Free Marketing?

In a world of give and take it is hard to find good options for getting your name out there without having to pay a lot of money. This is especially hard when you are just starting out. We are a small company and doing all we can by word of mouth and our friends. We also have our website, and craigslist (which can look so cheap), and we now Bridal Tweet (yay!). But just wondering if anyone had any other good suggestions for two eager wedding videographers and a photographer trying to get some gigs and their name out there?

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Permalink Reply by Terra Dawn Photography on January 8, 2010 at 12:31pm

I'm a photographer in the DC area, and have managed to get my name out there pretty quick this year! I do that by updating my blog regularly, contacting vendors that I LOVE to do blog spots and interviews. I take my camera and take pics of "A Day In the Life of A Vendor" which could be anything from a site visit to a florist. When you link to them on your blog, they will usually link back to you.

Site visits are great for this, b/c the bride and groom will almost always have their location picked out before the try to find their photographer.

I also make sure to upload photo slideshows to my client's facebook page. That way, even those who didn't make it to the wedding can see the final images.

If your up for some second shooting, join digitalweddingforum.com . They have a thread there that will hook you up with photographers in your area who would be willing to have you along for some portfolio building.

And since you have both videographers and photographers, definitely look into fusion video. It's really hitting the photo community hard and is still new to brides.

So yup! That's my shfeel.......other than those things, just network, network, network.

I hope that helps!! Good luck with everything!

Terra Dawn
TerraDawnBlog.com

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Permalink Reply by Crystal J. Molina on January 8, 2010 at 12:34pm

Thank Terra Dawn! Some great ideas here! Can you explain fusion video for me? I've just started working with a videographer and want to mention it to her. Thanks so much for the input!

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Permalink Reply by Celebrant Venus on January 11, 2010 at 2:25pm

Dear Candis,
Many people underestimate the value of SEO (search engine optimisation) so that when someone types in 'wedding videographer in [city]' or 'wedding photographer in [city]' into Google or other search engine, YOUR business should come up in the first page of search results.

One of the many ways to improve search rankings is to trade links with other pros' websites. If you are interested, please contact me privately and let's exchange links!

Take care and good luck,
v

www.ceremonyceremony.com

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Permalink Reply by CaisoSteelBand on January 5, 2011 at 4:24pm

Hello Candis,

I am interesting in exchaning links. My name is Michael King and I have a Caribbean SteelDrum Band in the Wash, DC area. We believe in link exchanges as a strategy to build SEO. We also do article mktg, blogging, and meta tags. visit our weblog at CAISO SteelDrum Band Blog email me at caisosteelband@gmail.com to let me know if you would like to exchange links.

Cheers,

Mike

We are interested with link exchanging with other wedding vendors as well.

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Permalink Reply by Annette James on January 12, 2010 at 8:38pm

Oh my goodness everyone! What a GREAT discussion. There is so much information on here I can't wait to take some time to re-read and make notes.

Thank you so much for posting your input.

I did want to put out there a great way to build links is through an affiliate program. If those who are linking to you can get a little something out of it then they are going to be even more into it. And having wedding relavent links on your site will help with the rankings as well.

~Annette

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Permalink Reply by Sweet T Studios on January 12, 2010 at 8:54pm

I also just found one that hasn't been mentioned for those of you who are in California. It's called californiawed.com. Looks promising and it's free. yay!

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Permalink Reply by Taylor Made Invites on January 18, 2010 at 11:48am

Yes, join all of the ning sites that you possibly can. Also, www.weddingwire.com is a great site to get your name out there. You should definitely create a website, produce as much marketing material as you can and try and work with wedding planners and other wedding professionals to be a part of their vendor list.

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Permalink Reply by caren on January 19, 2010 at 2:05pm

Actually, if you have a website, put your name in all the wedding websites you can. Alot of them are free all you have to do is advertize them on your website. Some of them will advertize for you. That's how I got my name on alot of advertizing, I didn't even realize they did this until I saw my name on more that what i payed for. Good way to get your name online.

Also, make up a magnet sheet advertizing yourself and stick it to your car. Free local advertizement there.

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Permalink Reply by Photography by Joncee May on January 19, 2010 at 3:42pm

go to http://getlisted.org it will show you what you are listed on, and give you suggestions and walk you through getting listed locally on free things such as google maps!

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Permalink Reply by Kristin Hubbard on January 21, 2010 at 7:40pm

Caren Jeanty - thanks for all the great sites! I have been searching for those myself.

Now I haven't checked into it yet... but i also found http://www.topweddingsites.com/

And I'm definitely trying to network with as many vendors as possible.

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Permalink Reply by b.mookié on January 23, 2010 at 6:53pm

I was in this same boat, so I got together with some other wedding professionals and had a 'Bridal Event.' Introducing ourselves and using our own resources to pull together a fun event that even the brides got to enjoy for free! Best wishes...

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Permalink Reply by Leigh Howlett on April 6, 2010 at 1:10pm

Its also about building relationships and partnerships! Scratch each others backs! Some of my best referrals and advertisers are past clients as well as the vendors that I see / refer! We have a group of event vendors who meet monthly. We talk about new ideas, trends etc.

Leigh Howlett
Easton Country Club
So. Easton, MA