If you’ve ever been on a first date, then surely you’re familiar with the awkward buzz that comes with it. One of you might be late, leaving the other to think they’ve been stood up. Nobody knows who’s going to pay for the bills, or how to greet each other. Do you shake hands or kiss on the cheek or hug?
Sometimes meeting your clients for the first time can feel a little like that, too. There is something inherently awkward about catching up with a stranger - and the honest fact of the matter is that it takes some time to establish the kind of rapport that includes casual jokes, candid laughter, and authentic moments. So obviously building long term relationships with clients is where it’s at! Having a base of clients who always come back cuts out a lot of the tricky first-time jitters for everyone and makes the photoshoot experience so enjoyable that people begin to look forward to them the way kids anticipate summer holidays!
In this guide, we will learn how to grow your client base and talk you through 7 ways to feel like more of a friend to your clients so your photoshoots get easier and easier.
1. Be a good giver
Make your clients feel as if you’ve gone above and beyond for them. Grab them a coffee on your way to the shoot. Spend actual time getting to know them, and do it in person whenever possible. Give them a call before the shoot to go through any uncertainties that they may have. Send them a gift on their birthday or anniversary -it doesn’t have to be some big expensive thing, even just a little token like a small print or a 10% voucher for their next shoot goes a long way to give people the kind of warm and fuzzies that motivate them to come see you again.
2. Be thankful
It doesn’t take a genius to figure this one out, but one of the first steps toward a successful relationship is gratitude. Show your thanks in sweet and creative ways -like crafting special offers specifically for repeat clients or sending a handwritten note via snail mail. If a blank page is as intimidating to you as a dark city alleyway, Unscripted has post-session email templates that will undoubtedly make you sound like the eloquent and professional human you are. Just copy them out to a little postcard, throw a couple of stamps on in, et violà!
3. Stay in touch
Keep in touch with your clients as their family grows or as they move through different milestones in their lives. Send birthday notes, congratulations when babies are born, letters letting them know you’re thinking of them on their anniversary, and little reminders of your last shoot together. Unless you have the kind of Rain Man brian that remembers every important date ever, you’ll want to plug things into your calendar so you don’t forget important dates.
Birthdays and anniversaries are prime time for offering repeat clients a special rate as a gift. It’s a win-win, really. You get to let them know you’re thinking of them, and they have a chance to celebrate their special day by doing something really nice for themselves. You’ll be first to mind when they start thinking about planning their next shoot.
4. Reward referrals
Putting a rewards system in place has double benefits. Not only does it bring old clients back, but it brings new clients with them. You’re giving people incentive to spread the good word about your photography, encouraging them to plan a follow-up session, and getting new people through the door. What are you waiting for?! Go out and do it.
5. Don’t be afraid to follow-up
Don’t take it personally if you’ve flicked off an email to your client and don’t get anything in return. We’re all living pretty busy lives these days and there’s a chance life just got in the way. It doesn’t hurt to send a follow-up email just in case your first one got lost in the ether (or to their hungry junk folder).
If the idea of diving into the cricket-ey silence makes you cringe, we have a template for this EXACT thing in our pre-saved messages section in the app. You got this.
6. Be prompt
You obviously wouldn’t arrive to a photoshoot half an hour after you said you’d be there. Being late is a pretty bad look as a professional--it’s the stuff of nightmares. Ever wake up in a cold sweat after dreaming that you (the wedding photographer) missed the bride walking down the aisle? We have!
The principle of being punctual isn’t a hard one to comprehend. But why, then, do we think that replying to emails and messages a week late is ok? The last thing you want is to give your clients the impression that you’re ghosting them like the last person you went on a really terrible first date with. Be responsive and attentive, and you’ll build trust with your clients from the get go.
7. Engage with your client’s lives
Tag them in your social posts, comment on their photos, reply to a cute story they posted, and just be genuinely available for them when they engage with you. When done well, this can be one of the funnest parts of your business. It’s about engaging with like-minded folk and building a community around you. Essentially it’s one big party with all your peeps. Get involved.
Once you’ve cultivated a strong community of clients who know and love you, every second and third and fourth shoot will be an absolute breeze. No awkward greetings, no clumsy goodbyes, just a smooth and pleasant few hours of capturing some especially candid memories through your lens. Just remember to be your usual lovely human self and be thoughtful, receptive, and grateful. A solid base of clients is the thing that will keep your business afloat through the quieter months so you can keep doing the things you love.
Let's recap
- Remember important dates!
- Send love letters.
- Engage with your client’s lives.
For a super handy full client management system and life-saving business tools, check out the Unscripted App. Download now for free.
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