I'm not sure if any of you all use the registration booklet for Pictage, but we used it this weekend and it went really well!!! The book allows wedding guests to leave there name and e-mail address so that they are notified when the the images are online, and ideally, you get more print sales as a result. People seemed to really like the idea when word started getting around that we had the booklet there... Hopefully we'll be selling a lot more prints as a result!

This was the first weekend using the booklet, but we will make sure we have it at every wedding from here on out!

Nathan

Nathan and Amber,

Congrats on continuously finding new ways to market your business! It seems like you two are really "stepping up" your already-polished business a couple of notches. You have certainly impressed me with your initiatives like the name-change, price increases, etc.

The Pictage sign-up sheet can be a great tool. I have found, after pre-wedding conferences, that some couples prefer not to have this circulating at their wedding. In some clients' opinions, it can quickly turn an "unobtrusive" photographer into an "invasive" photographer. 9 times out of 10, my clients think it is a great idea, because it helps them as much as it helps me I guess I'm just advising you to make sure the client knows about it ahead of time . . . and it should work like a charm!

*I have edited this post, sorry . . . and if I am not making any sense, it is because I am over-tired. I have a newly-paraplegic Dachshund and two ailing grandparents that are wearing me down (and wearing down my chances to sleep)!* Smiles all around!

I haven't tried this but when I shot with Dane a couple of weeks ago he had a stellar way of collecting the names and addresses! His whole setup was super classy! I'll let him tell you about it when he gets back into town!

Thanks for the intro DJ!

I've been thinking for a while about how to better broaden my market at weddings without, as Brian astutely pointed out, distracting from the event. So, recently, I ran down to Restoration Hardware and got this cool, leather photo box and matching double frame.

Before the wedding I put an engagement picture of the couple in the frame with an invitation to check out "our" pictures by putting their email in the photo box. I then put the frame and box on the table with my slideshow running at the reception.

It's a cool combination that looks pretty decent and really helps out the couple to get the word out. So far it's been a hit and it's allowed me to invite about 2000% more people to view the images. Some purchase, most view. Bottom line: More honest exposure to a group of people who've already seen me work. Give it a try and let us know how it works for you.

PS ... I have another trick up my sleeve that I'm working on right now. I'll be giving it a try in a couple of weeks and will fill you all in. I think you'll be stoked!

Dane,

You're the best! I'll be sure to try this out!

The marketing is certainly different on the mainland compared to Hawaii. In Hawaii, all I had to do was put out several magazine ads and I was set. On the day of weddings, I would carry a set of business cards and guests would always request them from myself or my assistant.

In addition, because it's such a small island, we all treated each other like family and there was always a healthy network of referrals constantly circulating.

After I moved here - I wasn't sure what to do! These tips are much appreciated and I thank you and everyone else for sharing.

Tam

Thanks for the feedback Dane! I might have to try putting together a nicer photo box to put the booklet in, kinda like you said. Nice ideas!

Nathan