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[mcprobert]

Is anyone using this system to advertise - any feedback positive or negative?

Thanks,

Clwyd Probert
http://www.pixcellence.co.uk
Wedding and Event Photography

[Gadget]

signed up for one year, not a single call for my region. In that time I got several from the free listing on Yell.com.
Did a couple of creatives directories the same year (sorry this was 2003-2004) and got nothing from those.

Personally i've found having the website setup for google etal. is best source and of course word of mouth.

If you are business to business join the FSB and your chamber -got a retainer with mine from joining. look at business networking groups, you'll probably be the only photographer doing the circuit.

[tibet]

What's FSB?

[Gadget]

What's FSB?

They are the Russian internal security force....no they stand for Federation of Small Business. rest assure they are no onger a bunch of shop keepers but the biggest lobby group in Westminster amongst other things.
The FSB has also been far more vocal then the likes of BIPP etc. on the legislation coming that may affect the way we all work.

[tibet]

Thx for the info Gadget! :) Do u have a link so I can check it out in more details?!

[David Worthington]

If you are business to business join the FSB and your chamber -got a retainer with mine from joining. look at business networking groups, you'll probably be the only photographer doing the circuit.


Tell me more !!! not into this so maybe i oughtta

thanks in advance:clapping:

[Gadget]

Thx for the info Gadget! :) Do u have a link so I can check it out in more details?!

only a month late, teach me to pay attension more.

www.fsb.org.uk (http://www.fsb.org.uk) will help you find your region. I've just been co-opted onto our branch committee and told I will representing them at next years national conference

[tibet]

LOL!! No worries! Better late than never! ;)c Thx for the link! :)

[redbeard57]

has anybody else out there had any experience of a company called vision tv?
the concept is that they put tv screens in hairdressers, charge the advertisers over a 2 year period and hey presto you are "overwelmed" with work.

i have been with them for over 12 months and have not had a single enquiry that i could trace back to them. when i contacted the company they assure me that other photographers are getting more work than they can cope with, but of course because of data protection regulations they are unable to share the names of these successful photographers with me.

so i am throwing it open, are there any of you out there for whom this is working and can you give me any help or guidance as to what i am doing wrong with my ad?

[Waif]

Not that this is any sort of a scam of course and its all 100% above board and honest I'd just like to say - not being keen on being cited for libel......

but, having worked in advertising and marketing.... this smells suspiciously like 'moo-poo' to me. The data protection act most certainly prevents them from being able to reveal what their clients are doing - but they SHOULD, and any company worth its salt WOULD, be able to provide you with testimonials from satisfied customers. Advertising agencies generally list their clients in trade publications too. I really would investigate this lack of testimonials - and to be honest, I would save your money and investigate other forms of promotions next time.

[Stemmy]

I was asked to have an advert to be shown on video on a petrol for court.

I politely declined. Since the phone call 2 years ago I have seen the screen working once !!!!!

[Waif]

I'd like to add - really its the 'older' more tried and trusted forms of advertising that are the ones to go for. Local papers very often have 'wedding supplements' usually in the Spring/Summer season. This IS worthwhile - and if you can get on to good terms with the poor lass working on classified, they will very often give you a call for the last section - when it is really cheap.

The Wedding publications are also worth a shot - again, try to get on good terms with the rep - and go to the 'little guys' first - they have a lot of 'pulling power'.

Having worked in the industry, I have seen many new methods come and go, but would always recommend print.

[redbeard57]

sorry, obviously i was not suggesting that vision tv is operating any sort of a scam, all i am trying to do is find one of the photographers for whom their system is working. i am assured by the company that there are a large number out there that are getting loads of business through the system, all i want to know is what do i have to do to make it work for me.

[Waif]

I wasn't suggesting you thought it some sort of a scam. :)

I would suggest that you get back to the company and ask for some testimonials from satisfied clients - this should not be a problem. If it is, I think you need to look seriously at where you are investing your advertising budget.

[Jimothy]

I was approached by the vision tv people too an politely declined.

I also put a large ad in the yellow pages because i was guaranteed something like 28 enquiries per day from such an ad. Needless to say those enquiries haven't existed. I guess i have got maybe 9 or 10 enquiries from that ad. Yell.com seems to work - and I only have the free ad there. Trying Thomson Local from the new directory due out in sept. I wasnt going to bother but it seems that more people use Thomson in this town than use Yellow Pages.

I'm interested to know what does work - apart from word of mouth - Waifs suggestions of the local paper sound promising - i'll give it a try.

[redbeard57]

i have never had much success from local papers, despite doing several "special wedding features" with a local slant.

thompsons, yellow pages and the phone book seem to have about the same response, although usually when you ask people tell you they are responding to the ad in yellow pages.

i have also tried the venue brochures that go out to people who have made enquiries about holding a wedding and again have had a varying amount of success. wedding fairs certainly put you in front of people, but again dont be disappointed if you come away with no bookings on the day as people do come to gather information and having gathered it contact you up to 6 months later.