Do you ever find photographers or directors on Instagram?
Word of mouth tends to be the way I find people. It’s still pretty hard to find a photographer through random searching although there are always exceptions, of course. My advice is to try to get clients’ attention in every way possible, including targeted ads on social media, snail mail and email promos, setting up meetings, etc.
Guest Post: Creative/Art Director
Dave Gassman
You look like an amateur if you don’t have an official website email + a signature at the bottom with your website link on it.
Look, there are many photographers out there, and we’re competing with a large number of people contacting our clients. We need to reassure them that we are an established business. In the past, we used to rely on stationery with our business address and information. Now, photographers primarily use Instagram and their website. Therefore, your email signature should convey that you are real, professional, and reliable. It should demonstrate that you know what you’re doing and that clients will be in good hands with you.
What is the best way for a photographer seeking representation to get the attention of potential reps?
I’ve been asked this question in many ways over the years but the simple answer is a rep will see your work and make a decision about whether or not they can find you work. Emailing a rep directly and showing your website is still the most effective way to get a rep’s attention.
Only have one question mark in your email if you need it to be answered quickly.
I’ve found that if I ask two questions in an email, typically only one will get answered. However, if I list out multiple questions, then each one tends to get answered. It seems to be a pattern, though it might be worth studying scientifically. For now, this is what I’ve observed: using bullet points or dashes to list out questions works better. Otherwise, if you include questions in a paragraph format, the second question often gets overlooked.
I’m constantly frustrated about not being able to get a reply to emails or phone calls after sending out high quality printed promos to agencies or directly to a client. I’ve even started to create personalized 30 second video follow-ups in an attempt to get my personality across. I simply want to figure out if they want to be kept on the mailing list or not.
Should I go back to the mass mailing approach or continue to send the printed promos?
I wouldn’t waste your time and money on sending high quality printed work unsolicited. People are usually too busy to respond and their initial review of unsolicited work is likely to be from a digital source. Their lack of response is normal. The only quick responses I receive are via LinkedIn. So give that a try.
If you want a “cold” email opened and read, don’t attach an image.
The more we can look like humans instead of spam, the better. In my own marketing, I draw from my personal experience as a recipient of emails. If an email doesn’t address me by name, I delete it. If it includes images, it often feels like spam, so I delete it again—honestly, that brings me a bit of joy. It’s easy to go off on tangents with this, but what’s most important right now is that I’m finding a link works best instead of images in the email. Include a link—it makes it quick and easy, and people are more likely to click on it.
Is it a good idea to email my portfolio as a PDF attachment?
Would YOU open a PDF from a stranger? Hopefully not.
I’m looking for a rep and I’ve received so many different opinions about how to go about this. Finding the right rep seems like a similar dynamic to dating. You have to put yourself out there and be mindful of not attracting the wrong type. Do I call? Do I text? Do I wait for them to call me? I thought I’d left this all behind in my 20’s! Help!
Just like dating, there isn’t one simple answer to this question. I find personal referrals are the best introductions but if you don’t have that luxury then I suggest sending a short email with a link to your website. For me the work usually speaks for itself, so get your website in front of a rep who interests you. Hopefully you’ll get a shot at a second date with at least one of them. Good luck!
DO NOT send any promos to a client’s personal email, unless they have given you permission. Doing this crosses a professional boundary and could affect potential future work.
If you’re emailing a client and they have a professional, official work email, do not use their personal email if you have access to that. Don’t do it. It’s rude and you could really piss someone off. Use the work email if you have one. It draws a line that we shouldn’t assume we can cross. Some people might not get angry about it, but a lot will, so be really careful about the personal and professional email. Keep it as professional as you can if that’s your purpose and relationship with them.
Can you include buyers and reps in your email list or do you have to ask for their permission before sending out promos?
It’s usually better to ask for forgiveness than permission. It depends on the type of work you shoot, but in the commercial advertising world we send out promos regularly to client’s business email addresses. My theory for marketing is to throw the pasta against the wall and see what sticks. Personally, I receive lots of promos and emails that I didn’t sign up for and I don’t mind at all.
