25 Ways To Generate Leads
For Your Photography Business
1. Submit your stock images to one of the many online stock
agencies such as IStockPhoto. Stock companies allow you to
build a bio page, and list links to other sites and information.
Use this to selectively promote yourself to people that enjoy
your work.
2. Send a press release to your local paper submitting a story
idea. Newspapers, television, and radio shows are always on
the lookout for a good storyline. Provide them with a story
that's relevant to the season, and makes for good news.
3. Visit a local networking group and offer to photograph
the group for the website. Many of today's networking groups
have a website to promote their services. Adding photographs
provide a personal touch, and will allow you to capture attention
as a photographer.
4. Send out letters to your past clients with a new promotion.
Your best client is a past client. Make them an offer they
can't refuse.
5. Visit a local chamber of commerce and sign up for the next
networking group. Your chamber of commerce offers a variety
of groups for you to network with. Choose a few groups and
visit them to make a handful of new connections.
6. Find a complementary business willing to hang samples in
their offices. Provide them several framed images at no cost.
Because these images will potentially hand in the office for
many months, make sure you use your best work, and provide
top quality in both mounting and framing.
7. Post a comment on an online message board. Make sure you
provide a link back to your website, yet don't blatantly sell
your services. Provide good quality content, and show you know
your industry well.
8. Call three prospects and promote your business. Think back
over the past couple of weeks to the connections you've made.
Choose the three that have the best possibility of becoming
a client, and connect with them over the phone.
9. Create flyers and hand them out at a networking event.
Make your flyer short and to the point. The purpose should
be to make them connect with you, either by brining in a coupon,
or visiting your website for more information.
10. Write an article for one of your association newsletters.
Most trade publications have a shortage of quality material.
Offer an article to use, and use it to educate your association
members.
11. Add more content to your website. Websites are meant to
change and grow. Make adding content to your website a weekly
task.
12. Run a contest. Whether you set up a cutest baby contest,
or offer a toys for tots promotion, get your customers involved
in your business.
13. Take out a classified ad in a trade publication. The least
expensive method of advertising in a print publication is in
the classifieds. Try out a new promotion, or use it to gain
leads.
14. Join a social networking website. Social networking groups
exist both online and locally. Try one online, and expand your
business beyond your local area.
15. Participate in an online forum or chatroom. Thousands
of forums exist on any subject you can imagine. Find a place
where potential clients visit regularly, and chat away.
16. Make a magnetic sign for your car. From a simple magnetic
door sign, to an entire car wrap, make your vehicle a moving
advertisement.
17. Call in to a radio talk show. Dozens of radio stations
exist both locally and online that reach your potential customer
base. Create a message, and start talking.
18. Have a photo party, and get several clients together in
one location to try something new. Instead of having one portrait
sitting per day, this would guarantee you several. And getting
friends together would help your sales increase because of
the excitement.
19. Create shirts and caps with your logo and website information.
Instead of wearing a big companies logo, create your own. Make
sure your family and employees all have a few too.
20. Set up a booth at a local fair or expo. There are expos
for every target audience. Find one that matches your demographics,
and find some new clients.
21. Volunteer for a community project or non-profit fundraiser.
It's always fun to get involved. This puts you in contact with
other business owners that may be able to promote you – and
allows you to give back at the same time.
22. Offer to teach a photography class at a local school or
recreation center. Many people have the desire to take better
photographs. Create a class that shows the basics in a fun
way.
23. Teach a class at your local library. Whether alone or
with a complementary business, your local library can provide
you with a room, resources to advertise the class, and a whole
new potential customer base.
24. Create a portrait special at a local toy store. Kids love
toys. What better place to capture quality portraits with a
natural expression.
25. Set up a special, limited edition weekend. Use a local
landmark as your background: snow days in the park, sand castles
on the beach, and holiday magic in the city are just a few
examples. Be creative.
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