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[grego]

For several years i advertised in bridal mags but finding the ROI doesn't seem to
be what it was.
Several years ago i decided my advertising $$ would be better spent
online. Tried adwords (since discontinued) and also presently advertise on a couple of
wedding websites.
They cost between $500 & $700 p.a Australian $

The system works like this.
The "bride to be" fills out an enquiry form on the wedding website. which is then emailed to a maximum of 10 vendors in any category, whether they want a car or photographer or dress etc.

The enquiry is then emailed to the vendors for follow up

Problem is composing a suitable email reply to get the bride to want to contact me over the other vendors

I find you tend to get a lot of tyre kickers over the internet where the brides who did answer the bridal mag ads were phoning me and making appointments.

Other that suggesting i discontinue this form of advertising I would appreciate your suggestions on how you handle email enquiries
ps: they don't necessairily provide thier phone number, so only contact is via email

[Gavin Seim]

I done similar ads and I think there's no magic formula. The reality is that these are low quality contacts. Just like all pother advertising you're not dealing with someone who has seen your work or have any emotion connection with it.

Be professional and yourself. Anything beyond that is probably going to sound overkill and drive them away even more.

I've pretty much stopped at adverting for wedding. I find it's mostly useless. I do the one bridal show and take the other money I would buy ads with and use it for things that really get noticed like giving venues great samples, making my client experience better ect.

Good luck.

[aranieri]

Start by trying to establish a relationship via email as you would if you were speaking with them on the phone.

If they are asking how much you charge:

Before I answer that, do you mind if I ask you a question so I can better understand what you're looking for?

1) What's most important to you about your wedding?

I look forward to hearing from you!


==========================

Then continue on based on their response and see if you can get them to give you their phone number so you can
speak directly with them to find out more and give them a more accurate quote.

Audrey

[MichaelT]

The best way to get weddings (and all other types of photography work) is by word of mouth. 

Many photographers hear this and say, "that's right", but then do a job, deliver their products, say "thank you" and never contact their client again.  That is where they shoot themselves in the foot.  Those past brides of yours are like a goldmine just sitting right in front of you, while you waste your time and money drumming up business from strangers.

Learn this and you can't help but grow your business:  Whatever kind of client you serve have friends who are the exact kind of clients you want.

Brides know other brides, mothers of babies know other mothers of babies, business executives know other executives, seniors know seniors, etc.

Developing a referral/rewards program is key to having your past clients become your main source of work as they channel wonderful, motivated, educated clients to your door.

[webmaster705]

Its little bit tough to attract emotionaly, coz you may have very short time as bride is chooing best, i am agreed with gavin, show your work its better idea, this way you behave like professional and will have good customer

[bdelia]

MichaelT... What should we say exactly to our previous wedding clients? I am very new to the industry. Thanks!









http://thenewjerseyweddingphotographer.com

[MichaelT]

MichaelT... What should we say exactly to our previous wedding clients? I am very new to the industry. Thanks!
http://thenewjerseyweddingphotographer.com

I'm just saying that you stay in touch with your clients.  Don't just do a job and then move on.  Send them newsletters, special invites, Christmas cards, etc.  Keep the line of communication open.  And sign everything so there's no doubt who created their images.

Of course, your work better be over the top so you have really happy clients!