Surefire Ways To Impress Your Clients
It goes without saying, but first impressions are everything- especially as a photographer! Though your work can speak for itself, there’s a long road ahead of delivering your client’s edits from their shoot… (which by themselves, will certainly impress them!)
As soon as a potential client reaches out to inquire about a booking, we’re given an opportunity to seal the deal by nailing the first impression. Here are some of our tried-and-true tactics for showing your potential clients that you’re at the top of your game…
KNOW YOUR WORTH
If I’ve learned one thing in my time freelancing, it’s that we tend to undersell ourselves.
Hypothetical for you. Say you were to shop for a new sofa exclusively online- you can’t feel the fabric, test the plushness of the cushions, or check to ensure it doesn’t have a weird factory smell. So instead, you rely solely on a few resources: consumer reviews (truly always priceless), photos and videos, and subconsciously, price bias.
If a retailer is advertising a large, comfy sofa that you can stretch out on for only $50, that might raise a few red flags, right? Like, Why are they charging significantly lower than their competitors? Typically, we come to the same conclusion- because the quality isn’t up to par. You’ll most-likely land on a sofa that’s above a certain dollar threshold to ensure quality.
Translating that into a creative freelance world, it’s important that you spend some time researching other photographers that are in the same vein as you and allow your findings to influence your decision on a fair rate.
PRO MOVE: Your time and energy is precious! Protect it-.ask your client for a deposit prior to the shoot. This way, if they back out or cancel last-minute you’ll still be compensated for your time and for holding that date for them. This could be 50% of the agreed upon rate, or whatever you feel most comfortable with.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Sticking with the same themes as above, show your client that you mean business - send them a contract. It doesn’t need to be anything super fancy, but a simple contract that outlines the deliverables, timelines, with both client and photographer expectations sets all parties’ minds at ease and shows them that you’ve been around the block.
(This would also be a great time to collect and explain what the deposit is for! Communicate that it’s reserving their chosen date/time.)
Hook-ups and referrals
Nothing makes a person feel more like a VIP than when they’re treated to some exclusive perks! Give your clients the star treatment by offering hook-ups and discounts through referrals.
Spend some time connecting with local businesses that might overlap your own. Examples might be: print and framing shops, bridal boutiques and planners, hotels or accommodations, etc. Visit them in-person to develop a working relationship with them and inquire about any potential collaborations or offers that you could provide to them, and they could provide to your clients!
PRO MOVE: Collaborate with a local hair and makeup artist to create a VIP package to give your clients the full star treatment! Or offer a list of trusted HMUA’s that would be happy for the referral!
your casa is their casa
Sure, you could meet up with a client at a coffee shop to chat shoot plans and specs. It’s cute, it’s local, it’s convenient and gets the job done.
Buuut, if you really want to show them that you’re the real deal, have them meet you at your studio.
And I know, private studios are expensive to rent, especially if you’re just getting started! Rather than footing your own rental costs, look into local co-creating studios like ours at Wonderland, or strike up a conversation and relationship with a local rental studio you could see yourself frequenting.
Meeting your client at the studio prior to their shoot allows them to more easily envision their session, and plan ahead for themselves. They’ll be happy to know ahead of time what parking is like, where the entrance, bathroom, and common areas are, and any refreshments/water that are available.
Plus, they’re more likely to book another session or refer a friend if they know they can easily shoot in the same studio.
PRO MOVE: Co-creating studios are the way to go if you’re ready to call a studio home. A monthly membership allows you unlimited or pre-determined access to studio spaces. No more rained out sessions, no more shooting portraits in a makeshift corner. Just a fresh new space to call home and practice your craft.
No co-creating or membership studios near you? If you’re renting an hourly studio, call ahead and see if you would be able to visit/tour the studio with your client prior to your shoot. Follow it up with a stop for coffee to chat further about the shoot now that you’ve both seen the space!
Clarity is key
If you’re anything like I am, before you visit a new place, you’re quick to jump into Google street view to scope out parking and the building entrance. Your clients might be the same way!
No matter how excited a client is for a session, there may be still be some nerves and anxiety surrounding shoot day. Set their minds at ease by sending them a client PDF or reference sheet. Go the extra mile by personalizing it to them per each shoot. Some things to include might be:
Meeting location and parking
Nearby bathrooms/changing room options (if shooting outdoors)
Rain check plan (is there a backup studio? Have you discussed a back-up date?)
Studio amenities (if shooting in a studio)
Photographer bio (help them feel more comfortable by telling them a bit about yourself)
Important dates (shoot date and time, when they can expect their deliverables, when the rest of their payment is due, rain check date, etc.)
I hope these tips inspire you! If you’re local to Savannah and looking for a co-creative studio to call home, be sure to check out our Wonderland Society, at Wonderland Photography Studios!