phones not broken but it's not ringing.

[abril1127]

Ok so I'm big enough to say that business is super slow. I have only lived here in lubbock 1.5 years and really the only people I know are from my photography guild. I got to page 1 on google for one of the top search terms...but my phones not ringing.
Is this kinda the trend right now or am I doing something wrong? Does my website look bad? I'm wondering if doing some advertising would help or not?
How can I get some business drummed my way?

[JohnT]

Not trying to steer you away from TPF, but there is a wonderful site that's dedicated to the business of portrait and wedding photography run by a Houston-based photographer, who's been in the business for over 23 years. I joined a couple of weeks ago and have already begun to look again at how I handle business. If you shoot portraits or weddings and are interested, here's the link...

Professional Photography Forum - The Pro Photo Business Forum.

All of your questions will be answered there as well has here. I just believe it's good to have more than one resource at our disposal.

[abril1127]

Oh good one more site that wants your money! I'll add it to my list

[kula23]

April, you are not only one. I live in Lubbock, too. Mine is pretty slow, I am trying my best, could use for a extra fund for Christmas. It's really struggling for me. I know there is Lubbock Photography club I need to join but not sure if that would be helpful to build my business. Good luck on your part, girl!

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by abril1127

Oh good one more site that wants your money! I'll add it to my list

I apologize for suggesting it. LOL Carry on...

[toverman]

What type of photos do you shoot? Might be a good time to get to know vendors/businesses/etc. who also target that market and start getting leads that way.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by abril1127

Oh good one more site that wants your money! I'll add it to my list

The jury's out on whether this guy is a good photographer or not, but he writes an interesting article...

Professional Photography Forum | How Much is an Idea Worth? | Pro Photo Business Forum

[abril1127]

Originally Posted by JohnT

I apologize for suggesting it. LOL Carry on...

haha your timing couldn't of been worse. I just posted the same type question on another forum and had 3 people tell me to join the pro section ($$) or buy the main guys DVD ($$$) or attend one of his classes ($$$$)

Really tired of people with their hands out.

I spent $50 on a week of FaceBook advertising, felt like a total waste. I couldn't even track the hits I supposedly got. Google pay per click was ok, I think I ran 25 a week for a couple weeks. My budget sucks. :(

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by abril1127

haha your timing couldn't of been worse. I just posted the same type question on another forum and had 3 people tell me to join the pro section ($$) or buy the main guys DVD ($$$) or attend one of his classes ($$$$)

Really tired of people with their hands out.

I spent $50 on a week of FaceBook advertising, felt like a total waist. I couldn't even track the hits I supposedly got. Google pay per click was ok, I think I ran 25 a week for a couple weeks. My budget sucks. :(

I understand. Only reason I joined PPBF is because I had followed Aric's postings here for quite a while. I know his heart is in the right place with helping others, but he also doesn't believe in a "free lunch." Furthermore, he owns a highly-successful studio in Houston yet is very personable. Check the free web site reviews that he's done for people. Very well done.

[David Whatley]

I see this a lot in every business. People want to be in business, but only want to do the part of the job they like. Thats fine if you have a big fat bank roll, but it not you need to do the rest of the work
When you go into a business you need to be able to do 1 of 2 things. 1) have a budget for advertising 2) Hit the streets, meet people and hand out cards.
If you dont have a budget, and $50.00 isn't a budget, then you need to be willing to hit the streets. Door to door, introduce yourself, and show off your work.
Just having a camera and saying your a professional photographer wont have people flocking to you.
Get your butt out of the chair and out meeting people. That statement is aimed at anyone that askes this question, not just you. Go to the local day care and offer to shoot all the kids and provide a free 6X4. Do it this week, and just maybe the parents will want a 14X11 for Christmas gifts. Go to the local Puppy pound and offer to take photos of the pets up for adoption, make sure your studio name shows up when they add it to the local paper.

[HeatherLou]

April,
I don't know about you, but some of my best portrait clients come from Restaurants! If you eat out a lot, this relationship can be invaluable! Not only do they refer me, when clients come in, they see the owners pics on the wall and it connects them to someone they know! Also, you have children in school, right? Hit up the car pool line. Every parent I have talked to gets a card :)

[toverman]

Most ads are boring and easily ignored. Like David and Heather suggest, make face-to-face connections. Focus on meeting people, making yourself known and business will follow. Emphasize what makes you different.

[David Whatley]

If your a member of "any" group of people that have meetings, pick one or two people out, depending on the size of the group. Tell them you just love their look and want to photograph them. Give them a free print, make a small press book and show it around at the next meeting. Works GREAT. I did an engagement shoot for a couple in my AA group, and then made a press book with the images that "I" liked. After showing it to all of our "friends" in the group, several people booked shoots. ITs amazing what happens when they saw someone they knew, all decked out, looking good, they wanted the same for themselves :)
4 hours of my time for the shoot and post, 2o bucks for the press book and it resulted in so far 3 bookings. And that doesnt count the wedding I did of the couple :)

[kula23]

It's true what everyone said, April. I have went to fair two months ago in Lubbock, I took my camera with me to take night pictures of the fair. I get alot of people asking me if I am photographer and I told them I am, so I did get few clients. This town is full of college kids, alot of them are engagement or get married. You could post at TTU or something like that. I am still working on getting more, I don't have anyone now which is pretty suck. :)

[WarrenG]

April,

What about your existing client base? Do you have any specials that you send out to them? Put together a nice bonus for them if they refer you to other prospective clients...

One thing I learned the hard way is that I am a photographer 20% of my time, and a salesman the other 80!

W