Professional Photo Printing + Free Shipping = Improves Bottom Line at professional photography studios. To deliver high quality photo prints quickly to today’s professional photography customers studio owners want to order finished prints from their photo lab as soon as possible. In the old days many pro photographers would consolidate several print orders and have them shipped in a single box. Today customers do not want to wait. With the free shipping option at Pixs4Pros there is no need to delay placing a photo print order. As soon as your photography customer indicates their pose and size choices you can place your print order. Quick high quality professional photo printing and Free Shipping at Pixs4pros saves you money everyday and improves your studios bottom line profit.
Professional Photo Printing + Free Shipping = Improves Bottom Line
February 14th, 2012Find Professional Photography Display Locations
January 19th, 2012How do you find professional photography display locations? Make a list of everywhere your customers go during their regular travels: hardware, grocery, bank, doctor, fitness center, pet store, pet grooming salon, your styling salon/ barber shop, clothing stores, etc. Keep in mind that these are ‘Family Businesses’. That is, a person who is a member of a family visits them. If they saw pictures of some ones family, they would get the idea that they could use a portrait for their family. The family portrait idea now goes home. You get a sitting.
How do you convince merchants to let you have a photography display? Start at the top of your list and keep going until you get your display. Go in with a sincere, generous attitude of wanting to help this particular business solve one of it’s problems – mainly, getting recognition, attention and customer traffic. Remember, the people in your portrait display have all paid for the privilege of being in the display. They will come to see these photo prints and bring all their family and friends. Explain to the merchant the pride and pleasure these people will receive from this display. Since it is in his/her store, the people in the display will remember very favorably the store that ‘hosted’ the display.
Remember, the person who has the authority to let you display your work is really interested in what this display will do for them and their business. Explain that everyone featured in the display receives five invitations to send to their friends. Let them know that you could include something from his store in the invitation. This would get the person to start considering a purchase while they are visiting the display. It can also be used to increase traffic to the display (his store) during their slower times. You could also offer to do a SPECIAL DISPLAY of THEIR Customers, maybe using a theme. This would mean doing additional sittings, making even more $’s for you. Focus on helping this person, not what you’re going to get. If you work to help others, eventually things come full cycle and you will be rewarded.
By the time you get to the end of your list someone will have said yes to displaying your portraits in their business location. Be certain this is well attended, by sending five invitations per portrait. Call people before they go see their pictures. Make sure they are excited. Have them thank the merchant. You want to be sure this merchant gets the idea that this is the best thing that has ever happened to him and his business. Now, go see the merchant, get him to talk about how great this was for him and have him mention attendance, increased sales, good will in community, newspaper publicity, etc. Get this in his words in a mini video clip if possible.
Now go back to the first guy on your list. Mention how you had been in before and how he was hesitant about a display. (See**) You understood his feelings, others were also hesitant. But, fortunately someone stuck their neck out, took a chance, had some faith in you and helped you out. Be humble. If he could give you a minute you would like him to hear how this one display helped someone just like himself-play the video. You should from now on be up to your ears in display locations. Keep getting video referrals, keep going down (go through list 3-4 times) and adding to your list. With several taped interviews you will be able to choose just the right one for each presentation. Try picking an interview that is a direct, major competitor of your current merchant. This merchant will have to go for the plan because he has to keep up with the other guys.
**As you go through your list of merchants, keep a call history card on each person on your list. You want to remember (write it on a card) every pertinent piece of information: complete name, nickname, address, phone, title, store hours, hours they are available, date of call, description of person, hobbies, children, marital status, and anything you can find out. If you promise to return their call, put this on the card and file in a tickler file according to the return call date. Mark this on your calendar also. You must work these cards and this list. You must keep records to be successful. It may be a pain at first but believe me, you get used to it and it will save you much embarrassment someday.
Don’t forget to think of media coverage of your displays, especially if they have a special theme. Send a press release, call someone, send the release under the merchants name if it carries more weight (ask first), have the merchant make a call to someone influential.
Your unique photography combined with professional photo printing is your winning combination. To save money on your portrait display prints utilize Pixs4Pros professional photo printing services that feature free shipping on professional photo prints.
Theme Based Professional Photo Prints Exhibitions
January 6th, 2012Theme Based Professional Photo Prints Exhibitions are another great way to promote your photography studio and at the same time a deserving area program. The theme idea for your professional photo prints exhibition could be successful business executives or philanthropic leaders. There are many possibilities limited only by your imagination. The idea is to pick a group who are successful and have discretionary income. You may have to ask some of your friends and clients for suggestions for people to include in the display. Once you have your list of 20-25 names mail them all a letter describing the exhibition and the big honor this is for them. Talk about how much they mean to the community and how much they are appreciated. Explain that the exhibit will only feature 5 or 10 patrons. (you decide the numbers in advance) You will be doing this work at a big discount and to help defray the costs they can be included for a small fee. Maybe half your normal fee and print cost. They will get the print after the exhibition. Their motivation is for the recognition, the discount is only to feel good. Include a sign up sheet with three print size options along with the regular and discounted price. Have a place for them to include cc info and sign a display release. You should include a self addressed stamped envelope for their use. Indicate this is a limited timed offer with only so many spots available and it has only been sent to a very select group. You need to hear back in a few days since there is a schedule to keep for the display. Once you have the responses you can begin calling to set up appointments. You may also want to call each person on the list to be sure they received your letter with the exhibition information. Ask their opinion of the offer and which size print they would like to include in the exhibit.
