I'm a portrait and event photographer. I started my business over a year ago, and it's slowly been building. I recently got a great new website, and new equipment...I'm really excited about all of this. I would like for business to pick up a bit more quickly, though.
My web designer says that he put me on Google (not sure if my terminology is correct here) but when I try Googling my business, I just don't come up--unless I actually put my name in! So I don't think new clients will find me that way. In other words...what I want is for people to punch in, Dallas, photographer, kids, and have my name come up--maybe not first, mind you, but at least in the first couple of pages!
I've tried Craigslist, and gottem some business that way, but that's not working as well as I think it should either. I just posted a great sale I'm having & thought I'd get a huge response, but I haven't gotten even a nibble!
So far, most of my business has been through client referrals and return clients. Word of mouth is the only method that's been consistently successful for me, but it's just not fast enough for me.
So...my question is...what inexpensive advertising would you ladies recommend? I just can't justify spending much on it at this point...I have my spending prioritized, and my next purchase for the business will be another lens. Anyway, any advice would help! Thank you, sweet Mamas!
Try this - http://www.dfwkidsdirectory.com/
I always flip through it when I am at my OB/Gyn's office. Advertising appears to be reasonable in it and you would be targeting the exact market you are aiming for.
Best of luck!
I own a carpet cleaning company in S. Arlington, and I come up in the top 6 on google when you type in Carpet Cleaning, Arlington and many other variations. There is a lot to it that I've got on my website, but mainly having website links on your site, but the trick is the site has to have your link to. For instance if you advertise on Mammasource, put the link on your webpage and since your link is already in mammasource, it will work. If you are in a chamber, or have a bunch of clients that are in business for themselves, or have friends that can link you to them. When google searches for your site, they are looking for heavy activity, and for some reason the activity these sites get also counts as activity on your site and makes your site more legitimate in google's eyes. Also, I've put in the bottom of my home page in white text so you can't see it, all the various ways people would type in a search. For instance tile and grout, keller etc etc. I've heard this method no longer works, but I think it still does. Other than the website, constantly keep in contact with my current client base. I send out a monthly newsletter full of fun facts, trivia contest, and referral reminders. Most of my work comes from repeat clients and their referrals. So make sure you are nurturing those relationships. Send a post card - make it yourself on publisher and print it on your own printer and send specials, referral contest, and sometimes just a happy holiday greeting. The cost to mail a postcard a .27 stamp, and the prefolded postcards ready for print are about $10 at the offic supply. Also, offer a gift certificate for every referral for free services. I give 10% referral reward on the total ticket for every referral and my clients love it. I also seek out business that I can joint venture with - for instance many carpet stores, realtors, insurance companies refer me. I give them a $20 gift card to chili's to thank them for every referral and tell them lunch is on me. You could go to florist, wedding chapels, baby store boutiques. If you sell a $500 portrait package and it cost you $20.00- no brainer! I'm also in a BNI Group in Arlington (Shady Valley), and that has made me a lot of money. You can check that out on www.bnidfw.com to see if there is a chapter near you that has an opening for a photographer. And the Chamber has leads groups that are OK for getting work. I did much better with BNI, it's a little more expensive but much more professional and the referrals are good as gold. Email me directly if you would like to discuss marketing - I love it and have coached several of my clients on starting their business. www.LoveYourCarpets.com
I would recommend Fort Worth Child Magazine or the Parenting Newspaper that is in Fort Worth. There is always the Fort Worth Star Telegram or the Greensheet or Thrifty Nickel.
Another idea is to contact Just Between Friends and Divine Consign they have vendors where you can set up a table or do flyers in their bags. I've advertised thru a flyer, however I didn't get a huge response, however I had competition with someone else advertising for the same thing. These are consignment sales (big ones!) in the Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, North Richland Hills and pretty much all over the country. They hold the sales at churches, convention centers and do a lot of advertising in Fort Worth Child and around town.
