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11/14/2005 04:59:49 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Deanna,
Consider the following: Instead of raising you 4x6" which I will go against the grain and say as a customer I think is a bad idea. I want cheap 4x6's to send to loved ones. And if you make them expensive. Than yeah, I would simply buy one, scan it, and re-print at Walmart for $0.29.
But I think there is another solution. Make 4x6" & "Wallet-size" attachments. This means they cannot be purchased on their own. But can be added to any order.
So I can't buy 10 4x6" for $10 and walk away. But I can buy an 8x10" for me, two 5x7"'s for our parents. And could buy ten 4x6's for friends and family.
This is, IMHO, a much better way to go about it. Ensures a "good sale" plus customer happiness in that they won't feel like they're being totally ripped off when you're charging $5/4x6" and Mall*Wart is charging $0.29
;)
You simply tell them they are not available on their own and must be purchased in ADDITION to an order. Most will find this reasonably accomodating. |
Your not paying $5.00 for the actual print, the mark up is for the image on the paper, which Walmart can't supply.
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11/14/2005 05:24:29 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
Your not paying $5.00 for the actual print, the mark up is for the image on the paper, which Walmart can't supply. |
DITTO! I sold a newspaper reprint today to a father who said, "I've been going to those matches for years, trying to get something like that and have just never been able to do it." He's not paying me for paper and ink--he's paying for my experience, and for my having invested in equipment that facilitated capturing the elusive shot of his son. |
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11/14/2005 05:29:21 PM · #28 |
I am getting so confused. I don't want to charge $5 for 4x6's simply because I know they won't sell. How do I know this? Because all the event photographers do that and they don't sell. At all the horse shows this past summer, the one 'main' photographer started out doing film and printing them all up and charging $5.00 each to cover his costs. He didn't make enough to even break even. So he went digital, printed them up and still didn't sell enough to cover his costs. So then he went to contact sheets but not once did he lower his price. All I heard at every show was, "Yeah, the shots are nice but not $5.00 nice for a 4 x 6."
Now, mine should be $5.00 nice for a 4 x 6 but I know that most of these people just are not going to shell out that kind of money for that size just from personal experience.
When you go to Walmart to have your portrait taken, they give you this great package to start with but it's all one pose, if you want more, you pay big time.
It was commented on another site that I shouldn't even give them the website to order, that is my job. This was the quote:
This "you order it" stuff comes across as being an amateur, not a professional. It will also DISCOURAGE repeat business, since your customers will figure out they can do the ordering themselves and just take snapshots with a digital camera.
I need some feedback on this aspect from the pros here, do you work on line or do you take all the orders, get all the prints and merchandise and then deliver it? I know that's the way it used to be but me personally, I would rather have someone come to my house, take the pictures and then send me the link to find my shots and place my orders, a link I can forward to all my family and friends and then if they want any, they can order it, I don't have to order extra and mail it out to everyone. Maybe it's just me because I'm cheap and don't want to pay more than I have to but what is everyone's opinion on this?
Deannda
Will be going to a meeting, back after 8 PM Tonight, look forward to the responses
Message edited by author 2005-11-14 17:31:42. |
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11/14/2005 05:31:18 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by skiprow:
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
Your not paying $5.00 for the actual print, the mark up is for the image on the paper, which Walmart can't supply. |
DITTO! I sold a newspaper reprint today to a father who said, "I've been going to those matches for years, trying to get something like that and have just never been able to do it." He's not paying me for paper and ink--he's paying for my experience, and for my having invested in equipment that facilitated capturing the elusive shot of his son. |
Did you know that at our local paper if you want a reprint of the picture of your kid that you gave them permission to put in the paper, they charge anywhere from $25 on UP!? I couldn't believe it!
I can kind of see their point but that was just crazy to me. And if you charged that much and he was willing to pay, great, good for you!
Deannda |
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11/14/2005 06:18:45 PM · #30 |
Deannda, looks like you have a great start. There are many good suggestions above. Forgive me if these were already pointed out...
I agree about the scripty writing. It's very hard to read, esp. for older eyes. I work with seniors and have to take things like that into consideration. :-) Also, I'm not a fan of the outside stroke and gradient filled text either. Keep it clean and simple and use solid colors.
You have basic sitting fee at $35. Then you have another block for each addition hour $25. Conserve some space and write "Basic Sitting Fee - $35*" Use that little asterik and in smaller print right below write " * $25 each additional hour" bit.
I'm not sure, but your pooch on the front seems a little orange?
Below your daughters the word "included" is chopped off.
