My Pricing Flyer - DPChallenge Forums

11/14/2005 12:33:10 PM · #1

Okay, here are links to the flyer I will be handing out in addition to business cards and such.

The sitting fee may seem low to some of you but please keep in mind when I called around the highest I found for this type of work was $40. It's not New York City and until I break into little NYC, aka. Ithaca, this is where I start.

Outside of flyer

Inside of flyer

Deannda
The idea is to shoot as close to what they want so little editing has to be done afterwards

11/14/2005 12:33:51 PM · #2

Oh and to many I am BRAND SPANKING New to the area (only lived here 8 years) so I have to be more than competative to get clients.

Rikki

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM

11/14/2005 12:35:40 PM · #3

Great start Deannda :) Let us know how things progress.

Rikki

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

11/14/2005 12:37:00 PM · #4

Originally posted by Rikki:

Great start Deannda :) Let us know how things progress.

Rikki

Okay, seriously? Because coming from you that means a great deal to me knowing that you work in the marketing business and such.

Deannda
Don't tease me, LOL :)

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/14/2005 01:20:25 PM · #5

4x6, 8x10 print prices seem quiet low to me

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/14/2005 01:23:24 PM · #6

I would doublecheck your spelling and links before printing.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

11/14/2005 01:26:21 PM · #7

The flyer looks fine. One thing that confused me was why you have 2 URLs.

Also, the word 'specialty'... I've checked the definition, but I'm not sure if it should be 'speciality' or 'specialty' !

Are you printing in colour or B&W? - If printing in B&W be careful about how the text and photos turn out.

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS

11/14/2005 01:35:48 PM · #8

Oops, typo on your flyer. You have //neuferphoto/photoreflect.com. You want to replace a slash with a dot.... //neuferphoto.photoreflect.com

Looking good. How about flyer-stands at local vets & pet stores? Maybe you can cut deals so they let you leave them there, like coupons for their customers or a PetSmart flyer enclosed with your photo orders.

Message edited by author 2005-11-14 13:49:03.

11/14/2005 01:47:07 PM · #9

Originally posted by gaurawa:

4x6, 8x10 print prices seem quiet low to me

Yes they are, but they aren't costing much to print either from where I am ordering them. I'm keeping the really low to start because

A. You can get them even cheaper locally
B. More competative locally
C. Always the Correct Answer (don't ask)
D. Building the client base to start so offering super great prices

11/14/2005 01:48:21 PM · #10

Originally posted by jhonan:

This I have not decided yet. I could check with someone locally and see what the cost would be for a bunch of flyers but I know that until I get that first job............ I'm print out a couple, one in color, on in black and white and see how they come out, or one side color (outside) and the other side b &W.

Deannda

11/14/2005 01:49:29 PM · #11

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Oops, typo on your flyer. You have //neuferphoto/photoreflect.com. You want to replace a slash with a dot.... //neuferphoto/photoreflect.com

Looking good. How about flyer-stands at local vets & pet stores? Maybe you can cut deals so they let you leave them there, like coupons for their customers or a PetSmart flyer enclosed with your photo orders.

I will be hitting the local groomers and pet stores and vets, leaving the major chains alone as I have already been told by the managers that the corporate office sets up all their portrait shoots and they aren't allowed to deal with local vendors. How rude is that?

Deannda

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS

11/14/2005 01:50:49 PM · #12

Originally posted by jhonan:

One thing that confused me was why you have 2 URLs.

Oh ya, of course simpler is better. Maybe you could use a link from your main site to the cart site, so you don't need the second addy on your flyer.

theSaj

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM

11/14/2005 01:52:40 PM · #13

Reviewer's Comments:

Some thought from a graphic design side of things. (I do web development so I have gotten familiar with a bit of GD.

I would revise these flyers a bit. It looks like you're going with a tri-fold. Good design IMHO. But I see a lot of things that need a good deal of improvement.

First off, it appears you are using a color printer. But you're not taking advantage of it effectively.

Look at highlights and design elements. Your text is all centered and top down. I'd also recommend printing the photos with a black border element.

The inside is decent....very legible. I'd avoid the black & white frames. If you're printing in color, take advantage of it...you're already paying for it.

Consider changing the borders to a color. Perhaps Navy, or a tan, or a dull green, deep red maroon. Or even a "sepia" tone.

I'd also consider trying it in Arial font(or other Sans-serif font, those with out little frills and tails) as they seem to be in style these days.

In the third panel on the right side under the cat you have a typo. "Shipping & Taxes nor included"

Consider a light color background block on the header areas over the pricing sections. Very common. Looks nice.

With regards to the front/exterior:

Neufer Photography does you no good. a) placing it in a fancy font makes it "harder to read" nor does it stand out. If I saw this flyer from a distance on some store bullentin board or what not I would pass it by under the assumption it was a dog walking/grooming service.

Put some time into a logo development. I'd create a logo with Neufer & and a camera. The logo should be very simple and graphic art (as opposed to photo art). Should easily be converted to black & white. Also, are you the only one or is a spouse or other involved at all. You might even consider "Neufer and Associates - Photography". Depends, do you see this as hobby or something you'd like to see grow. Do you see yourself as an individual or perhaps a studio with future employees?

Your slogan...

"Give me a moment...I'll give you a lifetime"

Good, but consider revising to "Give us a moment....and we'll give you a lifetime!"