I would give flyers to Daycares-more of the higher ends one, churches-preschools and trying to give away some free photos by doing a give away box and a drawing somewhere in the community. You could also try giving out flyers at the Pediatricians offices. I know Babies R US or Baby Depot with Burlington Coat Factory have various events each month, you might try them.
We are looking for a photographer, do you have a website or sample pictures? How much do you charge for sitting fee? We have a 2 1/2 year old that we like to get occasional pictures at Target/Sears. However, we aren't that happy with their quality all the time. We usually spend around 30-60 dollars every few months or so on pictures. Where are you located? Thanks, C.
I am a Marketing Manager for a fast food chain, so let me see if I can take some of our local store marketing ideas and share them with you.
Church - If you belong to a church, put an ad in the bulletin. Offer a discount for those that call or bring in the bulletin. You can also try other church's, not just yours.
Schools - My kids go to Pantego Christian and this year their school directory had local business ads listed. You could try this with private schools in your area. Public schools usually try and sell ads in their booster program guides - sports guides. These are usually inexpensive.
Hospitals and OBGYN's - Check and see if you can print up flyers and leave with these offices for their patients.
Online - you have to make sure you list key words that you want to have your ad pop up. I would think there are a lot of photography entries so you may want to register maternity photography. People pay to have their ad pop up higher on the list. I am not sure the cost, but you could check it out.
Mailing - This can be a very expensive, but there are inexpensive options out there. There are list brokers that can sell you a mailing list of people that meet your criteria.
Hope these ideas help.
ok this is going to sound a tad bit weird. I make soap and have a shop on etsy...anniepoo.etsy.com
I use really cute decorative paper and I got a big heart hole punch and a personalized stamp that has my website on it...I stamp the cute paper hearts with my website name and leave then EVERYWHERE! If I'm at chicfilet I leave a few next to the condiments, if I'm at the bank I leave one in the tube, if I'm at the grocery store I leave a few in the bathroom or on a shelf...I've had FIVE people purchease something from my shop and tell me they came across one of my hearts! It's cheaper than leaving your business card around and it perks people's curiosity!
OK I can maybe help you... I am always looking for a new photographer and would love to try to work with you and get some family pictures made. I also am in a MOMS group (about 30 moms) and they are always looking too. I could pass the word on.
M.
Will you please get back with me with your website or info? Thanks
try technorati.com its free and you can put your website address there. Also google Ping - that is the program that sends your information to the search programs like yahoo & google. And its free. Now is also the time for schools spring carnivals that is an excellent advertising tool to either donate a session to the auctions or sponsor a booth usually starting at $50. You sign is up all day and all the parent with kids will see it.
I just got some free car magnets for my business from vistaprint.com Here is the link: http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/gateway.aspx?S=0747092589&am...
One place you may check into is
PartyPop.com
I believe they cover a wide variety of busineeses
photography may fit in there?
not sure if it will be exactly what you may benefit
from but wont hurt to check them out?
Also if you want to do children. etc.. you may do well
getting a ad in Dallas Child. I dont have their info
they should have a website. Or pick up one of thier
free publications they usually have them at day cares
and libraries a lot of the time.
Hope that gives a direction for you.
good luck with your business !!
What is your website? In your post you don't mention it... although I have no real advice on advertising, I do need a photographer :) Could you update your posting to give that info or send me an email?
Thanks,
C.
____@____.com
To begin with what is your website? Second have you contacted hotels and event locations? Maybe they can put you on their vendor list? My suggestion is to build a great relationship with their wedding/event coordinator so she/he can refer you! As far as the Google question, it depends on what tags were used when your site was placed on it, also you wont automatically come up in the first few pages, as time goes by the more hits your website gets (depending on the tags) the more on top of the list you go. Again, try to get put on the top of the coordinators/planners vendor list, you know if I were you I'd contact the top event planners in the DFW and see if you can book a meeting, invite them for lunch and get your name noticed. This might cost you a bit but I bet it would work. Good Luck! Send me your info I'd like to see your stuff.
