Marketing can be a scary word. It’s seems overwhelming, and is somewhat of a vague concept. When you delve deeper into it, though it’s not as intimidating as you think. There are many ways to market a small business, and you don’t need to go overboard with your marketing techniques. Burn out isn’t a good thing. Instead, choose two or three methods that feel good to you, and implement them consistently. If they work, keep doing them, if not, troubleshoot different strategies. Learn how to promote your photography business with these 5 tips.
Table of Contents
1. Word Of Mouth Marketing Strategy
My number one marketing method and one that won’t ever go out of style, is word-of-mouth advertising. Deliver the goods in a truly remarkable way, and your clients will spread the word. It’s all about excellence. Produce an excellent product and a fantastic experience, and see your sells soar. Be easy to work with, convey that your care, go out of your way to create, not only awesome images, but an over-the-top experience, and voila, you just marketed yourself for free! You are your best billboard.
Be head and shoulders above the competition by going the extra mile. This doesn’t take a lot of time or effort. Little things matter – a free gift to say thank you for your business, a couple of free prints that cost you nothing, some free advice. Go above and beyond in your efforts to please.
Your customers will be thrilled. Having a referral program is something to consider. As an example, for every referral an existing or past customer sends your way, gift them a free 8×10 or something equivalent. Who doesn’t love incentives? They are an fabulous way to get your clients to spread the word!
2. Start Blogging And Don’t Stop
Blogging is a great way to build your brand, and get your audience to know, like, and trust you. When they need a photographer, yours truly will pop into their mind. Blog consistently, be real, and engage with your readers by responding to their comments. Blogging is also a great way to showcase your images, and create an online portfolio. When you are out and about and someone inquires about your work, direct them to your website. Your images will do the talking for you.
You never know what opportunities may materialize from blogging. Blogs can lead to partnerships or connections with other photographers. They are a wonderful tool to get your name out there, and that right there, is advertising. If your blogging, you’re marketing. Educate and inform and see where it takes you. It will take you somewhere!
[Read More: How To Market A Photography Business | 5 Tips]
3. Share Your Shoots
This technique piggy backs on the previous technique – blogging. Consistently sharing your valuable content on social media will increase your following, build your brand, and get your name out there. Share every post you write. Before you know it you’ll have a loyal fan base of followers that could be potential clients.
Every article you write and every time you share on social media will increase your search engine optimization. Everyone loves images, but in themselves, visuals aren’t great for SEO. Google likes text and that’s why blogging is such an essential tool for SEO. The more traffic that’s directed to your site, the more sales you’ll see. That’s the name of the game. It’s a good business model.
Encouraging your clients to share their images on social media is another good way to increase your exposure. Watermark your images for instant advertising. It’s a win-win situation. Your clients get to show off their images, and you get free advertising. Always tag your images when posting. Leverage any technique you can.
4. Leverage Testimonials
We all love real-life testimonials. That’s one reason Amazon is so freaking awesome. I, literally, will not buy a product off their site without reading a testimonial. Nothing sells better than someone else’s experience. Ask your clients to write a testimonial, and post them on your website for the whole world to see.
This is called social proof. And it is one of the most powerful advertising techniques out there. Other peoples’ feedback and actions are something most of us rely on and need. Leverage testimonials to promote more sales. Read more about social proof here.
If you’re not using testimonials in your business, you’re missing out on an easy and effective marketing tool. Nothing sells better than someone else’s experience. Be sure and place your testimonials on the front page of your website where your visitors will be sure to see them. A fun idea is to place a person’s testimonial on one of the pictures you took for them. You are then showcasing your images along with a testimonial.
5. Keep Doing What You’re Doing
If your efforts are working, keep doing them or do them even better. Consistency is always key. Try adding a new marketing tactic every so often to shake things up. Keep things new and fresh. Take stock every so often of what strategies are converting the best, and do more of them.
Stay abreast of new social trends. Track your goals and take steps every day to meet them. Break them up into weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. Always be aware of how your business is progressing or regressing. A little awareness goes a long way.
Key Points
Your customers, will not only cherish their images for years to come, but will always remember how you made them feel. Being photographed isn’t easy – especially for certain people. It can be intimidating and make some people feel really vulnerable.
Our jobs as photographers is to put those we photograph at ease, make them feel safe, and assure them they’re doing alright. Communicate with your clients, and make them feel loved and important. That’s the absolute best marketing strategy out there!
What marketing techniques have you tried with success? Let me know in the comments:)
Hi Holly,
I have enjoyed your post. I have seen a friend scale her photography business by blogging. Because blogging gave her the opportunity to learn even more about photography. So, whatever she learned, she shared it on her blog.
And that blog allowed her to showcase her work, all the pictures she used were her own. I think it was also a ranking factor for her website, after only 40 posts with original content and photos, her website was on the first page of Google in a month or so.
I agree with you a photographer should start blogging.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow, good for you friend for getting on the first page of Google. That’s awesome! Blogging, in my opinion, is essential for building a business, and is a great platform for providing valuable information to a client base. And of course, for showcasing a portfolio. It’s also a great way to learn new ways of doing things, and then sharing that expertise.
Thanks so much for reading!
Dear Holly,
Recently, I started following my passion for photography. As a result, I’ve learned about photography from my friend who is a photographer by profession and also learning online.
My friend is doing it offline, and he doesn’t know much about online marketing. I am a blogger so he believes I can help him take his business to the next level. While doing some research online I came across your helpful and informative article. I got great insights from your article.
The 5 tips you shared are very helpful about being a blogger I will implement tip 2 first. Indeed, blogging can open many unexpected doors to success.
Great information, you have really given a lot of value here.
Much Success!
Paul
Hi Paul.
Thank you. That’s awesome you’re learning photography from your friend. You can learn so much online as well. Blogging will be critical for your friend because his content will drive people to his site where they can then take advantage of his services and it’s great exposure for his brand.
Your skills will certainly help him. I wish I had done things differently when I first started out as a photographer. Thanks for reading!
Hi Holly,
I totally agree that word of mouth is one of the best ways to promote your business; wise choice as to put that as your first tip. Blogging and sharing samples of your photography, is also an excellent idea, as it creates a forum for discussion and feedback on your business. Great idea about asking your customers to leave a testimonial about their experience; a great way to show what makes your business unique from the competition.
A great post and thank you for sharing these helpful suggestions!
Robert
Hi Robert,
Yes, word of mouth, in my opinion, is going to be the best endorsement for photography services, and of course, potential clients will want to see a photographer’s portfolio. I also like asking previous clients for testimonials.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!