Starting a business can be a daunting task.
That's especially true when it's a wedding photography business because it's so cyclical in nature.
That means that you need to have a rock-solid plan and a sensible approach to creating your business.
The question is, what does that look like?
Here are a few tips that will take some of the mystery out of building a successful wedding photography business.
Be Consistent
Being consistent applies to all sorts of things in business.
On the one hand, you want consistent results in the images you create. That should be the easy part because you're a photographer!
But most photographers aren't businesspeople, and it's in that realm that a lot of consistency is needed.
That includes developing a consistent schedule from one day to the next so all the business activities that require your attention get done.
That also includes your marketing plan and being consistent in your message to potential clients, the branding that you use, and the style of the images that the viewing public sees on your website, in your portfolio, and on your social media channels.
The more consistent you are, the easier it is for you to get into a routine, and the more likely that your clients will perceive you as professional and experienced. Those are all good things!
Editor's Tip: To bring more consistency to the manner in which you present your photos to clients, you need to partner with a printing company that offers top-notch products for your business. nPhoto is one of the premier printers in the world, with an expansive line of photo albums and other accessories that will wow your clients. Find out more by clicking here.
Give Your Clients an Experience They Won't Forget
One of the best ways to ensure you stand out in the crowd of wedding photographers is to focus your attention on giving your clients an experience that's second-to-none.
There are many different ways to do this...
Start out with a bang, by constructing a consult experience that is sure to knock people's socks off.
Buy them coffee, have treats to share, and foot the bill for it all. These aren't expensive items, especially when you consider how many thousands of dollars potential clients will spend on their wedding photography packages.
By turning the consult into something that feels less business-like and more like they're meeting with an old friend, the better the experience will be.
Another idea to impress potential clients is to present your work in a way that shows your dedication and commitment to quality.
On the one hand, this is an opportunity to show off your photography style by showing them sample images that you've created.
This is an important step because you want your clients to see your vision for what you'd like to do for their big day.
It's important for another reason as well - you can introduce them to some of the products that you offer.
Showing off your product line is by far one of the best ways to ensure your clients leave your consult impressed. That's especially true if you partner with a company like nPhoto, who has built a solid reputation for producing some of the best photo albums and accessories on the market today.
nPhoto's albums are highly customizable, too, so you not only have gorgeous products to offer potential clients, but you also have a custom experience to offer them as well.
These photo albums aren't just beautiful to look at, either - holding them in your hand, you can feel the quality of craftsmanship.
The covers are beautifully detailed, with your choice of several different materials. The interior pages are equally as beautiful with a weight and heft to them that make the album feel like an heirloom.
The point here is that the consult experience shouldn't just be you talking about how great you and your photos are.
Instead, you need to give your clients something they can feel, touch, and experience. If you do that with a sampling of nPhoto photo albums, you're putting yourself in the best possible position to impress would-be clients.
Learn More:
- Check Out nPhoto's Line of Photo Albums and Other Accessories
- Reviewed: The Best Photo Album on the Market
- How to Design a Professional Photo Album
Focus on Marketing Yourself
It might sound weird to market yourself, but just hear me out...
The most unique thing about you as a wedding photographer is you. That means that when you are the center of your marketing strategy, you have a ready-made method of setting yourself apart from other wedding photographers.
So, when coming up with ways to promote your business, think of your unique qualities and how you can use them for marketing purposes.
For example, if one of your best qualities is your ability to guide and direct people, upload a short video to YouTube that shows you wrangling people for a group photo at a wedding.
If you're proud of your ability to make genuine connections with people, put a series of photos on your Instagram that takes people step by step through your process of getting to know your clients.
Heck, you can even offer up some behind-the-scenes photos or videos that tell your personal story, like why you decided to become a wedding photographer.
The point here is that by marking yourself in addition to your services, you humanize yourself, help people get to know you, and put a face to the business name, all at the same time.
The more people know you as a person, the more likely they will be to come knocking at your door to hire you!
Editor's Tip: A great marketing strategy is to highlight your relationship with other vendors. For example, you might add a blog post to your site about the bakery you recommend, the florist you prefer to work with, and the company you use to print your clients' images. By showing your personal connection to these other businesses, you help to humanize them while also showing your commitment to providing your clients a top-notch experience.