A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the great minds in photographic creativity and business... Sarah Petty! She filmed the first episode for MyMarketingClicks at Fridayphotoschool.
She was kind and adorable and I was a little star struck. A few months ago I found her website and her Joy of Marketing Series. I didn't just read her blog..I devoured it! I even went as far as downloading her Favorite Books List and renewing my Seth Godin's Purple Cow 3 times! So to stand there and to listen to her live and in person, I was speechless.
But I HAD to snap out of it because this woman could teach me a thing or 2 about business and I had to get over it and really learn.
The studio was decked out in pink, and tissue paper, and bright hued high gloss frames. It was pure eye candy. And one thing that Sarah really hit home is that presentation is EVERYTHING! Paying attention to the details and making thing look even prettier can go a long way.
So how would can I relate this to my life? Afterall..I am a WEEKEND WARRIOR...still building my portfolio...taking photos of friends and friends of friends. How can I take what I learned and apply it NOW?
Here was my solution.
Currently, I charge my clients a session fee, a travel fee (if applicable) and a fee for their images. Yes...I give away their image. I know many of you need a chance to catch your breath after that huge gasp of disbelief. I know this is the totally wrong way to do business and it will change at the first of the year but this is how I currently do things now.
I decided that instead of giving my clients plain old CD's..I would try Sarah Petty's advice..so here's a look at what I did.
First I used a paper punch to cut out the bird and branch design on different kinds of paper.
Then I used a permanent inkpad (think Sharpie Marker on an inkpad) to stamp the family name on the disc.
I glued the paper down onto the cover and it gave it just the right touch!
and Voila..no two designs are the same! Totally unique...just like the photographer who took the images!
My clients loved how the packaging looked and immediately raved about it to the person standing closest to them. These strangers who had never seen my photographs...were already impressed by the tiny details. Right then and there I realized that it wasn't about selling a photograph, it was creating an experience with my clients BEFORE, DURING and AFTER a session. Those tiny details can go a LONG way.
But wanna hear the crazy part? Doing these little extra touches made ME feel good about my service! So although the days of giving digital files away are over...the days of giving my work that extra touch and that extra detail have just begun!
And its all thanks to the inspiration of Sarah Petty. If you haven't seen her episode on MyMarketingClicks...go and get the REPLAY version of it now! And the bonus is the second MyMarketingClicks episode that will air Friday November 19th and will take place at Sarah Petty's studio! So mark you calendars now!
I posted a preview of MyMarketingClicks Four Ingredients to Your Marketing Mix below.
And because blogs are so much more fun when you can win stuff..we are gonna have another giveaway! This week's prize will be a LIVE ticket to the next MyMarketing Clicks show on November 19th at Noon CST. In this episode Sarah Petty will tell you the SIX CLICKS TO MAKING A FIRST IMPRESSION.
All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog and tell me what you do for your clients AFTER the sale that keeps them your happy and loyal customer!
Then go on Facebook and LIKE MyMarketing Clicks and LIKE Fridayphotoschool.
Post this blog on your facebook status and you will be entered an EXTRA time!
The contest ends on Weds. Nov.17 at 10pm CST.
Good Luck!
CONGRATULATIONS Faye, Prescilla and Michaela Ann!!!! You won the ticket. Please contact me at lyra_repplinger@yahoo.com
6 comments:
Hi Lyra~! Adorable little touch for your photo CDs! I keep my clients loyal by doing everything I can to make them feel like they are my favorite and most important client, even my friends. I think having a little friendly bond with your clients goes a long way in keeping them from going elsewhere, and also because you know them better, you know exactly what they are looking for in their portraits going forward, and they feel more comfortable with you, so you're less likely to get the "stiff look" in future sessions. That said, I feel marketing is my weakness right now and I need all the help I can get! :)
~Christine
Hi Lyra....great information for presentation of CD's and all your other fun ideas!! Great stuff!! Faye Zmek Nebraska
I just shared the link to this blog on my facebook page for an extra entry!
I liked both pages on fb. I am just starting out, so I haven't yet figured "marketing" out. So far, I'll make them a custom cd cover with one of their images. I would love to win and maybe get some help in this area!!
Hi Lyra!! Thanks so much for all the information you share on your blog! Very insightful. In order to make my customers feel special I too give them personalized CDs. I usually put a picture from their photo shoot on it, however, I love your idea of dressing it up with paper and fun punches! I am in desperate need of help in the "marketing" department. I live in a big city with a lot of photographers as competition. So any guidance/tutorials would be greatly appreciated!
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