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<blockquote data-quote="Browncoat" data-source="post: 189770" data-attributes="member: 1061"><p>2013 has been a real eye-opener.</p><p></p><p>Now that the big box retailers are out of the way (with Life Touch going under) there's not much competition for the low ball price points in the turn-key studios like Wal Mart and Sears. That was big news for people like us. And it was real, I definitely saw more traffic.</p><p></p><p>It's definitely NOT about price. I price competitively with others in my area, and am usually on the lower end of the spectrum. I trimmed some of the fat and don't offer the fluff: fancy packaging and what-not. But the customers are willing to pay MORE for that stuff, a lot more. </p><p></p><p>As it turns out, the women folk just love getting a cool package in the mail. I offer prints, but 99% of my customers opt for the DVD. I was burning a custom label on each one with Lightscribe and using a generic DVD jewel case to keep costs down. But, they'd rather have something fancy, even if it costs more. I can't tell you how many times I'd see pics in my Facebook feed of competitors' customers posting a pic of their mail and how excited they were about it. Another lesson learned.</p><p></p><p>The niche is there. I have a lot more male customers because, well...I'm a guy. Senior boys get photos done too, and they like a more edgy style that I produce. I just need to get in touch with my feminine side and ratchet up the trendy crap with artificial sun flares to get the wemmins too.</p><p></p><p>I agree completely, <strong>Horoscope Fish</strong>. It feels like I'm selling out. But, even the Sistine Chapel was a paid gig. Mike didn't paint that shit for free.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Browncoat, post: 189770, member: 1061"] 2013 has been a real eye-opener. Now that the big box retailers are out of the way (with Life Touch going under) there's not much competition for the low ball price points in the turn-key studios like Wal Mart and Sears. That was big news for people like us. And it was real, I definitely saw more traffic. It's definitely NOT about price. I price competitively with others in my area, and am usually on the lower end of the spectrum. I trimmed some of the fat and don't offer the fluff: fancy packaging and what-not. But the customers are willing to pay MORE for that stuff, a lot more. As it turns out, the women folk just love getting a cool package in the mail. I offer prints, but 99% of my customers opt for the DVD. I was burning a custom label on each one with Lightscribe and using a generic DVD jewel case to keep costs down. But, they'd rather have something fancy, even if it costs more. I can't tell you how many times I'd see pics in my Facebook feed of competitors' customers posting a pic of their mail and how excited they were about it. Another lesson learned. The niche is there. I have a lot more male customers because, well...I'm a guy. Senior boys get photos done too, and they like a more edgy style that I produce. I just need to get in touch with my feminine side and ratchet up the trendy crap with artificial sun flares to get the wemmins too. I agree completely, [B]Horoscope Fish[/B]. It feels like I'm selling out. But, even the Sistine Chapel was a paid gig. Mike didn't paint that shit for free. [/QUOTE]
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