Business' that can book you business!

[richerimage]

Hi All

I would really appreciate some comments and advice on my marketing idea (hopefully the answers will benefit us all...)

I am looking to get local businesses to recommend/sell my portrait photography services via their outlets.

I am doing this by giving them some quality Ad Cards with a unique PROMOCODE on that entitles them to a 15% discount on any extra prints/mounts they would want.

Click on the link for an example - West Midlands Photographer Promotion Card
(for some reason page 1 is the rear and page 2 is the front)

They would then get a commission of any lead (I would know this by the promocode that the client quotes) or an even bigger commission if they booked the appointment (i.e. get the money in).

The question for the forum is 'What types of Business would be best?'.

My initial thoughts are:

Local Gym's (What better why to celebrate the new, thinner you than having some professional portraits taken)

Real Estate Agents (Celebrate your new family home with new family portraits)

Florists (Flowers for a new Mom = Baby portraits, etc)

Wedding Organisers (no need to explain with this one! )

I'm sure there is a bunch more; and hopefully we can all pool together and share some great ideas.

Needless to say, this would also be a great opportunity for joint ventures and link exchanges for websites.

I look forward to the responses.

[wannabehorsephotographer]

Sounds like a good idea - I know wedding photogs. do it a lot with wedding planners, florists, hotels, etc. Good luck!

[windrider86]

The possibilties are endless. Try also Hotels. They book large events.
Any sort of event, balloon, concerts, rodeos, Contact your local Chamber of Commerce. You have to become a member but the fee is usually a good trade off as you get referalls from them as well as listed in thier directory

[richerimage]

Nice ideas thanks. any more off anyone?

[prince]

Also try local martial art classes, dance classes, apartment complexes (similar to real estate), local camera shops, may be try to team up as a 2nd photographer.

[bagofscraps]

We got our wedding photographer through the hotel we got got married at, so that can definitely work!

How about charitable organisations? If you give them out to schools, youth clubs, maternity units they would be bound to get you some leads. It's low impact for them to hand them out and would give them some much needed cash!

[bethmrogers]

Florists (Flowers for a new Mom = Baby portraits, etc)
***********************
If you actually partnered with a florist shop and/or an event planner, and a local venue - put together some packages for new brides, mothers-to-be, etc; you each use the others in the group as a 'preferred vendor'; if the customer chooses to use the whole package, they get a better deal all the way around.
Then if you're suggesting a florist shop to a new bride, you're not just asking for her business, you're helping her with her entire budget.

[richerimage]

Thanks for the great ideas, will definitely put them into practice.

Any more idea's out there?

Thanks again!

[Seltzer]

Don't forget about schools and sports.. if you know any parents of kids that play sports that is a good way to get in and take some shots.
Church and other activities are good to. I did the church directory for my dad's church and not only did i get a lot of practice at it, I also got a lot of referrals and a lot of the members used my photos as Christmas cards as well.

[richerimage]

Originally Posted by Seltzer

Don't forget about schools and sports.. if you know any parents of kids that play sports that is a good way to get in and take some shots.
Church and other activities are good to. I did the church directory for my dad's church and not only did i get a lot of practice at it, I also got a lot of referrals and a lot of the members used my photos as Christmas cards as well.

Hi Seltzer

Thanks for your comments. What do you mean by a 'Church Directory'? Sorry to ask but it's the first time I've heard that term.

Thanks