Outside-the-box marketing
Jesse Placencia, Photogenic Arts, Fort Worth
I own a small photography business and I am looking to try and reach a large market cost effectively. I have tried sites like Craigslist.org and placing ads in newspapers but it's just not working. When using Craigslist, people are too cheap and when using newspapers advertising costs are too expensive to keep the ad going consistently. I was wondering if anyone out there can help me find a new way of marketing my services or suggest an old way that works. Surly I have not thought of everything?
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From Jesse placencia, fort worth, texas I would like to thank everyone who has offered to help me in my never ending quest for marketing advice. I am going to redo my website http://www.photogenicarts.com to include more text so that it ranks in google. Also I really like the idea of charity work. For that I will start with my local church. Please fill free to email me if you have a service that may prove of use to me. Photogenicarts@hotmail.com
Thanks again
Jesse placencia
From Amy in MO Hi Jesse,
The first thing you need to do is optimize your website for the search engines. Your website doesn't have a title, keywords or description. You really want to target to Photography/Photographers in Ft Worth. There are roughly 5000 people who search for this service every month. If you can get your site ranked, you can get free business every month. We offer free advice on getting traffic to your website at http://www.cheapwebdesignschool.com. Learn how to get free business by doing it yourself.
Good luck,
Amy
From Gerry, Milwaukee, WI Have you looked into joining a professional association such as the Professional Photographers of America (ppa.com)? They can help (through education) with your art, business and marketing. Also, network with other related businesses in your area. Offer samples in exchange for coupons to their customers for example. Networking groups can also help depending on how stuctured an environment they project. If they are too structured you can start your own with good businesses in related fields.
From Alex. middlesex NJ FOCUS TARGET, When you try to reach everyone most of the times you reach no one. see who are your best customes and why they come to you, then find groups that are similar to them and focus your efforts on this group. Schools and non profits are a great way to start, but remember to not overextend your range, Focus, Focus, Focus
From Buddy Hooper, Hudson, FL I think we are in a position to help you, please check out our website, http://WWW.OrangeBee.com
From shawn, Windham NH How about exclusive direct mail to the demographics specific to your potential customers? Target the message or offer don't just use the shotgun approach with newspaper or craigslist etc.
From sam , palmdale, ca hello there
my name is sam and i'm sorry that you are having trouble marketing your business. I can able to help your costing you less to put an ad on 40 different engines online like " Google, yahoo, yellopages etc..
pls let me help you
From Maverick, Springfield MO Give a little to get a lot. Think about doing the charity event. I know after The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Light the Night", I go out of my way to spend my money at the sponsorship locations.
I met my photographer at a night spot that was there doing Halloween pics for three bucks a piece. The pics were ready in minutes, and very well done. I later called him and have been using him for my group, family, and business (web site) ever since.
From James, Metairie, La. Rent space in a mall or alongside a strip mall to display your unique style of photography.
Search the local newspaper for recently promoted executives and send them postcards congratulating them then pitch your special offer.
From denise may, Rochester, NY I've seen people advertise on Twitter daily with a link to a product website. Pretty effective when you want to see their latest creation.
From Rita in Orlando, FL My children's preschool has the same professional photographer come in each year, and she takes lovely pictures of the kids individually in a non-school-photo kind of format (ie., not the kind that normally gets sent home from school from a big company).
the photographer takes photos of each child, will include siblings too. Then she develops the pictures, and sends them in along with an order form. If the parents like them, they can buy the photo plus reprints. If they don't like them, they return the "proof."
Last year I bought $200 of photos, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. That $200 covered all of her production costs, I'm sure. If you could present your services to several pre-schools and secure dates with them…. that could be really profitable.
This same photographer, in her order forms also lists her phone number and website and offers to do family group photos in a private setting.
Sure gets your name out there!
From Debbie Hopkins, Springfield MO In a nut shell: Radio+ Internet is a cost effective way for small businesses to reach local consumers and get results. 93% of the population listens to radio every week. For your niche, find a popular adult contemporary station (soft rock) that targets women 25-54 years old with a $50K+ household income and a great website. Then find an experienced radio rep and go to work. She will write your commercials (key) to attract listeners to call or visit your website- Family photo Christmas cards are excellent this time of year? Add the internet exposure with this station and you'll reach your LOCAL listeners/future customers. Schedule 21 commercials during prime each week 6a-7p) or pick a daypart (specific time of day) in your budget and air strong and consistent during that time each week. Many stations are doing holiday gift certificate sales this time of year and you can trade part of your advertising for placement in these promotions. Radio+ the station's website provide cost effective options to make this media work. It's a winning combination and it works. It's also easy to make changes in a hurry with no or small production costs. A professional Rep will walk you through this and be a valuable marketing partner.
Another resource to always have on hand is "The Wizard of Ads" by Roy Williams. Good Luck and don't give up.
From Anonymous Have you considered giving your services away to a nonprofit? This would give you exposure to the community, their clients, their volunteers and their board members. Pick a highly visible event or project perhaps you can do a calendar that the nonprofit can use to market themselves.
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Jesse,
I would definitely start working on an email and print mailing list. This is a great way to keep up with current and potential customers. I would create a database that included birthdays, anniversaries, graduation dates, ect and send them a coupon before the big event. I would buy cards and send put the coupons in the cards. With the internet and email, many businesses are no longer using the personal touch of handwritten notes, I would do this to foster a relationship with customers. The cost of your services are fairly expensive so when I targeted schools, I would target high end schools where families are already spending money on their children and have the money to spend. Develop a list of high end private schools in your area and get in touch with the adminstrators and see about offering your services to them, you could also try donating your services to the schools of interest for some special event/s. I would add more photos to your website showcasing the areas that are available. Put up graduation photos, prom photos, wedding, etc.
You can try partnering with some local businesses, how about some of the high end beauty shops in your area, or high end boutiques, bridal shops, etc.
Jenn