Hi folks. Looks like I found a place where people actually do what I am trying to do... :-). I am just starting out trying to get a pet photography side business going.. Right now the main obstacle for me is how to get the word out. Any advise on how to get things moving? I have started to build a website and I have just placed an ad in a local newspaper. Please feel free to check out my website. The boxer are my first real job and the portrait of the 2 is the one the client had done on canvas. This was special to this client as he mentioned numerous times how the brother constantly watches over the little sister. Anyway, This looks like a great informative site with people that share a common interest. Thanks and I look forward to chatting with you. Pawprintsplus homepage

Hi Bob,
welcome to the forum and good luck with the "side" business. The images you have on your website are very nice.

Marketing is the name of the game and you have a good start. There are essentially two audiences for you to reach:
1. the end-user: the folks who have the pets you wish to photograph
2. the influencers: the folks who work with those other folks.

You have already started reaching out to the end-users. The influencers are groomers, veterinarians, trainers, etc. You live in a very pet-centric part of the country so you'll find a lot of people in the market for your product. Don't forget the role of pricing in the marketing mix. PetSmart, PetCo and others sell pet portraits for virtually nothing. That will be some of your competition.

Again, welcome and we look forward to seeing more of your work.

Jim

The photos on your website look very nice!! I did pamphlets that I put out at vet offices and high end boarding kennels. That has brought in some business.

Welcome!

Thanks both for the compliments and ideas. I have also printed some color glossy postcards and my wife has made a list of groomers, vet offices and so forth. Hope to get those out this weekend. Thanks so much again.

Hey Bob,

Welcome aboard! Getting the word out and establishing yourself is the hardest part of the business. It seems that photography is such a small part of what we actually do. 90% marketing, 10% shooting.

James

Welcome Bob, nice to have you as part of the community.

Thanks again for the compliments, advise, and warm welcome... Does anyone have any perspective on how long it typically takes for things to start moving? I know that question is very broad and there are many variables that can influence this, but how long did it take others to really see action? Was there a unique turning point that you noted? Can you tell I tend to be a bit on the impatient side????

Wally, keep up the enthusiasm! One thing that I would try to guard against is growing too fast. Even if there is a market for growth in your area, if you do not control it it make wipe you out. The most important part of the game is quality control and customer service, if your quality slips or you get a reputation for less than par, you can not regain the confidence of your market, or at least it is very hard.

So, I would take baby steps for a couple years, get a reputation for solid work and positive customer satisfaction then I would look to growth potential. In the mean time, book jobs but do them to 120% of your potential, you usually get only one change and word of mouth in this business if 9/10ths of the law. . .

Good luck and welcome!

Welcome to the forum and this wonderful business. It is a challenge to get the word out and I have found shows are the most advantageous to me. Great success to you.

Thanks, all good advice. I also have been doing some work for friends at cost for a few reasons. 1) to get some experience real time but also 2) to get some work out there and hopefully the word will start to spread (people also see the portraits). I have had a pro friend tell me not to do anything for cost. She said people will not appreciate the work as much as if they paid. I understand there may be a diminished perception of value but I thought this would be at least a start....