Your unique photography combined with professional photo printing is your winning combination.
Photography Studios Make A Profit With Portrait Displays
December 12th, 2011
Everyone Loves A Portrait Display
Send a letter or a personal note to a select group of your past customers. Choose those who had nice images but did not purchase a wall print. Your letter states that negative #? is just perfect for the next portrait display you will be having. In the letter, express that the customer was so photogenic and how they just ‘Made’ the picture perfect. Remind them how much fun it is when their family goes to see the portrait print display. Many families have a picture made of themselves in front of the portrait display.
Remember, portrait display ideas only work because the customer is made to feel good, special, important and needed. Being selected to participate in the display appeals to their ego. The price of the portrait print (assuming you are offering these at a discount and you should) only helps keep the idea sold. You get them to go for the idea emotionally. They use the logic of this being a good value, a savings, to remain committed to the plan. This promotion works best when you only send it to some of your customers. When they start to check with their friends (this really works great with high school seniors) and find out they were ‘one of only a few selected,’ it makes them feel very special. Include a mail order form listing three display * sizes and their prices. Have them sign a model release and include their check or have a place for them to indicate their charge card information if you accept this type of payment. You should also include an addressed return envelope.
*Your three display sizes could be 16×20; 20×24; 20×30. You might call them Standard, Deluxe and Grande.
To save money on your portrait display prints utilize Pixs4Pros professional photo printing services that feature free shipping on professional photo prints.
Custom Holiday Greeting Cards only 75¢
October 5th, 2011Holiday Greeting Cards only 75¢ with your personal family picture and verse. Friends and family always treasure your Holiday Greeting and even more when they see your latest family portrait. Photo cards are kept and valued for many years. These are the larger 5×7 folded style cards. Contact Pixs4Pros to order your picture cards today.
Free Digital Photo Prints for Display
May 31st, 2011It is time to think about your marketing and the best thing to do is to display your skills with high quality professional photo printing.
Many professional photographers feel displays of their digital photo prints are a “have to” job, a pain, a big cost, a loss. Instead, how about refocusing your thoughts and make this an exciting part of your professional portrait photography business to enhance cash flow and profits. How? Read on! We will discuss several methods to get sample display prints at a profit plus how to find and get display locations.
Method 1. Sell the idea during your initial customer phone contact. Someone calls you about a professional portrait opportunity and inquires about how much a 16×20 portrait costs. Say “It’s great you called today!”, we’re right in the middle of; just starting our; in the final two weeks of our preparations for our nifty next display.” Talk a little about the fun, excitement and prestige of portrait displays. Mention that you could include them in your next display and they could get a regular display size* for only a little more than the cost of the 16×20. This display size is actually a 20×30 print, the little more could be the cost of a 20×24. You will GET the session, 1st priority, plus you will get a display sample and make more money than you would have from just the 16×20 portraits.
Also remember to check with your Professional Photo Lab to see if they have any special sales on display prints. At P4P our 16×20 digital photo prints are everyday priced at $14.84 each.
Our next post will have more sample display print ideas, as always, your ideas and comments are welcome. -Bryan
Photo Books On Sale At 30% Off
February 16th, 2011Sounds crazy maybe but it is for real. The highest quality press photo books at include a full color cover are now on sale for 30% off. The quality is amazing and the price can not be beat. Some prices found on internet are cheaper but the quality of those books do not compare to these photo books. There are some great deals on Kodak Photo Printing also.
FLOOD OF WEDDINGS COMING
December 28th, 2010Expect weddings to increase by 30% through 2018 says a leading insurance research firm. Retail custom jewelry stores are planning ahead as Generation Y begins to say, “I do” in huge numbers. Average age for brides is 27 which coincides with the first wave of Gen Yers and represents a boon for both photographers and jewelers. But there is a catch. How will those Gen Y brides make their purchases? Fact: Gen Y grew up with a mouse in their hand not the TV remote. Because of the internet, they have become very “brand-oriented” and comfortable shopping on the internet. Armed with plastic money and by the click of a mouse Gen Yers have great purchasing power right at their finger tips. Wedding photographers take note. When an engagement ring is purchased, the event planning process begins including the selection of a professional photographer. Niching pros can make that selection process very easy for the bride. Surprisingly, very few photographers take advantage of a networking process that could include their local custom jewelry stores. Meaning a direct internet, network path via a data link between your studio and cooperating jewelry stores. The sales promotion: every bride that purchases a ring receives a complementary portrait which provides an opportunity to book their wedding event. And that their engagement pictures could be incorporated into their album. On your web site and that of the jewelry stores, the entire promotion is easily accessed by a click of a mouse. To begin with you could provide the jewelry stores with current gallery prints for their web sites. Why is networking with jewelry stores so important? Gleam over the data below to find out why. ~U.S. “fine” jewelry sales (high priced gems) are now $45 billion (plus) each year. ~On line jewelry sales are expected to grow to $8 billion in 2008. ~Households with incomes over $75,000 are more likely to purchase “fine” jewelry. ~69% of people who visit jewelry sites are WOMEN. ~72% of 18-34 year old are online users. ~For Valentine’s Day, 32% made purchases on line. ~U.S. marriage rate: 6 per 1,000 pop., female median age-25.1, with males at 26.6.
