Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Alex
Large photos outside are you best signage.

Outside that, ads in the baby/wedding announcement section in the newspaper pull well. That's really the only time I recommend newspaper ads.

Michael

Some ideas to inspire you:
* Mothers' Clubs
* Local photo competitions (enter your work to win a prize)
* Testimonials (once you get people who LOVE your work)
* Offer free sittings for a non-profit that serves low-income clients (to garner some PR).

The best way to get new customers is to ensure that current customers, whatever their number, are EXTREMELY satisfied with your photo-journalism. IF every person you worked for would refer one customer to you that was ready for a photo-shoot you would double your business in two years!

So I would think about how to make your customers your walking, talking, sharing testimonials by maybe:
- Giving them a double set of prints that they could mail to their family and friends for each referral they bring you;
- Offering a discount to a group of three who would come in on the same day;
- Posting your work online and offering to provide free online review from your server once they link to your Facebook Fan Page, etc., etc., etc.

Tom

building a bit on Jay's idea to offer free sittings through a nonprofit organization...

Many years ago, our church took a free picture of each family in the church and published a pictorial directory. I believe they also offered to sell copies of the pictures.

today, it seems to me that technology probably makes this an even better way to introduce your services. For example, you can publish an online directory much less expensively than a print directory. And, by offering to e-mail a copy of the photo, you can build a list of e-mail addresses. And you can select a church or organization which is those close to you and which is in an affluent neighborhood.

1. Have you joined the Chamber of Commerce/Better Business Bureau in your city/town?

2. Do you know any commercial photographers to network with?
(they get requests for portrait work and sometimes are too busy to do them)

3. Have you sent out any press releases or news announcements?

4. Can you also do 'family' portraits of people and their dogs?
Make friends with the local vet clinics in your area. You can network/refer each other.

A mailer might be your best bet right now. An oversized
b/w photo with your info on the back would be a good way to get your name 'out there.'

Also, keep sending info to local synagogues, catering companies, college alumni associations and wedding planners, for starters.

Good luck!

Read Purple Cow by Seth Godin