Marketing for the Seasons

Over the past couple of months we’ve shared a few different marketing campaigns but this week we’re going to take a break and look at planning your own.

It seems that just as one holiday finishes the next one begins. Every year there’s someone who notices a Christmas decoration for sale in August and exclaims ‘It’s getting earlier every year!’

Of course there’s some truth to this, the January sales have been starting before Christmas and visit any greeting card shop you’ll know immediately the coming holidays for the next 6 months!

But that’s their business I hear you say……..but doesn’t a portrait photography occasionally fall into the realms of seasonal gifts?

I know that many of you have been using various seasonal promotions but how have you planned your year?

Here’s a few good habits you might want to think about.

1. By the end of the first month of your new year (financial or calendar) know what seasonal marketing you’ll be doing.
2. Have all your artwork and marketing material ready at least 1-2 months before you intend to launch each campaign. This will allow time for any changes, reprinting, additions or improvements.
3. Introduce each campaign about 1-3 months ahead of each holiday or event. A good example of this in action is to bring out the santa hats at the end of a halloween studio session…. suggesting something for Christmas cards.
4. Make sure you know your deadlines and turnaround times and make sure you let your clients know them too!
5. Experiment with a green screen….. there’s no reason why one session’s images can’t be sold to fit every holiday.

Seasonal promotions are a great way to connect with older clients and a wonderful reason to get them back in the studio. Make sure your seasonal marketing offers something for both old and new clients.