Marketing Idea

[mbp]

Hi

This may not be a new idea but I thought I would post it here.

After shooting a wedding at a "nice" venue. (ie one I would like to return to).

I produce a CD of a selection of the files taken at the venue. Including table shots, a shot of the exterior of the venue and any other shots that show the venue in the best light.

I then send the cd of images to the venue free of charge with my compliments stating they may use them for any purpose , for example in advertising , brochures etc.

I dont include shots of the Bride and Groom for obvious reasons.

I have found this goes down well with the venue as they remember you next time and are more inclined to recommend you.

Anyone else do this?

Mark

[drewstrickland]

Originally Posted by mbp

Hi

This may not be a new idea but I thought I would post it here.

After shooting a wedding at a "nice" venue. (ie one I would like to return to).

I produce a CD of a selection of the files taken at the venue. Including table shots, a shot of the exterior of the venue and any other shots that show the venue in the best light.

I then send the cd of images to the venue free of charge with my compliments stating they may use them for any purpose , for example in advertising , brochures etc.

I dont include shots of the Bride and Groom for obvious reasons.

I have found this goes down well with the venue as they remember you next time and are more inclined to recommend you.

Anyone else do this?

Mark

This is a great idea. We haven't offered cds in a while though because they seem to get stuck in a drawer. But even so, you have impressed the venue and they will be more likely to remember you, which is half the point.

These days the trend seems to be to create an 8x10 collage and make about 100 or 200 copies of them to leave with the venue to hand out to brides. I know some places will let you order 8x10s for 25 cents each if you order enough of these in bulk. Of ocurse, put the venue name prominently on the collage and your studio information as well. This way your name can make it into a lot of hands for $25 to $50. Also works well with other vendors.

[mbp]

Hi Drew

Yes , another good idea but it does take time making up the collage and I have the feeling that by giving the cd of files its something the venue can really use for their own benefit.

With the 10x8 collage idea they know you are giving it to them for our own benefit ie free advertising.

Any more ideas anyone??


Mark

[PaulCosmic]

Both the CD and the collage ideas are great, if different ways. And I agree Mark, the venue will know you are supplying the collage handouts for free advertising, but they will know that is why you sent the cd too, wedding planners & venue managers are not daft.

I think the key to making this marketing ploy work, is to give the venue something out of the ordinary, but something they will find useful too. And of course the higher class the venue, the higher class the gift should be. I shot at my local golf and county club for the first time this weekend. Only a small wedding, but I made sure I got some shots the venue will hopefully find useful for their marketing.

Paul

[DavidBeckstead]

This can also backfire; They use your image or images on every sort of advertising they can: tv comercials, billboards and more. This can be a lost revenue of thousands of dollars. They don't put your name on it. They don't care who took it. They fight you if you try to get a little something for it. You can lose a lot by doing this also. Cordinators come and go so fast at hotels and venues. Your stuff gets lost or over used. Sometimes with no benifit at all to you. If all photographers did this than they don't care all that much because your no more special than the others.

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