I’m just starting to try to get my business really running, and have some marketing questions. What is the best place to get postcards printed? What is the best place to build a website (can’t afford to hire a professional yet!), or the best website template site, and any marketing ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Go out and get connected, get people to remember your name. The best way to get noticed is people recommending you. Build a solid portfolio if you don’t have one. Do family and friends for cheap or free and build it up that way.
Check out your local competition and find out how you will provide something they don’t. Usually you can do better in "service" and "price" If you’re just starting out you’ll have to work for cheaper than your competition to get more people checking you out.
A website is key, if you don’t have time to learn to make a good one ( not easy) or you don’t have the money to pay someone. At least join a photo sharing website like www.webshots.com (what I use) it’s better than flikr or photobucket because they let people view your pictures full size and ful rez while with flikr and such make you pay money for that. Also webshots.com is really easy to work on and you can allow people to check out your work. If you’re editing someones wedding then you can upload some shots you’ve worked on or even webshots lets you email albums so your customers can get a quick look at their pictures before you finish editing them all.
Also you can check out www.webs.com and set up a free website. Your web address has to include " .webs.com" in the name but it’s a good way to get some sort of website up, you need to get your info and pictures out there. Google search website templates and you’ll get good sites, look at the first 5 searches. Google search ( 4 Images Gallery ) or (website gallery templates)
As far as postcard prints, get that done at at Costco cuz it’s cheap and pretty good quality, or maybe Walmart. But you really should get your own printers eventually; Epson is the best brand printer for your type of business.
Good Luck!
I would strongly suggest and encourage you start doing some reading and create a business plan before fully launching your business.
You need to do some major research on your own and figure out how to acquire a professional web site if you expect to be taken seriously. You seem to be going off half-assed and it will lead to trouble for your business and you. Get a plan, do the research, read up on marketing, and when you’ve created a solid business plan then launch your business.
References :
Be aware that wedding photography is a field that even many experienced photographers "wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole", as i’ve read in other questions here, as it can get really really nasty if the photos don’t turn out to be perfect. Both by having seriously spoiled one of the most important days in the lifes of two other persons, and by legal consequences if they decide to sue you.
References :
http://www.marathonpress.com/
At least this will answer one of your questions!
References :
Go out and get connected, get people to remember your name. The best way to get noticed is people recommending you. Build a solid portfolio if you don’t have one. Do family and friends for cheap or free and build it up that way.
Check out your local competition and find out how you will provide something they don’t. Usually you can do better in "service" and "price" If you’re just starting out you’ll have to work for cheaper than your competition to get more people checking you out.
A website is key, if you don’t have time to learn to make a good one ( not easy) or you don’t have the money to pay someone. At least join a photo sharing website like http://www.webshots.com (what I use) it’s better than flikr or photobucket because they let people view your pictures full size and ful rez while with flikr and such make you pay money for that. Also webshots.com is really easy to work on and you can allow people to check out your work. If you’re editing someones wedding then you can upload some shots you’ve worked on or even webshots lets you email albums so your customers can get a quick look at their pictures before you finish editing them all.
Also you can check out http://www.webs.com and set up a free website. Your web address has to include " .webs.com" in the name but it’s a good way to get some sort of website up, you need to get your info and pictures out there. Google search website templates and you’ll get good sites, look at the first 5 searches. Google search ( 4 Images Gallery ) or (website gallery templates)
As far as postcard prints, get that done at at Costco cuz it’s cheap and pretty good quality, or maybe Walmart. But you really should get your own printers eventually; Epson is the best brand printer for your type of business.
Good Luck!
References :
Hi Jennifer,
Check out the leading trade associations – WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) and PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and read their trade journals – Rangefinder and Professional Photographer – for inspiration and general ideas.
Also check out Marathon Press, a marketing company that specializes in helping photographers develop and implement marketing plans. They can do everything for you, from printing and mailing post cards to developing and hosting your website and helping you create great e-mail marketing pieces. Check out their Webinars which can be downloaded and watched on your computer, giving you ideas from the top photographers in the country.
Best wishes for much success in a competitive but very rewarding field.
Regards,
George
Certified Professional Photographer
http://www.nyportraits.com
References :
http://www.wppionline.com/
http://www.ppa.com/
http://www.nyportraits.com
Assuming you are a competent and professional photographer (you don’t really say), you can join a professional organization (there are a few for wedding photographers). This will enable you to go to seminars where they talk about this kind of stuff.
Common sense would of course tell you to get a book on the subject (the book by Jaqueline Tobin has a section on marketing yourself at the end of the book)
References :