Took The Plunge and Ordered 100 Business Cards.....YIKES!

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Smoke

Senior Member
So I just designed a business card and ordered 100 on Vistaprint. Was only 20 bucks. I'm not sure if I'm good enough, not sure who I will pass them out to but I'm tired of sitting back and wondering and watching other people do it. So, I will slowly hand some out and see what happens. Cross your fingers:concern:
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
Well, not sure if grocery stores still have them, but they used to have billboards to post ads on. That is one place to leave one. Some restaurants frequented by business folks usually have a spot to leave a business card. If you can get into your local university, i am sure you can leave a few around there. Just some suggestions.
 
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STM

Senior Member
Check for specials with them. I got 500 cards for about $20. Vistaprint does a very nice job. They did on the card design I sent them:

 
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STM

Senior Member
AC016 said:
Well, not sure if grocery stores still have them, but they used to have billboards to post ads on. That is one place to leave one. Some restaurants frequented by business folks usually have a spot to leave a business card. If you can get into your local university, i am sure you can leave a few around there. Just some suggestions.
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Often restaurants have a "jar" where you can drop them too. The saying is that 'you should never leave the house without at least 50 cards in your pocket."
 
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Smoke

Senior Member
STM said:
Often restaurants have a "jar" where you can drop them too. The saying is that 'you should never leave the house without at least 50 cards in your pocket."
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Well the only hurdle I have now is confidence.....I've been taking pictures for myself but never for someone who is paying. I have to at least look like I know what I am doing.
 
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STM

Senior Member
Smoke said:
Well the only hurdle I have now is confidence.....I've been taking pictures for myself but never for someone who is paying. I have to at least look like I know what I am doing.
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And cold calling is the hardest part of sales. And yes, if you want to do work for hire, you have to be a salesman and not just a click click boy!. And confidence is a big part of it. Even if you have to fake it, show confidence in your work and convince them why they should let you shoot them. And DON'T be a "Bargain Basement Bob". Even if it is not true, people can be suspect of the bargain basement prices. Most know the phrase caveat emptor. If you don't know it yourself, commit it t memory!

The one tip I can give you is be assertive but not aggressive. What is the worst they can say, NO? It is not like than can take away your birthday and send you to the Middle East, right? Been there, done that s**t and got 3 Purple Hearts to show for it! Get used to a lot of no's before you get yes's. But remember, the portraiture business is very much a "word of mouth" biz. Don't be afraid to tell your initial customers to talk you up to their friends, and you will give them a break on their next gig with you if some new customers name drop them. Start up a customer email list and keep in touch. Let them know when you are having holiday specials.
 
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Smoke

Senior Member
STM said:
And cold calling is the hardest part of sales. And yes, if you want to do work for hire, you have to be a salesman and not just a click click boy!. And confidence is a big part of it. Even if you have to fake it, show confidence in your work and convince them why they should let you shoot them. And DON'T be a "Bargain Basement Bob". Even if it is not true, people can be suspect of the bargain basement prices. Most know the phrase caveat emptor. If you don't know it yourself, commit it t memory!
The one tip I can give you is be assertive but not aggressive. What is the worst they can say, NO? It is not like than can take away your birthday and send you to the Middle East, right? Been there, done that s**t and got 3 Purple Hearts to show for it! Get used to a lot of no's before you get yes's. But remember, the portraiture business is very much a "word of mouth" biz. Don't be afraid to tell your initial customers to talk you up to their friends, and you will give them a break on their next gig with you if some new customers name drop them. Start up a customer email list and keep in touch. Let them know when you are having holiday specials.
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I'm used to cold calling, I am a Medical Sales Rep and I have heard plenty of "No's" :D
 
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Smoke

Senior Member
RocketCowboy said:
Did you set up a website before you ordered cards, or planning to go the other way and start with business cards and then do a website?
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I'm in the process of making a website, in the meantime, I listed my Flikr link. I want to start this very slowly so I am not overwhelmed and get a bad start. I will be handing out these cards to a very select few
 
J

James Clark

Senior Member
Been thinking of this too but decided to hold off till I had a web site and a portfolio of sorts. Going to get to the end of my project 365 first then move on from there.
 
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Smoke

Senior Member
James Clark said:
Been thinking of this too but decided to hold off till I had a web site and a portfolio of sorts. Going to get to the end of my project 365 first then move on from there.
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I'm sure there are 100's of free websites. The one I'm starting to play with is Wix, they have a lot of nice templates and fairly easy to use if you invest a little time
 
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Smoke

Senior Member
sonicbuffalo thanks for your assistance and Rachelle, I can't say that I started a business at all. All I did was create a Flikr account, printed 100 business cards and just continue to take shots that I like. There have been a bunch of people tell me that they would like me to take pictures of their child playing sports but I haven't had the nerve to hand out any cards yet. Also, I need to decide what I would charge for an event like that and what type of product am I giving the customer (just the files or prints, etc...)
 
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realuvsdolphins

Senior Member
@sonicbuffalo, thank you for your help, it is very much appreciated. @Smoke, I honestly don't understand why you are nervous because your work is absolutely amazing!!!!! I really hope to be as good as you one day.....I say go for it! Don't hold back your potential :)
 
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