Bridal Competition Lead Generation-Your Thoughts

[Res_Ipsa]

Hi All,

This forum has got the better of me now, what a great bunch of people you all are and look at the time i've posted this!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Here's a dilema that myself and a small group of wedding supply companies have.

I've been involved heavily in the past in portraiture promotional ideas for photographers and have partly come up with a bridal competition to run in a very selective publication (one that attracts the right type of clientelle).

Can any of you guys/girls give me your thoughts as to its viability and have any of you seen anything run like this before?

THERE ARE SOME STIPULATIONS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF THE PRIZES WHICH MAKES THIS IDEA SO UNIQUE.

1. 1st Prize winner will get their wedding photography totally complimentary as winners

2. 2nd prize is eg, the bridal bouquet offered

3. 3rd prize is their wedding car for their day

4. 4th prize Wedding Stationary prepared for your day

5. 5th prize £50 M&S Vouchers

OK you are all saying, I don't give anything away for nothing, BUT, the marketing information you are given about each Bride entering IS INVALUABLE and you virtually have ALL details of couples getting married handed to you on a plate.

When we used to run this sort of similar idea with portraiture, we would obtain in the region of around 200-300 hot leads of families who were interested in having a family portrait taken.

The key to the plan is the Competition Wording and what they have to do to enter is simple.!

I suppose those of you who are well established don't need to even consider this sort of route to attract potential clients, but the group of us starting new ventures, I can't see how this can't work.

Looking forward to all of your replies.

Best wishes

Keith.

[Paul_Rogers]

I don't think you can compare portraiture with weddings.

Let me play devil's advocate here.

The difference between portraits and weddings.
1. Couples expect to get married once / Portraits can be taken over and over - Conclusion one shot chance
2. Only a selected amount of weddings in the area / Anyone and everyone can have their portrait taken - Conclusion potential work limited
3. Portraits of individuals / Weddings couples - Conclusion half the amount of applicants

On the marketing aspect. Where do most couples look for a wedding photographers?
1. Internet websites
2. Magazines
3. Recommendation
4. Wedding Fayres
What do all of these have in common? The couple can view examples of your work. I get the impression you are getting back into or are looking to start out in wedding photograhy. How many weddings do you have under your belt? Do you have a good portfolio of wedding photographs for clients to view?

So if you do get the leads what then?
You contact the the unsuccessful people to try and gain their business.
Then they ask:-

1. How many weddings have you done?
2. Where can I see some of your work?
3. Do you have a website?
4. Do you have recommendations from previous couples?
5. We live in Devon are you prepared to travel? We'd like you to come and show us your wedding portfolio and visit the church practice. (In a magazine potentially the work could come from around the country)
6. What photography experience do you have?
7. Why should I use you and not the photographer I have been recommended?
8. £1200+ is a lot of money what do I get for my money?
9. If you are value for money then want makes you stand out from the rest?

If you are confident these questions pose you no problems then good luck. If you can't surmount these questions and it goes wrong you could get yourself a bad name in the market with the general public and that could be very hard to retrieve! Also with the advertising costs, the printing costs, the prizes costs you are going to have to do a fair few weddings before you even break even.

99% of my wedding work is through word of mouth and that is the best advertising and marketing money can't buy.

Good Luck
Signed
The Devil's Advocate

[Res_Ipsa]

HI Paul,

I'm appreciative of your comments and I can answer YES to your points. As i've mentioned, i'm returning to the "social photography" arena after some 10 years being in the field from the late 80's early 90's.

I have everything in place to launch again with a big bang. Remember, i've been through the pitfalls of business and operation in the past. I came away with qualifications from all of the main bodies, numerous Kodak Awards, and a highly reputable name from where I was. Along with the portrait market, I used to photography approx. 30-40 weddings a year. I kept it to a minimum because Saturday's became a crucial day for sittings.

Because you don't see anything in place on the web "right now" doesn't mean that i'm not prepared !!

The question I asked from you all was that do you feel that "Modern Brides" would take to this type of an approach?

Thanks for your reply too.

Keith.