When you see your Facebook reach dwindling are you starting to panic about how to reach your potential clients?!
If you’ve grown your e-mail list you’re probably calm, cool and collected. If you haven’t then the real panic has set in! The good news is there is no need to panic but it is time to start building that list!
It is SO important to have an email list that you can send updates to. Whether it’s in the form of a monthly newsletter or it only goes out when you have a special going on, email marketing is probably the most efficient way to get our message to our clients.
Now that you know it’s IMPORTANT to have an e-mail list, you’re probably wondering how to grow it. How are you going to convince people to sign up for your newsletter? The typical incentive I see everywhere is “Sign up for updates from ____ Photography”. Love that there’s an opt-in on your page, but how often have you signed up for a newsletter just to receive updates? To me that screams JUNK MAIL!
Adding an opt-in to your site doesn’t have to be difficult and the great thing is once you get it set up it’s a “set it and forget it” item. You can create your opt-in and change it as often or as little as you want. If you feel like it’s not working then it’s something you’ll want to revisit but if you feel like you’re consistently growing your list then you’ve found your opt-in!
Finding your successful opt-in doesn’t have to be complicated either. This goes back to your ideal client… think about who you’re appealing to. You need to figure out what your target client is interested in. What appeals to them? What do they struggle with?
I’m a family photographer so my clients are moms. What are some things I as a mom would find helpful…things that would make me want to enter my email address? I’m currently working on a new opt-in for my site a “How to take better pictures of your kids with your iPhone”. An easy PDF download for moms to download and read…after imputing their email addresses.
The key to creating a successful opt-in is to step into your clients shoes and think of what you can GIVE to them for GIVING you their email. Think like your client and most likely it will be easy to come up with an idea! Just to get you started here are some opt-in ideas for photographers:
Children & Family Photographer-
- Guide to taking better pictures of your kids
- Meal Planning Printable
- Seasonal Printable
- Guide to a stress free session
- Secret poses to flatter mom
Senior Photographer-
- Coupon for free sheet of wallets
- Guide to packing for college
- Make-up tips for session
Wedding Photographer-
- Wedding day checklist
- Honeymoon packing printable
- Tips for wedding great wedding day photos
- VIP vendor list
Boudoir Photographer-
- Favorite places for outfits
- Best boudie poses to flatter you
- Guide to great session
- Make-up tips
- Secrets to looking good in every picture
Do you see a trend here? It’s not rocket science. Find something you have that you can give to your clients to make their lives easier! No one loves junk mail…I hate opening up my inbox with 100 emails to delete so I am very careful with where I put my email address. Most people probably share this feeling…do you? You have to make it worth it for clients to opt-in!