Options. We think we like them. We actually hate them. There’s a hamburger chain out in my neck of the woods called In-N-Out. Many of you have probably heard of them, if not had a hamburger from there at one point. They have a bit of a cult following, with consistent lines out the door at all of their locations. They’re focused on fresh (never frozen) burgers that taste delicious. To appeal to so many people, you’d think they’d have lots of options on their menu. Lots of people = lots of different wants and needs = lots of options. Wrong. In-N-Out has three options: a hamburger, a cheeseburger, and a double cheeseburger. That’s it. I have a rant I do when I present on this
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Pricing Yourself to Help Sell Albums
It’s a common perception in this industry that album sales are dead. That might be true for some photography businesses. But, as a studio that sells an album to almost every couple that comes through our doors, it’s not true for us. Selling albums isn’t always easy, but we have found a way to set our studio up for success. It’s all in our pricing. Your pricing will either make it easier or more difficult for clients to purchase your products and services. At our studio, we price so that it’s easy for our clients to purchase albums, that’s why we sell a lot of them. But, making it easy doesn’t mean just offering cheap albums. Our pricing guides clients to buy the products that we
Simplify the Sales Process with Pricing Packages
Why would prospective clients that you’ve built relationships with, that love your photography, and that can afford to book you NEVER BOOK? In one word, the answer is CONFUSION. Purchase confusion can surface in a variety of ways such as pricing structure, upgrades, and overwhelming album options. And no matter which way it shows itself, purchase confusion will lead to delayed or eliminated bookings. For brides and grooms, planning a wedding is a lot of work and involves an overwhelming amount of decision-making. When it comes to making vendor decisions, couples often choose the option with the least headaches. Simplifying the process for them will keep them happy and headache free! It will also allow them to focus on the products and services that you
Pricing and Packaging- Determining Your Start Price
Pricing and Packaging. It’s no one’s favorite topic, but it’s so very important. There is a science to pricing yourself as a photographer, and getting it right can make a huge difference in your bookings and revenue! The first decision every photographer should consider is whether to price based on a Package method or an A La Carte method. Both have advantages, and can be used effectively to present your services. Packages give the client more guidance on your suggested services, while A La Carte gives them more freedom and flexibility. Packages can be easier to book and manage, but A La Carte can have a lot more profit potential. Either way you go, you should pick a pricing method that fits your personality and
Finding the Pricing and Packaging Method That is Best For You
Did you know there is a science to creating your pricing? Yep, I’m serious. There are many ways to do it right, and plenty of ways to do it wrong, but most importantly – there is a science to pricing your services. It’s important to understand the different methods that are available to you, so that you don’t miss out on the method that fits your business best. In the photography community, there have historically been three different ways to price yourself. One – the package method. Two – the a la carte method. And three – the upsell method. All three are very effective methods of pricing and packaging, but it is common for photographers to choose ONE way to price their services, and
How NOT to Get a Second Shooting Job
Two of the most important things that I did when I was first getting started as a photographer were assisting and second shooting for other photographers. I began assisting a photographer one summer during my college years, and it was there that I began to pick up the “pace” of weddings. I learned what happened when, and where I needed to be to capture it. I learned how to balance both taking images and managing the client. I then was able to move on to second shooting which allowed me to put everything I learned to practice, and develop my photo skills at the same time. I didn’t have any of the pressure of delivering on every single shot, because the main shooter was responsible
Have You Thought About Your Business Cards Lately?
So I wanted to take a quick moment to address something fundamental …. yet WPPI proved how many miss it, your business card. Your business card is an extension of your brand and should reflect your style and preferences. But more importantly, it needs to give all of your contact information. It needs to have your website, so people can look at your work. It needs to have your phone number AND email, so they can contact you however they feel. And, most importantly, it needs to have YOUR NAME. Remember, you’re selling yourself as a professional photographer. During my presentation and throughout WPPI, I collected business cards of the photographers I would meet. And so, we did a little tally down here afterwards. During