Know-How Exchange : Other

What can I say? All of the above answers cover everything except exactly how to do it or having someone do it for you!

Send me an email at: jett_enterprise@cox.net if you are interested in finding out more on turning these ideas into realization!!!

I think the question about tracking leads and working out conversion rates to determine the most productive channels into your business has already been answered very well by sakmarketing.

I would like to make further comment about sakmarketing's alliance suggestion. As a wedding photographer, where do you stand in the prospects mind with respect to all the other things they have to organise? I think you'll find the first thing the couple want to book is probably the place where the marriage is to be solemnised. A Church, Synagogue, Town Hall or someplace like that.

Next on their list is probably the place where the reception will be held. A restaurant or convention centre of some kind - you know where they go in your area.

I would focus on creating alliances with the places higher on the couples "to do" list than those lower down.

To create an alliance, you'll need to go visit likely places and ask to leave your card, promotional literature, or even to stop by and pickup contact details for people who have booked so you can make contact "as a service" to them. Of course, it's more of a service to YOU, but anyway...

Be prepared to negotiate terms. Churches will appreciate an honorarium being paid to the parish or collection plate in order to promote good relationships.

Other places - well, you will have to negotiate, but don't pay any kind of commission unless you actually get the work, and then make sure the percentage you have to pay is built back into your charges.

Some couple abdicate from the decision process and appoint a wedding planner to do all the thinking for them. These planners have a list of people they work with, and some may even insist on a sub-contractual arrangement where they make a margin on your (and every other part of the) job. Probably worth looking them up through the Yellow Pages in your area and talking with each one in turn to find out how you can get their custom, or their recommendation.

At first I thought repeat business was too much to hope for, but with 50% of a marriages ending in divorce, if you do a good job, every other assignment could end up in two further assignments somewhere down the track!

Plus, of course, satisfied couples will recommend you to their friends. So don’t be afraid to ask people, when an assignment is finished, who your customers know, who might be thinking about a wedding sometime soon.

Hope this helps.