays LOL!)
I've seen for myself some cases in couples and friends who are much worse off......
Hi All,
Have you considered one of the better methods to generate new clients is thro affiliations? This is already being done by the more successful p'ger(s) but I don't see anyone highlighting the method. So allow me to share a bit about affiliation.
BENEFITS / COSTS: Through affiliation you join a more successful team ("the host") and leverage on the success of the more established p'gers. The more successful p'ger can refer those clients he is unable to handle to the new affiliate. But the host also benefits, coz sometimes he may get a referral / enquiry that is below his service rate. Now, instd of turning away such enquiry, he cld ask the affiliate to handle and get a "cut" (there is no free lunch!). Depending on the host, the cut may be a small referral fee to cover overheads, etc.
Now, let me suggest a workable formula on the 'cut' that makes money sense to both the host and the affiliate. Suppose the host's normal rate is $2k per assignment, because he's been in this line for the past XX yrs, has established his name, blah, blah. The affiliate may be someone just starting out full-time but has been shooting free-lance or part-time for some time, and has a reasonably good portfolio to show the host. He pitches his rate as $500-800 per assignment.
See the wide price differential b/w the successful host and the affiliate? That is where the host can leverage on his success, image, popularity, blah, blah. He may quote a figure lower than his established rate, say, $1,000 advising the prospective client the assignment would be handled by the affiliate, as he's already scheduled. The client would hv seen the affiliate's portfolio and if the client accepts, the affiliate would get the job. The affiliate rate of $500-800 is prior agreed at the time of affiliation, the host will get his cut to help cover overheads and make it worthwhile. The affiliation rate will go up as the affiliate gains experience and enuf clients commended his (good) work. It is obvious the host will ask the client's feedback as SOP. Note a bad-egg or unethical affiliate can be damaging to the host.. [you can imagine why... but it cuts both ways.]
Obviously the host wld only provide affiliation to those who meets his minimum standards of photography, amongst other criteria, else his firm may take a hit if the affiliate p'ger fails to perform on the AD. (Note failure, aside from photography skills, may take the form of no-show, poor manners, lack of communication, honesty, etc -- these are other criteria the host will consider b4 accepting the affiliate). I know one case where the affiliate did well enuf to become inducted into the firm as a regular member of the team i.e. "graduate" from affiliation.
To keep this post brief, I shall not go into the other immense benefits (eg exposure, insurance ag eqt failure, skill set) accruing to both host and affiliate here, hoping the more successful p'gers who hv gone thro the route will add to the discussion.
cheers
I recently spoke to another photographer who had the exact same problem of getting jobs even tho it's priced at $700. If you've been looking around the forums, esp the more pasar malam ones that has lots of bargain hunters, you'll noticed something about couples with budget around $500 to $700... if they can find a friend to shoot for free, they rather save that $500 - $700. IMHO, these couple won't value photography very much to begin with.
A little OT here, but if you think your work deserves more than that, you should be looking at the next price bracket of about $1500 onwards.