You receive a phone call from a prospective client asking you to “bid” on an upcoming photography project she has. It’s an opportunity to forge a new relationship with a new client and you really want the job. Here are three guidelines that have served me well, resulting in me being selected as the successful “bidder”:
You receive a phone call from a prospective client asking you to “bid” on an upcoming photography project she has. It’s an opportunity to forge a new relationship with a new client and you really want the job. Here are a couple of guidelines that have served me well, resulting in me being selected as the successful “bidder”:
1. Never, ever, give a “ballpark figure” for the project; you’ll surely overlook something if you provide an estimate on the spot. It’s just impossible to quickly throw together a figure while under the pressure of “I want an estimate now.” Instead, gather information by asking open-ended questions and let your caller know you’ll get back to her quickly with the estimate.
Thanks to New York Photographer Michelle Kawka for this guest blog post.
Often times, I will get a price request for my photography services via email. Generally, the inquiry looks something like this:
I need a photographer for X photo or video project or event and it is on X day and time. Are you available? How much do you charge? Please email me back with your price.
To which my email response is generally along the lines of:
Long-time members of ASMP (the American Society of Media Photographers) may remember Detroit-based photographer Jay Asquini. He served many years on the National Board of ASMP and was always willing to help emerging photographers. After suffering a fall while trimming a tree that resulted in a severe neck injury, Jay retired from photography. Before retiring, Jay used to speak to chapters around the country on business practices. His phrase, “the next one to speak loses”, has always stuck with me.
First, my research, with apologies to “Harper’s Index”. I collected business cards for door-prize drawings at a recent speaking engagement, “Sales for People Who Hate Selling Selling” in Las Vegas.
groozi.com is a blog about negotiating and web marketing. Weekly posts are written primarily by me, Blake J. Discher, a Detroit people photographer, an SEO
consultant, and speaker. I've presented seminars on SEO and Sales & Negotiating more than 100 times to trade groups of every size around the world. If you are interested in having me speak to your group, detailed overviews of each of my programs are available here.
Networking is the key to getting more clients in order to improve the profitability of your company. 
