The easiest path to success in your photography business is creating lifelong clients that you can rely on year after year. Your clients are the lifeblood of your business. When this happens, find stability in a thriving business.
The photography business can feel a bit transient at times with some clients hopping from one photographer to another. There are a few reasons why this might happen but blame can usually fall on the photographer.
If you want to create lifelong clients in your photography business, you need to prioritize a few things to ensure success.
Why You Should Invest In Creating Lifelong Clients
Generating new leads in any business is expensive, time consuming and one of the more challenging aspects of running a business. Clients are the lifeblood of your business and without them, you wouldn’t be able to do what you do.
To grow your photography business, start by investing in perfecting your client experience. Focus on the clients you already have booked. When you do this, the following will happen.
+ ELIMINATE THE COST OF CONSTANTLY ACQUIRING NEW LEADS.
Whether you invest money into advertising or simply invest your time — finding new clients is costly. When you can grow a network of loyal clients, you can focus your efforts on building solid connections. You don’t have to constantly look for your next client.
+ GAIN ACCESS TO YOUR CLIENTS NETWORKS.
When you have clients that love you, they will naturally refer their network of friends and family. This will automatically grow your network of clients exponentially.
+ FIND CONSISTENT BUSINESS YEAR AFTER YEAR.
Clients that love you will return year after year. This builds a level of stability in your business and makes it easier to confidently grow your photography business.
How to Create Lifelong Clients in Your Photography Business
Impress your clients and make yourself THE photographer to book with again and again with these simple tips.
1 | Client Experience
Get your clients raving about you and the experience they had by perfecting the client experience. When doing so, think about all the practical pieces of the experience that you can tailor to make it seamless for your clients.
Work on your communication, make sure you are easily accessible, make sure the booking process is simple to use, impress them at the session by being organized and accommodating. All of these little pieces of the logistics will collectively generate a positive client experience.
2 | Feeling
Once you have the logistics organized, add the special touch to make sure your clients feel valued, heard and and appreciated. You want to not only treat them to a positive experience but you want to leave them feeling special. Think about places that you can add a little extra something to elevate their experience.
This could be simply a hand-written note at the end, a special gift during the session, a personal text or phone call during the planning process.
3 | Connection
And lastly, after you have treated your clients to an amazing experience and incorporated special touches to make them feel valued, you want to continue the connection beyond the session.
Remain connected with your clients by in these ways and more:
+ SOCIAL MEDIA – Don’t be afraid to follow or friend request your clients if you are comfortable doing so. Many times this level of connection will not only keep you active and relevant in their minds but also allow them to connect with you in a more personal way. They will also be able to easily tag or mention you if someone is looking for a photogrpaher recommendation.
+ FRIENDLY CHECK-INS – Use text or email to send your clients occasional check-ins. I will find myself doing this whenever a client pops up in my mind. I send a friendly text saying I hope they are doing well. My purpose behind the check-in is never sales driven.
+ EMAIL MARKETING – This is one of the best ways to really connect with your clients on a regular basis. Use email marketing to serve your clients as well as share any updates about your business. If you can keep the content interesting, you will remain top of mind when it’s time to book another photo session.
If you want to learn more about email marketing – check out these great articles: How to Boost Open Rates and 3 Reasons Why You Need a Mailing List
Creating a stable and successful photography business relies on your ability to a solid client base. Focusing your time and efforts into creating lifelong clients is one of the most effective ways to do this.
Take the time to elevate your client experience, build in special touches to make your clients feel valued and make sure you remain connected long after the session ends. When you do this, you will create a powerful network of long-term clients.
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