SENIOR TIPS

ADVERTISING TIPS

SCHOOL FLYERS
Every school has a regular flyer that lets the students know what is happening for that week/month. You need to coordinate your announcement with the school administrator and give your Seniors plenty of time to digest the shooting schedule. Make sure that you include a clear message of your timeing needs and a contact phone number.

'SINGERS'
Every Photographer has one client that can't say enough great things about their work. Senior Photography is the one area that is especially geared toward the use of a 'singer'. Choose someone who is very influential in the school. It could be the head cheerleader or the captain of the football team. Contact them and offer a free session, along with plenty of wallet sized pictures. Instruct them to show all of their friends these images and let them know that there will be a commission for all of the new students that they bring into the studio. You can never get enough advertising.

POST CARDS
Post cards should be developed and sent out three or four times a year. You should use Junior and Senior class lists or buy lists from reliable sources.
The cards should reflect the type of Senior work that will peak their interest and want to contact you for an appointment. You should try to make them an unusual size and use premium glossy stock.

MAGAZINES
There are many Seniors who don't have a school yearbook program or choose not to participate. In these cases, you want to choose 'age appropriate' magazines and take out a very impactful ad. You will want your message to draw them into your studio, so that you can create a 'masterpiece' for all of their friends to envy.

SCHOOL EVENTS
Whenever a school has a special event, be it a pep rally, school play, etc., a lot of seniors will be in attendance. This is a perfect opportunity for you to volunteer to take pictures, and then use these images to promote your style of photography. Make sure to coordinate this with the school administrator and offer prints for their yearbook.

SPORTS TEAMS
As with the school events, the sports teams will need team pictures and action photos for their yearbook. This is a perfect opportunity for you to make contact with the Senior players and scout out a 'singer'.

 

MARKETING TIPS

PLANNING ANNUAL SENIOR PROGRAMS

The most important part of being a Senior Photographer, is the relationship you will develop with your school administrators. These people are directly responsible for the size and scope of all yearbook programs. Make sure to find out when they are putting their program out for bid, so that you can be first to either re-negotiate your current contract or out-bid a competitor. All of your presentation should include (but not be limited to) number of poses, daily shooting schedules, proper dress, deadlines for the yearbook, etc. If you are a 'free-lance' Senior Photographer, then you will need to set out an annual schedule for mass advertising. This will get you the most exposure to your potential audience.

SETTING PRICEING

When setting up your pricing structure for the year, remember to factor in a specific cost analysis. As your core costs increase, be sure to adjust your retail pricing accordingly. The 'pieces and parts' of your offering must include (but are not limited to) materials, labor, overhead, freight, etc.

DEVELOPING STRATEGIES

Strategic planning is the lifeblood of any business. It is vital for you to think through the different programs that you will be offering each sector of your business. Planning for your contractual school business is a lot different than planning annual promotions with your studio sittings. Each has specific cost and time factors that need to come into consideration.

DEVELOPING PACKAGES

Photographers should view themselves as a commissioned artist. As such, you should present your work packaged, with all extras included. Just like an Art Gallery would! When was the last time you purchased an oil painting without a 'free' frame and all of the appropriate finishing touches? Probably never. That is why you should always include a picture frame with every portrait sale. If you are only taking smaller images, be sure to include photo frames and folders with your studio name foil stamped on the image. This is your free advertising.....use it!


TRAINING STAFF

Each studio has a staff. Whether you are a 'mom & pop' operation or have 20 people on your payroll, everyone needs training. Service, product knowledge, features & benefits, etc. all need to be well understood by the people who represent your studio. Each staff member needs to act like they 'have a piece of the action'!

 

SALES TIPS

 


PACKAGE PRICING

You should try to sell your images in a package. This will allow your customers to feel like there is a 'value added' concept and they will not need to go elsewhere to frame their portrait.
The more products that you can include in your portrait packages, the more your customers are willing to go to one level higher in expenditure.

CONSULTATIVE SELLING

The most important concept in selling anything, is the interaction between the sales person and their client. Finding out what their needs are and satisfying them will lead to a win/win experience for both parties.
This is known as consultative selling. It is the core skill that separates 'pitch men' from a genuinely interested merchant.

BUILDING ANCILLARY PRODUCTS

Ancillary products are the ones that you incorporate into a sale, after the core portrait sale is complete. They can be photo frames, folders, small albums, acrylic frames and key chains, etc. You get the idea. These smaller sales accomplish two things. First, they allow you to finish the smaller proof prints that the customer has purchased. Second, they will sharply increase the transaction size and your bottom line!

These Tips Coming Soon

 

 

 

 

 

LARGE GRADUATION TASSEL FRAMES
SMALL GRADUATION TASSEL FRAMES
YEAR FRAMES WITH DOUBLE MATS
NAME FRAMES WITH DOUBLE MATS
MULTI-OPENING WALL FOLIOS WITH DOUBLE MATS
LEATHERETTE FOLIOS
PRESENTATION PROM FOLDERS
PEEL & STICK ALBUMS
PEEL & STICK KEY CHAINS
ACRYLIC PRODUCTS