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Question for my Fellow Photographers !!!
Not sure if this has been asked but I didn't look either honestly. I want to know, when you have a 3rd party clientele who brings you alot of business through thier company and shooting for them and so forth: Do you find yourself throwing in more then you would in thier sessions? Like maybe a few extra pictures or money off thier session or anything else you would not do for non-repeat customers? or... Are you the type to give them what thier package or session only consisted of, and nothing more everytime they shoot with you??? I must admit I'm the type to throw a few additional things in because I like that they bring me business. What about you???? Jan 12 07 10:07 am Link i always take care of the folks that take care of me.... i have shot kids, pets, weddings...not stuff i would normally do.. its good business  Jan 12 07 10:11 am Link That is just good business no matter what you are doing. Jan 12 07 10:13 am Link Grease the wheel that helps keep the machine running.. a few extra shots... gift cards at appropriate times... a fat "thank You" often... I even offer a $25 referral bonus to some individual well connected clients (personal trainers, bar tenders, etc) if they refer someone who shoots with me. It's good customer service Jan 12 07 10:18 am Link I think most people do more for clients that they have an established business relationship with. It helps maintain a healthy and continued money stream when you deliver more than what is expected. Jan 12 07 10:18 am Link Far West Imaging wrote: Ditto that! Jan 12 07 09:19 pm Link one hand always washes the other. besides, if you dont take care of them the way they want, theyll find someone who will. Jan 12 07 09:26 pm Link I always try to give a bit extra. Jan 12 07 09:30 pm Link extra pics.. a little off and some times $ for referal if they see your gonna take care of them they will tell everyone they know! Jan 12 07 09:36 pm Link dncphotos wrote: Not really a question of photographers - more of a question of business practices. Jan 13 07 08:09 am Link Far West Imaging wrote: agreed Jan 13 07 08:13 am Link I always throw in extra. My shooting style is the same. Jan 13 07 08:15 am Link Never underestimate the importance of a friend or client that that brings in business for you of their own free will. That person is doing for free what you might have to pay another person to do (like an agent or rep) to get the same result... Doing "favor shoots" for them is a small pay-off for the revenue they can bring in... and remember that people that you shoot/meet through them might extend your into areas where you weren't going to go on your own two feet. Once, a girl that was "hanging out" on my shoot liked my stuff & style and networked me a gig shooting advertising for car aftermarket products, no need for a portfolio. Then she schmoozed the magazine the ads were in to take me on editorially, and from a simple "hang-out", I've made lots of money in a genre that I personally did not "see" myself in. Jan 13 07 08:23 am Link Always exceed expectations and they will come back for more Jan 13 07 08:30 am Link Going above and beyond for a good customer is good business, no matter whether your a photographer, model, waitress, travel agent, etc. If they're going to throw a lot of work (and money) your way, then maybe throw in a few extra things. I know lots of models I work with here (I'm the customer, since I'm doing paid shoots) will throw in some extras because we've worked a bunch and will work more in the future.  Jan 13 07 09:30 am Link Instead of cash for referrals, will often provide a gift certificate for dinner for two at a good local restaurant. The restaurant likes the publicity too and often gives me a discount on a number of gift certs. If a lot of money has resulted, will often include a bottle of really good liquor or some perfume or some little extravagance. It is all tax deductible as advertising & public relations. Jan 13 07 09:36 am Link I've been known to throw in a couple of extra prints for repeat clients. It's for good will. Aditionally, when I see Adorama offering their 8x10 sales, I offer clients a chance to "add on" extra prints at a reduced price. Jan 13 07 09:56 am Link When I first started out in this business... I was a little naive until a seasoned pro told me how to handle this very topic... so from that point on I usually ask them if I can throw them an eight ball (I always keep a few in my desk)... if they say yes... I throw 'em one (as my mentor once told me "it's good business"). Maybe I throw them too hard... maybe they weren't expecting it, I don't know, but they usually miss it and end up with some mighty big bump on their forehead. I never understood why give parts of a pool game as gifts but HEY, I guess it's just the price you pay to be in this whacky business we call photography. Jan 13 07 10:08 am Link giovanni gruttola wrote: That... that... Jan 13 07 11:39 am Link what comes around goes around! Jan 13 07 11:43 am Link Far West Imaging wrote: Exactly! Jan 13 07 11:51 am Link Fresh baked cookies... Jan 13 07 11:53 am Link |
