How do you know when your book is strong enough to start marketing to potential clients? I’ve heard you only get one shot and only one first impression.
You get more than one shot because clients in larger cities changeover often. When a client sees potential in your book they will often want to witness where you take it and be the one to help launch your career. Your book is strong enough when you start bidding on jobs.
Space out your reply emails to use it as more marketing PR time.
Is it pointless to market yourself as a generalist? I shoot a lot of architecture, but also people and some products.
Being a generalist and shooting a bit of everything is definitely a more difficult marketing path for any photographer. I find this can work in smaller locations or if the photographer has a lot of personal friendships with their clients.
What is the difference between an Art Producer and a Print Producer? And when sending promos who precisely should I target?
An art producer is the same as an art buyer, just a new term that sums up their role more accurately. If an agency has an art producer then I’d skip their print producers who often have nothing to do with choosing photographers. The only reason I’d contact a print producer is if the agency does not have an art producer, because then they are most likely doing both jobs. Definitely send promos to all levels of Art Producers (or art buyers). A print producer is the person who gets the image ready to go to print.
How do you find new photographers? Specific websites?
Guest Post, Mara Serdans: I get lots of emails and promos from photographers. Otherwise, I find new photographers on Instagram, at portfolio reviews, blogs, magazines and at gallery shows. I peruse directories like At-Edge, Workbook, and Found Folios. I love checking out PDN’s Annual listing of New and Emerging Photographers. I’ll even go back to the previous years’ listings to remind myself of the talent.
Guest Post: Creative Consultant, Mara Serdans
What does it take to stay hot as a photographer in this constantly changing industry?
As a photographer, you have to constantly evolve, push yourself, and take chances if you want to succeed. It really is true that you have to be willing to leave your comfort zone if you want to get anywhere. Media and technology change so quickly that it can be tough to keep up. But when you learn to embrace changes and become adaptable, a lot of things start to happen.
Guest Post: John Duarte, Photographer
What would you say is the biggest pitfall you see photographers making in terms of marketing?
Guest Post, Josh Rossi: One of the biggest pitfalls photographers make is not treating photography as a product that solves problems. A lot of photographers think companies hire them just to take pretty pictures. In reality the company is hiring them to solve a problem. If you can figure out what problems companies have and figure out a way to solve them then you can create a more compelling pitch, and that is what will get you hired.
Guest Post: Josh Rossi
It’s a new world where a photographer has to actively out themselves out there.
Step one to successful Marketing: show only your strongest images to make an impact in 2 seconds.
Guest Post: Creative Consultant, Mara Serdans
Sometimes, the best sales tool is to know when to be patient.
