Welcome to the forum!
As an adjunct to the Tangents blog, the intention with this forum is to answer any questions, and allow a diverse discussion of topics related photography. With that, see it as an open invitation to just climb in and start threads and to respond to any threads.
Marketing for photographers, What works for you?
I know that every market is different and what works for some might not work for others. But I really could use some advice on what you would recommend trying for marketing.
I am mostly considering:
- Wedding Wire, or the Knot. (But I have heard some bad stories there.)
- Google Adds
- Facebook adds (Not much though)
- Wedding Extravaganza etc. (Maybe a little too expensive for a part timer.)
Ideally I would like to budget $600 for marketing but I am willing to do whatever I need to go to that next level. So if that budget is unrealistic to try and get 6 or 7 additional weddings from it, let me know.
Also, if you want to take a look at my website. It is www.jmomedia.com
CC on my website or photography is welcomed.
PS: Just some background on my business if it helps, I have been in the photography business for 3 years now. 2 of those years, I have been trying to grow in wedding photography specifically. I really feel like I have a few weddings under my belt that have "ideal clients" and can attract the clients I want. I am not full time, but I want to grow to about a dozen weddings a year as a part time thing (this year I have had around 7 weddings. 4 large, 3 small. I also have a few booked for next year). I love this. I really don't think I'll make any money this year considering the gear I want to upgrade and the money I want to set aside for marketing.
Thanks for reading!
Comments
Word-of-mouth has worked, a couple of paying jobs resulting from volunteer work. Recently, I put a profile up on "Thumbtack". I don't know where you are located, but maybe give this a shot. You pay to send a quote, and that's it. I've gotten a couple of jobs through them, but it is, like everything else, very competitive.
You website is good, just make sure it is getting picked up by search engines, but I'm sure you are on top of that.
I will be interested in reading what other people have to say.
Dave
Thumbtack sounds interesting. I will definitely check it out. Can I ask what type of events you were able to book there? Do you do weddings?
Thank you, I am working hard on keeping up SEO ranking but it is competitive on Google!
Cheers!
Jared O.
I do not do weddings. Before I would do a wedding, I would want to work as a second shooter for someone at least 3-4 times, because I don't think it would be fair to a couple getting married for someone to shoot their wedding without experience.
I actually don't think I would want to do weddings anyway. When I photograph an event (I guess I do every kind except weddings), I have a really good time, and I don't think that would be the case for a wedding. Unless, possibly, it was very casual event. But even then I don't know.
Through Thumbtack I have been hired for a small family reunion, and a surprise birthday party (this one is next week). It's a little slow right now though.
Dave
Dave