Photography as a Fulltime Gig

[HotHolly]

I noticed I sell that way - relationally. Sales are better coming from that POV, from me anyway. And you have to resist the urge to give away the farm! <-- Thats my tip for newbies.

Lately I've been talking to clients - women in particular - like they are a sister. I tell them what will work for them, based on what they are saying they want. And more importantly, I tell them what won't work. Anyway, I talk to them like they are my sis, or Mom. Interesting phenomenon. I wouldnt have said it was a 'soft sale.' Its just different. Didnt realize that would even work.

Anyway, Rangefinder or PPA had a mag devoted to marketing toward women last month. It had that sort of info in there too.

[MyKey]

I think what Don and Holly have stated are the keys to most any business including photography. Business is MUCH more important than the quality of photographs you produce. Too many "artists" want to just make art and too many business people just want to create a business. Its when you find a mixture of both coming together you really make something special.

Our work is solid but by no way near the top of the market, yet we (TriCoast) have been hand picked for Marketing Ads, Major World-Wide weddings, many newspaper and magazine ads and articles and recently "how-to" books sold on Amazon and other book stores. Its not cause I work is that much better than others its due to our business end of the photography business. Making friends, enjoying life to the fullest and remembering business first - photography second.

Make sure those photos are the best you can create when it is time to pull out the camera but finding out about how your client met, where they work, what their passions are in life is FAR more important than just clicking the shutter.

We hand pick the weddings we shoot now, and enjoy traveling all over the U.S. and world shooting them, but none of it would be possible without good old fashion business and customer service.

So it does not matter if I wanted to photograph weddings, seniors, animals or landscapes there is a market for all of it, its just how you get you and your artwork out to the people who are interested in that market. This many times by itself will either determine if you make your bills or just end up as the deep fry cook at McDonalds.

And for the record we do not have a studio, have no intention of getting a studio since we travel so much and meet our clients at coffee shops all the time. It has worked very well for us so far, however our marketing and the level we are at worldwide helps so it does not matter where you meet as long as your work and your marketing appeal to your client. The other stuff is just the fine print they really do not care that much about. Reality is to me if a client chooses not to go with my business cause of meeting at StarBucks over my studio I do not want them as a client in the first place. My goal is to find clients who love our work they do not care if I had three arms and a stubby leg when I showed up, they would still hire me :)

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by MyKey

Reality is to me if a client chooses not to go with my business cause of meeting at StarBucks over my studio I do not want them as a client in the first place. My goal is to find clients who love our work they do not care if I had three arms and a stubby leg when I showed up, they would still hire me :)

Best thing I've read on a forum in AGES!

[picasso]

What are your sells techniques like? Back to my Arkansas trip up above. Your policies can have a lot to do with sells. You have to compel people to purchase when they see your proofs or presentation. Let them know that you will not be keeping their images after their proofing session because of space limitations and will only keep what they purchase for future use if the ones they order are lost or damaged. This will compel them to make a choice if they are going to make one at the time of viewing.

Also if you have not done so you might evaluate your pricing. I know the natural reaction to people not purchasing is to lower your pricing but you may actually try increasing your prices. I have read and been told that several peoples sales took off after increasing their prices.

Now my disclaimer. The info above is my research. It is what I have learned from research and will be putting it into practice in my own business but I do not have 20 years of experience to back it up It just seems to be working to the people for the people I have spoken with.

Paul

Originally Posted by katiexjo

O.k...so what is the best way to increase sales. That is where I am at now. I agree that the more professional you are or are perceived the higher your sales volume. I don't have a studio, and I just on location photography and meet everyone at their office or home. However, what I have encountered lately is that people say that they will buy from me, and later don't. I am trying some new followup methods to secure the sale.

Anyway... I would like to know what ways/tips/techniques that you use to sale your photos.

Also, I photograph alot of middle aged woman that are in general not happy with what they look like (they are getting wrinkles and getting heavier)...Any tips on how to sale to these woman that don't like their appearance to being with? Photo tips to making them look great.

Thanks, this topic has been great.

~KJ

[katiexjo]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I noticed I sell that way - relationally. Sales are better coming from that POV, from me anyway. And you have to resist the urge to give away the farm! <-- Thats my tip for newbies.

Lately I've been talking to clients - women in particular - like they are a sister. I tell them what will work for them, based on what they are saying they want. And more importantly, I tell them what won't work. Anyway, I talk to them like they are my sis, or Mom. Interesting phenomenon. I wouldnt have said it was a 'soft sale.' Its just different. Didnt realize that would even work.

Anyway, Rangefinder or PPA had a mag devoted to marketing toward women last month. It had that sort of info in there too.

I tried goiing to PPA's web-site to find that magazine. Do you know which one it is in and how I can go about getting a back copy of it.

Thanks

~KJ

[AwShucks]

KJ, I think this is the PPA article about marketing to women --- The Hand That Holds the Purse Strings (also loves the Internet) Scroll down that page, and you'll see a link to the whole article.

Bronwyn

[katiexjo]

Thanks for the link. All the articles on the page look interesting. Plus in the process of trying to find the article myself, I found out that the send out the Magazine Rangefinder for free, so I am happy about that discovery.

~KJ