The bride-to-be walked into the community center where she planned to have her reception. While speaking with the manager, he showed her several photographs of the hall beautifully decorated. At the end of their conversation, the manager said, “If you don’t have a photographer yet, let me recommend one.” Then he mentioned your name.

When you shoot a wedding, you work along side a church, a reception hall, a florist, a caterer, a baker, a wedding gown shop, and a wedding planner. Each of these folks has a small business just like yours, and each needs great photography of their work.

If their best marketing photography comes from you, who do you think they will recommend as a photographer?

For example, if you take a  cake shot, print an extra 8×10 ($2.55 JD Deluxe for the second print) and send it to the cake decorator with a short cover letter telling them you thought they would like a professional print of their work. Tell them how beautiful the cake was. Do the same for the hall, the church, the caterer and the florist. Most of them leave their business cards at the event, so it is easy to get their addresses.

After a couple prints, they’ll learn that recommending you gets them a free print. They may even pay you to take photos for their advertising.

Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising. Wouldn’t it be great to have lots of people who talk to brides every day mentioning your name?

Photography by Sam Sarkis

Tags: marketing, word of mouth

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