Marketing Your Inspiration Shoots
Marketing your Inspiration shoots should be a top business priority. Inspiration shoots are a great way to market your services, products or venue, as well as establishing relationships within the industry. Whether you are just getting started in your business or you are a seasoned veteran, we have a few tips to make the process of marketing your inspiration shoots smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Be Selective
As an industry professional you are probably asked several times throughout the year to participate in shoots, but unfortunately you can’t say yes to everyone. Take the time to consider each project and decide if it’s going to showcase your best work. If you’re a florist make sure there are plenty of arrangements that can showcase your talent. If you provide rentals and décor, be sure you can utilize some of your newest votives or string lights to use on your website.
Also, ask yourself if the style fits your brand. Is this something new, different and exciting that will inspire my clients? You’ll want to ask specific questions so that you know all the details, and don’t be afraid to say no to the project if it is not a good fit for your company.
Photo Credit: Jake and Heather Photography
Dream Team
Whether you are assembling the team or asked to be a part of it, it is vital to pick the right players. If you are looking to work with that new planner or photographer in town and they are on board, that is a no-brainer. Saying yes will build a relationship and rapport with them that will expand your network and will allow you to refer them to your future clients. Having professional and dedicated vendors on your speed dial can save you in a pinch and vice versa.
Communication
The key to everything running successfully and smoothly before, during and after is an open line of communication with everyone involved. If you are in charge of planning, be sure to gather everyone’s contact information and social media handles to distribute to the group. Google Drive is a great tool to use in a situation with multiple people involved. You can invite everyone to documents and they can contribute and collaborate in real time with all the details at their fingertips.
Photo Credit: Sweet Tea Photography
Submission
Don’t jump into designing a shoot without having a clear vision and plan for what media outlet you’re going to send it to. You don’t want to get too far ahead in the process only to realize the same design was featured just a month ago on your top choice. Also, always have a backup plan when it comes to media placement. There is rarely a guaranteed yes when it comes to submissions, so have other viable options that still fit with the aesthetic.
Inspiration shoots will cost you time, money and resources but you will have beautiful professional-quality photos to add to your portfolio to better market yourself to potential clients. With these tips in your back pocket, you can make the right choice of which inspiration shoots are perfect for you and your business.
Audrey Isaac is the spokesperson for 100 Candles, a wholesale market for candles and lights. Since 2002, thousands of event professionals have entrusted 100 Candles with their wholesale candle accounts. For more information, please visit https://www.100candles.com.
