Where are good places to advertise?

[sirsean52]

I'm looking to get the word out. I've tried word of mouth. That only worked for a few clients. I want to really get the word out. I see other photographers shooting every weekend if not daily. So, obviously I'm not getting the word out like I need to. Any help would be appreciated.

[HotHolly]

depends on your target demo, price range, and type of photography you are doing. eg - if you shoot weddings, getting chummy with bridal shops is a gold mine. if you shoot women, hair dressers are WOM Mecca.

[sirsean52]

My target is weddings, engagements, bridals. I'm in the DFW area. It seems like advertising is challenging here. Either that or I just can't figure out the right way to do it.

[HotHolly]

Go to bridal shops and wedding venues. Those are the 1st two stops all brides make.

[sirsean52]

I'll try that. Thank you. Awhile back, I went to David's bridal and they wouldn't take business cards from photographers.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by sirsean52

My target is weddings, engagements, bridals. I'm in the DFW area. It seems like advertising is challenging here. Either that or I just can't figure out the right way to do it.

Weddings, engagements and bridals is VERY broad.

You need to find the niche you fit in for price and style and plan a more targeted marketing scheme to better focus your efforts thereby reaping bigger rewards long-term.

[ronocnikral]

anyone ever tried a billboard?

[Outlaw]

Advertising and marketing is a pretty broad topic.

There are a plethora of ways to reach people who are interested, or know people interested in what you have to offer: social media (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, blogging...), traditional media (newspapers, magazines, radio, television, outdoor...), online (web site, banner advertising, per-click advertising...), at tradeshows (bridal extravaganzas...), via co-op efforts (advertising, contests etc. with other related businesses like bridal and tuxedo shops...)...it's a long list!

The simpler question is, who do you want to shoot and how do you reach them?

For example, I love to shoot high school seniors. So I hang out on MySpace, shoot high school sports for the local paper, post high school event/sports photos on my web site, attend and rub elbows with parents at school events and fundraisers, participate in benefits for the local Project Graduation (after-graduation party), shoot high school plays, and so forth.

My shooting style, personality, artistic style, and therefore marketing style, all work together to be the best in my area in high school senior photography. I know who I want to shoot and I try to do my best to be visible and an obvious choice for them and their parents.

And that's just getting exposure with potential clients: existing clients get a whole other level of attention. Attentive blog posts, special deals/discounts/photo events just for them, my attention on MySpace (and Facebook if I had one), a monthly e-mail newsletter with news, events and special offers, and of course they are lavished with attention and given preferred treatment.

Point being, figure out who you want to shoot (Big money brides? On-their-own young couples? Shotgun weddings? Destination weddings in tropical locales? Second marriages? High class or Southern comfort?) and then make yourself their obvious choice - by your presence (through advertising, networking, participation) and by your style (artistic, personality, appearance, marketing materials, etc.).

Don't fear setting a very specific niche starting out - build your art and your business around owning that specific niche without question, and then if you choose, you can expand out.

And don't fear having a limited marketing budget. Having a web site/blog, business cards and e-mail newsletter costs virtually nothing and will be your biggest marketing money maker. Take those business cards everywhere you go and be among your potential clientele - co-op with any business that services engagement/bridal/wedding clients, get prints hung in their stores, hold mutual drawings/contests/events, help them get more clients and they'll help you as well.

Starting your photo business is wonderfully (and terribly) exciting! Enjoy the ride.