Every business has it’s own set of challenges in order to gain traction in the market, build rapport with your community, and start turning a profit. However, every successful business owner I know all say the same thing. Businesses are built on relationships. Today I want to give you one of the best tips on how to build your photography business with relationships.
I touched on this topic a couple of weeks ago on my instagram and it was so awesome to see the responses! Let’s start with why relationships are important.
Why are Business Relationships Important
The genuine relationships you make in your business will have the highest impact on your revenue. When you invest in relationships you begin building a rapport with that person or business. For example, a lovely woman who is in a similar field to mine signed up for my Dubsado workshop to support me. I guarantee you when she needs support, a share, a mention that I’m going to return the favor. It’s one of my favorite aspects of this online community.
This is the same way you could build your relationships. You see a need that someone you would like to work or partner with needs and you fill that need. One of the easiest ways to do this is through vendors. Every vendor you work with needs professional images for their website, social media, and marketing. There is a huge market you could tap into. Here is the process I’ve outlined to help you start brainstorming.
Capture Vendor Info from Your Couple
This is the easiest way to connect with vendors and wow their socks off. When you have a new couple book your services for their wedding have them fill out a vendor questionnaire 3-4 weeks before their wedding. Capture names and emails in the questionnaire. If you have Dubsado you can create custom mapped fields that will allow you to automatically pull that info into your client’s project.
Day of the Wedding
On the day of the wedding bring that list of vendors with you and make an effort to capture images that showcase them/their work. If you have a second shooter this would be a great task for them. If you have time, introduce yourself to those who are there. This conversation is simply making the connection and putting faces to names. There’s not a lot of time when you’re shooting a wedding, I know but a simple “hello” can go a long way. Plus, what vendor doesn’t want to see a smiling face right after the dinner rush?
After the Wedding
If you loved shooting at that venue make a note to go back during the week and connect with the owner or property/general manager. Venues see hundreds of couples a year and can be a phenomenal referral source. I know that one of my clients receives at least a lead or two a week during peak engagement season from one venue.
As you’re editing the images pull the vendor images into their own galleries that you can send out at the same time you send out the couple’s gallery. You will need to figure out a system that works best for you when it comes to this process. Creating these galleries don’t need to be completely separate from creating your couple’s gallery, you want to make the process as streamlined as possible.
When you send out these galleries make sure the message you send with it is warm and inviting, something like
“Hi Laurie!
It was such a pleasure working alongside you and your team during the Smith and Smith wedding. I wanted to share with you a gallery I created that showcases your work. You are more than welcome to use these images for any social media, website, or marketing needs you may have. All I ask is that you credit me with my business name/handle. If you ever need anything please don’t hesitate to reach out!”
Enjoy!
Jenn
Something to that effect will go such a long way when you’re looking to build your photography business with relationships. Making these genuine connections and giving something of value will build rapport with the vendors in your community. Plus, you’re going to be seen in more places since those vendors are crediting back to you with those images.
Are you convinced yet?
I know that some will see this as just another thing on their long list of to-dos but I promise you when you take the time to build relationships with the vendors in your network it will pay off time and time again. This process isn’t just for wedding photography. So I want to know, do you send vendor galleries?
If you need a right hand for your photography business then look no further! Our team at Success Beyond the Lens specializes in coming alongside photographers to manage and market their business so they can focus on the aspects of their business that they love.