Friend Referral Ideas for Photographers
Photography is primarily a word-of-mouth business. Potential clients might be exposed to a photographer’s work through television, the Internet or an art gallery; most photographers, however, gain clients through referrals from other clients or friends. Thus, it is imperative that photographers offer top-notch customer service and operate referral programs in order to increase business.
Other People Are Reading
-
Connect With Your Clients
-
The MPC Actions website suggests going the extra mile to connect with your clients. Pay special attention to clients and take time to discuss their interests and needs. This might manifest itself in helping a client hang prints around a home or in discussing venues or events with a family. This, reason the people at MPC Actions, will give the client the impression that you are more than just any photographer; thus, you are more likely get referrals from that client.
Custom Items
-
Another way to amass referrals from clients, says Leah Remillet of MPC Actions photographer, is to make some sort of custom item that will spark conversation. That custom item might be a keychain or a cellular phone case with one of the client’s prints embedded on it. The end goal is to use that custom item as a talking point; this will also increase your referrals and your business.
-
Give Clients Incentives
-
The photographers at MAB Photographers run a friendship referral program that offers their clients incentives to continue using their services. The program works like this: the client refers a friend to MAB Photographers. If that friend books a session with the company, then the original client receives a voucher for 10 percent off of the next photography session. This works best if clients have reason to book multiple sessions; a family wanting annual portraits for a Christmas card, for example, might be such a client, as would a small business wanting to photograph its operations for a website or brochure.
Ask for Referrals
-
The simplest way to get something that you want is to ask for it and the Photography Concentrate website recommends just that. Talk to your clients not only about their photography needs but also about their friends’ photography needs. If the client fits well with you as a photographer, then the client’s friends likely will as well. If a particular project seems to be a good fit, offer to do it. Suggest that your clients recommend your services and give them a business card to pass along to that friend as well.
-
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
