Getting new clients

[photoboy]

Apologies if this is an old chestnut which keeps cropping up on here, but I'm a newbie on this forum

Im an editorial photographer looking to get into more commercial and industrial work. There's lots of conflicting advice on photographers forums about the best way to get new clients and I wondered what others consider the best way to attract new clients.

I'm thinking cold calling of likely prospects, backed up with flyers and possibly a sign-up e-newsletter. Is it a waste of time running an e-mail blast alongside the flyers and cold calls? Would most potential commercial clients consider un-solicited e-mails as spam?

All and any advice gratefully received!

 

[Geoff Carter]

Hi Photoboy

Here are some ideas...

* Your website must reflect the market you want to work in.
Don't show images of weddings if you want corporate work.

* Don't spam

* Create something of value relevant to your market and give
it away. Don't hold back.

* Get known. Do networking, write articles, speak in public locally

There are many others. If you have a website and you'd like
me to review it - at no charge, pm me.

I work with professionals and business owners to determine
what is holding them back or sabotaging their efforts and
then devise a plan so they achieve the success they desire.

I hope this helps...

Cheers

Geoff

 

[Experienced IT guy]

Im an editorial photographer looking to get into more commercial and industrial work.

On the one hand with the web, its a lot easier to set up a portfolio display and it means that if you can point a camera, you can have a portfolio.

Your web site needs to be found, by the nature of your work on a local basis.

A list of SEO tools to help you do this is here.
http://www.ava.co.uk/support/faq/si...eryone/free-seo-tools-to-get-you-started.aspx

I'd be inclined to look at moderately sucessful buisnesses in the area you want to attract attention, if the web site would benefit from some of your expertise, I'd be inclined to make them an offer of free examples. If they accept your free offer, at least they know they need something. If what you do meets their aproval, then its probably worth a paid order from them.

Most importantly any web work should conatain acknowledgements and backlinks to your site.

 

[photoboy]

Hmmm- work for free. Not exactly what I had in mind!

 

[Experienced IT guy]

Hmmm- work for free. Not exactly what I had in mind!

Well if you havn't go a reputation and nothing to show them that is relevant, they are unlikely to consider you. If you have shown them 3 pictures that they like, then if your rates are acceptable, you have probably made a sale. the end of the day what you have in mind does not count for a penny. Its their money and you have to convince them in their mind that your time/ product is worth their hard earned cash.

 

[SearchBlogger]

There's a post on my blog on photographer marketing tips you may find useful.

 

[photoboy]

Nope-I've got a good reputation and plenty to show. I'm not a newbie, just looking to get more work and wondering if cold calling and e-mail blasts still work these days.

Current commercial clients have been brought in from the editorial work I do-they really liked what they saw in the national press.

I've always found people who work for free or too cheap are then considered just that-free or cheap. I expect to get paid for my work and am competitive on rates-you have to be to survive in the current economic climate.

 

[Experienced IT guy]

Nope-I've got a good reputation and plenty to show.

In that case, good luck.

 

[Target]

Photoboy, I've just posted a couple of responses to similar threads about the legalities and practicalities of sending email campaigns to anything other than your own opted-in email list.

First, the legalities. It is perfectly legal in the UK to send an unsolicited marketing email to a PLC, limited company, public sector organisation, LLP or (in Scotland) partnership. This applies whether you compile the list yourself, or buy or rent a list from a reputable data broker.

The practicalities? A horribly low response rate that almost certainly won't cover your costs. And yes, some recipients might not welcome an uninvited email and consider it spam (even though it's technically not), so you may experience a PR backlash.

I wish I had some killer suggestions for alternative options, but I do wonder if you're a classic case of someone who should simply network. A really classy and stylish business card (or postcard) would set out your stall. Drop in by your local printers too, maybe offer a commission for any referral work from them.

In fact, that's given me an idea. Prepare a really nice promo postcard, and ask your local printers to include it with their mailshots to clients (or even their invoices and statements). Incorporate a special offer 'exclusive' to those customers (as, ahem, specially negotiated by the printer on their behalf) with a tracking code. Then pay a commission to the printer for each piece of work generated by the offer.

Maybe worth a try?

George

 

[robmcnicoll]

Hi there,

If you have time check out this video from Bill Glazier's website. It's shows how someone in your market managed to acquire several new clients. It's also a great lesson in direct mail for any business owner.

nobstv.dankennedy.com/2011/03/shock-and-awe/

All the best

Rob

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I have looked for photographers in the past and been put off by stupid prices that equate to about £900 per day base on a couple of hours shoot

Base upon that I think you would do better with a mail drop of a flyer showing a few of your photo's and with a clear cost breakdown for say per hour, per day, in studio or at other location

Contact local council (Marketing dept) and get a list of businesses in area and send to all in say 20 mile radius, especially marketing, printers and manufacturing companies

Press release to local papers telling your story always gives free publicity