Hi all,

I'm a little timid about writing this among the professional and accomplished, please be gentle with your responses. I've been shooting for a few years and would like to take it to the next level. I love shooting children at play and would like to get started "doing it on the side".

Any advice on how to get started? I have a corporation setup, all my accounting is good to go (even have an accountant who already works with me.) My main question is about advertising.

I have a website setup (see http://www.lightCraftImages.com). Now, I'm looking advertise locally. What have you found that works? Craigslist, newspaper, small local papers, etc?

Any advice would be great. Again, if I've forgotten anything major I should already have setup, please be gracious

Thanks!

Craigslist is probably not going to give the best impression of you. I suggest you buy the book...
http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Marketing-4th-Inexpensive-SmallBusiness/dp/0618785914

http://www.gmarketing.com/

Word of mouth works best.

nathanlake wrote:
Craigslist is probably not going to give the best impression of you.

Who is the OP trying to impress? Who is going to know that the OP advertises on Craigslist other than potential customers looking for photographers?

OP wrote:

Now, I'm looking advertise locally. What have you found that works? Craigslist, newspaper, small local papers, etc?

E-Vener wrote:

Word of mouth works best.

+1

I hope you can expand your web photos. If you want to specialize in photography of children at play, you aren't showing it. Your website offers a prospective client a slow-loading, slide show presentation of a few pictures of smiling children looking into the camera. It's more portrait oriented, if not snapshot. The first two shots have no relevance to children pictures. It's important that your pictures stay focused on what you are offering. I would include child portrait photography along with the children-at-play theme. I would also be thinking of using some pictures for stock. You have to think of all the possibilities to turn your speciality into making money. It's great that you have the corporation and accountant setup, but it might be putting the cart before the horse at this stage. Good luck.

The first two shots have no relevance to children pictures. It's important that your pictures stay focused on what you are offering.

Very good point, I think my main issue, as an amateur trying to make this more than a hobby is defining my niche. I haven't quite done that yet.

I put together the site just before moving and picking up my first pro lens. Once my lens comes back from Canon, I'm going to take your advice, build up a portfolio of children at play and modify the slideshow to better reflect what I do.

The site definitely needs some work.

I'm also going to pickup the gurellia marketing book suggested earlier.

Thanks for the advice!

Don't expect newspaper ads to bring in business unless you have a known name.The days of simple newspaper marketing are long over. I would focus on a web site with really good photos with impact. All of what I see could be done by mom or dad with a PS. Why pay for someone to take those. You need to get creative and bring the images to the next level. A level the parent knows cannot be copied at home.Learn post processing. That will help a lot getting rid of busy backgrounds and unknown people as a start. After that focus the site for local hits. Google does a "Google Local" that only brings up sites in a specific area. If you search Los Angeles Photographer a section on top is devoted to the area listings. Add yourself to your local list. Make top quality marketing pieces. If you want children go to the parents of children and hand out information.Know your price structure. I can shoot for free and know I will sell prints from the shoot. Hard to get $500.00 up front but they will spend $500.00 after seeing perfect images of the family or kid. Other shoots I charge a flat fee up front. Depends on who I am selling and what I am shooting. Donate a session at children charity events and have marketing material on the table next to it. After you do a shoot make a special card with the kids photo for the parents to hand out. WHCC does 50 for $12.00 next day and perfect photo quality color and reproduction.
Get unique sample prints to show. Some on metal, acrylic, art paper, canvas so you have something to show and sell. Assuming you are going for higher end clients. If not then stay with basic lower cost product. Do a shoot at a day care. Easy to get if you donate to the place. If you are really good you will have a few families book you and then you will make up the money. Like a loss leader in a retail store. Sell under cost to bring in the client and make it up on the other products. Do a Kid fashion shoot at a local kids store. Again give the photos to the store for ad use and in store promotion. Of course have your name on them. Have a appointment book ready to sign up family shoots. That would require a shoot, re-touch and print on the spot to get the emotion and excitement going. Will not work delivering prints the next day...a day too late. Like I said already get your skill and post processing to the next level so you have what no one else can do at home.

A few things caught my eye. On your portfolio page, there's an ad for the FREE software that you used to create your portfolio. Tacky. Pay the $$ to buy the software or whatever it takes to get rid of the ad. Otherwise you're projecting an image that is NOT professional.

Also on the same page, you come right out and disclose that you are not an expert. Why do that? To someone, they might see those photos and think they're EXCELLENT. You're trying to build up interest, not kill it on the spot. Also, you don't have to mention that some of your photos are several years old. No need to tell them that, either.

Also, you need more than 2 pictures in a category. Otherwise, get rid of the category.

The kid photos are good, except for the first and last one. They're the weakest of the bunch, IMO, and it drags the rest down. First one: Line going through the kids head. Last one: No interaction with baby and the kiddo has a weird expression/look to him/her.

Oh, on your home page... You say you were "hooked on" photography. I would suggest using a different word, such as captivated or attracted. But that's just me.

And your current Twitter feed says you've got some equipment out for repair. That's not what I want to really hear if I'm looking for a photographer. I want to know that she or he has everything ready and set to go.

Remember, IMAGE is everything and first impressions are important. Your website could be the first thing someone sees about you (like me!). My first impression from your website: You're not really sure of yourself.

Twitter....posting short entries that describe every aspect of your daily life is fine for a 15 year old, but probably not the best for a business. Consider twitter as another form of advertising...only post things that you expect to increase business. Even things that appear neutral (not impacting your business) are not good. They become unnecessary clutter.

I'll address the marketing question.

I'll agree 100% with word of mouth - but I'd like to add, you need to go where your market is - for children, you need to get a good working relationship with local childcare providers, and stores that specialize in children's clothing - Don't overlook Maternity and Bridal shops!

Put together some quality fliers and make them available to the local shops...

Best of luck!

Cheers,
Ken

FSJ_Guy wrote:

Remember, IMAGE is everything and first impressions are important. Your website could be the first thing someone sees about you (like me!). My first impression from your website: You're not really sure of yourself.



Great advice all around. Keep in mind, I haven't done much to get the site out there, so although it's live, it's very much in the incubator still. I'll wrap up the loose ends you mentioned.

I'm going to keep twitter though, but will need to keep it as a tool for increasing business as someone mentioned, not so much something for my musings.

thanks for the advice.

I agree that Twitter can be a good marketing strategy if used correctly. Many blogs have done a lot of case studies about effective marketing strategies using twitter. Google it.

There's nothing wrong with advertising on Craigslist either, as long as your rates are competitive with other people advertising there.