p.2 #1 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
The only money I have spent on advertising was on facebook, highly targeted to 23-28 year old college graduates, engaged, living in particular neighborhoods, whose interests include photography.
Wedding photography is amazing in that it is so referral driven. If you are good enough, you probably don't need to advertise (I know, a generalization!)
Like Jim Heine brought up, what happens when the lower-budget photographers advertising on the knot start getting even lower paying work? Does The knot expect them to afford to continue advertising? What the heck are they thinking?
Anyways, I doubt the higher end clients many of us are targeting are sifting through the knot. I have always gotten bad vibes from the site, and this just puts it over the top.
I would rather let my cat sharpen his claws with a wad of twenties than give it to a site like The Knot.
p.2 #3 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
^^^ Good ones.
This does bring up a good point of discussion- What about reasonable discounts? I have shot a few 2nd weddings (divorced, remarrying) where they only wanted ceremony and formal coverage. I was more than happy to offer it at a discounted rate, provided I clearly set out the expectations that anything less than a full days coverage has no guarantees on image quality. I have a separate contract for this kind of thing.
I know that the topic of discounts regarding friends/family has been covered ad-nauseum, but what about discounts for a half day coverage on a wednesday morning? Or skipping the engagement photos for a $X discount? Do you guys ever do this?
p.2 #5 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
If what they're looking for fits into the parameters of a portrait session, that's all I charge them for. So... Tuesday or Thursday evening, up to two hours, disc purchased separately... Then yeah that's different. It's about comprimise rather than me just giving a discount...
p.2 #6 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
MattSepeta wrote:
The only money I have spent on advertising was on facebook, highly targeted to 23-28 year old college graduates, engaged, living in particular neighborhoods, whose interests include photography.
Wedding photography is amazing in that it is so referral driven. If you are good enough, you probably don't need to advertise (I know, a generalization!)
Like Jim Heine brought up, what happens when the lower-budget photographers advertising on the knot start getting even lower paying work? Does The knot expect them to afford to continue advertising? What the heck are they thinking?
Anyways, I doubt the higher end clients many of us are targeting are sifting through the knot. I have always gotten bad vibes from the site, and this just puts it over the top.
I would rather let my cat sharpen his claws with a wad of twenties than give it to a site like The Knot. ...Show more →
Have you found the facebook advertising effective? Not only in terms of generating leads but getting the right clients too...
p.2 #7 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
ckhagen wrote:
If what they're looking for fits into the parameters of a portrait session, that's all I charge them for. So... Tuesday or Thursday evening, up to two hours, disc purchased separately... Then yeah that's different. It's about comprimise rather than me just giving a discount...
Great way of putting it. I'm down with compromise, but a discount for the sake of discounts? Try that one with your hair dresser. Or next time you're ordering at a restaurant. Or buying a bottle of shampoo. Or getting a massage.
Jon Mark - Yes, absolutely. When I was starting out I advertised HIGHLY targeted and the ads had a VERY high success rate. Ill pm a few more details.
p.2 #11 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
MattSepeta wrote:
Like Jim Heine brought up, what happens when the lower-budget photographers advertising on the knot start getting even lower paying work? Does The knot expect them to afford to continue advertising? What the heck are they thinking?
Perhaps the plan is:
1. Articles about ways to not spend money drives readership and brings in brides.
2. Strung out photographers are willing to cut off their arms to get a gig and will pay more or continue paying for ads.
Like heroin addicts.
Convince the photographer that you're not really that into them
Is zat so? Mama always said don't be into brides and grooms who aren't into you.
p.2 #12 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
redal wrote:
While agree with your "reply", and you make very good points.
The knot is targeted at the bride, and with a recession on it is a good time to get deals .
If you notice, my entire post is also targeted at the bride -- not at defending photographers. This advice is bad. Therefore, the fact that it is targeted at brides is even worse (for brides).
p.2 #13 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
MattSepeta wrote:
what about discounts for a half day coverage on a wednesday morning?
I would consider it but have NEVER received an inquiry along those lines. In my experience, the only ones wanting to pay for coverage are those having the full-blown affairs.
p.2 #19 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
So i'm just going to go out and say it... I have looked for the article now multiple times... I am failing to find it. From a smart bride's perspective, they may look at your rant and then try to find the original article. If/When they cannot find it, then who looks like the ass? definitely not the knot!
p.2 #20 · The Knot telling brides to insist on discounts...
I'm pretty sure the Knot replaced it, here's a cached version of it. There was a cake decorating forum discussing the same article and they found the cached version. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:tex25uF6n_0J:wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/wedding-vendor-negotiatiing-101.aspx+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
