Should I offer prints as a service?

[chessdrg]

Here's my situation. I have used digibug in the past as a way for customers to order photos off my web site. However, I am not very knowledgeable about how to set this up again within my web site. Can anyone recommend any suggestions about how I can/or should offer prints? I am going to be maximizing my wedding business this year and would like to offer prints if this is something that customers want. (I feel like it is something more for the extended family). Any suggestions or ideas about what the best way to do this? Or maybe another software/site that can manage the orders for me.

I appreciate all the feedback!

-Wendy

[suerenee]

I use Zenfolio. I love it. I can have different price list for different types of photography. I have a proofing tab that points to the zenfolio page. Super easy and the prints are shipped directly to the client!

[chessdrg]

So basically you create an account with Zenfolio and then just link it to your web site? I'm so excited to check them out!

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

If you want to make money in portraiture I'd suggest you become a sales person and not just an order taker.

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by Ernst-Ulrich Schafer

If you want to make money in portraiture I'd suggest you become a sales person and not just an order taker.

Very true! On my portrait sessions I privately proof them with clients. I use my Zenfolio for additional sales to friends/family who won't be coming to my studio to proof the photos.

[chessdrg]

Originally Posted by Ernst-Ulrich Schafer

If you want to make money in portraiture I'd suggest you become a sales person and not just an order taker.

Mr. Schafer- Could you please elaborate? I'm curious if you mean I should do the whole process and sell the prints to the customer myself, or let the customer do it and not get involved. Thanks for your input!

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Wendy, Please call me Ernst!

Yes, You need to sell in person with examples of what you offer. You also want to educate your client that this appointment is an ordering appointment, not lets see what we have and we'll come back later. Your time is just as valueable as their time!!! When they see their images for the lst time is when they are excited about those images. The longer they get to view them online the lower your sales are going to be, plus your not in control of the sales. You have to be in control. This doesn't mean you have to be a "Hard Sales Person". You make suggestions, you point out which image is the best, you offer ideas as to how they can display things on their walls, etc.

We all thought Online Sales when it came around was the best thing since apple pie, well we have learned our lesson. Sure there are times when we need to put things Online, such as a wedding customer and all of the family is out of town. However when doing so it needs to be a very short time and offer a discount within a short time frame. After that time frame turn it off!!!! With a wedding customer you generally want to sell as much as you can upfront because after the wedding they are broke!

Just yesterday I had a HS Senior ordering appointment, the sale was very nice, they ordered a Wall Portrait (which I generally sell) a bunch of 8X's & 5X's, a ton of wallets, a fun Senior Collage. Oh, I don't just sell images on a CD that they get to print at Wal Mart!!!! ;-) If this is what their after I send them on their way before I press the shutter.

[chessdrg]

Hi Ernst,
Sorry to just now be getting back to your post. I have been super busy! Ok, about what you were saying, I totally understand what you are saying about the sales part because I work in a portrait studio. I guess I just wasn't sure what to offer when dealing with my wedding business. Should I offer an assortment of prints? Or maybe an assortment of packages that include prints and make it where the customer can add in additional things like framed products, books, etc? Do you suggest the "ordering appointment" before you have the consultation with the bride and groom about what they want as far as the photography goes?

Thanks!
Wendy

[BenE]

Originally Posted by Ernst-Ulrich Schafer

===== When they see their images for the lst time is when they are excited about those images. The longer they get to view them online the lower your sales are going to be, plus your not in control of the sales. ======

So true. Years ago I learned this. Back then it was 4x5 paper proofs, and most photographers sent them home with the customer, after a payment to insure their return.

I had no provision about how long the customer could keep the proofs. One day a lady came in after having proofs out for 5 months. She only placed a small order... and made this comment, "We don't need to order much, because we have enjoyed looking at them for so long."

Same applies today. The longer they "enjoy" looking at them the smaller the order.

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

With weddings Wendy the thing your needing to do is to sell as much as you can upfront, because once the wedding is over Mom & Dad, the Bride and the Groom are pretty much broke. ;-)

[chessdrg]

Great point! Thanks so much for your input Ben & Ernst.