bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

How many of you that have websites, get constant phone calls and emails from companies offering Search Engine Optimization, so you can be found on search engines?

When I get calls, I'm usually pretty amused that they are calling me. My question for them is, "If I'm so hard to find, how is it that all you guys keep calling me, I must be doing something right."

Well, that worked for a while, now they are starting to get really pushy. Do they really think that I'm going to say "Oh, now that you are being rude, sure, I want to work with you."

This is probably "taboo" to say, but actually we have enough work to keep us satisfied. (knock on wood), but with all the information out there, and the books like "SEO for dummies", is there anything these people can do, that anyone willing to take some time couldn't do?

I'm not really going to go that route, not until I NEED more business. I still like to have a weekend or 2 open per month, so I can go fishing. I'm more asking, as a question from people who have done it, if it is worthwhile for less established photographers.

Anyone have experience doing it on their own, or working with these SEO guys?

bk

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

We turned down 23 request last year because we were already booked ........... raised our prices another 15% ........... still getting bookings but will be turning down less request. Hopefully we still book as many as we did last year.

For 'supposedly' having a thriving economy I still see people struggling big time .......

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I hear you. On the other hand, for all those articles I see where people are saying that the wedding photography industry is circling the drains, I'm not seeing it. I think there are more people willing to "settle" but there will always be people that really want something for their memories. I often wonder if the % of people who go with shoot and burn, put as much into their marriages, or if they are also the ones that say, when the going gets tough...give up and try with someone else? No way to prove it either way, just wondering.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Remember brides only see what the shoot and burn phototog shows on their website or Facebook page. After you shoot 20K pictures you probably have a few to market with ........ brides often don't get that, they think they will end up with 100's of great shots ..... doesn't usually happen but it can be hard to tell a bride why your worth so much more when the bride is looking at only a few pictures uploaded for marketing purposes ......

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Bk, I am about to launch a Facebook page then possibly website. I share your concern though that I don't want to be booked every weekend. It will be interesting finding the right mix of visibility, word of mouth, and price to get the ideal amount of bookings.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Well, Jay. I'm pretty sure it is the same now, that it's been for me since the 80s, always a learning experience.

I really do wonder how many people pay big $$ for SEO, when it really is something that you "could" do yourself with a little research, and making an effort.

Only my opinion, it really is a better feeling to be able to turn away business (we keep relations with plenty of photographers that once apprenticed with us), and refer them to others. It also helps, because during those times when you wish you had business, and didn't have it, you can get referrals from those same referral sources.

Glad to hear you are kicking it all off. Just don't forget to get the other "ducks in a row" with insurance, and Tax ID's etc.

Keep checking back and letting us know how things are going.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Those ducks are quacking. One thing I do need to create however is a contract or two and pricing. Still trying to figure out what the market is.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

For what it's worth, I started out before computers, so I actually paid to have a lawyer draw mine up. I've made changes to it (just minor ones) over the years. I have seen several good examples free online, that you can take and tweek. Deep down, because I'm old, I still kind of like having a lawyer look at things. In your place, I'd have a few weddings under my belt before involving a lawyer, but I still think that they are worth their weight in gold, when you ultimately run into one of those sue happy people that are out there.

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

Hi Jay, What Bob said, and, you can have a copy of ours if you want. We are tweeking it now which is something you have to do regularly to keep up with trends. Contracts should be long enough to cover all the legal necessities but never encumbered with details that are more of a marketing or informational nature. PM me and I will send you an editable copy. BTW...we are just up the road from you, so to speak. Maybe we can get together sometime.

Bob, back to your original post. We have two websites. One is Terri's original site for the photography business and the other is one that I have been building for a long time that is geared to the fine art side. The latter is not even near completed after 2 years and I have not done any SEO, so there is no logical reason why it has over 5000 hits. I do know that Google and Bing etc. are automatically "scanning" websites but could it be that those SEO marketers are doing the same thing. Or is it that when you start to do SEO stuff the marketers find out and start bugging you. All I know is that I have done no SEO and I have never been approached for the fine art site. On the other hand, Terri has done some Google SEO stuff and she gets hammered by all kinds of stuff, SEO and unrelated to photography, from all over the world. I don't know if that is good or bad.

Bottom line is...we are rebranding to attract upscale (up priced) work but less volume. It is not that I would LIKE to have more time for fishing. It is that I MUST have more time for fishing. Oh ya, and fine art photography. Those slow walks through the woods with the camera off set those hectic Saturdays at a wedding.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

:thumbup: