Talk… Talk… Talking= Clients!

It’s not brain surgery people! Talking… A LOT… brings clients. I am pregnant for the first time after many years of trying and have wanted some me time. So I took time off during the winter to do just that. This is the compound effect in real life. No talking = less clients. It’s okay to take some time for yourself and family, but as a business owner you need to remember to not lose your momentum. It could and will get you into a rut and your momentum WILL stop! So… That being said… TALK, be active, and don’t let your momentum stop. I am back to work and talking about my business. People are calling again and leading to a booked season to come. I have had to start pushing HARD to get the wheels moving again. Here is what I have done to get moving and booking again…

Cloe- 5D Mark III 135mm Lens, f/2.5 1/320sec ISO 200- Shot in a shaded ally downtown Pittsburgh

BECOME ACTIVE ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA!
Lurkers don’t get clients, don’t build reputations, don’t get remembered, and don’t get referred new business. Typically people will follow you on Twitter, or be friends with you on Facebook for months or even years before they finally decide to hire you or buy from you. That’s why you need to be ever-present on the social networks you can commit to. Be there with great, valuable, helpful content, ask questions, post new and even old work, join in conversations, be engaged.
Get out from behind your computer. Know where your target market is hanging out and go where they are. AND TALK! Get involved! I know you’ve heard it before, but I’m saying it anyway. Get involved. How will people know who you are if you don’t put yourself out there? Attend events, your children’s functions, community markets and festivals, and anything that’s going on in your target area. Talk about what you do.
The fortune is in the follow up. It’s the magic that turns connections into clients . Failure to follow up is one of the most common ways that entrepreneurs sabotage their own success by simply not collecting the money on the table. Failing to follow up with leads from social media, email, voicemail, referrals, and more is a sure way to turn off a potential client. If you want or need to make more money, fix your follow up. BELIEVE ME… I’ve been just as guilty as anybody else… it effects your business!
ASK you clients for referrals! Your happy customers and satisfied clients want to give you referrals! They want to help their friends and family have the same success they have with you … but sometimes they may think you don’t need their referrals (Crazy, I know!). They may not be sure how to refer people to you, or they aren’t sure who would be best to refer to you. Help them out by telling them.
Ask people to model for you. Build a portfolio. I approach people in all sorts of places and tell them… “You are stunning! Can I photograph you?” Okay… I know that may sound creepy, but if you have cards and are really “normal” about it, people don’t spook. Haha
Do mini sessions! Okay.. so a lot of photographers are against minis sessions. “They devalue your work”, they say. I don’t agree. Keeping them limited is key. They are a great way to get new clients to “try” you out. Yea.. you might get some bargain shopper clients too, but I have many return full paying clients because they loved me, my work, and their experience! Minis open the door to new clients.. it’s simple. I offer minis once a year. Having too many will give the client no reason to ever come to book a full price session.

Back when I started almost 10 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing or how to get clients. But… I had one thing going for me. I was outgoing and a talker. (I still am!) People know what I do when we first meet. I love what I do and love to talk about it. So let’s get talking!

Stephen- 5D Mark III 70-200mm 2.8 Lens, f/2.5 1/320sec ISO 200- Dusk and back side if building. Sun behind me.