jzq Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 A few days ago, I posted wondering whether I'm starting my business properly or not. After meeting with myaccountant today, I'm confident that I'm on the right track -- legally, financially, logistically,organizationally, etc. I'm going to finish getting my business license and hope to launch my business andwebsite at the same time in about 4-8 weeks (depending on processing times). My question is: how do I get people to visit said site? There are a zillion plus wedding photographers in the Los Angeles area, and when I went to a "Plan your LAWedding" site, I was daunted by the plethora of photographer's adverts on there. Does anyone have any adviceregarding how to get site traffic going? I was considering a sponsored Google link to start, but is theresomething more? Any LA-based people have thoughts? If there is anything else I should be doing marketing-wise, please let me know. FYI, I have read most of the oldthreads here on the topic... so I know about trying to showcase in local bridal shops, give business cards toeverybody and their brother, the pros & cons of bridal fairs, the relative futility of print ads, etc. Everything I've read leads me to believe that internet, word-of-mouth, and possibly referrals from otherphotographers are where it's at now. How do I go about getting those referrals? Is there anything new I shouldbe thinking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_kobeck1 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 How about advertising for free on craigslist? I see alot of photographers here in NYC advertising there, and I am not talking about the low end, there are some high end too on there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 "... so I know about trying to showcase in local bridal shops, give business cards to everybody and their brother, the pros & cons of bridal fairs, the relative futility of print ads, etc. Everything I've read leads me to believe that internet, word-of-mouth, and possibly referrals from other photographers are where it's at now."-J Good, so you know about it but have you started doing it? It's mostly about making real relationships with vendors and potential referral resources which means more than just an email or cold-call visit to their shops. I'll bet that there's a pro-photographer organization that would help you network with other shooters....(have you looked/joined?) Have you joined WPPI or PPA? Have you made any personal contact with any established pros that visit this forum? Which books have you bought (and read} recently on marketing and/or running a small business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 BTW, I just visited your profile page. My first suggestion for your professional development is to remove the penis photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosina_dibello Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 David Your right! Thank you for speaking up. And about the images that you suggested to remove - right again... Unfortunately to be inaugurated as a professional becomes nothing more than getting some professional advice and moving with it... a few trial and error weddings and their off. Professionals are just that... filled with knowledge, professionalism in every aspect of your life, your equipment, and experience as an apprentice. People aren't getting that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedding-photography-denver Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Use of good work is the most lacking thing in what is seen on most websites. If you advertise with any lisitng service and are not near the top, forget it. If you advertise at the top of a site that does not come close to the top of a google search, for the criteria you want to be found under, forget it. Getting higher rankings on google etc. are one of the best ways. Second to that is to be close to the top of the listing sites that google finds for your area and shows at the top of that search method. Hope that makes sense. Other than that, you can network and hope for referrals or shoot for someone who you know is getting married and hope to get referred that way. The trouble is, do you have the skill to do it and the experience and equipment to get it right under pressure? BTW, I second the gallery adjustment fyi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcox2 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Ask your webmaster to be sure that you are configured so that you show up on search engines. I haven't done that yet and I don't show up on a Google search (on the list of things to do). Also, get listed on wedding sites like the Knot. It costs, but probably money well spent. Brides tell me they use those kind of wedding sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcox2 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Another thing might be to cross-link with providers of other services (florists, venues, etc). You link to them and they link to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzq Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 I have gotten somesuggestions on books, and I do plan to get them; however, I would be curious to follow up on some of yourspecific marketing book suggestions... if you're willing to give them out again. I have looked into PPA and planto join as an aspiring professional. I have some other expenses I need to handle first, but that one isdefinitely on my to-do list. David W., what you have said makes complete sense and confirms what I thought. As Richard has suggested, I willfollow up with my webmaster to make sure that I show up on search engines, and I plan to get a sponsored Googlelink so that I show up at the top of searches for wedding photographers in LA. I have also hidden the penis photos from view. On a more general note, I completely agree with what David S. and Rosina are saying about genuine relationshipsand professionalism. This week, I had another photographer approach me on the street (because I was takingpictures) and ask me to save his butt this weekend because he booked a wedding and then booked a trip for thesame date. Then, he told me one thing about rates & photo rights, and his partner told me another. Then, hispartner told me he'd get back to me and never did. I can't imagine a more UN-professional way to manage one'sbusiness or forge a potential business relationship. Having worked in the arts industry in the past (administratively), I have learned a lot about professionalism andthe difference it can make. I make every effort and will continue to make every effort to conduct myself and myfledgling business professionally at all times. Otherwise, I just don't see how ANY potential client could haveconfidence in me. Thank you all very much.Judith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Judith, It looks as though you pulled the folder with the images of Mr. Johnson however you still have two portraits on your profile page....you might want to pull them off to. I like your self portrait, might be a good idea to add that to your profile page while you finish getting rid of Mr. Johnson. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Willy has now left the building.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 ``Willy has now left the building..........`` Hmm: A very good move, I think. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzq Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 While I don't think that a side project about Mr. Willy necessarily makes one less professional, the incriminating photos are, indeed, gone now. Thanks to everyone for all of their help and suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 There was no argument in my mind regarding the professionalism, or not, of the photographer and that being reflected (or not) by the `Mr Willy` project. The question(s) are however about marketing and starting a new business. Perception is reality in the minds of many Prospective Clients: that is a marketing reality. Such is inexorably linked to one`s web page here: that is the point, (I think) which was being made. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleendonovan Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Some day I will be as well spoken as William! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Thanks Aside: The period of time when I went to (high) school is now defined by two elements which are now, in mostly all schools, relegated to the annals of `The History of Education`: 1. Corporal Punishment 2. Technical Grammar I forget which was more painful, but learning Grammar has been far more useful. :) WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel_peek Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Judith, aside from being frugile about the websites you decide to pay to advertise on (like brides.com, the Knot, etc.) where you'll be one of a thousand, don't make the mistake of joining too many professional organizations right away. PPA is always a good choice!! But things like the BBB, local chambers of commerce, etc. typically don't offer a lot of financial return in the form of new client referrals. Chamber memberships do help top get your name out there, and those along with a BBB membership will lend your business credibility, which may help certain clients to decide to book you, but you will probably not get a lot of new business referrals from these organizations. Not in Los Angeles. (We target LA, Orange, San Diego and Riverside counties, so I'm familiar with the business climate here). You're better off initially fortifying your website so that it looks great and operates efficiently under all browsers (IE, Firefox, Safari, etc) AND ranks well in Google and Yahoo searches using keywords. In this day and age, your website will be the most effective tool you can have to reach new clients. And eventually, after being in business for 2-3 yeas, referrals will (or should) be about 90% of your business. BTW, my studio did not find Google adwords to be effective at all. We were paying a couple hundred dollars a month for cold clicks for nearly a year when we realized we hadn't had a single booking from it. We immediately cancelled and saw no decline in the amount of web inquiries we typically receive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hovland Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I looked into one of the wedding sites and found that they didn't have basic statistics like how many times individual photographer pages are hit even though this would be relatively easy to do. This was one of the big names. I also noted that their premium package represented a dramatic increase in cost without an equally dramatic increase in exposure. Modern Bride fairs seem to dominate the better venues in San Francisco, and they probably do in LA as well. Not cheap at $1200 for a booth, but possibly worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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