Increasingly, the future competitive battle ground will take place on the internet, not the hard copy yellow pages. Note: a ring purchase is key to your studio’s future success. Simply connect the “dots.” Ring purchase……..engagement pictures……..booking the wedding……..sale of on line pictures of the event……..future booking of bride’s maids and contacts made at each wedding event…….eventual family portraits………anniversary portraits and seniors. Fact: by networking with local jewelry stores, a single ring purchase could lead to $ thousands $ in future revenue for a wedding photographer and jewelry stores too. Your important selling point to jewelry stores is the fact that hundreds of high school seniors visit your web site and will see the link back to their jewelry store. Obviously, mom’s will see the link too. Serious wedding and portrait photographers should fully explore this great profit potential opportunity. Another lost photographic opportunity (connected to jewelry stores) are anniversaries. ~56 million married couples in the U.S. ~3.4 million spent $1,200 (last year) on a variety of diamond jewelry equating to $40 billion. ~Equates to a potential of 112 photo sessions per studio amongst 30,000 yellow page studios.
Given most photographers are reluctant to network with local retailers provides a lucrative opportunity for those that do, especially when marketing to Gen Y who are experienced internet shoppers. How to proceed. Make contact with several custom jewelry stores with your proposal. You will need to show them samples of your work which should be on your web site. Your offer must be relevant to their needs, not yours. Emphasize that engaged couples do need a photo for the newspaper. And you will provide that free (no sitting fees, etc.) Most newspapers want a file not a hard copy glossy. You will have no cost except for your time. You may have to provide your retailers with a small flyer (brochure) that you can easily make in your studio explaining your offer to the engaged or anniversary couple. Jewelers should use your offer as a “closer” that saves the couple money on session fees, etc. Consumers appreciate “value.” When the couple calls or emails your studio for an appointment is the time to talk about setting up an appointment to actually book the wedding. Do not wait after you complete the free engagement picture because that might be too late. If you book the wedding beforehand, some of the engagement images could be part of the final album. (Emphasize this factor as a selling point because your competition might not offer engagement sessions for FREE or at all.) Of course, the couple can order finished prints right then from a discounted price list. Same applies to anniversary couples too. ALWAYS keep in mind the concept of VALUE. And do not forget your participating jewelers with annual, free portraits of their families. Network: work hard at having local retailers place a link to your studio on their web site and you do the same for them. A high hit rate on your site will turn into high revenues. Always keep in mind that Gen Y will only increase their internet spending.
Folded Holiday Greeting Cards and Custom Note Cards
December 17th, 2010Pixs4Pros introduces (Econo-Press) Folded Holiday Greeting Cards and Custom Note Cards at $. 75 each. You can choose from 12 different 5″x7″ designs (landscape and vertical) with 5 different greetings plus your client has the option to create their own personal greeting. Folded cards are available in ROES as Econo-Press Products using a CYMK printing process which is different from Kodak photographic papers. Colors are vibrant which is sure to please your retail clients. Please see our separate Econo-Press Products Price Catalog in ROES.
Here is the good news. There are no minimums or limits. Example: your client can order one card, six, twelve or dozens from the same file. Or, your client can use many different poses: example–6 cards from pose 1, 6 cards from pose 2, etc. in the same order. Greeting cards no longer need to be restricted to just one single file in an order. Be flexible! Your client will love it.
We have simplified the whole card ordering process: just drag and drop your image, crop it, then type in the family or business name (e.g. The Browns, Bobby’s First Christmas, etc.) in the text box on the front of the card**, select a greeting, and add the name of your studio on the back side.
** We have preselected a font and stroke, colorized it for you to match the card’s color scheme. It is that easy-no design work required. We have done all the work for you. OR, you can design you own card entirely using the front template as your canvas and the inside template to accommodate your client’s personal greeting.
Pricing: Econo-Press Cards: Each 5×7 Card (with envelope) is just $.75 each.
Clear see-through cover/gold box holds 12-18 cards and envelopes, $.70 each.
Many studios are now marketing this product as Custom Note Cards using some of their fine art scenic images. Six or twelve cards in a gift box make a nice gift.