Make an Impression | Charlotte Family Photographer
Making an impression is all part of the client experience. As photographers, our job doesn’t end the moment the portrait session ends. We can spend hours culling through and editing our photos, removing blemishes, arranging them in an order that tells a story, uploading them to galleries for proofing, and the list goes on.
However, most of the time, our clients simply just don’t understand the amount of work that goes into the final product. That’s okay! That’s why it is so important to make the extra effort to put a little TLC into your overall client experience. Not only does this make the clients happy, but it will be easier for them to actually see why you are worth the money they are paying.
Offering a strategically thought out product line will, undoubtedly, kick your overall client experience up a notch, and begin setting you apart from the rest of the pack. Your products don’t have to be complicated, and there doesn’t need to be a lot.
Instead, choose products that will convey your brand well and have a clear purpose. Clients can get overwhelmed if they have albums, mini albums, prints, mounted prints, canvases, portfolios, proof boxes, greeting cards, USBs, CDs, and everything under the sun shown to them. Having a large selection may work well for many photographers.
However, if you’re just starting out, I suggest beginning slow with just a few high-quality products to choose from. And having just a few high quality products to show off will speak louder than having a wide array of choices that may include a lot of mediocre items. The more products you choose to offer, the more studio sample you’ll have to buy, which means you’ll be spending a lot of money on things that may never sell.
I want to share with you one of the newest products that I am offering to my clients; our custom USB drive. We are in a very digital age. Everything is centered around social media, Instagramming selfies, and Tweeting pictures of our food. Many photographer try to fight this.
But let’s face it, our clients want the digitals. They want to be able to share to their heart’s content with their friends and family. So, I’ve decided to make even buying a simple USB of their images a beautiful experience for them. Why? Because they deserve it. =)
I did a lot of research on several different USBs before choosing this one. I knew I wanted something that was clear like glass, but could also be customized with my logo. I also knew it had to offer beautiful, customizable packaging as well. And thirdly, I didn’t want it to cost an arm and a leg.
In the end, I wound up choosing this beautiful number created by the amazing folks over at Miller’s Lab, which is also the same professional printing lab I use for my custom album (I’ll be sharing about it later). This gorgeous product is made out of acrylic, and topped with a heavy, brushed-aluminum lid. It’s seriously stunning.
The USB, alone, would certainly make an impression, but it doesn’t stop there. Miller’s also offers customizable display boxes for easy delivery and beautiful presentation. The box opens like a ring box and displays your USB snuggly secured to the bottom via an elastic cord. Gorgeous, right? Who wouldn’t want to have this as a keepsake? It’s simple. It’s clean. It’s not frilly. It’s exactly the way I like to convey my brand, so it’s perfect for my business.
And last but not least, let your clients know how thankful you are that they chose you for such an important job. Clients choose you to capture some of the most precious moments of their lives. Let them know that means a lot to you. Little details go a long way in creating an overall beautiful experience for your clients. Take time to plan it out and think it through. It will set you apart from your competition. =)
Choose products that will set the tone of how you would like your business to be conveyed. Remember, quality beats quantity. Don’t overwhelm your clients; WOW them!
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