Quote:
Originally Posted by shutterbug_wannabe
Sarah, I give anyone who orders within 30 days a 20% off coupon to do so. I also give a free 8x10 and 8 free wallets. This costs me just 5 bucks and gets them in gear.
|
Great idea - I'm restructuring everything for 2009 - I think something similar will definitely be implemented!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahgirl777
Well I have taken yours and other advice and have started working on charging a sitting fee. What I have come up with is this. $40 for a minimal 1hour session, one location with a $20 print credit if they order within 14 days of the shoot. (It may seem cheap to some still, but I'm in a small town with a very low cost of living and wages, so I'm starting here to make sure I"m in the photography market ballpark) I had an online gallery, but I'm going to try having a sit down proofing session instead and asking for their order at that time. We'll see how it goes. I'm also increasing my print prices too as even my friends and family thought they were awful low. I'm feeling pretty good about my photography skills, and feel that I'm worth paying for, I was just trying to get a bunch of sittings quick so I'd have a portfolio to work with. I do have a couple more free shoots already booked, so I'm thinking that should do it for my portfolio for now and any future sessions will have a fee. Now I just have to figure out how to get my name out there!
|
I'm from a rural area as well - and familiar with Hays, KS - and I've seen your work. I don't know what the competition is like in Hays, but I charge $50 for a session fee and $10 for an 8x10 - prices go from there. I stated on my site that the prices are an introductory discount because I am a new professional for 2008 with plans to increase prices in 2009. Seems to be going okay - make about $10 an hour. My point is don't undersell yourself. I still feel like I'm underselling myself, but you are right in a rural area sometimes you don't have too many options - I'm already a new photographer charging as much or more than the competition - but if you can get people to pay it - why not charge it?
My best advertising came from an art/trade show. I paid my $15 booth fee, set up examples of my best shots, and handed out business cards. If I do it again, I am going to implement a drawing so that I have contact info for those interested in a shoot and can send out reminders/updates occassionally so people don't forget about me. From that show I booked a few sessions, those people recommended me to others, and hopefully I will do a good enough job with those that they will recommend me to their friends too. I have also tried working with the high schools to take pics of seniors who couldn't otherwise afford it and hung up business cards - not too many leads on these though.
I am having a problem with people ordering efficiently too. I know they like their pics because they tell me and they tell their friends, and eventually they do order. I'm so glad you asked the ? because I've been looking for a way to get them to order faster without being pushy. I know that people are busy, and I myself spend months before I even get my own pics printed
