How are you advertising your AP business

[heliplt]

I just wanted to know how every one has been advertising their AP business.
I would like to hear from any one who would like to give their opinion.

[SeaHawk]

My experience has been it is a waste of money. Tried the coupon circulators, newspaper ads, phone book adds and lost money on all three. Best advertising for me has been word of mouth, which takes time to rampup. You might have better luck depending on your location.

[Nitrospazzz]

I have to agree with SeaHawk all forms of printed media I have tried have been a waste of money. The two forms that have got me jobs are RCAPA service page and the other was a friend of mine who is a professional photographer dropped my name :) Thats what got me the big job this fall and a few jobs lined up for next spring.

Word of mouth is everything, that is why you NEED to make sure the client is happy...then he tells his friends, who tell their friends who, etc

[AZ ChopperCam]

print collateral isn't a waste, you just need to get it to your target demo. Better to have only 250 pcs. printed and hand them out to existing customers than 5,000 mass mailed.

I do agree thought that referrals are probably best. But make sure you leave your customers with business cards and at the very least a single page flyer.

Another thing that works, but it sucks doing it is going "door to door". I've spent an afternoon dropping by some real estate agencies and land development firms and have landed a couple jobs from it. The jobs I got were nothing big but the great part is those customers told other business associates and I have gotten a half dozen jobs from those referals. But you MUST have at least a flyer to leave with them if you plan on cold calling like that.

Another way to do it is pick out some rich homes in the area that have realtor signs in the front yard. Shoot them and then contact the agents and tell them you will give them the photos you took. Yes it's free work but I can tell you it does work. You end up giving away the first job free but there's a very good chance they will call you back. I've landed 2 repeat clients this way.

It's not easy marketing. It requires time and effort but what business endeavor that has ever succeeded didn't??!

[heliplt]

Another way to do it is pick out some rich homes in the area that have realtor signs in the front yard. Shoot them and then contact the agents and tell them you will give them the photos you took. Yes it's free work but I can tell you it does work. You end up giving away the first job free but there's a very good chance they will call you back. I've landed 2 repeat clients this way.

Thats a very good idea.( I like it )

We have been attending some business expos and sending out flyers with a demo on CD rom.
We also did a freebee photo shoot for the a well known landmark in our area just to be able to use the photo in a demo and printed media .

[Chadd]

What are good rates to charge for such services?