I posted a lead for a desirable place and got a lot of responses. If I knew how to close a topic I would but it is three pages now. (I just did!)

Somebody said (and no biggie, no hard feelings) :


So I want to make sure when I post leads that I am not breaking some etiquette. I am new to this forum!

So should we be careful when posting leads here, esp. good ones which will unavoidably have a lot of people wanting? What is the etiquette?

I was going to go through and give her my favorites anyways, but wasn't expecting to be called silly for posting a lead (poking fun at Erik) It is not my fault everybody wants to shoot this one!

What are your thoughts?

I was planning to give her my favorite 5-10 people from this list.

When I receive requests for referrals, I usually send them to some of my favorite photographers in general (just like suggested) but I wanted to share with this community which was very welcoming. When I started out, it was hard to get leads from other photographers, just like you say, they referred to 1-2 of their favorite people. I was never given a chance.

I would post the leads but definitely dont post client info and let the forum go nuts all over someone. I typically send clients onto just a few people I highly recommend (all but 1 are actually OSPers anyways).

If you are going to post a lead for Puerto Vallarta for February 2008 when most people are going to want it, the best way is to say something like "Looking for no more than 5 names to pass on" or "I'll be sending her the best 5 tonight" or something. I dunno. It would be nice if you could post it without 100 people wanting in but realistically it's a prime wedding. You'll make a helluva friend whoever you recommend. lol

M

+1.

Couldn't have said it better.

Well,

There are a couple of sour pusses on the board. I don't see a problem with giving the bride choices. If Evrim wants to narrow the list down, great. If not, so what? C'mon people.

Good points! But wouldn't it be better to get who wants it and choose from that rather than whoever first 5 happens to be online?

I think it is great to post when you need a referral; within reason of course. It is a huge help to both parties. Of course going nuts with it is ridiculous. Limit it to 5 that are good. I never pass on information without looking at that person's website first. But in the end, you have saved the bride's time and given a fellow photographer a little boost.

Exactly!

I'd be interested in seeing what the success rate is of the referrals here. Might make a good poll or something. I know I haven't been contacted by any clients when I've submitted my name (but that could be cuz I suck lol).

Anyway, I like the idea of referring 5-10 of your favorite photogs to a client, those who have styles most similar to yours. No reason to create more work for a client. Some more attractive gigs inevitably attract more attention, so narrowing it down yourself is a good way to go.

I'm not sure what the success rate is, but I know I have booked a couple of weddings from referrals I posted to here. And I know that people have booked weddings for referrals that I listed here as well.

I agree with keeping the number of photographers names that are passed on low for several reasons. I think that if you are not careful and selective with what you pass on to the client, that it might end up being a crazy mess for the client and make a bunch of photographers look desperate at the same time.

I agree with Jen. Do what you think is right! And ask the couple what they would prefer. If they don't mind you giving them a large list of possible photographers who are available and interested, then great!

This needs to be STRICTLY ENFORCED. A recent thread (I won't say which one, but I am sure you can all figure it out) had the prospective client's name, phone number, and e-mail address posted in the thread. The client received OVER 50 phone calls, e-mails, etc... I think the poster of the lead should just compile a list of those that are interested in the job and then pass it along to the client, then the client can contact the interested photographers on their own, on their own time, at their own pace.

Plus, OSP is not a closed forum. If you post something here, especially personal details (like as in this particular thread) then the whole world can see it.

ETA: Sorry, I just saw the post by the poster of the referral saying that the client wanted their contact info posted. Well, that was their choice, but IMHO we should still shield them from the onslaught of phone calls.

PLEASE keep posting!

But we all know that when we see MEXICO with a $6000 budget, we'd be crazy to not put throw out hat into the ring.

Cattle call? You betcha. Why not, though? I think any good photographer would be nuts to not want to be considered for such a great location and healthy budget.

Anyway....moooooooooooo.

Eric

I have to agree with Shane on this.

Evrim, if you aren't bothered by the idea of going through a list of 50 or 60 interested photographers, no one else should be. I don't understand why the poster complained.

Of course, there are going to be a lot of replies to a post like yours - the more choice the better. Your client is lucky to have so much to choose from.