In a recent post, we discussed what to do if you aren’t seeing bookings…today, we’re talking about four ways to increase your leads…

We’ve discussed what to do if you aren’t seeing bookings, but I realized you might be struggling to simply get leads. So, today I am diving into 4 ways to help you increase your leads so you can increase your bookings.

Let’s dive into 4 Ways to Increase Your Leads as a Photographer!

Whether you are a new or seasoned photographer, this will give you insight in how to increase those leads.

#1: WORD OF MOUTH

This one is for those established photographers, meaning you’ve had at least two clients.

Reach out to your past clients & simply run a giveaway ONLY for them. You’re going to announce this giveaway & run it for a full seven days.

Here’s how you’re going to have those past clients enter your giveaway:

• They’ll post one to three images you’ve taken for them.
• With that post, they’ll give you a quick review
• Then, they’re going to tag YOU or YOUR BUSINESS PAGE (this ensures you see them & can enter them in the giveaway)

This simple giveaway is doing multiple things at once; reminding your past clients to book their next session, sharing your work & your client experience, and spreading your name & your business through word of mouth. Make sure you’re encouraging that marketing method amongst your past & present clients.

#2: ASK FOR THE NEXT BOOKING

I don’t mean for you to beg or use the overused “book your session now/here”. Please don’t do that. Instead, let’s talk about adding more than basic call to actions (CTAs) to your social media content.

When you’re posting to your chosen platform, you should be telling your ideal clients a story, one that resonates with them on why they need to book a professional photoshoot to begin with, touching on their pain points, emotions, etc. So make sure that you’re closing that content up with a specific call to action to match.

For example: If you’re a newborn photographer, you’re going to post about how fleeting the newborn years are and touch on all the emotions of having a newborn, what it’s like to be a newborn mother and why capturing this short period of time is so priceless. Your call to action is going to be: “Mama, don’t miss out on capturing your newborn, contact me today to schedule your newborn session.”

#3: ADD MORE URGENCY

For this particular idea on increasing your leads, you need to know what your niche is & what you are focusing on.

I say this because you’re going to pretend to be your ideal client for a second. You’re going to get inside their head & figure out what they need to hear, see and the like in order to want + need to book with you! Put yourself in their shoes. What do they need? Is there something specific they want to hear or see?

From there, add a time stamp on it:

• Provide a deadline for booking
• There are ONLY x amount of spots available
• Think about the season
• Offer a limited time offer/discount

#4: MAKE SURE YOU’RE IMPLEMENTING A SOLID MARKETING STRATEGY

You have to be consistent!!

Choose your platform (website, social (Instagram, Facebook (page or group)), Google My Business, etc. and GO ALL IN!

I’m not saying you have to show up 24/7/365 — that’s not sustainable & quite frankly, it’s unhealthy.

Instead, develop a marketing strategy that works for YOU & COMMIT. If you decide, “okay, I can comfortably post on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and show up in my stories twice a day Monday – Friday”, then STICK TO IT.

Your audience craves consistency and more than that, they need it in order to build that trust with you!

BONUS TIP: OPEN THE DOOR

This is for you if you’re the photographer that is either, brand new or pivoting in their business.

I did this when I first started out 8 years ago & it worked! It worked then & it continues to work to this day.

The strategy: ask a well-known person/public figure in your local area and reach out to them. Tell them what you’re doing, ask them if they would be willing to have you take some images of them in place of a written testimonial.

This can be anyone in your local area:

• Elected official
• Fire Chief
• Police Chief
• Well-known Local Business Owner
• Teacher
• Principal
• Mayor
• Fireman
• Police Officer

This allows you to not only open the door to clients in your local area, but take a step inside!

For more in depth ways to increase your leads, tune in to the Book More Clients Photography Podcast.

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