(do you see the difference there? business wise?)

I did just see that you seem vested in "gimmeaminute" already. So if you've already registered the domain and all it might be moot.

More thoughts...

The front cover (right third panel of the exterior) works nicely in open white. That's fine. However, the 1st & 2nd panels get lost.

In the 1st panel, consider using shadow boxes (areas with light backgrounds) to divide up that area. Also consider rounded corners for the boxes. Or consider fine colored line boxes to add distinguighment and grouping.

Regarding the address section: I'd avoid Owner/Photographer. Owner is not relavent and usually such only appears if there is "one person" so it's not impressive. Actually 'deflative'. And of course you're a photographer. That's why I'm looking at a photographer flyer and not a dog groomer.

Also, there is no need for the address to be so big and you're losing a LOT of valuable space.

Instead. Consider creating a box on the bottom third, shrinking all the text and putting the following in box:

Neufer Photography & Assoc.
216 W. 15th Street
Elmire Heights, NY 14903

(607)733-1378 [yes, make this nice and large]

//www.domain.com
deannda@domain.com [also consider NOT putting deannda and keeping this for more personal correspondance. Most hosts allow for multiple emails and/or alias (email that routes). So consider info@domain.com, quotes@domain.com, photography@domain.com, etc.

And I don't see much reason for the second web address. Gallery, etc should all be available on the first (or linked from it at a minimum). You only want to invest in advertising one domain name. //www.domain.com.

Now....

You have condensed the 2nd panel to 1/3 it's content. Consider placing a nice but small photo of yourself with a small bio/mission statement in the top 2/3.

---------------------------

Well I hope this gave you some good insights? Everything is meant to be constructive criticism with a mindset toward professionalism.

Sincerely,
Jason "The Saj"

PS - feel free to PM me with any further questions.

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS

11/14/2005 01:59:40 PM · #14

Whoa! Saj, you're the man! Nice critique.

parrothead

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

11/14/2005 02:02:58 PM · #15

Just a few words of wisdom from someone that has experienced what you are going through. The design is decent, but as far as the prices go, you will get killed on 4x6's. I used to offr them myself for 5 bucks a piece, and thats all that people would end up ordering. The computer age has really put us at a dissadvantage. People, whether you think they are honest are not, will scan and print whatever they need off of the small prints. Not all people are dishonest that way, but a great majority of them either are, or really don't understand the copyright laws. I am still learning every day at this portrait photography business, but after 3 years of doing it for a living I have learned a few things. I actually won't even sell proofs anymore unless they order a certain amount of prints first. Thats just my take in it. Best of luck in your venture.

Brent_Ward

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L USM

11/14/2005 02:04:42 PM · #16

4x6 for $1.00??!!!!!

You need to up that a little. like double it or triple it at least. ;o)

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

11/14/2005 02:11:38 PM · #17

I charge $5.00 for a 4x6. As a portrait photo its worth it

Originally posted by Brent_Ward:

4x6 for $1.00??!!!!!

You need to up that a little. like double it or triple it at least. ;o)

Message edited by author 2005-11-14 14:12:16.

LeeD

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/14/2005 02:33:26 PM · #18

Whoah!!! Saj, you're the man!!!! You did an excellent job of putting my thoughts into words and were much more PC than I could've been.

Deannda, take those words to heart, they were very well put and full of GREAT advice. I agree with everything he said (and I do graphic design and web development too).

Message edited by author 2005-11-14 14:33:50.

GentleSoul

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/14/2005 02:44:18 PM · #19

Deannda,
I like what you've done with the flyer. Saj has made a lot of really good suggestions that you might want to use.

Also, I just posted a book recommendation in another thread for everyone who is interested in designing flyers, biz cards, and the like, but don't have a design background. It really opened my eyes quite a bit, and is written in an exceptionally clear way, with lots of great examples.
The Non-Designer's Design Book thread

The best of luck to you on this endeavour - I've been following your posts on this new business, and I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to hear how it all works out. You're going to do great, I'm sure. :)

-Liz

Prof_Fate

11/14/2005 02:46:04 PM · #20

Thoughts, from me starting here in Beaver County, PA - another 'not-NYC' area.

Your pricing is WAY too low for prints. You are offering a custom service, so you should be charging more than walmart photo studio for prints! If you charge less I assume (as a consumer) your quality is less.

Offer maounting of the 8x10 and larger prints. $4 to $5 per print for mounting (check online...it is not cheap but is a good thing to do)

I don't offer 4x6 prints. Every grocery store does them. I do 5x7, 8x10 and 10x13. I do offer a 10% discount for prints ordered (and paid for) at the time of the sitting. I think your sitting fee is very low. I think mine is low and it is more than yours. The sitting fee, well mine anyway, includes the PP time and all the pics I can take in that time. I may oneday change my mind, but folks seem concerned about blemishes and pimples and the consumer KNOWS if you're shooting digital it can be fixed (they assume a whole lot can be done with digital magic!) so instead of charging extra for minor corrections, i include it. A small competetive edge! Besides, I can't in good conscience put out less than the best work, especially starting out.

You're web site and email should all read //www.neuferphotography.com and deannda@neu.... GoDaddy has offers the names for $9 a year, and you can easily redirect that to your site, or any site. email included.
see my site //www.christopherperryphotography.com as an example. Yeah i think the name is too long too, (LOL) but shorter variations are taken :(

theSaj