finding wedding photography leads...

[mig2982]

Hi All,

I was hoping the community might be able to give me a bit of insight into a project I am working on to make wedding photographers lives a bit easier. I am building a website which will aggregate information from engaged couples who are actively looking to hire a photographer. Local photographers could then log in to the site and, for a fee ($20-$100), place a bid to shoot the potential clients wedding. You will be able to search through the gig leads by information such as client budget, location, event type, etc so that you can find gigs which are tailored to your experience and style.

Would you purchase leads to find new customers? How much would you be willing to pay? Essentially, you would be paying for someone to go out and do the leg work of finding you new customers so that you could concentrate on shooting.

All of your input is greatly appreciated.

Em Gee

[SusanH1970]

Event Planning - Find wedding hall, party rooms, conference rooms, meeting and event space already does something similar, and the lead purchases are only around $2.50.

Well, not so much aggregating, but I don't even shoot weddings and I get leads for them an average of 2 - 3 times per week in my inbox, lol. Obviously I don't purchase the lead info since I'm not a wedding photographer.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by mig2982

Would you purchase leads to find new customers?

No, Not all leads are good leads.
It's important we market to our target market, and to people who like our style of imagery.
Working for people who aren't fully into what you're selling is a recipe for a complaint or misunderstanding.

If you could get rides to fill out a questionaire of what sort of images they like it woud be beter
But, I still wouldn't pay for individual leads.


infact:
GoogleAdwords already lets me pay per lead, but thats only $1 or so MAX.
So, Yes, I already do pay for leads... but not in the way you are suggesting or at that price.

Originally Posted by mig2982

Essentially, you would be paying for someone to go out and do the leg work of finding you new customers so that you could concentrate on shooting.

Ho would YOU go about finding the new customers, getting them to fil out all their information, only to be spammed by dozens of photographers who have bought their contact details? ...I don't know anyone who likes getting cold calls.

What is the advantage to the bride to use your site?

Even if it's a case of Highest bidder wins.. theres no guarantee that contact will even like me or my images.

Currently I have a 100% booking rate with couples I have met with since i sarted showing the finished product sample to them in the meeting.
They have vetted me first, and then my e-mail follow up is pretty good.

All the best with it though. I do hope it works out for you.. There may be others out there who would use it.

lol...no. A lot of websites offer that, and I always laugh. Most of these sites lure brides in by giving them helpful information, and then they sell their information to a bunch of dupes. These dupes contact the brides, who treat them like spam.

You'll get more business spending $500 at a bridal show than you will ever get with 200 "leads".

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

lol...no. A lot of websites offer that, and I always laugh. Most of these sites lure brides in by giving them helpful information, and then they sell their information to a bunch of dupes. These dupes contact the brides, who treat them like spam.

You'll get more business spending $500 at a bridal show than you will ever get with 200 "leads".

True! We spent $300.00 for two spaces and booked 12 weddings on the spot.

[Jim Bryant]

Let try this one to see if an photo actually attaches.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Let try this one to see if an photo actually attaches.

Nope. Just black rectangle...

[Biomech]

I seem to be getting alot of requests for gay marriages/civilpartnerships at the moment. Not that I mind, but I guess there are a few photographers out there who aren't so keen on it. - could be my speciality :P

[slugger]

I've got my information listed on a dozen of those sites, and don't pay for any of them. Every so often I get an email saying that there is a bride in my area looking for a photographer...and they want me to pay $20-$200 a month for one or two leads...if that? No thanks.
Decidio.com offers good leads - that are only listed if the person answers a call back from a decidio rep. confirming the lead before it's published. And they sell for $2.00 each. I've booked two from them in the last two years - out of about 6 purchased.
eventective.com offers leads for $2.50 with full money back guarantee if you don't hear back from the customer within 12 days. I've booked about 6 from here in the last 2 years - and only paid for those since I was refunded for the others purchased.


@ Jim - hell of a set up there!! I would have booked with you on the spot too!!

[Tim Spencer]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Let try this one to see if an photo actually attaches.

Jim:

Awesome booth! Have a question: the sofa is positioned so that visitors sit facing away from you - how do you converse with potential clients? Or is the sofa simply asthetic and you use the tables?