Last minute Specials?

[abril1127]

I just posted a special on my FB account to try to fill my June Wedding Schedule. Book a June wedding get $300 off. My thought was like a space available discount...I didn't book a June wedding so you get a discount if you can fill it.
But now I am wondering, does that devalue my wedding packages and those who have booked for other months?

Is this a bad idea?

[Redneck]

I think you might piss off some others brides you have already booked. And BTW, I don't believe this kind of incentive works with weddings. At least not on a "last minute" basis.

[Tom]

Very bad idea.

[J Eddington]

How could it piss off a bride if they were not getting married in June? You could give a bonus of product instead of a discount.

[Tom]

You also should never discount your work. Instead, add value to it.

If you charge 2000 for a wedding and just took $300 off, you just effectively cut 15% of your profit out. Lost. Gone forever. That is $300 off your bottom line. AND by doing that, you now look like a discount photographer, so you take value away from your perception as a photographer and business.

Instead of being "April, that great photographer you need to meet" you become "April, she is really cheap and always has specials."

Instead of discounting your work, you need to add value to it. If your 11x14s sell for $100, give them three 11x14s. Now, you have added value to your service. And they get more product. And the hit on your bottom line went from $300 to maybe $50.

[WarrenG]

Client's never truly perceive the value of a discount. They expect them because they have graciously picked you to take their pictures. I tried this a couple of years ago and wound up with referrals (from the clients we booked with the discount) who asked when we were running our next special, as they wanted the discount. When I explained that we only did it on a limited basis... they wanted to continue to "look around" to see if anyone was running specials. Now, if I offer an incentive, it is a print credit utilizing a single use coupon which they can use through my cart. Not only is the out of pocket cost significantly less...7 out of 10 times I will get additional sales as well which brings the price back to the originally quoted price, or more.