How to Market to High School Seniors for Senior Pictures
Senior pictures are a rite of passage for many high school students. These portraits allow students to show off their personalities and accomplishments as they mark their last year of high school.
As a photographer, you want to capture a share of this large, and lucrative, market. It can prove challenging, however, given that there are likely many photographers in your area doing the same thing. You can set yourself apart from your competition with innovative marketing ideas that target the students directly.
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Instructions
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Advertise in a student publication. It's true that parents are normally the ones paying for the portraits, but students often decide which photographer to use for their senior pictures. Capturing their attention with a large, colorful advertisement in the student newspaper or yearbook is one way to get recognition among high school students.
Placing an ad in a student publication is as simple as contacting the newspaper or yearbook adviser at the high schools in your area. These advisers are normally in charge of advertising and can give you the specifics about placing an advertisement.
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Create a referral program. High school students are more likely to listen to their peers when it comes to finding a photographer for their senior pictures. Use this to your advantage by asking current senior picture clients to promote your services to their friends and classmates. In return, give these clients something in exchange for the new clients. What you give them is up to you--it can be anything from a discount on their photo package to gift cards to local stores.
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Harness the power of social media. Today's high school students are among the most active users of websites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. You can reach these students by creating accounts on each of these websites and posting relevant information that students will respond to. These social media websites also provide the means to post senior picture package specials.
One way to create buzz on social media websites is to offer "Web only" specials to students if they tell their friends about your service. For example, you could give students a discount on their package if they have a certain number of their friends add your Facebook page or follow you on Twitter.
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Partner with other relevant businesses to cross-promote your studio. Relevant businesses are places like fast-food restaurants, clothing stores and recreational centers in your area that attract high school students. Ask these businesses if they'll distribute your brochure to students. In exchange, you can promote their business at your studio in some way, like placing their brochures in your waiting area.
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