Printed proofs vs online gallery viewing

[Ensleygirl]

In light of the week I've had with a very difficult client, I am rethinking my process here. Is it better to provide printed proofs for the clients to see as opposed to online viewing? We could all sit down with the proofs, and the client could place an order at that time with a written contract signing off on the prints. The only problem with that is that people want to have time to think about it, and I am going to send a proof book home with them. And it sure would waste a lot of paper.

Another thing I thought of was to have the client meet me and see the gallery on my computer, if they choose, to avoid this kind of problem in the future. What do you all think is the best way to handle this?

Thanks!!!

[CaptainNH]

It's the way it was done in the days before digital, but printing everything is just going to cost you even more money.

With my clients, I prefer to sit down with them with my big (calibrated) glossy macbook and go through the shots one-on-one. As I have a copy of my local lab's printer profiles, I can be confident that there'll be a very close match between screen & print.

For clients (or relatives) who are ordering on-line, they obviously have to rely on their uncalibrated monitors, but, having been through the shots myself, I make sure I don't put anything online that I'm not 100% confident in.

[chalkie7]

Just a word of warning regarding on-line viewing. Only this week I uploaded approx 100 shots from a recent shoot to my web-site (client-only area) for the customer and family to choose from. What I didn't realise at first was that I'd inadvertently forgotten to disable the download facility on the newly-created album. I only found out about this when a mutual friend of the client and myself informed me that she'd seen my shots on Facebook! Theft...simple as. I intend to wait and see what order they finally place before deciding whether to take the matter further or not.

[FrankLamont]

In reference to Chalkie, I always place small watermarks and disable everything else. Low-res, etc.

[chalkie7]

Originally Posted by FriedChicken

In reference to Chalkie, I always place small watermarks and disable everything else. Low-res, etc.

yep, me too..but on this occasion I didn't! I'll not be making that mistake again I can tell you..

[Xposurepro]

If you are going to invest in the sales presentation, I would recommend projection. A big projection with sappy music to make the mom wipe away a few tears. Sitting around a computer screen or a table full of prints does not create this emotion. Emotion leads to sales and a big projection leads to the desire for larger prints and canvas wraps.
Sure they might "want" to have time to think things over at home .. talk about it .. talk about it some more .. think about the bills .. think about buying less prints. Don't give them the choice. If you do want to offer online viewing, offer it for 3 days. If they don't make their purchase within 3 days they are going to have to pay a fee for you to re-activate the online gallery. It's a extremely common business practice and it's in place for a reason. You want them to spend their money on emotion and impulse.

[olgabe]

Originally Posted by Xposurepro

If you are going to invest in the sales presentation, I would recommend projection. A big projection with sappy music to make the mom wipe away a few tears. Sitting around a computer screen or a table full of prints does not create this emotion. Emotion leads to sales and a big projection leads to the desire for larger prints and canvas wraps.
Sure they might "want" to have time to think things over at home .. talk about it .. talk about it some more .. think about the bills .. think about buying less prints. Don't give them the choice. If you do want to offer online viewing, offer it for 3 days. If they don't make their purchase within 3 days they are going to have to pay a fee for you to re-activate the online gallery. It's a extremely common business practice and it's in place for a reason. You want them to spend their money on emotion and impulse.

Interesting thought.. do you think this would work as well if your clients are getting digital negatives as a part of their package?

[OsmosisStudios]

I'm with CaptainNH: I bring my own laptop to show them using Expose.

Once they choose, I usually print some small samples and have them sign off on them, just to make sure.

[candidrachel]

I learnt the hard way. Now I invite them to my house and let them view on my pc and take orders there and then. Until I get enough money together to get a laptop and website that is how I will go about this.

I like the way OsmosisStudios does things.

[Xposurepro]

Originally Posted by olgabe

Interesting thought.. do you think this would work as well if your clients are getting digital negatives as a part of their package?

I don't think any upsell technique will work well if you're giving away your negatives. If dairy farmers gave away a free cow with every bottle of milk how many people do you think would bother to come back and buy another bottle of milk? .... butchers and BBQ lovers excluded of course.