What are some ways to market yourself?

[MistyCreekPhoto]

I have put adds on local websites, build and enhanced my website with contact information and pricing.

The problem is that I have had no luck.

Ideas?

[Razvan]

facebook & twitter will help. 1x.com is a dedicated website,which accepts photos after the commity sees them. so it's a great advertising place for non-beginneer photographers.

[MistyCreekPhoto]

@razvan

I just registered with 1x.com we'll see how it goes.


Any more ideas?

[eVolutioN]

What about approaching local newspapers/magazines, school events, football clubs, etc. to have them give you a chance to do a shoot? Worth a try I'd say.

[keystrokesuk]

Enter photography competitions
Find restaurants that might need some pictures on their walls
Find out if local libraries are having any themed local artist exhibitions
Get some postcard sized flyers printed that you can leave with people
Join a local camera club so you can exhibit as part of the group
Ask your friends if there are any events they would like covered so you can build a reputation

Is there a specific market/type of photography you are trying to break into, the more general the audience the harder it will be to target them.

[Citruspers]

How about business cards?

[Alan]

do a search on the most popular search engines and see what other photographers are doing, probably using adbots or adwords

e.g.google search "utah wedding photographery"

Find websites that list photographers, there are heaps out there.

is there a local directory listing?

My advice is, keep it local, no sense in getting an enquiry from Alaska!

[MistyCreekPhoto]

@ Alan

Very true and thanks for your imput!!!


Yeah haha Alaska would be pretty and IF the couple PAYS for the expenses to fly up there then why not. hahaha

[Alan]

here is one I stumbled upon, might be worth a look & it's free



http://www.freeindex.com/

[darthkindy]

The best way to get knowen (and this might sound silly) is to get out there and do photography if you are out taking pics always bring some cards and a little book of your best work because people always ask what you are doing or what paper you are from so chat them up you never know because that little old lady in the park that you gave your card to might have a grand daughter that is getting married. and she wount loss that card and she will remember that you were that nice young man that showed her some nice pic in the park. i can stress that enough get out there and network ( you could be ansel addam and have a million dollar website) but if they can't meet you and see you all is lost.

I go out every weekend to take pictures and if i don't meet and give my card to at lest 2 or three people the day just does not seem right.

Ps don't give up it takes time

[palakaboy]

do your thing. be nice to people.

take pictures.

be nicer to people who aren't nice back.

take more pictures.

put them on some sort of social media.

be even nicer to people.

do free shots.

be the nicest guy around.

more free shoots.

be the nicer than you were previously.

start charging when they're approaching you and not the other way around.

[ianganderton]

Marketing for the freelancer in any like of work is all about networking. Here are some ideas that I've found to work in my time as an outdoor instructor

You need to get to know the other people in the business. For instance if you want to get into wedding photography you need to know the wedding dress shops, florists and hotels that are involved in locally. Its recommendations from them that will bring in the work

Understand that when they recommend someone they are putting some of their reputation on the line too. If you do a bad job (in the customers eyes) then they will be tarnished with the same brush. If the customer thinks your great then they'll get some of the credit too.

You've got to prove your worth again and again, there is no way round it. Ask the photographers in the area if they need a hand. Be their lacky, help them out. If your good you could well get work through them when they are busy

Never poach clients from those you work for. The freelance scenes tend to put a lot of store in trust. Become trusted and you'll be allowed into the gang where often work is shared between folks when they are too busy

Websites, business cards, social networking and the like support all this not substitute it

Be an excellent photographer. Find opportunities to show this and build your reputation. Be the nicest, most helpful, most relaiable, most professional and mosty trustworthy guy in town and get out and about as much as possuible to build your reputation in this area too. Work for free a lot to start off with but understand that providing value for money is not about being cheap as time goes on

Word of mouth is everything