Request Photography Business Advice
Feb 5, 2016 14:41:42 #
Hello All,
I have been a photographer for many years. However only recently (within the last couple of months), have a started to pursue it as a business.
My main obstacle has been acquiring clients. I have subscribed to Thumbtack to send me clients, but it has been spotty to say the least. It's also expensive, every few days having to buy credits.
Does anyone know of a better approach? Is there a better service than Thumbtack? Are there any free ways to do this (other than networking & passing out cards, which I do already). Is there a better site of cheaper site than can offer the same foot traffic?
Thank you all in advance for your responds.
Clint
I have been a photographer for many years. However only recently (within the last couple of months), have a started to pursue it as a business.
My main obstacle has been acquiring clients. I have subscribed to Thumbtack to send me clients, but it has been spotty to say the least. It's also expensive, every few days having to buy credits.
Does anyone know of a better approach? Is there a better service than Thumbtack? Are there any free ways to do this (other than networking & passing out cards, which I do already). Is there a better site of cheaper site than can offer the same foot traffic?
Thank you all in advance for your responds.
Clint
Feb 5, 2016 14:46:52 #
Feb 5, 2016 14:54:03 #
Facebook. A lot of photographers post ads on their home pages.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kelby+using+facebook+for+your+business
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kelby+using+facebook+for+your+business
Feb 5, 2016 15:16:26 #
Shereen wrote:
Hello All, br br I have been a photographer for m... (show quote)
Clint, assuming you have a pretty high-end portfolio, why don't you join your local Chamber of Commerce and network the heck out of it. It will be all local business and after a few jobs you'll start to get word of mouth.
I'm assuming you have the knowledge and skills to do any kind of work that comes your way. Good luck. ;-)
SS
Feb 5, 2016 15:25:44 #
Feb 5, 2016 16:03:07 #
I never heard of Thumbtack.
Do you have a link to your website? Maybe there is something UHH members will be able to recommend to improve the customer experience when they visit to see your work.
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Do you have a link to your website? Maybe there is something UHH members will be able to recommend to improve the customer experience when they visit to see your work.
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Feb 5, 2016 19:27:22 #
All these suggestions are great, thank you.
Bill per your request, here are 2 links, one to Thumbtack and one to my website (which is still WIP).
Thumbtack:
https://www.thumbtack.com/
My Website:
www.sherin.smugmug.com
Thank you all again for your help!!!
Clint
Bill per your request, here are 2 links, one to Thumbtack and one to my website (which is still WIP).
Thumbtack:
https://www.thumbtack.com/
My Website:
www.sherin.smugmug.com
Thank you all again for your help!!!
Clint
Feb 5, 2016 20:08:39 #
Clint,
You have a lot of nice images on your site. While it might work for selling prints, or showing off your images, it isn't going to attract clients. You have hundreds of images in galleries of vastly different sizes.
I would suggest that you select the areas you want to specialize in (but not limit yourself to) and present a few "Outstanding" images for each. That means outstanding in content and processing.
Your "about me page doesn't resize as I resize my browser, the other pages I looked at do. When the about me page came up I thought you were only showing half of you. I had to stretch my browser to see the entire image.
Before attracting people to your house, I think you need to clean up the house. If they aren't impressed in the first couple of minutes, maybe seconds, they will be off to visit somebody else.
Edit - I just checked Thumbtack. Did you notice that if you search for photographer they only have 5 categories. If you are going to use them, that's what your website should concentrate on.
Stick with it!
--
You have a lot of nice images on your site. While it might work for selling prints, or showing off your images, it isn't going to attract clients. You have hundreds of images in galleries of vastly different sizes.
I would suggest that you select the areas you want to specialize in (but not limit yourself to) and present a few "Outstanding" images for each. That means outstanding in content and processing.
Your "about me page doesn't resize as I resize my browser, the other pages I looked at do. When the about me page came up I thought you were only showing half of you. I had to stretch my browser to see the entire image.
Before attracting people to your house, I think you need to clean up the house. If they aren't impressed in the first couple of minutes, maybe seconds, they will be off to visit somebody else.
Edit - I just checked Thumbtack. Did you notice that if you search for photographer they only have 5 categories. If you are going to use them, that's what your website should concentrate on.
Stick with it!
--
Feb 5, 2016 20:18:15 #
Shereen wrote:
Hello All, br br I have been a photographer for m... (show quote)
Thumbtack can be OK, but it is definitely not higher-end clients that use it. It most certainly is low-end clients for low-end photographers. While I have worked with some clients willing to actually pay decent fees, most want high-end service for stupid-low prices. When getting started, if you are willing to do family portraits for $200 or a wedding for $500, maybe you will find it acceptable.
