Word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing! Sharing that first-hand experience with a good review provides potential future customers with a reliable and trustworthy guarantee of quality. Not to mention, if a client is so excited about their experience with you that they write a good review in the first place, it’s like they will be returning clients as well!
SO… what are some ways to get those great reviews?
To be honest, getting good reviews is a lot about providing an amazing client experience. So, I’ve put together a few different strategies to help you provide that and collect some superb reviews:
- Simply put… be NICE!
Okay okay, you may be thinking, “Well, DUH! Of course I’m going to be polite!” In the context of a photoshoot, being nice means more than just saying “please” and “thank you.” Make an effort to get to know the people you’re photographing! Ask questions; be conversational. Relating to people is one of the best ways to get them to be comfortable around you. The more comfortable your clients are around you, the more positive they will feel about the experience of working together and the more likely they are to give you a good review! Plus, making your clients feel at-ease will probably help you to get more natural-looking photos anyway!
2. Be Confident and Have a Plan
Be sure that you walk into a shoot feeling prepared and ready. Exuding confidence will assure your clients you know what you’re doing. At the end of the shoot they will be walking away with photos that they absolutely adore! Having a plan ready will also keep you from wasting time and save you from the awkward silence that happens when you’re not sure what to do next. A client will appreciate you moving at a comfortable rate with an efficient process, especially if there’s a time constraint involved!
3. Listen and Be Communicative
Though it’s important to follow some kind of structure during your sessions or weddings, don’t leave your clients’ wants and needs unattended if they have any specific thoughts or requests! If they want a certain photo in a location with a specific pose, do it for them! If holding one pose for too long is uncomfortable, make it known they can tell you! They are the client, and it’s our jobs to serve them.
I once heard the saying from Jose Villa “One for me and one for thee.” If you have an idea and they do as well..do them both! It’s also important to note that it’s okay to ask questions. Ask about insecurities, favorite sides, preferences, etc. Listening to and communicating with your client in this way contributes to their confidence in your abilities, and only adds to the positive experience you provide them with!
4. Follow Up Afterward!
After a session or wedding, shoot your clients an email! ASK for their opinions! Make it known that you’d like to hear their feedback, and that their satisfaction is important to you. They want to know that you care and are committed to their imagery! The product you supply your customers with is only half of their purchase. How you treat your client before, during, and after their session or wedding is the other half!
These are my go-to strategies for building excellent client repor and a reputation for professionalism. If you’ve got some of your own strategies, send me a message! I’d love to hear them and even share with your permission!!
(AND! Don’t forget to sign up online for a place they can review you!)
Oh! And don’t forget..if you don’t have a place to sign up for reviews..do that now! I personally recommend google as it’s super easy, familiar and searchable! In addition, google allows for images to be added into the reviews which is excellent being that we’re photographers! It’s free and super helpful when someone is “googling” photographers in your area! This is link to my account if you’d like to check it out HERE!
If you’re wondering where or how to set it up, you’ll want to do this at: https://business.google.com/
