Starting a buisness

I have just moved to a new area (Reno, NV)and am looking for ways to jumpstart

my photography buisness. I currently do mostly family portraits and children. I

worked with a wedding photographer at the last place that I lived and learned

the ropes with her. I have done two weddings on my own (after working with the

photographer). I would love to start shooting weddings here in my new town but

am a little unsure of how to start advertising.

 

So any suggestions or idea's of how I can go about getting my name out there to

potential brides. I would also have the opportunity to shoot at Lake Tahoe if I

can advertise to the right people. I am already signed up for the wedding fair

this fall but would like to get some business before then. I really miss shooting!!!

 

Thanks, Katie Watkins

Katie - first a question - what's your software suite for building your web site (other than Flash MX?). It looks great!

<br><a href="http://costofwedding.com/WeddingCostLocations.cfm?zipcode=89501&=Go

">You might find this link useful for pricing</a>.

<br>

That said, the book "Guerrilla Advertising" is a really good one for ways to promote a business without putting a ton of money into advertising. Building a business - especially a wedding business - in any area takes time. Spending a day calling and meeting with wedding planners in a new area can teach you a lot about the area pricepoint, competition, and demand.

 

Good luck!

I cheated and bought a templete from http://www.winkletwebdesign.com/. I don't know the first thing about web design and just learning the html code to add my things to the templete for the website was challenging. I am very happy with the way that it turned out. Thanks for the tips, I will look for that book.

Katie,

 

I like your site....you mite try touching base with some of the 'hair salons' in the area and

ask to put up some of your work.

 

I would suggest doing some shots of the owners/workers....for free...and put those up in

the salon. Sometimes the salon will...once a year...put a picture in the local paper

thanking their customers. You can offer to do this in return for displaying your work.

Good luck.

 

Dave.

Katie - the site looks fantastic. I would have guessed that you had it done professionally - good for you. You images are great...you wont have trouble getting work...

Katie - by the way, what template package did you use? I have been wanting to build my own site but after seeing how good yours looks I am interested in going this way.

Craigslist! I started my photography business last year entirely from craigslist. It's free and you can target specific areas. Please tell me you've heard of it...

 

http://www.craigslist.org

 

Just click on your corresponding city to the right and post an ad! Sit back and wait for responses! I got my camera, posted an ad that night and by the following weekend I was shooting my first two clients!