What kind of photography do you want to do? I went to your website and frankly, it is a mish-mash of mostly snap-shots. I certainly have no idea what you do. A professional photographer's website needs to be clear on exactly what type client you want to attract.
Sending people to your website is a sure way to never hear from them again.
Your "About Me" section is juvenile and a definite way to turn off any interest in hiring you. Maybe it is funny to you, but not close to professional. Inane, really.
You have a way to go to be considered professional.
Feb 5, 2016 20:33:27 #
Local newspaper always work ...
craigs list and all the other free selling sites,
create pages on
facebook, instagram and all other social media that you can find.
update them every day, add an image and say something about yourself EVERY day. I have over 4000 followers on FB but it took 2 years to get em.so its not overnight.
get a web page, you can create your own and they are free... I use WIX it took a few days to get it together and figure it all out, but it looks professional,
Then I would talk to groupon. A local guy does portraits and offers a few different packages. Its showing he sold 11,000 groupons Thats a LOT of pictures...
There are a lot of sites that offer coupons I dont know pricing on them but if the sold 11,000 someone is making money. He may just be breaking even on them but he's gettoing a LOT of advertising. You have to work on it,
You can hire people thatwill update all your pages and blogs daily but of course you have to pay them... Good luck
craigs list and all the other free selling sites,
create pages on
facebook, instagram and all other social media that you can find.
update them every day, add an image and say something about yourself EVERY day. I have over 4000 followers on FB but it took 2 years to get em.so its not overnight.
get a web page, you can create your own and they are free... I use WIX it took a few days to get it together and figure it all out, but it looks professional,
Then I would talk to groupon. A local guy does portraits and offers a few different packages. Its showing he sold 11,000 groupons Thats a LOT of pictures...
There are a lot of sites that offer coupons I dont know pricing on them but if the sold 11,000 someone is making money. He may just be breaking even on them but he's gettoing a LOT of advertising. You have to work on it,
You can hire people thatwill update all your pages and blogs daily but of course you have to pay them... Good luck
Feb 5, 2016 20:40:50 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Clint, assuming you have a pretty high-end portfolio, why don't you join your local Chamber of Commerce and network the heck out of it. It will be all local business and after a few jobs you'll start to get word of mouth.
I'm assuming you have the knowledge and skills to do any kind of work that comes your way. Good luck. ;-)
SS
I'm assuming you have the knowledge and skills to do any kind of work that comes your way. Good luck. ;-)
SS
You KNOW what they say about "assume."
Feb 5, 2016 21:48:58 #
Shereen wrote:
Hello All, br br I have been a photographer for m... (show quote)
With a name like that you shouldn't have any issues :-)
A. Do you have a website?
B. If so, would you mind sharing it here?
C. Once you answer a and b, we can go into more detail on its effectiveness
D. Social media...are you up to speed and on the major sites
E. Exposure (no pun intended) is the name of the game. Referrals are key to new and repeat business.
Aside from those things I assume all your materials look professional, if not hire a good designer to help you out (I know of a great designer, who just so happens to share your first name). It also goes without saying that if your photography should be able to speak for itself in this tough line of work where every Tom Dick and Harrietta (didn't want to leave the ladies out) have a camera and think they can do what you do.
Hope this helps,
Clint
Feb 5, 2016 21:57:17 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
With a name like that you shouldn't have any issues :-)
A. Do you have a website?
B. If so, would you mind sharing it here?
Clint
A. Do you have a website?
B. If so, would you mind sharing it here?
Clint
He already answered those a few posts back.
Feb 5, 2016 22:31:01 #
Bill_de wrote:
He already answered those a few posts back.
Yep, missed that...
Website comments: looks more like a personal website, not a business site. A business site would have more info on rates and the types of photography your interested in doing for business.
The header also changes fonts when you go to different sections. Stick with the homepage font (sans serif) as it's easier to read. Smugmug has some great templates, more of which are suited towards a business, you may want to look into that.
Feb 5, 2016 22:36:06 #
CaptainC wrote:
You KNOW what they say about "assume."
LoL, Cliff, I always give a guy the benifit of the doubt when I haven't seen their work! I "assume", if they think they are good enough, then they must be.
I also realize that about 95% of those that think that....., aren't or they wouldn't be asking!! I realize it takes way more than just owning a camera...., of ANY brand!! ;-)
SS
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