A great marketing idea...

I blogged about this a few months ago, but it is such a great marketing idea I thought it well worth repeating.

The fact that it's a great idea should be the first clue that it did not come from me, it came from a post by Dave Cross.

It's how one photographer uses his existing clients to bring in new ones.

For each print order that he places for his clients (portrait, seniors, etc.) he also places an order for a small run of custom business cards (50-100) that has the clients favorite image on the front and his studio information along with a special promotion (it can be a percentage off, a free print, etc.) on the back.

When the order is delivered it includes these business cards and the client is encouraged to hand them out to their friends and family.

Of course they’re happy to give out “their” cards.

But wait, it gets even better.

He rolls the cost of the cards into the price of the session/print order so there is zero cost to him, but he gets to write off the cost of the cards as an advertising/promotion business expense.

So the upside of this marketing idea:

1. You have a client singing your praises

2. They are also handing out promotional materials for you

3. These promotional materials were free for your studio

4. At tax time you get to deduct the cost of the business cards your clients are so eagerly handing out

now let's look at the downside:

1. hhmmmmm...

2. aaahhhhh....

Wait, there aren't any!

;)

So not only are his clients bringing him new business, they are doing the leg work, AND paying for it at the same time.

Now that is freaking brilliant!