Last week I spent a lot of time thinking about marketing and trying to figure out the most effective & cost efficient ways to get my business out there in front of brides….and really, I’m still somewhat stumped. Most avenues are just too expensive for me. I don’t have a few extra thousand dollars lying around to put up a booth in a bridal show or to run an ad with a local planning company, but I’m not quite sure what my other options are. I’m slowly resigning myself to the fact that I’m probably going to have spend a little bit of money at some point on advertising, but it’s hard to know the best place to do that.
So, my questions are for all of you lovely past, present & future brides. Where are you looking? How are you finding your wedding photographer? How can I make it easier for you to find me? What are you looking for?
I would LOVE your input. Your comments are absolute GOLD to me. Please, please, please offer some insight and even share this post with your friends, so they can weigh in, too! I will love you forever if you do 🙂
Happy Monday, y’all!
Rebecca - A couple years ago when I got engaged (it ended up not working out), I loved looking at wedding blogs. I would search my favorite blogs by state and look at pictures of Real Weddings in my state. After finding a couple Real Weddings that I liked, I searched for the photographers website, and started following their blogs. I also asked my friends what photographer they used or if they knew any photographers. Now I’m engaged again, and I know exactly which photographer I’ll be using because I’ve been following their blog for years.
Emma - Rebecca, thank you so much for your insight! This helps me out so much and gives me a new perspective and path! Thank you and good luck to you in your wedding planning!! So exciting 🙂
Amy Brown Bell - I found my photographer through my wedding planner. I told her how much and what kind of look I was looking for and she set up meetings with 3 photographers. One sent their assistant and didn’t take the time, the other canceled 30 minutes before the meeting and the last one showed up and showed me their books. I didn’t want to take any more time and I got a long with him so I went ahead and booked it. If I had not gone with a wedding planner I would have chosen my photographer from the Southern Bridal Show. I met with a great new photographer that had an awesome booth. I’m not sure how exepensive those shows are, but every booth was packed. Good Luck!
Emma - Thank you Amy! That’s really great to know. The shows are really expensive…but it may be worth it, if it would connect me to fabulous brides like you!
Kelly Horton Crow - I would network with as many wedding vendors as possible; flowers, bakeries, caterers, bridal boutiques, etc. leave your card in their shops, etc. Offer a coupon in a drawing or contest, Brides want to save a little $. Word of mouth I think is the most popular for Brides, they hear about you, they look at your work and if they like it, you’re in! I would subscribe to all the wedding blogs and keep promoting yourself on Facebook and encourage all of your brides to spread the word!
Abby - I googled photographers in the area we got married in first off. Then because my wedding budget was less than most brides spend on their gowns I asked around for cheap but decent :/. So I got a couple good pictures and all was good. So I guess word of mouth after online hunting turned up great but to expensive for me photographers.
Emma - Thanks Abby, I know that word of mouth is ultimately the best and it is definitely my top choice on how I would prefer a bride to find me. So far that’s how I’ve gotten all of the weddings I’ve had so far and I love that! Hopefully, that ball keeps rolling and picks up a little more steam 😉
Samantha Marie White - I honestly found mine through facebook like 4-5 years ago before I was even engaged. I knew he was THE ONE, and the only one who would be there.. now we’re actually friends on top of being my photographer! there may be cheaper bridal expos too that you could attend.
Andrea Jones - I knew who I wanted looooong before I even got engaged — even before I knew if she even shot weddings. I’ve attended some of the big bridal shows but most of the vendors were WAY overpriced for me and it was difficult to really get an idea of what they were about. If you’re mostly interested in working with brides in the Greater Bham area, I would possibly consider placing ads in some of the local magazines — Shelby Living, Birmingham Magazine, Birmingham Parent, etc. I agree that word of mouth is usually the most effective method, though that’s probably a slower way to gain clients. I think local nail shops would also be a great place to leave cards and/or flyers. Hope this isn’t rambling… the rain is making me sleepy. 🙂 Your photographs are beautiful!
Emma Nathews - Thank you Kelly 🙂 Those are all great suggestions!
Emma Nathews - Andrea, this is great! Thank you so much for taking the time to offer some advice and for the sweet words about my work <3
Emma Nathews - I’m trying to utilize social media and my blog as MUCH as possible because I feel like that is the way I really want to connect with brides and it is definitely my ideal way (aside from client referrals) to attract brides, I just feel like I’m not getting anywhere…I guess I’m getting impatient! Haha! Thank you for the insight!