I'm moving forward with a partnership with a school where they will help market my product to their parents in exchange for a kickback. I've also got something brewing with a local dance/cheer organization (i don't even know what it may entail).

I haven't sold prints for about 2 years now and while i have a basic pricing structure i have been asking myself if it needs to be adjusted giving TET's (anyone else sick of hearing "These Tough Economic times").

So what's up? You guys noticed a significant drop in sales? Are you guys adjusting accordingly?

I Don't sell prints,just CDs to teams.

I do this part time.

I have found that's sales to teams from poorer areas/ sports have dropped hugely, so now i target sports groups that can pay what i want.

I have also increased my prices, but i now do a team photo before the warms up for the game. I found this also gets the attention of other teams, and promotes ME .

Do i care if it cuts into the team photos at the end of the season. No , i don't do them or enjoy doing it.

Also down here, we have been in TET's for almost two years, when the house prices dropped and heaps of dodgy finance companies went belly up.

Good luck with your venture

I decided to raise the price of my basic package by a buck last year and leave the rest of my prices the same. That seemed to make up for any loss of sales for those who bought last year, but didn't this year. I'm standing pat this year, even though my prices for material has gone up.
Mike

I lowered some of my prices and increased a few but added products to some team photo packages to make things more affordable and attractive for my clients...and sales are up 200% from 2007.

I don't get tired of hearing about "tough economic times" because small business has to keep a close watch on buying trends and listen to their client's wants and needs...or else.

I talk with promoters, event organizers, youth league officials, athletic directors and school administrators all the time to see what they are facing as to budget cuts, tax revenues, entries, league sign-up trends and how frequent fees are being paid so I know what to expect.

Alot of clients are now purchasing photo products as gifts...more than I've seen in previous years.

Much success,

Lee Woolery
Speedshot Photo

I'm maintaining what I did in 2008. I am still emphasizing the initial discount period (15% off for first 10 days....I've found it makes people commit and buy earlier rather than later or not at all) and giving the options of CD's for people who want have a lot of photos they love. I also do a 4 shot composite on an 8x10 for slightly more than the price of an 8x10 as a value option that still gets me a $20+ sale.

I think I offer enough options that if someone wants a picture - there's an option without going the route of $4 4x6's.

I stopped selling all prints in 2009 except for sports posters. The only other item I will produce will be a coffee table year book. I decided to sell only .jpg files this year.

For 2008, 98% of my sales were 4x6's. Many people told me they didn't buy because they only wanted a few pictures and the price was too much for a 4x6. They also didn't want an 8x10 even though they were only a few dollars more than the 4x6. What it came down to was they bought the cheapest item. I even told people that I would rather they pick only a few 8x10 prints then a dozen 4x6's. I would rather lose money but have my best work seen on their wall instead of a bunch of cut up 4x6 prints in a scrapbook or photo album.