What percentage sign?

[akimartymar]

What percentage of potential clients that you meet with actually end up signing contracts for weddings? I've been doing weddings now for 2 years and out of every couple that I've met with, I've only had 1 couple that didn't sign with me, and that was because they jerked around too long and when they finally decided to I told them I wasn't available anymore. I guess I must be doing something right to have such a high percentage of couples sign.

[bondarnes]

If you are booking more than 50% of your wedding consultations then either: 1 you are the world's greatest salesman or: 2 your prices are way too low. If at least one-third of my clients are not complaining about my prices then I know it is time to raise them again.

[akimartymar]

Well, I like to think that my work is really what attracts most of my clients, at least that's what they tell me. When it comes to client meeting I'm really not much of a salesman, but then again that may be a good thing. I mainly talk to couples about them and what they want from me. I don't really push my more expensive products on them. As far as price goes, more than 75% of my clients choose my most expensive package, which is not outrageous, but by no means cheap. The funny thing is that since I raised my prices a few months back, I now have more clients who go with the top package than I did when it was less expensive. But, to reiterate on your last point Don, I plan to up my prices and offer some even better products starting in January after the next local bridal show.

[bondarnes]

Many years ago I realized that my prices were too low because I was having to hire additional photographers to cover the overflow. I had three other photographers working for me some weekends, but was not making that much money. I raised my prices three times before I could get the number of weddings under control. Raise your prices immediately and then raise them again in January if you need to do so. I raise portrait prices October first just before getting into the Holiday season and I raise wedding prices January first just before the wedding rush. You can use it as a booking incentive for the Bridal Show, "If you sign the agreement today and give me the minimum deposit you can have the 2007 wedding prices. Everything goes up January First." Try it and you will be amazed.

[Daniel W.]

I've had mom-zillas tell me, over and over.

"They will cheap out on the flowers, serve waffles at the reception, and the champagne may be sprite and apple juice, but a MOM will NOT cheap out on a photographer when they know it's their baby's special day."

Add that to the common belief, "Cheap may be good, but cheap doesn't mean good." I know I sometimes judge a product by price, like CF cards and bags, if it's too cheap... I doubt the quality. "It's expensive, so it/he/she/they must be good.

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

I've had mom-zillas tell me, over and over.

"They will cheap out on the flowers, serve waffles at the reception, and the champagne may be sprite and apple juice, but a MOM will NOT cheap out on a photographer when they know it's their baby's special day."

Yes, but I've also known people who will pay a fortune for the wedding and hire the cheapest photographer or Uncle Joe to do the pictures because "Hey, how hard could it be to take some pictures anyway?" But mearly talking about price is getting a bit away from the thread topic. I was just curious what a good percentage of clients signing was for other wedding photographers.

[HotHolly]

Ditto to Don. You are either the best salesman EVER, or prices are too low when every client you meet with books you. When that starts to happen to us, we raise our prices. Its a warning flag that its time.

[akimartymar]

Maybe I'm just the best salesman ever. Sign with me or else...

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by akimartymar

But mearly talking about price is getting a bit away from the thread topic. I was just curious what a good percentage of clients signing was for other wedding photographers.

OK, back to the question. I would say that 50% is probably about average. That said I still think you are way too low on your prices for the quality of work you do. Five hours coverage, online proofing and 100 4X6 prints all for $650.00 is what is killing this industry. You should double your prices immediately.

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

OK, back to the question. I would say that 50% is probably about average. That said I still think you are way too low on your prices for the quality of work you do. Five hours coverage, online proofing and 100 4X6 prints all for $650.00 is what is killing this industry. You should double your prices immediately.

I'll take that as a compliment Don. Thanks for the comment about my work. As I said earlier I am raising my prices in January by about 40%. In my market my rates as of now are a little less than normal, but I've only been doing this for 2 years. When I go up on my rates in January I will still be far from the most expensive photographer in town, but will be charging more than most. Truth be told, almost no one gets my $650 package, they almost all get my $2000 package. 10 of the 12 weddings I've booked since the last, and my first, bridal show have chosen the $2000 package.

[jesswhs1323]

I agree you sould raise your prices =)

[pippin]

raise them!!! my 8x10s go for double what you charge!

[*Mike*]

Originally Posted by akimartymar

but I've only been doing this for 2 years.

I've never understood this rationale. If you take great photographs, offer a good product, and take care of the client, then why take less than you're worth? I'd guess that 90% of the people that walk in the door of our studio have no idea how long we've been in business. Why would I give them a break based on it...

Raise your prices! Charge for what you're offering...

[akimartymar]

Think of it this way. If some car maker came out with a car that you had never heard of before that is just as nice of a car as a BMW, would you pay a BMW price for it? Of course not. You need some history behind the product. One question I get asked almost every time I meet with someone about a wedding is "How long have you been doing weddings?" I am raising my prices every few months as I gain experience and feel that customers are willing to pay what I ask. I guess one other thing for me personally is a comfort factor. I personally don't feel comfortable charging a lot more than I have been. Heck, I've been shooting with a Rebel XT until last week when I got a 30D and a 5D.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by akimartymar

Think of it this way. If some car maker came out with a car that you had never heard of before that is just as nice of a car as a BMW, would you pay a BMW price for it? Of course not. You need some history behind the product. One question I get asked almost every time I meet with someone about a wedding is "How long have you been doing weddings?" I am raising my prices every few months as I gain experience and feel that customers are willing to pay what I ask. I guess one other thing for me personally is a comfort factor. I personally don't feel comfortable charging a lot more than I have been. Heck, I've been shooting with a Rebel XT until last week when I got a 30D and a 5D.

That's called "rationalization". You are a good photographer and you need to get over this fear of charging too much. Rationalize this: If you had doubled your prices a year ago you could have upgraded your equipment a long time ago. I still say raise your prices now and raise them again in January. When at least one third of your consultations are not booking you are almost there. When they ask how long you have been photographing weddings tell them, "I have been photographing weddings for several years, Why do you ask?"