Online proofing services: My business partner and I are in disagreement over this. I still want to sell prints face to face, but he is enamored with online proofing services. Besides...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

My business partner and I are in disagreement over this. I still want to sell prints face to face, but he is enamored with online proofing services.

Besides the fact that I'm right :-D , anyone have experience with any of the online proofing companies, good or bad.

Personally, I like to sit with clients and possibly talk them into larger prints. He just wants to let them order online, and go to the next client.

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

Time is money! If you have the time to sit down with every client,their mother,aunt,uncle,BFF and whatnot then go for it. I personally have large prints built into my larger wedding packages. It's far easier to get more prints with an online ordering service from family members and often from the brides or groom family giving them as gifts to the new couple. If you are trying to just get one client to buy prints you are missing out on many others. Besides no one likes a pushy salesman. :)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

allen finley photography wrote:

Time is money! If you have the time to sit down with every client,their mother,aunt,uncle,BFF and whatnot then go for it. I personally have large prints built into my larger wedding packages. It's far easier to get more prints with an online ordering service from family members and often from the brides or groom family giving them as gifts to the new couple. If you are trying to just get one client to buy prints you are missing out on many others. Besides no one likes a pushy salesman. :)

I think I'm anything but pushy :shock: What service do you use? The reason I like to meet face to face, is that when they see large prints, with proper lighting, and in very nice frames, they can imagine it in their house. Often times, people just think 8x10 is "wall size" I have a few 30x40 and 30x45's on the wall, and they usually get ooh's and ah's, and sales. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying from my experience, when I tried to post some proofs just on our site small size with watermarks, didn't get 1 sale of any size.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Yep, Large prints, and canvases. Always try to up-sale, without being an ass. If the clients can see them, then they'll think it was their idea.

Don't see why ya'll couldn't make both scenarios work, office and online. Some will not want to purchase online, some want 'only' online, for whatever reason.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Michael Hartley wrote:

Yep, Large prints, and canvases. Always try to up-sale, without being an ass. If the clients can see them, then they'll think it was their idea.

Don't see why ya'll couldn't make both scenarios work, office and online. Some will not want to purchase online, some want 'only' online, for whatever reason.

That is why I was asking what people use

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

I don't know about the proofing services, since I print my own, and others. I guess it would come down to how much the proofing service cost. Would it be worthwhile to tie up a bunch of money, in something you may, or may not, get a sale on?