Marketing a business of any kind is one of the biggest elements of having your own business that you have to wrap your head around. This is because it’s not only important to get you off the ground, it’s an ongoing endeavor that will need to be dealt with all the time. If you can’t get customers in, you can’t run a successful business.

The most important thing to know is that you have to have a solid offering before you can start marketing. If you don’t know what it is that you are selling, you can’t effectively find the right clientele for your business. Your starting point should always be to nail down exactly what it is that you offer and who you feel are your clients. Then, you can work out how to attract those customers.

1. Sum Up What You Do

No two photography businesses are likely to be exactly the same. One wedding photographer is different to another because of things like their shooting style, the equipment they use, the years of experience they have, and the training they received. The same goes for portrait photographers, landscape photographers and all the other disciplines.

Start off by working out your niche. What kind of photos do you take and what sets your business apart from others? Then, work out who you are selling to. Who will want to hire you as a photographer or buy your photographs?

2. Make Use Of Free Options

There are lots of ways to get your business out to the public that don’t cost a fortune. You can create a free portfolio website on content management systems like WordPress or Wix. These are ideal for when you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend your capital on hosting and domains just yet. You get a great online space to send prospective clients to and can show off your best work.

Social media is also important. A Facebook page is a great starting point for your business. Instagram and Pinterest are also wonderful platforms to use because they are so visual. Just remember to keep posting regularly and to learn the best practices for engaging people with your content.

3. Make Sure You Network

Nothing will get you work faster than old-fashioned networking at the right events. A quick online search should show you where the groups for your niche are meeting and how to get involved with their events. Those who have already made their mark in the industry will have plenty of advice to help get you started.

Then, look for events that are about what you photograph. If you shoot events like weddings or birthday parties where everyone wants to play and have fun, there are plenty of expos and other chances for you to go and meet prospective clients. Just be sure to have a good business card, flyers and your portfolio ready to show off.

In fact, you should always carry around your business cards because you never know when you’ll meet a potential client.