Now that you have a great brand and know who your ideal client is, you need to make sure they can find you.
That’s where marketing comes in - it essentially comprises the different ways you can put your brand in front of your audience.
Some people don’t understand the value of marketing. Just like I did years ago, they think people will just find them regardless, but that’s not how it works.
You actively need to show people who you are and what you offer.
And it’s not a case of doing it just once. Remember the Rule of 7? It needs to be applied to marketing, too.
You need to keep putting your brand in front of people - you need to keep showing up.
There are so many ways and places you can market yourself as a photographer. We’re going to explore some of the most effective ones.
A killer website
Your website is one of the most important places to showcase your work. It should be a one-stop shopfront to showcase exactly what you do and who you are.
Unlike other places, there are no restrictions on what you share on your website. It’s entirely up to you.
I think your website should showcase at least some of the following:
A little bit about yourself (ties into your personal brand)
Some full wedding galleries
Starting prices
Social Media
While social media’s organic reach has gone down significantly, it’s still a very useful place to showcase your work.
There are numerous platforms that you can use - Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter are the main ones that come to mind.
While each requires a slightly different strategy, they are great ways to connect with current and potential future clients and showcase the best of your portfolio.
In-person marketing
Remember, people are booking you, not just your work.
While it could seem outdated, it’s important for people to be able to connect with you, browse your work and ask you some questions.
I’ve found that wedding fairs have been a great way for getting in front of my ideal clients.
Vendor connections
At the start, it may seem like you have to compete against other photographers but it’s so important to connect with them instead. Building these connections with other photographers, as well as other local wedding vendors, will cultivate community.
Having this community will be crucial in getting some referrals - photographers who have enquiries for dates they’re not free can pass your name on.
Having a multi-layered marketing strategy is so crucial so all your business isn’t coming from the one place. A healthy business has multiple lead generators.
We’re going to delve into these different ways to market in more depth in coming weeks.