What do you use to advertise? - Photographers!

Mp4 · 29 Sep 2011 at 11:47

Hi all,

Trying not to breach any rules or anything here.

What do you guys use to advertise? I'm an amateur photographer and ive done a few charity events. And a few baby shoots for people just to gain more experience for myself etc. I have cards made and a banner on the back of my car and used friday-ad (local ad paper).

Also on modelling website etc but still can't mange to get any interest

i know im not known as of yet in my area etc.

Also another downer is i work 10-7 mon-fri so only get weekends free to do anything.

Is it sad to maybe get some t-shirts/shirts made also?

SoundsGood · 29 Sep 2011 at 12:00

Google hand out free Adwords vouchers quite often, I got loads of business through that when I used it (not for Photography).

neil_g · 29 Sep 2011 at 12:35

Facebook business page can also generate a lot of enquiriees.

One word of warning about advertising on your car, mr plod will expect you to have business car insurance. I know someone who got done for no insurance this way.

bigredshark · 29 Sep 2011 at 12:52

Adwords may work but as with all these things word of mouth is key unless you're very cheap indeed - the sort of service you're offering, most people will want a recommendation of some kind so advertising in the paper and such has limited value.

Having cards with you to give people if you getting chatting is probably the most valuable investment you can make, the other stuff is making sure as many people as possible see your best work.

Depends on what kind of work you want, who you know and the like of course. If your social circle includes people who need photographers occasionally then life is far easier...I was chatting to a wine critic last night, he asked what I did, I said I do some photography, he said he has a book in the works and needs some pictures, do I have a card? No effort involved, just making conversation. My view is if you want to succeed you need to be in a position to make contacts like that (I'm not saying go to wine tastings, I'm saying make an effort to use your social circle to find work).

Raymond Lin · 29 Sep 2011 at 13:01

99% of my work comes from word of mouth, if your work are good, once you get the first job, and people tell others about it, it generates other jobs.

Phate · 29 Sep 2011 at 18:49

I know someone who recently got 8 weddings in 7 days using Adwords...may have to give it go.

Word of mouth for me

adamau5 · 29 Sep 2011 at 19:21

me too

bigredshark · 29 Sep 2011 at 20:45

Phate said:
I know someone who recently got 8 weddings in 7 days using Adwords...may have to give it go.

Word of mouth for me

Depends if it's the sort of work you want though, that's the risk with adwords and the like, you need to really understand your customer base and target your ads...

Phate · 29 Sep 2011 at 22:49

Well I want wedding work, its good money and proves to be a good earner for me...and I enjoy it!

Raymond Lin · 29 Sep 2011 at 22:51

I think he means your target audience.

Do you want to do 50 weddings and earn £30k a year, or do you want to do 20 weddings and earn £40k a year.

Phate · 29 Sep 2011 at 22:52

Ah I see.

Sorry I'm full of BBQ...not quite on track with things

Mp4 · 29 Sep 2011 at 23:16

neil_g said:
Facebook business page can also generate a lot of enquiriees.

One word of warning about advertising on your car, mr plod will expect you to have business car insurance. I know someone who got done for no insurance this way.

Good tip their, never thought of that!

ill find out if its any extra etc, tho ive not really gained any business from advertising on my car as of yet anyway.

Ill take a look at AdWords also (How much ££ do you put in?)

I'm still thinking of T-shirts /Shirts for a laugh too

Getting "The Photographer" on the back

fluffmct · 29 Sep 2011 at 23:25

Should also mention that having photography advertising on your car is asking for it to be broken into in the hope of finding expensive kit. Although maybe your city isn't as scummy as mine :-P

Advertising on a car is more brand awareness I would have thought, it'll make people see your name but probably won't get many calls in. Could be wrong but that's how I've always thought of it

bigredshark · 30 Sep 2011 at 07:39

Raymond Lin said:
I think he means your target audience.

Do you want to do 50 weddings and earn £30k a year, or do you want to do 20 weddings and earn £40k a year.

Yes, that's what I was getting at, better to get fewer but bigger, more valuable jobs in my view. Unfortunately they're harder to get and less likely to come from simple advertising rather than word of mouth of course.

Adwords can be really powerful, but if it gets you a dozen enquiries all asking 'my wedding is in two weeks, we didn't really think about a photographer in time, can you do it for £500' it might not be worth it.

bigredshark · 30 Sep 2011 at 07:41

neil_g said:
One word of warning about advertising on your car, mr plod will expect you to have business car insurance. I know someone who got done for no insurance this way.

They must surely have had the worst lawyer in the world, there's no way that stands up in court I can see. Put whatever you want on your car, they need to prove you use it to travel for business purposes.

Clown · 30 Sep 2011 at 08:10

Sort of off-topic, can you guys afford to turn down work, not because you're double booked but because you just don't think it's worth it?

adamau5 · 30 Sep 2011 at 08:16

yes, but i have a day job that isnt photography.

I would say dont take on a job that doesnt benfit you. I do some work very cheaply that has significant adverstising opportunities... e.g. i did a neighbours wedding who is also a wedding planner for a silly amount (£500).

Mp4 · 30 Sep 2011 at 08:31

fluffmct said:
Should also mention that having photography advertising on your car is asking for it to be broken into in the hope of finding expensive kit. Although maybe your city isn't as scummy as mine Advertising on a car is more brand awareness I would have thought, it'll make people see your name but probably won't get many calls in. Could be wrong but that's how I've always thought of it

No photography gear is kept in the car at all only if i go to college or acctaully do go on a job (even then all gear is on my backpack), so they can break in if they want. The area can be prone to car damage etc, depends where you live etc.

Signed up to AdWords going to sort it out over the weekend and see what its about.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 30 Sep 2011 at 10:03

We used facebook ads. Worked quite well but be prepared to put in enough cash for enough clicks to make it worth while.

Rojin · 30 Sep 2011 at 10:32

bigredshark said:
They must surely have had the worst lawyer in the world, there's no way that stands up in court I can see. Put whatever you want on your car, they need to prove you use it to travel for business purposes.

It does sound harsh! I'm sure you can be paid to have adverts on your car, obviously you would have no connection to any company then though.

Assuming you have registered a company for your photography business I'd imagine having a car with the company logo doesn't matter if the car is not listed as a company car\benefit? Tax would also come into it then.

All the messing around with tax etc. is why I have no interest in trying to make money. I can't see me ever making more than a few quid and all the hassle filling out tax forms etc. just isn't worth it. I had enough of that when the IR decided I was a landlord (god knows why they thought that!), I had to fill out tax returns for years!