Use of coupons

[amy_bb]

So I shot my first football games on Saturday under my new business. I had lots of great feedback, lots of oohs and ahhs on the pics and 88 viewers so far.

But only one purchase.....


Let me preface my next remarks by saying I didn't expect instant success, riches, fame and fortune. I'm still glad for the experience, I learned a lot and hey, I just started out so all is well.


If you were me, would you offer a coupon on those pics from these 4 games that reads something like:

Quick Order Discount: Order prints from this weekend's games by Sunday 9/4 and get 15% off all orders over $15.00.

Is that good incentive or does it say----damn, she's desperate and needs/wants sales,


My fear is that with me shooting these games all season, the parents will wait until the season is done with the intent of buying from the whole lot. Then, the number of snaps will be overwhelming and they will just put if off b/c they don't feel like going through them all.


Welcome your thoughts on this.

[mokka]

It definitely doesn't say you're desperate, it's good practice as a business to try and spur your customers into making their minds up and lots of big successful businesses do exactly the same thing. They way you've worded it sounds professional and clear as well. If I was at that game and was given something with that offer on then I'd at very least be straight on to your website to see if there are any photos that I might want, in order not to let the offer slip me by.

As for parents who want to wait till the season end... is it possible to make it easier for them to find the photos their kids are in, or to allow them to add photos that take their interest to a basket of some kind so that they can review which photos they've added.

You could always encourage them to buy a 'season ticket' from you, which would basically be them paying for a set number of photos up front with some kind of offer attached, then they can pick which ones they want at the end of the season, they're not gonna be too lazy to go through them if they've already paid for them.

[Angus_McIntosh]

I have used coupons --a baseball tournament and a hockey tournament - I placed an ad in the tournament program offering 15% off, 20% off and 25% off orders over 20, 30 and 40 bucks respectively. Only people took advantage...

I think i need to sharpen my skills...post fewer pics

McIntosh Action Photography

[terri33inne]

I like the -pre-pay package idea. Also, only keep the gallery for a short time so they know they have to act quickly. The other thought is to offer an album at the end of the season... something like... order 20 for the season, and at the end of the season get a free proof album of your selected images?
Very nice shots!

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by mokka

It definitely doesn't say you're desperate, it's good practice as a business to try and spur your customers into making their minds up and lots of big successful businesses do exactly the same thing. They way you've worded it sounds professional and clear as well. If I was at that game and was given something with that offer on then I'd at very least be straight on to your website to see if there are any photos that I might want, in order not to let the offer slip me by.

As for parents who want to wait till the season end... is it possible to make it easier for them to find the photos their kids are in, or to allow them to add photos that take their interest to a basket of some kind so that they can review which photos they've added.

You could always encourage them to buy a 'season ticket' from you, which would basically be them paying for a set number of photos up front with some kind of offer attached, then they can pick which ones they want at the end of the season, they're not gonna be too lazy to go through them if they've already paid for them.

Mokka-I do organize the galleries by game date and then by age group so hopefully they can continue to find their child in the photos long after the game has ended. I like the season ticket idea and it definetly warrants more exploration on Zenfolio to see what kind of coupon/prices options can be offered. Great idea!
The parents that search the site can mark photos as "favorites" and then go back and view those later.

Originally Posted by Angus_McIntosh

I have used coupons --a baseball tournament and a hockey tournament - I placed an ad in the tournament program offering 15% off, 20% off and 25% off orders over 20, 30 and 40 bucks respectively. Only people took advantage...

I think i need to sharpen my skills...post fewer pics

McIntosh Action Photography

I looked at your opening slideshow and you have some nice shots! If you're looking to improve your skills, take Jim Bryant in your head with you when you go to shoot a game! Get on your butt! Crop closer! Move around the action! How many people took advantage of your offer?

Originally Posted by terri33inne

I like the -pre-pay package idea. Also, only keep the gallery for a short time so they know they have to act quickly. The other thought is to offer an album at the end of the season... something like... order 20 for the season, and at the end of the season get a free proof album of your selected images?
Very nice shots!

I am trying to figure out how to offer discounts to returning customers through Zenfolio w/o having to individually email each buyer after their purchase. I like this idea of the album!

[Jim Bryant]

That's why I stopped wasting my time taking photos at pee wee, little league and high school football games. The only way to make money is by reservation only.