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Gone are the days of just leaving a business card or sending out postcard announcing your studio and services to the community. Marketing/advertising campaigns and techniques have come a long way from posting a few column-long ads in the local paper.

Here are few things you should be doing to more effectively promote your services as a photographer:

1. Own your website domain
A photographer’s website acts as their online portfolio, marketing tool, calling card and invitation to prospective clients to connect. A professional photographer should invest in a professional website and register their personal domain name (www.johnsmithphotograhy.com) and not use a free domain service that incorporate their company name into your domain (www.johnsmithphotography.com/freewebsitemaker).

2. Create social networking profiles
Sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Flickr (a photo storage and sharing site) are a great way to connect with current clients, friends, other photographers and potential clients. It’s one more place to get your name out and drive visitors to you main website. Since Facebook and Flickr allow you to upload photos, they are also great for creating mini-portfolios or sharing the film from your latest shoot.

3. Develop relationships with local businesses
A real-estate agent needs photos of the homes they are trying to sell; a restaurant needs shots for a new menu; small, local papers are always on the lookout for great news photos. Develop your working relationship with local businesses that may have need for a photographer. It will expand your client base and they can help promote you and your work with references and referrals.

There are dozens of different advertising and marketing techniques you can use to promote your services as a photographer.
Traditional advertising like print ads and direct mail are still viable marketing methods and can help pull in a lot of business. They key to marketing is to develop a diversified plan designed to reach potential customers in as many ways as possible. The more they hear your name and see examples of your work, the more likely they are to hire you when the time comes.

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