Hello All:

I am a portrait photographer for a national chain that is looking to go out on my own.  In my current possition,  usually do 3-5 sits a day.  If I could do even a quarter of that, I could more than replace what they are paying me. 

 My question concerns marketing.  I am in a small town near an Airforce base with 6 other photographers.  Still, the Chamber of Commerce, and others I have polled seem to think there is room for one more.  The main reason for this is lack of flexability with the current six.  None will do location work, without significantly increasing te price.  None will do Family reunions withont a large depost.  Four of the six will not make it anyway.  (Sorry to be harsh.)    I plan on mimicing my current companies plan on gaining customer loyalty, however, I need initial customers.  Not associated with my currentl emplyer. 

I am considering doing a Baby Blitz, and mail out a postcard to the birth anounements in the local paper.  I am torn between doing a teaser offer, that would generate business good and bad, or just an add advertising my regular prices.  I don't want to waste time with poeple who can't, or wont pay for a quality portrait, but then again, I know that a percentage of these will become strong loyal customers.  I would love to hear feedback from people who have offred the teaser type offeres like a simple portrait package for $39.99.  Obviosly, you would attemt to upsale. 

 

Thoughts please.

Andy Britt / Little Duck River, Manchester, TN

Many Portrait companies have you sign a document which states that you cannot compete with theme for "X" number of months or even years after you leave their employ. Many of them also place a restriction on the area in which you can operate (say, 20 mile radius from their location).

Check to see if this limitation has not been imposed on you first before going ahead with your plans.

-Koa-

You're right about that, but not in my case, I have no such agreement. I slipped through the cracks. 

 Due to the ecconomy, I have to generate a percentage of my own business, and I work less than full time hours.  NO-WAY I would sign the agreement now.  I know the proffit potential, and what I am generating for the company currently.  Both in clients, and in revenue.  If I only succeded in generating 20%, of what I am currently generating, I would break even. 

 They would have to increase my hours and pay significanty, and I don't see them doing that.  There are to many others out there that are like me, and woke up one day with out a job, and needed one really bad.  I don't blame the company, it is just good business, and in today's envirenment, survival.  However, in my case, signing such a document would be bad business on my end.

Little Duck.

 

"None will do location work, without significantly increasing te price. None will do Family reunions withont a large deposit"

 

There is a good reason for this...travel adds more time than just the time you're there and many photographers are burned by almost no sales generated from FR's and large groups.  You have to get your target money up front on those large groups.  Someone will by an 8x10 and scan it for everyone in a heart beat.

 

AhDoorubble:

Someone will by an 8x10 and scan it for everyone in a heart beat.

I have had this happen to me on a special portrait session that I did.  Funny thing is, I sold the copy rights to the client, which I don't normally do.  The nephew, ordered all 8R's of each pose.  No smaller, no larger, perfect scan size.  I didn't bother to tell him that his aunt had the copyrights. 

This brings me to a question.  How do you control this?  I have been digitally signing my prints, but is there a better way?

Andy 

 

 

LittleDuck:

I am considering doing a Baby Blitz, and mail out a postcard to the birth anounements in the local paper.

 

 

Okay, this idea was a waste of time.  Now I will move on to some other idea.  If first you don't succeed..........

Andy