How to Advertise for a New Photography Business
If you are an owner of a new photography business, you will need to advertise in order to gain recognition and build enough business to make a living. While some business will come through word-of-mouth, having your name out there in other advertising mediums will make your name recognizable and can enhance your reputation. Advertising doesn't have to be costly, and you can start out by doing what you can afford and building up as you start to obtain more work.
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Instructions
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Gather some samples of your best work. You can use photos of your family and friends or photos of nature or animals. If you don't have many samples, volunteer to photograph a local event or a friend's wedding in exchange for the rights to use the photos in your portfolio.
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Create a portfolio. Choose photos that demonstrate the range of your skills, using different poses, different lighting and different subjects. You will use this portfolio to show potential clients when you meet with them.
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Create a business website. You can attempt to do this yourself, using tools offered by website hosting services, such as GoDaddy's Website Tonight, or you can hire a professional web designer to create one for you. Many potential clients will research a photographer on the Internet before contacting him, so your website should include quality samples of your work and an easy method for contacting you.
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Ask for referrals from family, friends and former clients. Offer your clients a discount or a free sitting fee on future appointments with every referral they send your way.
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Get some quality business cards. Display your contact and website information on your cards, and hand them out every chance you get. You can hire a graphic designer to design your business cards, or you can design them yourself using tools available through VistaPrint or another printing service.
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Place ads in local publications. If your local newspaper offers a special insert related to weddings in the spring, be sure to place an ad in it. Keep an eye out for any special publications in your community that are targeted towards brides, seniors, graduation or other special events that hire photographers. Place an ad in as many publications as you can afford.
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Obtain a listing in the Yellow Pages. Many potential brides will look in the Yellow Pages for a list of photographers if no one has been recommended to them by family or friends. You don't want to miss out on potential business by not having a listing in the photography section of the Yellow Pages.
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Tips & Warnings
Most business will come through word-of-mouth referrals after you have done several jobs. Offering a referral discount will encourage clients to refer you to family and friends.