I'm not great at grammar but shouldn't "on line" be "online" and shouldn't "in home" and "on site" be "in-home" and "on-site"? Better confirm that with someone other than me to be sure. LOL :-D
Your prices seem very low. I live further in the sticks than you and I charge $35 for a matted only 5x7 print. As said, you have a specialty service. Not everyone pays to have portraits of their animals. Typically people with money have something like that done. So, take advantage of that.
Be careful of your edges. I don't know a whole lot about printing but I believe you need to allow yourself at least a 1/8" of space around your work. Some of your text seems very close to the edge to me.
I think that's all from me...
Good luck!
- Jen
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11/14/2005 07:57:25 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by Neuferland:
It was commented on another site that I shouldn't even give them the website to order, that is my job. This was the quote:
This "you order it" stuff comes across as being an amateur, not a professional. It will also DISCOURAGE repeat business, since your customers will figure out they can do the ordering themselves and just take snapshots with a digital camera.
I need some feedback on this aspect from the pros here, do you work on line or do you take all the orders, get all the prints and merchandise and then deliver it? I know that's the way it used to be but me personally, I would rather have someone come to my house, take the pictures and then send me the link to find my shots and place my orders, a link I can forward to all my family and friends and then if they want any, they can order it, I don't have to order extra and mail it out to everyone. Maybe it's just me because I'm cheap and don't want to pay more than I have to but what is everyone's opinion on this?
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I say BS to that comment. With a few exceptions, most photogs I know post proofs online and make it easy for customers to place their orders online. It is a convenience for the client that, in my experience, is much more preferable to "Please schedule and appointment and drive to my studio..." - pointless waste of time in this day & age and especially at the levels of revenue we are talking about.
As far as someone thinking that because you allow them to order online, they can just take their own snapshots - that just plain doesn't make any sense.
I would agree with the Saj in most of his critique - and I would consolidate the URL to one easy-to-remember address. Why do you have //www.gimmeaminute.com displaying an "under construction" type page and your main site uses the obscure "www.photos.gimmeaminute.com" ? Direct your traffic to the simplified version of that address, remove the possibility of people running into other, unrelated personal web pages and put any links on that main site and publish / advertise one URL.
I'm out of my element on the pricing of 4x6 prints, but it sounds like the market you are targeting is of the mind that they are buying "snapshots" - I would try to change their mindset (regardless of how the competition is doing) or find another market - those people will only run you into the ground.
One thing I have learned about selling services is that even if you want to sell low-price, high-volume - if the process is not very simple or automated, you will lose money because it takes time (part of your commodity or overhead) to even speak with a customer or potential customer. Your pricing should take into consideration the market, but that doesn't mean you sell things at a loss after all the factors are considered.
Anyway, it does seem like you are getting pretty consistent advice here with a few minor exceptions. Wish you the best. |
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11/14/2005 08:15:05 PM · #32 |
What are you selling?
That is the first question.
If you are in the printing business then by all means, get as complicated as you want with pricing.
If you are in the photography business, charge for the photography and let them print where they want (Walmart, Online, etc). Getting in the printing business opens up a lot of time consuming, low profit activity.
People will never put the value in the printing that they will in the actual photography, people have been conditioned to think .29 cent 4x6's are all they are worth.
Your sitting fee could be $40-$50 and include an 8x10 and 2 5x7's and you are done. Simple.
Anyhoo..that coming from a guy who has to live pricing photographic services everyday until his brain hurts :-/
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11/15/2005 01:17:39 PM · #33 |
okay, just printed out this thread so far and am going to work on the flyer some more. Thanks for the suggestions and ideas.
As for the pricing and stuff, it's so hard to say just what I will do. I know that if the customer wants to place the order through me, which means printing out all the proofs and going back to get the order, then there will be an extra charge for that. I can't offer at the moment ordering like WalMart but then again, I'm offering so much more and better quality than WalMart right? :)
Deannda |
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11/15/2005 01:26:19 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by hokie:
What are you selling?
That is the first question.
If you are in the printing business then by all means, get as complicated as you want with pricing.
If you are in the photography business, charge for the photography and let them print where they want (Walmart, Online, etc). Getting in the printing business opens up a lot of time consuming, low profit activity.
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Good point here...
Perhaps you should simplify and only sell 8x10 & 16x20 prints?
But you have to decide on your market. I still think have 4x6 & wallets be sold in addition to an order. This is how many school photography companies do it.
You have to buy a basic package, then you can add on sets of 4x6's or wallets.
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