Need a strategy

[NicoleScraps]

I did senior photos yesterday for an girl (class of 2012) from a local high school and they turned out great. I posted 20 previews on my facebook page. She has tagged herself, shared on her wall and in the past 12 hours, I have gotten about 25 new "fans" that are all high school students. Everytime I click on facebook, I have about 5 more fans. I am super happy. This is what I wanted to happen. It was my game plan with this girl specifically because she is one of the popular kids. Cheerleader, really pretty, etc etc.
But now I feel like I need to post something, a comment, a booking incentive, my available dates....I am not sure. Hubby and I are sitting her brainstorming right now.
What do you think? I don't want to bombard people and become annoying, but I would like to fill up my next three months with senior photos. I think I can make that happen with the right strategy.

Any help here? I stink at the business/marketing stuff. I need to really focus on improvement in that area. TIA!!

[Jim Bryant]

New friends/fans are one thing, prospective customers are another. I have over 1,700 Facebook fans and has that brought me anymore work. Nope! You need to approach the high school about putting Senior Portrait flyers in the office, so that the students can grab.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

New friends/fans are one thing, prospective customers are another. I have over 1,700 Facebook fans and has that brought me anymore work. Nope! You need to approach the high school about putting Senior Portrait flyers in the office, so that the students can grab.

I already did that. They all said no because they have contracts with the studios who do the yearbook photos. They are not allowed to advertise for other photographers. So I have been using the rep/ambassador system that I heard about from taking an web-seminar about senior photo marketing. Do a couple of kids with no sitting fee. Give them some sort of incentive to get me referrals (in this case, I am giving her $10 in free prints for every referral). I print special business size cards with one or two of their photos, my business info etc for them to hand out to their friends.

[Biomech]

What about an Easter discount code? But remember, a "discount code" is a marketing tool used to make people think they are getting a better deal - a lot of places will put the price up to compensate :P

[Niresangwa]

There's a member here who sometimes posts, can't remember his name now, based out of Kansas City... he and his Wife pretty much cornered a market in KC in Senior work. I'm sure if you can check out his FB page etc you can get some great inspiration..

..i don't have time to look for his name (I know his avatar is a cartoon guy)... posts a lot in this subforum and on the subject of digital images Vs selling prints etc...

and now im done giving no help at all, i'll shut up

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

There's a member here who sometimes posts, can't remember his name now, based out of Kansas City... he and his Wife pretty much cornered a market in KC in Senior work. I'm sure if you can check out his FB page etc you can get some great inspiration..

..i don't have time to look for his name (I know his avatar is a cartoon guy)... posts a lot in this subforum and on the subject of digital images Vs selling prints etc...

and now im done giving no help at all, i'll shut up

You know what, now that you mention it, I know who you are talking about, but I have no idea what his username is either. I will have to do some digging. Thanks!! That was actually helpful.

[Niresangwa]

I want to say this is it.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I want to say this is it.

You rule!

[gturner]

Well, these guys have come to you, so you now have a direct link to sell to them without going through the school channel. That is 10,000 times more effective.

Your next step is to market to your new fans, simple as that.
Offer a good package to the 20 new fans, which will soon grow once the word gets out. You don't need to discount, you need to offer value. Remember that you know have the ability to up-sell it into full family shoots, parties and all kinds of things.

You are in a very good space right now, just keep it under control and don't over extend yourself trying to chase business.

[zona5101]

So if they fan you, they get your posts in their stream...post that your dates are filling up fast. I don't think you need (or want) to have a special...You just want to create a sense of urgency & limited opportunity.