belledeux diana Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 I've been watching the jobs listings on EPOnline frequently since Marc Williams mentioned it here some time ago. (I searched and saw that many photographers at photo.net use it.) <P> I'm finally thinking about taking the plunge, slowly at first. I would just like to hear to some recent stories about these jobs, and also, usually...is it hard to win a bid? Which I guess is silly, because it all depends on the portfolio and etceteras...but imagine all things being even...for that question. <P><a href="https://www.ep-o.com/defaultNew.asp">EPOnline</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady_dillsworth Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 I bought four leads out of the hundreds that were emailed to me for 2005 and 2006 and booked three out of the four weddings. I am very selective on the location, style, budget and details that I buy, as I only photograph weddings where I think the couple and I will interact well. I see tons of leads with brides wanting $1000.00, negatives or full res files, 10 hours of photography and an album for a Saturday in May. I don't buy until I see a $3,000.00+ lead (or maybe 2000+ for a Friday or winter month) where the couple is at a great venue, wants enough hours for me to get the job done right and that requests a journalist style. I bet that if you were half way decent, shot in the $1000-2000 range, photographed the full day and gave away the files you would work every weekend of the year. If you charge a whole lot more and give a whole lot less you can still get good leads, just not as many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbreak Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 Don't get me started on respond.com<BR><BR>weasels, for instance, will charge about 4$ for a model test request, and if the EXACT SAME GIRL checks the box for "fashion photography" the email fee jumps a little.<BR><BR>Like to about 20$.<BR><BR>I watch both sites constantly and after about two years I've spent about 400$ just on email fees and scored I don't know... five jobs?<BR><BR>EPOnline is way cheaper but they have fewer leads. Respond has better jobs but paying 20$ just for an email contact for a job is a bit over the top, yes?<BR><BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 They send me emails almost everyday, but i've never responded to one or paid to get the info. Honestly- I don't even remember signing up?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd frederick Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 I only booked one small $500 wedding through them. I think many people are looking for very low prices. I don't use them anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon jacobson Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 Curiously, when you get a referal, does the bride think you're getting an email, and by not purchasing that lead, does the bride think you are not responding? We signed up for a similar service, but did not know it was a purchase situation. We immediately withdrew our participation. The "leads" we recieved had no information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcsaint Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 I get 1-2 leads per week (in the Western Massachusetts area) and most are from Northern Connecticut. If one looks interesting, I'll buy a lead for $2. Out of a couple dozen emails I sent out to inquiries, I only got 1 or 2 responses and met with only one couple -- they didn't employ me. When almost nobody replies back to my emails, I sometimes wonder if these potential clients even exist. Still, it's pretty inexpensive and I feel I only need to hit once to pay for my "investment". Marc St.Onge www.saintongephoto.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbreak Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 I have sometimes wondered if the leads are real or not, but I have gotten some jobs off of EPO and respond.com. <BR><BR>That still doesn't mean some could be padding to raise revenue.<BR><BR>CRAIGSLIST.ORG FOREVER!111<BR><BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 I don't go after theses that much anymore. Most of the leads are below my price range (as mentioned above). They've restructured their pricing so higher priced requests are more costly to buy. I've responded to a few recently but heard nothing back. I couldn't attest to the fact that all the leads are real, just that I initially did book a very nice wedding that more than paid for any inquiries I've purchased. I think it is heavily weighted toward the lower to mid-range shooter who has signed up as a paying subscriber. They get the leads earlier than non paying users, and have ads on the site as well. I know that in the past my ex-assistant did subscribe, and subsequently booked up for a year solid from the leads provided. I have no idea whether that pattern continued into 2005 for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich_dutchman1 Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 I did EPO a few years ago. I probably spent $650 and booked about five weddings. Most of the people who advertised a $1,500 budget would spend at least $2,500 with me. So, it was an okay return on investment. I'm all word of mouth now, so I can't comment how the service is today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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