I talk about local marketing all of the time and today I want to share some local collaboration ideas that you can use for your photography business this holiday season. One of the ways to become a go to photographer in your area is to be known in your community. This isn’t an overnight success strategy, but I promise if you take the time and intention to build genuine relationships with those in your community, it will pay off.
Local Collaboration Idea #1 – 12 Days Of Giveaways
Not just your regular giveaway but a Christmas themed 12 days of giveaways. In December for several years in a row I would partner with 11 other busiensses. These could be a boutique, salon, massage thereapist, a shopping center, handmade crafts, custom shirts, it doesn’t matter.
The idea here is that all 12 businesses, with you being the 12th, are assigned a day. Each day you would promote that business and what that business is giving away. All of these businesses would then be sharing about you and about this giveaway allowing all of their different audiences to learn about your business. That is where the whole idea of exposure comes in. All of those 11 other audiences are being exposed to your business.
If you want to take this as one of your local collaboration ideas and do it with your business then I want you to first pick 12 days on your calendar. So maybe you run it from December 1st to December 12th. Then I want you to start brainstorming businesses in your local community and keep your ideal client in mind. What would she be excited about potentially winning? For me as a family photographer I know I’d be talking to my mamas. She’s going to want a gift certificate to a salon, a massage, a basket full of beauty and self care items, anything like that.
Now just because you do giveaways doesn’t mean you have to give away a full session for free. You can give away session credits or a basket full of frames with your business card. Something your ideal client is going to use.
Then the key to making these giveaways a success is making sure you take the time to plan out the marketing of the event so people know it’s coming. Take time to craft the captions, posts, emails, etc. Then get people who are interested in your particular prize on your email list. You need their contact information so you can reach out to them again in the future.
Local Collaboration Idea #2 – Holiday Events
The second collaboration idea I have for you is holiday events happening in your community. This could be parades or craft fairs where you could have your own booth or be the photographer for the event. So think of creative ways that you can be a part of the holiday events happening in your area.
Local Collaboration Idea #3 – Holiday Open Houses
Similar to #2 but I felt it needed its own category. Holiday open houses are when local businesses will go all out to where they are really encouraging the community to come out and shop. There’s usually snacks and drinks and Santa will show up. So how can you collaborate on a holiday open house? Can you offer your services? And again that doesn’t have to be for free. It’s amazing because it’s getting you out in front of people in your community, you can hand out business cards, get to know people, and get leads going. This one ties in so closely with #2 but you can combine a lot of these ideas.
Local Collaboration Idea #4 – Create A Photo Booth
Create a photo booth for the holiday season and ask if you can create it near a business. Or if you have a studio how can you incorporate other business owners or other members of the community? If you do have a studio you could host your own open house and have a holiday mini set up where you allow the community to come in. And instead of being the photographer for these pictures you allow them to take the photos on their phone. Here you’re getting people to physically walk into your space.
These are such great ideas but none of them are easy. I need you to take the easy out of your brain and understand that things can be simple, yes. But they’re going to require your work and your intention. But if you do just one of these this holiday season it will pay off.
Local Collaboration Idea #5 – Spotlight Other Businesses
This is going to be the easiest one. I know I just told you it’s not going to be easy. But this one will take the least amount of time and effort on your part because you’re not actually going out into your community. But it’s still one of the best local collaboration ideas. You are spotlighting businesses in your social media and email list.
What you’re going to do is find those businesses that are hosting events and spotlight them. If we’re talking about the holiday season then find places where it makes sense for your ideal client to go get specific items for that season. Christmas shopping is going to be the easiest example. If you’re a family photographer you’ll have more options when choosing businesses. If you’re a newborn photographer you’re still speaking to families. But if you can spotlight something specific about a business like do they offer in person baby registries? Do they sell the best winter jackets for toddlers? How can you find businesses that compliment the stage of life that your ideal client is in?
Putting These Local Collaboration Ideas Together
So I hope your brains are turning and you’re coming up with some amazing ideas. I’ll recap those five ideas and then your homework, because you know it’s all about taking action here, is to take one of these ideas and start planning for it. There’s a reason that you’re getting this episode in September and not October or November. I’m giving you more than enough time to plan something in your community and get involved.
So a quick recap…
- Hosting and collaborating with a 12 Days of Giveaways.
- Holiday Events. Can you be the photographer in exchange for exposure? Can you participate in holiday events?
- Holiday Open Houses. Can you host your own holiday open house in your own studio?
- Create A Photo Booth. Can you create a photo booth with a holiday themed session? And can you offer photographs or allow the community to come in, see your space, and take their own photos?
- Spotlight Businesses In Your Email List And Social Media.
It’s time for you to take action. Take one of these ideas and start planning it out. I want to see every single one of you involved in your community this holiday season. You will be blown away by the impact it will have on your business in the year to come.
I would love to hear about the success of your collaboration ideas! Feel free to send me a DM on Instagram so I can celebrate with you.
If you loved this episode then you may like these episodes as well:
Are Giveaways A Successful Business Tool?
A Strategy For Profitable Mini Sessions
Building A Booked Out Business
