Drumming up business in a small town

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

Back on topic, I just dont believe you have the demographics to support a "pet" studio in Sanger, including Denton, and no offense, you have a ways to go to be famous enough to have people drive to Sanger or Denton to have you shoot fluffy.

Don built a very suscessful business in Denton, but he started when there was a higher barrier to entry and it took him time.

You aren't telling me anything I dont already know.

However, Denton is quite a dog friendly city, and quite progressive. They have a few different dog events throughout the year like Dog Days of Denton, which is a two day doggie festival; and just recently they had Barktober Fest, which is a one day event to benefit the Humane Society. So there is potential in Denton, I just have to find it.

In addition... look up the demographics for the cities of Corinth, Lake Dallas, Copper Canyon, Argyle, Highland Villiage and the other small cities near Denton. They are high income areas. Dont ask me the specifics, I just know there are a bunch of rich ladies with dogs in purses, and or saddle bags for that matter. So the potential in the area is definitely there.

And you can't compare me to Don.... he had a PEOPLE portrait business. LOL

[TootysMom]

Hi Chris,

I know what you mean about the perceived value. My husband has been trying to get me to lower my prices, but quite frankly, I don't want to work for free. He keeps telling me that no one will pay that much for portraits and that they don't make enough. (We found out how little the salaries were around here when I tried looking for a job when we moved here...up until about a month ago, I had been commuting 1.5hrs to my oil/gas job in Houston). But I told him that if people perceive a high value in the service and product that they WILL spend that much on portraits. They spend $50K+ on trucks and tractors...and their wives spend $80 on blingy flip flops and blingy western belts...so the money is there...it's just making yourself stand out and making your service/product something that they have to have! :)

I don't have a studio right now, so that makes things even harder for me. However, since I posted this the other day, I have determined that I'm going to start doing face to face consultations prior to the photo session. This way I can show examples of my products and discuss what to expect, etc and hopefully this will set the stage for what the client will pay at the ordering session. I'm going to try the Mommy Rep thing and see what happens. I will definitely report back.

Thanks so much everyone for your input!

[ChristopherCoy]

*snort*.... "Blingy flip flops"


I SO SO SO get that!

[ggeen]

David, you bring up a good point. Since I am a computer weenie, below is the census bureau web page. Look to the left navigation menu to find Data Tools. You may get data such as median income by zip code.

Census Bureau Home Page

2000 census numbers
In labor force (population 16 years and over) 2,355
Median household income in 1999 (dollars) 40,380
Median family income in 1999 (dollars) 43,828
Per capita income in 1999 (dollars) 17,840

[David Whatley]

Chris, not comparing you to Dn, but remember he photographed "everything", and I bet he would do pets also. Thats one of the advantages I have as more of a "hobbiest" is that I shoot what I want If someone wants me to shoot their pet, then they have to be a VERY close friend or pay a LOT of money.
You may have to shoot everything also, or be prepared to have this as a "hobby" for a while. Of course I dont have a clue what your "net" income goal is.
I know for myself, if I couldnt "net" 65K a year as a business, then I am better off having it as a hobby.

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

Speaking of selling a photography business, I think we need a new thread for that alone.

you can start it with this:
only 30,000
Action Shot Photo Company

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

I know for myself, if I couldnt "net" 65K a year as a business, then I am better off having it as a hobby.

Dude I work for the po-po department, if I could 'net' anything more than I am making now, I'd be doing good.

And for reference... my gross salary per year is only 31K.

[David Whatley]

Have you done the math?
Did you put togeather a business plan? IF so, what does that say you have to gross, to match you existing salary? Be sure and include self employment SS taxes, federal withholdings, and a few hundred a month toward a retirement account
I'm guessing the number is about 60K gross, based on low expenses for the studio. If it's 60K, then you only have to shoot a cpl pets a week and average $300.00 per shoot.

[sawyer1206]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Dude I work for the po-po department, if I could 'net' anything more than I am making now, I'd be doing good.

And for reference... my gross salary per year is only 31K.

Man you guys don't get paid enough!!!

