And it begins
It’s a fairly hot day for our first day of the fair… Which is a good thing because we are indoors in a/c and that will raise our foot traffic as people come in to cool off.
Our best call to action offer ever is a $150 off any collection purchase. We usually do session fee discounts so this is a different approach for us and I hope the dollar amount will sound better, even though it’s not really always the case. Worst case cenario a 30 min child session is $100 session fee and min collection purchase $369 = $469-150 $319 for 30 min session, so it’s not all bad for 1-8×10, 6-5×7′s, and 24 wallets from up to 3 poses.
Can you look too expensive? In today’s economy could you hurt yourself by looking or simply having the reputation of being the best and most expensive? I thought that is an interesting question.
That is an interesting question. I wish I knew it’s answer. I’ve spent the past few years trying to be the area’s ‘Exclusive’ photographer… now I wonder.
“Most expensive” probably isn’t going to hurt you if you’re dealing with the right market segment. There’s a car dealer that opened up a year or a year and a half ago (yup – right in the middle of the melt down) that sells Aston Martins, Bentleys and a couple of other cars like those, and I’ve been seeing a bunch of their cars running around town. There’s still money out there to be spent.
With a less affluent market, showing that you’ll give them a good deal (ie Scott’s example above, $150 off a collection) should work because the customers get “the good photography” but not at full price.
There’s a risk, theough. There is a guy in my town who does amazing, creative things and is very pricy. However, his reputation is “He’s SOOOO expensive!” not, “He is an amazing photographer – expensive but worth it.” If you have a brand that is worth it, you can be the best and expensive. It takes educating the clients and a demand for “better”. I don’t think Bentleys would go over well in the middle of Detroit right now… In my area – where there is money to be spent – better to be on the high-end and perceived as a great value. Value doesn’t mean “cheap”… I’d rather have a Coach purse that lasts a lifetime than a $30 purse that will look like crap in 3 uses. But that only works if there is a market for Coach purses to begin with.
I spent years trying to be the big dog. Now I don’t care any more. I just want to do my thing and make a little money. Being on top doesn’t hold the appeal it once did. I am looking forward to next summer – being done with being state PPA president so I can fade back into the crowd.
Scott, can you take some video of your booth? how are you doing the $150 off…a drawing? or available to everyone…can you put up the marketing piece your using there…
thanks
Matt