So how do you market nowdays ?

[ec2019]

Just curious how photographers here on this site market themselves. I've asked many photographers whom I assisted about their marketing plans but most of them shrugged and told me they either send out promos or advertise in sourcebooks or their rep takes care of it.

I know you can buy a list of companies and do a mass mailing but I really feel this is more like throw everything against the wall and see what sticks.

Right now all I'm doing is sending selected list promo cards every 2 months or so. I try to visit them in person every 6 months if possible and I email out new photos to the photo editors. So far I managed to get a few jobs here and there. Oh, this is for editorial market - haven't touch the corporate field yet.

So what do you folks do to get gigs ?

[Snarfy]

Since I'm a student and only shoot paid stuff once or twice a month to help supplement the income, I don't have to market a whole lot. I use my established connections to network. I have buddies in the local music scenes, coworkers with upcoming weddings, and some other friends in theater and performing arts that request photos and design work.

[imported_JeromeL]

Myspace and friends.

[sultryonestudios]

We do Direct Marketing, Local advertising, Email Blast, Business Organizations, Internet Marketing and Internet Groups (website, purchase leads). and Promotions.

You have to teach your prospectives as to the value of your services and make it easy for them to have your services available.

Just our point of view.

Sultry One Studios.


Todd

[jeff1.8]

i cant seem to bring myself to charge my friends for photos but only my friends know i can shoot good photos. and i dont really want to shoot photos for people who aren't my friends. humm someday ill figure it out.

[YosemiteJunkie]

for now its word of mouth and my Gallery on Outdoor Eyes at http://www.outdooreyes.com/list/theg...3?photoid=1160
I also have my own website and a link in all my emails to my OE Gallery.
I should have put the web addresses in my book, Nature's Call but for some unknown lame reason it just didn't cross my mind. But I do add links, like I did in this message when the opportunity arises

[FerrisPhoto]

Strictly word of mouth, and web presence...I don't want to grow too fast, I have a full time day job that pays well, and has benfits, health, 401k etc... Photography doesn't.

[imported_JeromeL]

hahaha truth. myspace, flickr, word of mouth. :D

[Silverstangs]

Mostly word of mouth, but I did manage to pick up some clients at a Rodeo. I went out to one just to see if I could capture good images. I was asked for my business card so I passed them out. A couple days latter I started getting calls for images of the roadeo. I sold about an dozen prints. I made about $10 from each print which is not too bad. All was 12x18 prints.

[chrisfotos]

I just ordered business cards, finally! People usually ask me for my contact info, and I have to input it in their cell phones.. or hope they remember my website. Myspace works well too.

[imported_timothybui]

Car clubs, myspace and friends.

[pixartist]

Since we're almost exclusively portraits only (we seem to always get one wedding on the books each year) most of our business is by Charity donations, return clients and referrels. Our website brings in some business, but it's like the 21st century yellow pages, and we're not a studio for bargain shoppers. We are, however, preparing some of our client portraits for sale in art galleries, with our first showing in Covina hopefully later this year.