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

Have you done the math?
Did you put togeather a business plan?

No. Not yet. LOL

I told you we were doing this bass ackwards...

Originally Posted by sawyer1206

Man you guys don't get paid enough!!!

Tell me something I DONT know! And I'm just in communications... the officers dont make much more than we do, and they are risking much more! We just got an across the board raise.... first time in 6 years.



To the OP:
Have you joined the local Chamber of Commerce? Just a thought. Its a good networking venue, and other business owners may let you display work around town that may drum up some interest. I once read a story about a guy who set up a booth at the State Fair. He took B&W portraits of people and hung them up in the booth. The booth at the fair was unmanned, so people would just walk in and out and look at the pictures, and find people they knew. Over a period of a few years, there was so much interest that the booth turned into three or four booths, and people were seeking him out in order to have their portrait taken in the same style. If you display your work around town, in other businesses that you've networked with, you my be able to employ the same principles. If people see your work in more areas, more often, they may be more inclined to 'want' their own portraits. Find a lady who owns blingy flip flops and have her model them for you. Then hang a portrait of her in the shop that sells those blingy flip flops.

[TootysMom]

I'm getting ready to join a couple of area Chamber's so that is on my to do list. Networking with other business owners is a great idea....Pam mentioned it also. Thanks for all the help!

[seamonkey03]

I lived in a small town for two years and I can give you a few pointers on the "small town" person. First off, unless they're rolling in a ton of money they can't find something to spend it on, they probably don't want to spend a lot on a pic of an animal. Most small town/country people were raised to see animals as objects, not family members. They'll spend money on nice clothes, because that and their truck is what makes them who they are in a small town. Oh, and how much land they own. The people actually IN the town, usually don't carry the big wallets. It's the country boy that has the huge cattle ranch outside of town. If the business isn't there for the pets, start looking at doing on-site for the farm animals. Take pics of their cattle for web sites, FFA and 4H always has competitions and what-not that I'm sure they would love photographs of. Any young teenager with a horse probably would want pics of the horse (who usually stands a little higher than the dog). I would try contacting the 4H in the area and maybe the high school FFA and start there. Show animals always need good pics for selling online or in a catalog. You just have to expand the target a little. And no matter how much money they have, if it's not for themselves or the farm, they will be penny pinchers. And word of mouth is EVERYTHING in a small town! That one person probably told ten how expensive you are, and they in turn told ten, and before you know it the whole town thinks you're outrageously over-priced. It's hard to get your foot in the door with small town people, but once you do you're in for life! Good luck!

[BG Photo]

I can second the word-of-mouth aspect. I'm in my 2nd year shooting youth sports in a small town, Temple, and I've tried so many different marketing ideas, but just shooting and having parents talk amongst themselves has been the most effective by far. So many times, I would go to the stands to pass out cards before or after the games and 95% of the people would say they've already got my site in their Favourites list or so and so told him/her about my site. It was slower at first, but now I don't even bother setting up tables and passing out materials. Regarding prices, I've heard someone on this site say if 1 out of 3 people aren't saying your prices are too high, your prices are too low. I've about hit that mark, I've recently raised my prices across the board and my sales have actually increased (that goes with more word of mouth also). I occasionally hear a comment that I'm too expensive, but those people often buy anyway. I think as long as you provide a quality product that people want, they will find a way to buy it (to a certain point).

[codyford]

Plenty of good opinions here. :-)

If cost is an issue I get more creative on the packages. Markets are different, as we know, so I adapt depending on the clientele.

I may get $1,500 for a package in Houston that no one would come near in Nacogdoches. In cases like that I split up packages, or any other creative thing to get the basic package cost down to meet the local market - while still earning money for my time.

If someone can't afford the smallest package I ask them what they are needing. I do have a package structure, but I also allow myself to be flexible enough to offer custom versions. Some clients just don't need/want everything I offer in a basic package. I may not be able to get the gig, but if I do I make sure everything is still beneficial for us both in the end.

Word of mouth is great, but the best advertisement is your photo on a wall. When others see it, they will want one too. :-)