HELP!! Getting Business

[Kevin C. Haggard]

What has been the most effective way for everyone to bring in Business? I opened a Studio at the first of June, and Have not had a single person come yet.

[ShaneKislack]

Advertise.

[Kevin C. Haggard]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

Advertise.

OK. I guess I should say, I opened a Studio, and have no money. So advertising is out. I have already looked into it.

[HeatherLou]

You might send out a mass email to your previous customers, with a *Grand Opening* special??

[Matt_G]

Note to self....clients first - studio second!

Do you have an actual studio location?

[Graydon]

There's advertising methods that do not cost money... just time and effort.

What's your market?
Got a website / gallery page / something online?

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

You might send out a mass email to your previous customers, with a *Grand Opening* special??

I see/hear people say this all the time. You're assuming s/he *has* previous customers. There are a lot of people just getting into the business that have zero customers. A while back when I moved to Dallas and started over without a base, I kept hearing this too. You could try to use a service but that's quite an expense for little or no guarantees.

Advertising is your only real option. Cover your car with advertising... and either drive around or park it somewhere it will be see a LOT.

You can get great color window graphics for less than $200. A full vehicle wrap will set you back between $2K and $4k... but it could be worth it.

Talk to the malls and see what it would cost (if anything) to put stand-ups in the middle of the mall. People love to stop and look at those.

Just a few to get you started...

- Wil

[Kevin C. Haggard]

Originally Posted by Matt_G

Note to self....clients first - studio second!

Do you have an actual studio location?

Yes, Why would I say I opened a Studio if I didn't have an actual location?

706 Main Street Ste. 105
Dallas, Texas 75202

(Downtown)

[HeatherLou]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

I see/hear people say this all the time. You're assuming s/he *has* previous customers. There are a lot of people just getting into the business that have zero customers.

This is true, and you know what happens when you assume :) In General, I would think that having a customer base BEFORE you spend the money and effort to open a studio location would be common sense. Especially if you have no money for advertising after you open.

[Matt_G]

You would be suprised what people call a "studio"

Do you have good sings at your location? Do many people walk by your studio? Maybe you could offer a big discount to people waking by if they bring in someone with them.

Get crazy with specials.... even a percentage of sales is worth getting people talking about you

[toverman]

If you felt ready to open a studio, I for one won't criticize you for it.

But for me I wouldn't take that plunge until I had people already knocking on my door. What kind of photography do you plan to offer in your studio. That will help narrow your target as far as advertising. If you don't have the money to advertise, then make a long list of any contacts you have relating to your desired subject matter and blast them with e-mails and a special "grand opening" offer to get them in the door. Take your printed portfolio and make some appointments. It's not only about getting your name out there and letting people know you take photos, it's convincing people that they NEED to hire you to take them.

[shaggyrockmer]

1) Who is your target market?
2) What have you tried to get business so far?
3) From month to month how far are you in the hole?

[Kevin C. Haggard]

I guess you could say YES, I have people knocking on my door. I lost or had to turn away a lot of people becasue I didn't have an INDOOR place to shoot. And nobody wanted me to come to their place.

[3n-Out]

I would give mega cards to my friends and family. Have them help you get the word out. It has been my experience the best advertising is word of mouth. Of course with the economy the way it is pictures and photos may not be on top of their wish list.

Like the other said I would identify your target audience and approach it from that angle.

Then advertise in to your target audience. Even if it means going to shows and events to drum up business.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Kevin C. Haggard

I guess you could say YES, I have people knocking on my door. I lost or had to turn away a lot of people becasue I didn't have an INDOOR place to shoot. And nobody wanted me to come to their place.

Catch 22. When you dont have an indoor space, everyone wants it. When you have one, everyone wants to be outside.

You cant sit in your studio and wait for people to come to you. You have to go to them. Im an introvert - I hate people. lol. It took me a LONG time to get to where I could walk up to a mom and say she has 'the cutest kid - ya know, I need a model that age,' hand her a card, chat her up, and have a photo shoot with a kid that'll work great on a promo piece that I can show off. Plus the mom usually buys enough to turn a little profit. Suckie way to start, but it does get you started. Ive done that for maternity, babies, toddlers, bridal...and then the bridal took off and I dropped the rest. 1 in 40 people will say yes. Sometimes more if your tatics in who you ask arent random (see below).

If you do shoot kids or brides or someone who is female and think it'll be odd to have a guy approach - ask a girl friend, wife, relative to do it for you. 'Oh my gosh! Your kid is so cute! Ya know, this photographer gave me a free session, he is so hard to get into...i really wanted to use it, but we're moving...you should take it!' blah blah blah. Or some redo of the 1st.

To not sound creepy - you have to tell them they have the perfect 'look' you wanted for your next ad piece. In exchange for agreeing to be in the ad, they get a free shoot. Makes sense if you are charging a sitting fee. Ours was $275 when I was doing that, so it was nice. Most of those free sessions take home was b/t $500 - $800. Look for Moms with a 1st child. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, the dog - everyone buys those shots and most new parents (if they are younger) dont have extra $$$ to blow on a pro photog. Win win.

Dont wait for them to come to you. You'll seal your tomb if you wait.