Start-up Photography Biz

[jor133d]

Hi-

I am wondering if anyone has advice to get my portrait photography business going? I'm doing it on a shoestring budget which might be part of it, but its growing VERY slowly. Any marketing ideas that would be worth investing in to get my business growing at a faster rate?

Thanks!

[BALLERMODE]

Sign up with a decent host, like ipower.com and get hosting for something like $75/year which should include a domain name. Get a nice Flash template from a site like this: Website Templates - Flashloaded - Flash Website Templates and build it up with your photography. Use free sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote your site. On Facebook, sign up (for free) for the Visa Business Network, and they will credit you with $100 in free Facebook advertising. Use that to create ads and start making people aware of your company's presence.

For about $100-$200 you can look like a top notch company (assuming your photography is good) and start getting your name out.

[sep]

Contact smaller local schools (don't forget about Pre-Schools etc.) for class photos and see if you can offer them some samples and a price quote. What about also including Pets? Hit the local parks and pass out brochures to pet owners. Join the local Chamber for great networking opportunities.
Good Luck

[jonathanfigaro]

You can also go to local churches and let them know you are available for hire. Send them a portfolio and leave a business card. Do this throughout the tri state area. Remember your an entrepreneur, you cannot just go to 1 church and call it quits............like Jay-z said GO HARD!

I guarantee if you do this, multiple churches will call and if your really good, which I'm assuming you are, you will create word of mouth. Which is the best way to market yourself. People hear your name for photography they think, best quality, great conversation, and great prices.

So i suggest presenting your self to each church in a suit or casual. I say suit because it makes you look serious and very professional!

Good luck!

[2gould]

You need to read Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson. It specifically addresses situations such as yours. Buy it or borrow it from the library, and I am confident you will get some great ideas for your new business. Best of luck
Charley

[fthom]

Easiest way to gain an online presence if you don't already have one would be flickr - sign up for a free account though. Also, get networking online via social networks: twitter, blogger, tumblr etc. and get some business cards printed up? You in UK? If so I've got design + print on business cards at competitive prices!! PM me...

[tom-knox]

I can help you with your yea presence mate. I'm UK based but have worked with clients all over the world before. Let me know if you're interested.

[inle]

hi hi..
I m into marketîn & I will like to help u very much..
there r many campaigns 2 run, dependin on which area in marketing u want to focus..
& some requires little or no money down but can greatly boost up ur sales..

pls let me noe how I can support u in ur cause..

[lilg1989@gmail.com]

Juz like everyone else said promote yourself and your business yo may have to give free samples 1 sheeters amake sure you do best quality work. In a portfolio and samples

[arenacreative]

Word of mouth is powerful...I find that my local friends all want photoshoots now that they've seen my images on facebook. Also, you can try networking on Model Mayhem but there you will find mostly people doing trades, TFCD shoots and stuff. Great if you want to build your portfolio.