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Photographers that ignore the impact mobile devices have on their business will lose clients. Those who embrace it early will have a huge advantage over other photographers, especially in the next few years as others attempt to “catch up”.
I was SHOCKED when I looked at my stats for this past month for my wedding photography business and saw that 24% of the pageviews came from mobile devices!
So when Nate, the founder of StickyAlbums, sent me free access to his new product that creates apps for your clients with their images, I saw the huge marketing potential they had and could not wait to give it a try.
I could not be more excited about it! So to help you get an edge over other photographers, here is an introduction to StickyAlbums and 7 Mobile Marketing Ideas for Photographers using StickyAlbums (plus a coupon code at the end, WOOT!)
What is StickyAlbums?
StickyAlbums allows you to easily create custom gallery mobile apps for each client that they can download onto their mobile devices. It’s different from simply giving them mobile-ready images because they get a personalized icon right on their desktop that brings them into a gallery with your own personal branding. You can also link to your website, so it’s a simple tap to share your website with their friends. You also control the app and can easily add photos in the future or change any of the information.
It’s seriously so simple. I was thrilled at how easy it was to make an app.
It works on Apple mobile devices and most Android devices, although if your client does not have either of these, they can be viewed in a regular internet browser instead.
How to make more money & get more clients using StickyAlbums
First, StickyAlbums is a marketing tool, not just an extra product to sell. I think if your only goal is to sell this as a product and make money from it that way, you’re totally losing out on its potential to make you money and get you more photography clients.
Forgive the crappy webcam quality.
Side note: As I write this, I’m literally watching someone show someone else photos on their iphone in a coffee shop. Seriously, no lie. “Awesome” cropped webcam shot of the action right here (and then I asked for permission to use it online.)
1. Increase your average portrait sale using StickyAlbums as an incentive
You are going to want to get one of these to every single client you work with, because they will use it to show their friends. Guaranteed.
For wedding clients, I’d include a gallery for free in order to get more word-of-mouth advertising and referrals.
But for portraits, you need to do it in a way that makes sure you don’t lose sales because of it.
Honestly, I believe that using them correctly will only increase your portrait sales. Here’s how.
First things first, if you’re not doing in-person portrait sales and are ONLY doing an online gallery, you’re seriously missing out and should do everything you can to move to them immediately. Seriously. No excuses – you can and NEED to make this happen. It’ll be the best business decision you’ve made yet. I could go on and on about this, but I’ll spare you the rest (for now!)
Don’t put any images online, even on Facebook or your blog, until you’ve done your sales session. This will lose you sales again.
Then, before your sales session, make a StickyAlbum with several of your favorite images from their session. Put a logo on them, set it up and have it ready to go on your own mobile device.
During your sales meeting, show them the StickyAlbum on your mobile device and tell them that they will receive a StickyAlbum for free with any images that they buy.
Then I’d use a larger gallery as an incentive for them to reach a certain amount. So if your average sales is $800, tell them that if their total comes to $1000 or more, you’ll include an additional 10 images in their StickyAlbum. This is an easy way to increase your average sale over time, and people will be tempted to order more so they can get additional images in their gallery.
2. Link to something other than your main website & tell people about it
If you’re afraid people will only view images on their phones instead of visiting your website or Facebook page, do not fear. Being strategic in where you link and including a call to action on your logo image that tells them to click the link or engage in some way will get you additional traffic.
When you set up your StickyAlbum, you select a link where you can send people anywhere online that you like. This happens when they click on the logo image at the top of the thumbnail page and it’ll add the link to the bottom of this page as well. Then, when you create your logo image to upload, add a call to action that tells people to click over.
For example, tell them to visit your Facebook page to comment on the photos (put the same photos from the gallery onto Facebook, and then link to that specific gallery for easy access). Or put up an online gallery AFTER your in-person sales meeting where they can order additional prints, and link to that. Or link to a blog post with additional photos, or a portfolio gallery with more photos of the same type.
Just don’t forget to tell people what to do by adding text on the logo image. It is SHOCKING how many people will do something when it’s suggested to them, and it doesn’t have to be pushy at all.
