What is the best way to get my photography business all booked up?

I do all types of photography and need to make this business profitable. I have no idea how to market the company or how others do that are successfull without spending a fortune.... any tips?

Marketing. Find a niche and market to it. If its say architecture then direct mail or door knock Architects.

Write a business plan and implement it - should have been done before you started. In it you have a marketing plan.

a

ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE!
The only way people are going to know about your product, (photography is a product) is to let the public know you are out there and what you have is for sale.
Any business big or small that does not advertise will get nowhere.
Word of mouth helps but advertising yourself and your talents is a good business approach.
That's the best tip I can give you.

get a great portfolio. show people how you would do their images, not trying to copy someone else's style. enter professional contests where you live. talk to restaurants and have them exhibit your work. present your portfolio to all ad agencies in your area. if you do art photos, get a gallery showing, and most cities have arts and crafts shows. get a booth and sell some of your work, framed. people will see what you're doing. good luck.

I own a photo bus as well and you have stepped into a very profitable field. I see some folks who are lacking the talent but making the money. Some different styles of advertising to get your name out there will help tremedously. I also love free word of mouth. That will come when you treat your clients like they are the only one. Try some mailbox magnets in large neighborhoods for holiday shoots. Wedding shows will get you out there for weddings. I would make up a budget for advertising and then go from there. It can get quite expensive if you are not careful. Good luck and God bless.....yes He helps too !!

You can make a "ZED" card and print it on a 5x7 color print, which you can then just address the back and send it out without it being in an envelope. You would like 3-5 images on there Some of those pictures can also be in B&W. You can use photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop) combine the images on to a 5x7 size blank template and then type in the information you want on the card and then send your file to an online printing company or a local one.

You should also put an e-mail on there and an additional web link to your website so they can see more pictures and then contact you if they are interested.

Here is a link to start for getting brochures printed and there are others just look around to find what suits your needs.

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default....

A good portfolio (website) will speak for itself. Just make your portfolio fit to the people you are presenting it to. Example: If showing to a bride for a wedding, remove landscapes and corporate images they just want to see wedding images only and your style. If you have a website do the same and tailor it towards your clientele and leave the "fluff" images out.

You should have a look at the "2008 Photographers Market" (amazon.com) this will give you lots of information on other places that you can sell your work.

Now one more source where you can sell your work at and you must do everything.

http://www.etsy.com

Hope this helps,
Kevin

1) You have to spend money to make money
2) Advertise! Economize your advertising dollars by getting the best bang for the buck. Movie theaters, billboards, malls, places were one large add will be seen by thousands. Know your client market and target it.
3) Are you outstanding or average? Outstanding will have word of mouth driving clients to you. Average will not.
4) Just about everyone you see that you talk to shoudl know that you are a photographer. Keep samples of your pricing schedules, business cards, and portfolio of some kind with you at all times. You'll never know when you may run into a potential client.

5) ALWAYS BE CLOSING! :)

The first thing I'd suggest is stop doing "all types of photography" and pick one.

I'm not aware of anyone who has become successful shooting sports, weddings and product shots.

The markets are very different and it'll take all your time just trying to make it in one of them.

Narrow your business down and then develop your marketing plan.

Hope this helps.

You got some really nice advice. Some of these guys I count friends and can tell you their advice is solid.

How long have you been shooting full time? Do you have a studio outside of your home? There are many things that need to be considered.

Print ads never work. Don't waste your money on newspaper print ads. We have them but they are bartered with the local newspaper. We cover the local high school football games and give them the use of the images and they give us an ad every week for the year. (To be frank, we do not EVER get any calls off them but it keeps our name out there)

Do not play the price game. One of the posters asked if you were great or average. Well? Believe in yourself. Do not fall into the trap of worrying over what your competition charges. Know what you are worth and stick with you. My competitor in my town sells units. The only difference is in the 5x7s. She sells 2 where I sell one. I learned at a PPA conference years ago that we sell our portrats. NOT the paper they are printed on. I bought into is and changed the way I sell. I do not have any complaints. Once in a while someone will ask if I sell units but I explain no and they don't bat and eye.

Do bridal shows. Also, advertize in Bridal magazines. I advertize in Premiere Bride magazine. The ads are reasonable priced AND best of all you get leads send to you EVERY month. I get between 900 and 1300 new leads every month. No way I can market all of those.

Email me and I would be happy to discuss with you different things we have found works and doesn't work. One last thing, consider John Hartman's Marketing Boot Camp. It is in Los Vegas ever January. It's pricey and exhausting being Mon through Fri 8-5 but you will meet 200 other serious photographers, AND learn a wealth of info and ideas.

Write me when you can. Good luck.

Billie

If you know anyone who has a current Mac computer, you
can use IWeb to create a website showing your recent
photographs. Set up an .mac account [$99 per year] and
publish your IWeb webpage(s).

Acquire from Vistaprint.com a colorful business card
by selecting from their many templates a suitable one
that meets your needs. Make sure to list the URL of
your website along with a telephone answering device.
Do not place your home address or anything personal
such as a cellphone on this businesscard. Then when
you receive the finished business card, pass it around
to various churches, temples and the like to solicit
business.

Good luck!