They do work, there are 3 or 4 outfits out there doing it. I've gotten a couple of weddings in the past but lately i've been too busy to respond.
It is kind of hit or miss, but at $2 a lead you get all the contact info, and only for your open dates. I'm doing two bridal shows this month $575 for the booths, $285 for my new samples and handouts, 3+ days of my time in getting it all together, I need to pay for help on the day (two people a booth work out much better than one). So I'll have $1000 in this, plus an ad in the paper for one, so $1250.
For that I'll see 250 brides, maybe 1/2 have a photog, don't want one, or have a date I'm already booked. So 125 brides and I dont' get all the contact info, don't know their venues, etc. And the math says they're costing me $10 each.
Alternatley, if I book 8 weddings I'll consider them a success. That means each wedding costs me $156 to book. That'd be 78 online leads to respond to and get one booking - I think the booking rate, however hit or miss it may appear, is a lot better than that.
I've cut back on my bridal shows this year and we'll see if I do both next year. One is worth it because it's at a venue and they put me on their prefered vendor list and I got 5 or 6 weddings beyond those at the show itself. Still, the online leads are less costly, per lead, by far.
Depends on your price range. Pay per lead sites work great for budget wedding photographers. Figure packages less than $1200. Plan on maybe one booking per 10 to 15 leads purchased if you're in that kind of price range.
i've bought about 10 of these leads and sent an email to each one. attached my price/product list as well. not one responded. so either i suck, or they are all low-ballers looking for cut-rate shoot&burns. or they are entirely fake leads. regardless, i think i'll save my $ for some nice sandwiches at the deli. lol