3. Add a call to action at the end of the gallery
Create an image that has your logo and a call to action on it that will go at the end of the gallery as the last photo, so that when they’re done viewing the gallery they’ll see it. This is especially great for when they are showing the gallery to friends.
4. Get vendor referrals using StickyAlbums
Vendor referrals are one of the most effective ways to get new clients. This is true for both wedding and portrait photographers.
There’s several ways you can use StickyAlbums to network with other vendors and increase your client base.
Create coupon books
This is my favorite way to market your business using StickyAlbums.
Approach several businesses that are interested in offering a promotion for their products or services that have a Facebook page or other web presence and agree to promote it as well. Have them submit an image (or call it an ad) that will be added to the StickyAlbum. You’ll also want to include your own ad in this as well. Once you’ve created the StickyAlbum, send everyone a link to post on their website or Facebook page encouraging their clients to download the app. They then have to bring in the app and show you the coupon on the mobile device in order to redeem it. It’s a great way to get lots of vendors promoting your work, and it’s super easy to put together with no printing or distribution costs.
For portrait photographers, you’ll want to network with vendors who have the same target clients as you do. For example, the boutique women’s clothing store, the wine shop, or the local craft store where all your clients shop would be effective businesses to network with. Offer to take some images of their products, create a StickyAlbum for them, and then add an image at the end with your information on it. They can put this online for their clients to download, or they can show people in their stores if the store is more custom in nature.
This is particularly useful if you know other small business owners who work out of their home and provide services or custom products where they don’t keep an inventory of their goods.
You could also connect with salons and take photos of various hairstyles for them to show clients. The possibilities are endless.
For wedding photographers, you’ll want to network with other wedding vendors and venues. Venues are especially important as people often select the venue before looking for a wedding photographer.
Create galleries from specific vendors with images of their product or venue. Make sure to include an image at the end with your information on it. Send this to your vendors to use with prospective clients. The brilliance of this is that it’s easy to add new photos to the album, and all you have to do is tell them to update the app and they’ll have the images. You can also send these to clients who might want to see your images from a particular venue or vendor.
5. Create portfolio galleries for your mobile device
This is great for when you’re out and about without internet access but want to show someone your work.
It’s also easy to use the “Share” button on the thumbnails page to quickly send them a copy of the StickyAlbum. Then, add a call to action in the logo area that encourages them to take the next step, like click to see more images or contact you by clicking the logo, and then link to that specific page.
6. Show off the products you offer
Create a StickyAlbum that has images of your albums, prints, canvas, and other products and send that to clients who are considering hiring you. I’d write words right on the images in photoshop that explain the benefits of having the product. For example, “Canvas is perfect for bringing a smile to your face each time you walk past it on your wall.” Make sure to talk about how they’ll feel, what they’ll be able to do with the product, and why it’s the perfect solution to what they’re looking for.
7. Use them for a referral program or senior rep program instead of rep cards
At the end of your client StickyAlbums, put an image special promotion for new clients who come in with the app on their phone and show you the image. Because the app is so easy to share, this encourages more people to put your images on their mobile device and bring it in. Bonus: Your website, email, and phone number are all right their in the app, so they won’t forget how to contact you and they won’t lose it (unless, of course, they lose their mobile device).
I think this will be WAY more effective than traditional senior rep cards, as teenagers live on their phones and will be showing their images off like crazy.
Here’s a StickyAlbums coupon code!
Ready to embrace mobile marketing for your photography business and try out StickyAlbums? Get $30 off StickyAlbums Pro using coupon code “modern” with no quotes when checking out. The coupon expires Wednesday, August 8th, so click here now to buy it.
There’s also a monthly option and a free trial if you’re not sure, but the pro membership is by far the most economical (especially with the coupon code!)
If you found this post helpful, a great way to say “Thank you” for the fabulous mobile marketing ideas is to use the links in this post when you buy it. I get a commission when you use them, and it’s how I justify taking the time to come up with these great ideas and share them all with you. Thanks much! 🙂
What other ideas do you have for using StickyAlbums?
Leave a comment below with your ideas. I’d love to hear them! Then share this on Facebook and pin it on Pinterest, thanks!
