Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How to Get the Most from Your Customer Interviews Advice for Professional Photographers

By Clwyd Probert


Client meetups are so critical for your business and your reputation that plenty of thought and care should be put into them. Many a wedding photographer will feel that showing a straightforward album of their work is sufficiently good to close a deal. This is not true, the world of pro photography is strongly competitive and everything that you do towards increasing the quantity of clients that sign up is vital.

First you have got to decide where you are going to meet your client. Generally there are 3 choices:

- At your work (or home) address
- At the clients home
- At a neutral location convenient to you both.

Which you select will rely upon where you live and the kind of business you run. If you have got a studio in a town centre then everyone will come to you. However if you're located out in the country then you'll have to visit your client or meet at a local cafe.

If you have to meet away from home, try and select a location which is quiet, so that you can be heard without interruption and that appears like a quality venue. Choose a time of the day when the place is at it's least busy "it is worth phoning the venue beforehand to check on their quiet times.

If you have got to go to visit the customer, try to make certain you take all that you need to close the deal, including detailed price lists and contracts. If you promise to put something in the post, then there's always the likelihood that they may change their mind.

When you organize the meeting, try to make certain that all of the decision makers are present. This is frequently family of the bride or groom who might be stumping up for the event.

If the bride comes to your studio confirm it is clean, neat and smells fresh. There is little worse than working into somebody's house and feeling that you need to walk right back out again.

If possible run a display on a giant projector or big high definition display. Size does matter and folk will be impressed by the scale of the photographs which they're used to viewing on a little PC screen.

Put plenty of work into your display albums make sure that they're truly galvanizing and show off the particular traits you're trying to stress.

Always talk in positive terms about the things that you will be doing for them. Talk as though you are already their selected paparazzo. Before they leave "ask for the business "never allow them to go with a simple thanks. They might have made their decision and are prepared to sign at this time "explain that dates are going quickly and you would be very pleased to document their wedding.

In summary, treat folks with respect and kindness and treat them in the same way you want to be treated by a 5 start hotel. Remember, you are selling a 5 star service.




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