So I'm doing my first bridal show this Friday and while I feel prepared with my set-up I'm wondering how else should I be prepared? I have brochures to pass out with my current prices, sample albums...should I have a sign-up sheet for prospective brides to give me their info? Should I do a give-away? I DON'T want to do anything that is cheesy bridal show...this event is designed to be a more upscale show which is the only reason why I'm doing it.

Oh, I'm also going to have my calendar so I can check my availability, but I'm not sure what specific questions I might be presented with....

Thanks for any input/advice!!!

Hey Kelly,
One of the most important things to remember in marketing is that your database is everything. When you can increase your database in size it will increase your income if you use it. Gather e-mails, have people opt in to a newsletter. Send thank you cards to addresses, offer free advice on photography in your newsletter. Create buzz by going above and beyond and keeping your people in your database updated on happenings. Try to keep direct ads for specials sporadic, but let your presence be known by being nice. Yes! Sign up is a must...

When clients come to you after answering questions direct the attention back to them. Show them that you care, because they sure as heck aren't going to remember every vendor's info. Make them remember you! Ask them how they met, what they like, have you bought the dress, do you have a venue, etc...

And just my opinion, give away is not necessary... I feel like it attracts clients that want free stuff. You want clients that want art, confidence, and comfort in knowing they can trust you.

Best to you, I hope you book yourself solid!
Stuart

I would suggest not showing prices... I want them to look and study us and fall in love with our photos... have them inquire and then send them prices. Couple of reasons... if you're higher than normal in prices and they have to have you your prices won't matter... it's kind of like the sticker shock thing. another reason is that you can measure the interest level by the number of inquiries. I do one show a year and when someone ask i give them my brochure and dvd and tell them to send me an email.

The person putting the bridal show on should provide you with the leads. but just in case have cards so people can put down their info...

Also... I make about 50 or so DVDs of a photo slideshow set to music to hand out to clients ... this is huge. it usually will close about 5 deals. There are a lot of photographers at these shows you want to be different... below is the online version of last years show.

http://slideshow.mattmcgrawphotography.com/yearinreview2007/

Hey, how did it go at the show Kelly? Any post-show realizations or ideas for those of us with shows coming up?

Ooh - I want to hear too Kelly! I hope everything went well! How could brides NOT love you?

PS - Love your new profile shot!

well...i'm still debating if this was worth the investment. i thought my booth looked great, i had creative marketing that really featured me.

BUT i was stuck up on the third floor (it was held in a very cool museum downtown grand rapids) in a very narrow walk-way. so i don't feel my exposure was the best.

i have been contacted by one bride so far and i guess if she books i will at least have not lost any money.

my personality may just not be suited for bridal shows...i'm just not the type of person who can shove brochures into people's faces.

i'll post some pics later...back to editing!

Dont see it as a failure... its name recognition... they'll see your face name there they'll see is somewhere else. they'll call. It's all about getting your name out there... bridal shows are a great way to do that..

Kelly,
I am not the type of bridal show vendor that you speak either. I have done three shows overall and each one was a huge success. Not because I got a ton of brides from them, but I was able to actually meet the vendors that I had not had a chance to meet yet. The connections that I have made at bridal shows have transformed into some really great friendships as well.
I also have always had the outlook on bridal shows in that it is possible that I might get a booking from someone down the road that attended the show that mentions me to her friends. This has been true when I have either been booked or if someone had an unpleasant experience with the photographer that they used instead.
So try not to look at the "one booking" to pay for the show. I look at it from the stand point that I am using that money to advertise a little bit of what I can do. I also think that letting the other vendors see your work is just as important as the brides. This might take a while to filter back in this way, but most of the vendors will still be around in three to four years. Brides become mothers and so do their friends, so they won't be able to refer you as much once their friends are all married. The vendors can still refer you as they constantly are in contact with the current brides.
Best wishes.

{Dont see it as a failure... its name recognition... they'll see your face name there they'll see is somewhere else. they'll call. It's all about getting your name out there... bridal shows are a great way to do that..}

{Kelly,
I am not the type of bridal show vendor that you speak either. I have done three shows overall and each one was a huge success. Not because I got a ton of brides from them, but I was able to actually meet the vendors that I had not had a chance to meet yet. The connections that I have made at bridal shows have transformed into some really great friendships as well.
I also have always had the outlook on bridal shows in that it is possible that I might get a booking from someone down the road that attended the show that mentions me to her friends. This has been true when I have either been booked or if someone had an unpleasant experience with the photographer that they used instead.
So try not to look at the "one booking" to pay for the show. I look at it from the stand point that I am using that money to advertise a little bit of what I can do. I also think that letting the other vendors see your work is just as important as the brides. This might take a while to filter back in this way, but most of the vendors will still be around in three to four years. Brides become mothers and so do their friends, so they won't be able to refer you as much once their friends are all married. The vendors can still refer you as they constantly are in contact with the current brides.
Best wishes.}

thanks guys for the perspective...it's so easy to get catch up in our head, our own doubts. i have to remember the positive feedback i did hear and the networking i was able to do with other vendors. it was good exposure and i can't always measure things by "bookings".

Bad ass photographers have doubts?

i'm bad ass cause i admit i'm flawed! being perfect is too boring!!!

I'd love to see some images of your set up!

Did you incorporate that into your spread? T-shirt giveaways perhaps?