If you’re a professional photographer, promoting yourself is essential to your success. But some photographers are hesitant to promote themselves, either because they don’t think they need to or because they feel uncomfortable doing it.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the benefits of self-promotion and some tips for doing it effectively. We’ll also discuss why it’s important for professional photographers to stay top-of-mind with potential clients. So if you’re looking for ways to grow your photography business, keep reading!
During the Photography Apprenticeship we have teamed up with the Master Photographers Association to help our learners understand their images better. We provide monthly critique meetings which allow you to gain insights into improving images that will be used in a Portfolio.
A portfolio takes time to build and this can then be shown to potential clients through the use of your Website, Social media and old fashioned booklet of images to show clients at potential meetings.
As a Photography Assistant Apprentice you don’t need to wait till you have completed the course to start showing off your skills. Many of our learners do freelance work e.g. weddings and headshots.
I would highly recommend the following to get your name out there.
- Create a website (WordPress or Wix)
- Social Media – create content and post daily or at least weekly
- Linkedin – this is a must – add connections.
- Do some cold calling, research who you need to speak to and call.
4 in every 100 calls that you make can get you a potential meeting or introduction.
Looking back on my career, I tried lots of advertising techniques and as a Commercial Photographer I used to make lots of cold calls. I would phone marketing companies and architects and introduce myself. I personally hated this style of marketing but it helped get my foot through the door.
In simple terms, if you don’t introduce yourself, people will not find you.
Cold calling is not the nicest experience, many people will simply put the phone down or you have the bossy receptionist that won’t put your call through.
But there is always that 4 in every 100 calls that will be nice and they will be happy to take the call and say….. Yes we need a Photographer and let’s meet.
Statistically out of 100 people, 10 people will be happy to take your call and 4 people may have potential projects that require a photographer.
But things have moved forward over the last 10 years and a modern marketing technique is using LinkedIn,
LinkedIn a key social media platform for business, which has everybody using it.
My technique – I simply find companies I want to introduce myself to, usually marketing managers and architects, and send them a connection. Fingers crossed they say yes and then as always I am sharing my daily posts. After 2 or 3 months, I send them an introduction message or even make a cold call.
By saring my posts daily, I demonstrate my skills and experience to my followers.
The potential client will have seen my work which makes for an easier introduction. Highly Highly recommended.
Promoting yourself as a professional photographer and photography apprentice can be difficult, but it is essential to your success. By using the right tools and strategies, you can make sure that potential clients know who you are and what you have to offer. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help teach your Photography Apprentice how to help promote your business and attract new customers. We look forward to hearing from you!
For the learner, remember, the most important thing is to keep practicing and honing your skills. As long as you continue to put in the hard work, we have no doubt that you will be able to reach your goals and keep promoting your stunning new portfolio!