Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Hi All, well, after a year of study, practice, and many free shoots, I think I’m finally ready I market my photography business to paying clients. I have a website, but I’d love to know where the professional photographers here advertise their business. I spoke to Groupon, but after they collect their extortion fee, there is very little left for the photographer. I’ve also tried Craigs List but for some reason my ads are flagged for removal and now my credit card must be blacklisted because the site won’t let me try again. This group has always come through in the past, so I look forward to your creative suggestions for how I can market my new business. Thanks!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Why were your ads flagged for removal in Craigslist?

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

What type of photography? As much as I dislike them, Facebook may be your best bet. If you're doing mostly weddings, then try to see if you can get a local bridal shop to allow you to place cards and a sample of your works there. A small commission on work obtained will help grease the request.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

I’m not sure, there was certainly not any inappropriate content, and when I tried to reach CL, I never received a response.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Since you're ready, you obviously know who your potential clients are, so you'll want to advertise where you know they'll see it.

repleo Loc: Boston

I can’t help, but I thought your web site was very professional looking with some great images. Good luck with your business.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Competition does this all the time. my son's an electrician and tried to advertising on Craigslist and they kept flagging his ass and shutting him down. so he made flyers and went door-to-door in the neighborhoods that were old enough that needed updating.

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

It depends on the type of clients you're looking for. For weddings, The Knot is king. There are some other free/commission options like Gigmasters, and Gigsalad. One of the best thing you can do for your local area clients is setup a Yelp profile, and garner a good review or two. It takes some time, but this is probably the single best thing to do for locals.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

When you are actually "ready" you won't be wasting time sitting at your computer. Get off your dead *** and get out and hustle, look for anything and everything to shoot and place. Business is NOT going to come knocking at your newly opened door. Maybe the term "starving artist" will take on a whole new meaning for you. Find a house that is listed by a realtor and shoot the exterior, then look the realtor up and make your proposal to shoot that person's entire stock of listings. Do it "pro bono" if needed but do something to generate interest in your work. Too many new businesses have filed for bankruptcy while the owner was waiting for the phone to ring. Good luck, it's a jungle out there!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I have to agree. You have an excellent portfolio.

If, like many of us, you think that weddings would be a good professional place to start, I would try to shoot a couple of friends' weddings free or at low cost to develop a wedding portfolio. It's not work that will make you rich, but it's a frequent entry into full time business. Once you have a wedding portfolio, there are numerous bridal shows and events at which to market yourself.

Your portrait work is beautiful - a mix of environmental and head shots, as well as a variety of settings, outfits, and skin tones. I have a friend who did highly local advertising in weekly "shoppers" and even on restaurant placemats at "yearbook time" and got quite a bit of local high school work, but this was many years ago, before you could put a portfolio just a click away on digital media. Given the strength of your portfolio, I'd look at buying email lists and using a service like "Constant Contact" for direct email in targeted areas. Facebook and Twitter are also useful - especially if you can display your photos. It's not cheap, but starting any business requires a marketing budget.

Good luck! Your images show that you're ready for this.

Andy

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

Well although my advice is hardly current these principles don’t really age. Effectively marketing theory says understand why people are purchasing your products and match your actions to those purchasing behaviors.

Now when you look at your customers do you see patterns of behavior that you can replicate?
If so, then you have a lead. Start with doing more of those actions.

Now your website, that is excellent, lists several ‘products’; Portraits, Landscapes, Street. My guess is that the motives for purchasing will differ with each category? That’s the first job. Find out!

I won’t continue until you can answer that point.

(When I lived in the UK I was a chartered member of the institute of marketing.)

E0SGuy Loc: Oakland County, Michigan

Check out www.thumbtack.com , it may be just what you're looking for. It is a professional services website where clients post their (in your case) photographic project needs...weddings, portraits, etc and you "bid" your described services. Hope this helps!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

This is also excellent advice in this digital age. Some positive reviews by Yelpers whom you've shot for can go a long way, but beware the professional grumps and naysayers, who are always ready to disparage everything.

The real estate suggestion is valid, but it pays poorly and often quality work is not appreciated.

Andy

Dbl00buk Loc: Orlando

Good for you! Allow me to briefly share my experiences, hope it helps. First, not to be a dream stealer, but I can tell you the competition is fierce. I also went on the same journey. I went into the portrait and wedding arena. Took the money I earned and did some investing in gear. Started practicing and honing skills with friends and family (many) and did well. Took the money and did some investing in gear. Then, when I ventured beyond, the brick wall hit. Damned near nothing (dribbs and drabs). Had a friend who was a marketing person for a successful chain. He coached me and gigs improved...somewhat. He said I needed to keep plugging. He seemed to think the market is saturated (and don't let anyone tell you location is a big factor 'cause that's bull). After a year, I decided to just stick with the word-of-mouth, card passing, patience technique. Let's just say thank God I'm retired and can afford to play with this semi-pro hobby. If it was my main income, lets just say...I would be loosing a lot of weight! Best of luck and God speed.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Your title uses the work "marketing".

"Marketing" is supposed to be finding demand and then creating a product to fill that demand. After that comes "sales" where you price, promote and distribute your newly created product.

Have you found where there is demand?