Photography Marketing Ideas for Photographers – 10 Inexpensive Ideas

Marketing your photography studio doesn’t have to be expensive. I have used hundreds of low cost marketing strategies over the last twenty five years and managed to build my photography studio to the point where I am one of the busiest and most successful studios in my town. Here are some tips for you:

1. Create a photo display. A photography exhibit can be as simple as displaying a few small portraits in a store and offering free information about your studio, or more elaborate montages with framed wall displays. You can even create large temporary displays in shopping malls or at events like trade shows. The important thing is how it looks. You’ll attract a lot of attention with some great images, especially of women, who happen to be your target market. Screens will help you build a lot of business if you play your cards right. Have a great selection of images, be presentable but never pushy, have a system for collecting names and addresses from those who want more information by simply asking or offering a giveaway, and stay in touch with all those prospects. It is the beginning of a potential long-term and lucrative relationship.

2. Have a free gift. Limited time offer on studio session and small reprint. Tell them there is no obligation to buy more, and mean it. You’ll make some sales anyway, and you’ll get a lot of long-term clients if you do a good job for them. Some will just get the freebie, but the odds are very high that you’ll sell more without being sneaky or pushy. Especially if you are professional and create some great images. Do this at displays in malls, banks, schools, or offer it to a customer list of a non-competitive business in your town or city. Giveaways are the best way to keep your studio busy, start making sales, and most of all, get tons of exposure.

3. Reward referrals. Make a policy to reward anyone who gives you referrals. When a client brings in a potential client, give them a thank you gift, such as a coupon for a dollar’s worth of reprints at your studio, frames, or at a local spa or restaurant. As an added incentive, give the new customer a small gift as well.

4. Create a link with another business. Contact a local business and offer to trade coupons. For example, your customer receives coupons from a local restaurant, hair salon, spa, or wherever your typical prospect shops. A great place to start is with clients of yours who already own their own businesses.

5. Make your reception or waiting room “prospect and sales friendly.” Whenever you’re creating a family portrait or shooting a wedding, there are often people waiting in your reception area. Offer them snacks or something to drink. Make sure your place looks great and smells good. Make it comfortable. Use this time to enhance your next sales presentation by explaining some of the elements, like portraits on the walls and other packages and services. Respond to objections you know will come up later in the sales presentation with a consultative approach, and people will not only trust you more, they’ll likely make it easier for you to sell and even buy more. This is also a good time to collect names. These people are associated with you in some way and at this point are excellent prospects.

6. Make copies of news articles about you and your study. Hang them on the walls or pass them around. Past advertising is better than any advertising or promotional literature you can create. Give copies of positive articles to everyone who comes looking for information.

7. Raise money for charity. Not only do you help a good cause, but you get a lot of free and positive publicity and exposure. Organize a contest, offer some photography classes, distribute free brochures, which you can easily write yourself and print for pennies by having them photocopied, think of your own exciting charity event.

8. Send press releases to local newspapers about a notable event in your studio or a human interest story. Did you win a photography contest? Are there any articles on photography that relate to local sites in your area or have to do with the seasons? Make your release interesting to readers, never selfish, and you’ll get press coverage.

9. Give a free photography seminar or presentation at your studio. Invite members of the public and family members of customers to separate. A seminar gives them the chance to see your studio and your work. Offer something timely on how to create great photos with digital cameras, or offer a slideshow of some of your most exotic travels. You could create an exhibition highlighting your work. Don’t forget to invite the local newspaper.

10. Leave your business cards everywhere. Whenever you are in a restaurant, leave a good tip and your card. Drop off a stack at your local jewelry store. Make sure the card is loaded with your best samples and print on both sides to maximize space for your sales message.