KE_Photo
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 Re: paper or digital? | |
Everyone will probably have a different answer! IMO This is going to very dependent on the specific market you're going for and how much business you're wanting to do. Most of my regular work is retail, though I also work with commercial, advertising, business, editorial clients. (etc.)
Maybe just me, or the markets I've worked, but I think the printed portfolio days are long gone. Your portfolio online is the place to show your work and present your offerings. Everything is online for us. Other than for an important event I almost never even meet with my clients until they show up to the shoot. I don't even like talking on the phone - email covers things better and leaves documentation of everything that's discussed for reference later if needed. This helps avoid misunderstandings too. Everything is in writing.
Other than word of mouth - all my clients find me online - by searches. This might seem shocking - but I do not advertise at all. I'm part time and that's all I want to do at this point - so that's one reason. But the reality is - I don't have to advertise. My website (portfolio) draws traffic on search engines, and I have a tons of 5 star reviews - all of them are 5 star. This is because I deliver a product that is exceptional - and it all circles back to - quality work brings clients in. Piracy is a compliment, but the reality is if someone wants to do this there is no stopping them from doing it - only legal ramifications after the fact if it's really bad. In other words don't stress over it. My website has protective measures, but nothing is hack proof.
I try to do social as much as one person can - but the reality is you almost need a team dedicated to doing that. I wouldn't dream of advertising on any of those platforms. (just me) In my experience almost no clients ever come from those. Retail Photography is a local business. Search engines own that. Think of this - you want to find a dentist, or auto mechanic - or catering - All local businesses - so you search online for one close to you right? I learned this lesson quickly as we've moved several times in the last decade or so. Each time we moved, I reconfigured my meta tags, keywords etc. etc and planted a new online flag and business kicked right back in like we never even moved! In some cases more!!
On the commercial side, I've also worked with national clients who had semi-local shoot needs but were based in NY, SF, LA etc. PR Agencies, Talent Agencies - no point in name dropping but just to say - "If you build it - they will come". In most populated places you can draw a 20 miles radius around your location and find 300 fauxgraphers listed on Google. The goal I strive for is twofold - be highly rated/reviewed/SEO to show up at the top of the list on those searches - and be better than anyone else in the circle. No advertising needed. :-)
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