28 Ways To Generate Leads For Your Photography Business
1. Submit your stock images to one of the many online stock agencies such as IStockPhoto. These companies allow you to have a bio page, and list links to other sites. Use this to selectively promote yourself to people that enjoy your work.
2. Send out letters to your past clients with a new promotion. Your best client is a past client. Make them a great offer that they just can’t refuse.
3. Send a press release to your local paper submitting a story idea. Newspapers, television, and radio shows are always on the lookout for a good storyline. Provide them with a story that’s relevant to the season, and makes for good news.
4. Visit a local chamber of commerce and sign up for the next networking group. Your Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of groups to network with, that could lead to new clients. Choose a few groups and visit them to make a handful of new connections.
5. Visit a local networking group and offer to photograph the group for the website. Many networking groups now use websites to promote their services. Adding photographs provide a personal touch, and will allow you to capture attention as a photographer.
6. Post a comment on an online message board. Make sure you provide a link back to your website, yet don’t blatantly sell your services. Provide good quality content, and show you know your industry well.
7. Call three prospects and promote your business. Think back over the past couple of weeks to the connections you’ve made. Choose the three that have the best possibility of becoming a client, and connect with them over the phone.
8. Write an article for one of your association newsletters. Most trade publications have a shortage of quality material. Offer an article to use, and use it to educate your association members.
9. Participate in an online forum or chatroom. Thousands of forums exist on any subject you can imagine. Find a place where potential clients visit regularly, and chat away.
10. Find a complementary business willing to hang samples in their offices. Provide them several samples at no cost. Make sure these images are your best work and are presented in the best possible way.
11. Get some flyers designed and printed and post them out to local addresses or hand them out. Make your flyer eye catching and straight to the point. Include a special offer, and a call to action, getting them to visit your website for more information.
12. Get you business involved with social media. Facebook and Twitter, gives you a greater reach and the ability to connect with people otherwise out of your reach.
13. Add more content to your website. Website are more interesting if they are constantly updated and fresh. Update your website on a weekly basis.
14. Take out a classified ad in a trade publication. The least expensive method of advertising in a print publication is in the classifieds. Try out a new promotion, or use it to gain leads.
15. Get signage for your car / vehicle, displaying your business branding and contact details. You are advertising your business as you go from A to B.
16. Call in to a radio talk show. Dozens of radio stations exist both locally and online that reach your potential customer base. Create a message, and start talking.
17. Have a photo party, and get several clients together in one location to try something new. Instead of having one portrait sitting per day, this would guarantee you several. And getting friends together would help your sales increase because of the excitement.
18. Put your branding on your clothing. On shirts or jackets for yourself and employees. Show your brand off proudly.
19. Set up a special, limited edition weekend. Use a local landmark as your background: snow days in the park, sand castles on the beach, and holiday magic in the city are just a few examples. Be creative.
20. Get involved in local good causes and fund raisers. It’s fun to get involved and puts you in front of other business owners and local people. As well as giving you the opportunity to give back you will get some good PR from your involvement.
21. Teach a class at your local library. Whether alone or with a complementary business, your local library can provide you with a room, resources to advertise the class, and a whole new potential customer base.
22. Partner a local business and do some kind of joint promotion.
23. Set up an exhibition stand at your local store, fair or expo. Make sure the demographics of those attending match your target market.
24. Create a portrait special at a local toy store. Kids love toys. What better place to capture quality portraits with a natural expression.
25. Offer to teach a photography class at a local school or recreation center. Many people have the desire to take better photographs. Create a class that shows the basics in a fun way.
26. Lead generation companies. There are lots of companies who provide lead generation services, selling photo experiences online, via retail outlets, selling leads onto photographers gathered from online and offline marketing activities. Many of these companies have an upfront cost, but a mixture of them can bring clients to your business.
27. Online directories. Some of these will advertise your business for a fee, but often these are saturated with other photographers all competing with you for the same clients.
28. Run a contest. Whether you set up a cutest baby contest, or offer a toys for tots promotion, get your customers involved in your business.