Photographer on Groupon today

[rmaglievaz]

Does anyone know the photographer on Groupon today. I have never herd of them. The photo's on the website are good but the site looks fake and the location is in a housing addition. And the add states on location but the small print on the bottom states an additional $100 fee.

[Tom]

1000 Words Photography - Professional Services - Spring, TX | Facebook

Just started a fan page a couple weeks ago.

A lot of their pictures look very much like stock photography, not client photography.

Whoever they are, good luck. $60 for a session and 10 high-res files is going to kill your reprints. That's a lot of work for your 50% cut of the take.

[LWimages]

I used to see a lot of that here in Chicago right about a year ago. Then we did an interview with some two of the studios, and they said that they wouldn't do it again, ever.

A lot of work and with rock-bottom pricing that is definitely not giving them profit, they ended up with a lot of unwanted clients.

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by Tom

1000 Words Photography - Professional Services - Spring, TX | Facebook

Just started a fan page a couple weeks ago.

A lot of their pictures look very much like stock photography, not client photography.

Whoever they are, good luck. $60 for a session and 10 high-res files is going to kill your reprints. That's a lot of work for your 50% cut of the take.

Tom...groupon keeps 1/2 so they'll only get $30 for their 1 hour session and 10 high res images. That's working for less than minimum wage in the end.

I made the mistake of doing a deal through Living Social to boost my biz...it's only been a pain in my butt.

[kayumangi]

I did a groupon deal last may, and so far im liking my results, not my most profitable venture yet but still worth the time and effort I say. The thing folks must understand is that a groupon or any deal-aggregation site, is a loss leader type of marketing, you profit from the upselling not from the deal sales. Which means offering any digital file will kill your chances of making any profit.

With that said, groupon and the likes are good launching pads for startups because they do bring in the traffic. Clients get to experience how you work, what you offer and see if it's worth it to come back for another session. It is also a good way to measure if you are ready for primetime because the surge in traffic will test every faucet of your biz.

[JustAnotherGinger]

I have a deal pending with Living Social. I proposed my idea, and they droped the price by almost $50. Because I am just starting out, I will benefit from it, just as much as they will. They take 50%, and I expect about 50% turn-around. I know I will be dealing with some difficult people, but I am hoping the word of mouth will help. The last deal they ran similar to mine (but mine has more included...but still is not too time consuming) sold 389 deals...and if mine does that well...or even half... I am looking at $8k-$15k, for the company.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by WhiteWolfPhoto

I have a deal pending with Living Social. I proposed my idea, and they droped the price by almost $50. Because I am just starting out, I will benefit from it, just as much as they will. They take 50%, and I expect about 50% turn-around. I know I will be dealing with some difficult people, but I am hoping the word of mouth will help. The last deal they ran similar to mine (but mine has more included...but still is not too time consuming) sold 389 deals...and if mine does that well...or even half... I am looking at $8k-$15k, for the company.

Ok, I understand these deals can be great word of mouth, but if 400 people buy the deal, how many hours will you have to dedicate to those people? 1 hour to shoot, 2 hours to edit/print/burn to disc, and that's 1200 hours (50 days!!). Not only that, but with 400 shoots under your belt, I'd hope you'd want to be raising your prices.

People who have done these deals, do you find it completely overwhelming?

[kayumangi]

Like I said if your backend process is not ready then you will get overwhelmed.

I built an FAQ page just for groupon and posted all possible questions asked.

I have an online booking system via BookMOnline of Millers. They choose the dates and times they want to shoot. And availability is only open for up to two months ahead.

I seldom get any calls nor emails. In fact, it is I who do most of the calling/emailing when I do the creative consultation.

Like I said if you offer digital files and don't upsell then 400 clients is definitely not worth it. But if you're not offering digital files then you can look at the 400 buyers as serious clients, I say bring them on =)

[suerenee]

Out of 51 deals I only have had one client come back for additional photos. Everyone else just looked for the next Groupon.

I wish I could have read this before I did the deal:
Groupon Photography Sessions vs. Working @ McDonald’s « The Business Lens

[JustAnotherGinger]

Originally Posted by auddii

Ok, I understand these deals can be great word of mouth, but if 400 people buy the deal, how many hours will you have to dedicate to those people? 1 hour to shoot, 2 hours to edit/print/burn to disc, and that's 1200 hours (50 days!!). Not only that, but with 400 shoots under your belt, I'd hope you'd want to be raising your prices.

People who have done these deals, do you find it completely overwhelming?

For one, I don't expect to sell that many. Two, I give them up to 12 months to claim their deals. Which in reality I can book them in a year, if they are willing. I limit the amount of photos they will be getting on disc at least. Also, at the time I signed the deal, I had a general partnership...well...blip fu**ity doo...I am now a sole proprietor...but have signed a contract. so I am stuck. Worst case scenario, I hire some extra help.

[kayumangi]

With all due respect to ms Sherri (Master Zack Arias's biz manager), while I agree with her logic, I think she is missing two big points.

- A tog earns more when he/she upsells
- You can only upsell if you control the source, which means NOT offering digital files/dvds with the deal.

I've done 12 sessions so far and my net avg is $350 per session, not too shabby for two hours of work I say. And am looking forward to the rest of my deal buyers.

WOM is just a consequential benefit, the goal should be to make every session count. Whether they return or not should be another marketing game plan.

[Lightdances]

The key here is never give up the files, Living social and groupon will try to tell you you have to do it, you dont its your call if they choose not to feature you on your terms, they have saved you from what has happened to Susan. regards DD

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

With all due respect to ms Sherri (Master Zack Arias's biz manager), while I agree with her logic, I think she is missing two big points.

- A tog earns more when he/she upsells
- You can only upsell if you control the source, which means NOT offering digital files/dvds with the deal.

I've done 12 sessions so far and my net avg is $350 per session, not too shabby for two hours of work I say. And am looking forward to the rest of my deal buyers.

WOM is just a consequential benefit, the goal should be to make every session count. Whether they return or not should be another marketing game plan.

I honestly believe you are the exception and not the rule....And in my case WOM was them telling my friends that I did photography on the cheap. I've had a few referrals but when their friends find out I charge $350 for a session now they said no thanks.


And be aware of the one year to redeem deal. My biz looks a LOT different than it did last year--my prices are higher, my calendar is fuller. My business has taken off (not because of the LS deal but because I'm busting my hump) and now, with the deal expiring on Aug. 28 I have my phone ringing off the hook with folks trying to redeem last minute. I want to be fair to everyone, but my wedding clients are my priority. I only do my LS appointments on M-Thurs. LS did not honor my request to do a 6 month expiration, nor did they note that I had preferred locations.

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by WhiteWolfPhoto

Worst case scenario, I hire some extra help.

Then you'll really loose money. How much will it cost you to hire someone? I got $32.50 per session....I had COG of about $16 for prints. Not to mention little supplies like batteries or the suckers I give kids at a session. There's not much wiggle room for hiring help.

I hope it works out better for you than it did for me.

I am SOOOOO anti-Groupon type deals that I don't even buy them for myself anymore. I feel that they are profiting off of the desperation of small businesses who are trying to make it in this tough economy.

[David Whatley]

My LS starts monday so I can report back in a week or so. I am studio only, 2 hours, 1 print or 5 digital files for FB. I am giving a 16X20 print with my deal. Hmmm, wonder if they will want that print mounted, retouching, maybe some 8X10's for family? Limited to 4 in a shoot. No pets. I did a 60% off of a $240.00 session so the LS price to the client is $96.00 Expires in 4 months.