proimage1
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 p.1 #8 · Christmas card pricing | |
barefootbeach wrote:
The profit margin on cards is very thin isn't it? I stopped selling them for a few years because it wasn't worth the headache and my time. This year I started up again hoping that it will improve my "customer service" side of my business. The clients that did order cards loved them and I hope it will improve my referral businesses.
What I realized is that people will do cards anyway. When I wasn't offering them, some clients were scanning in pictures into the shutterfly cards. I saw some of the final products and the images just looked terrible. I was concerned it was a poor reflection on my photography skills. So, this year, I offered them to about 1/2 my clients, bought some nice templates and about 75% of the clients who were offered the cards purchased them. Sure, the profit margin isn't grand, but it increased my contact with the customers and resulted in additional print orders.
When I wasn't offering cards, I did offer a price break on quantity 4x6s. There was a minimum order of 25 4x6 images, then quantity price discounts for the more the purchased. I suggested clients could insert the image into a photo card, such as the ones offered by Exposures. A few clients approached it this way, but it wasn't a big seller.
The only thing I wonder about card sales if if they will help or hurt me in the end. Obviously, I am offering cards again hoping they will help. But, I am curious about people who haven't placed their print order yet...will the size of their order be affected because the initial urge to have the pictures in hand has been satisfied? Some clients were squeezed in at the very end of the season, and we were rushed to get the cards ready in time. They are working on their print order side now, after they have their cards. Time will tell. I think next year, I may encourage card orders to be placed at the same time as their print order...maybe with some sort of incentive. Not sure.
You make some very good points. I guess what really got me wondering about this entire situation is an e-mail I got from an out of state customer that ordered 100 cards and more or less complained about the price she had to pay. She told me she could have basically gotten the same ones from one of the online places for 1/5th the cost. She said that mine were way to expensive for what she got. Honestly, that was the first complaint I've ever received. I sent out well over 2500 cards this season, so I probably shouldn't let the one complaint bother me, but it does. I did tell her that the image itself was one she wouldn't have had using the online service, but it sort of fell on deaf ears. I guess it's just another sign of the times. I have mine printed at Miller's Professional and order their standard slim line 4x8 with envelopes. I've thought about offering the folded way more expensive type, but I'm sure my customer base would go into cardiac at the prices I'd have to have for those. I'm glad the season for ordering and selling them is almost over and I'll have another year to work out the dilemma.
Regards - Tom
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