Last week, we looked at five steps to enhancing and extending your photography business with existing clients. For photographers looking to move into new areas, or simply to plan for the New Year, here are five additional ideas for extending the reach of your business with LicenseStream.

• Send current and potential new clients, including local businesses, a beautiful oversized photograph that highlights your work. Remind them of all the events where your services could be helpful. Be sure to include a URL for your LicenseStream gallery. (For more information on Showcasing Your Galleries, click here.)
  • For business clients, remind them of the need for images of the company, its products and its executives for advertising, marketing, holiday cards and other critical communications, such as sales presentations or annual reports.
  • For individuals, suggest birthdays, weddings, christenings, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, family reunions, property photos and holiday parties.
• Host a workshop to teach newcomers your craft or lead a walking photo holiday tour for amateur photographers of an historic district or other interesting neighborhood in your city.  Be sure to include URLs for your LicenseStream store on any materials promoting such events.
• Hold a holiday open studio or join forces with another local artist or merchant sponsoring a similar event to showcase work that is ready for sale and/or offer on-the-spot photo sessions that include immediate or quick turnaround of the finished product. Offer to build and send to clients and their families LicenseStream lightboxes with images from these sessions for final approvals as well as quick and easy online purchases.
• Set up a table or a booth at local malls and at local holiday arts and crafts fairs.  Before committing to any of these venues, check in with other local artists to gauge whether past sales generated at these venues justify the investment of time and money. If so, plan to exhibit some of your best work, framed and unframed, for immediate sales, and/or participate with on-the-spot portrait sessions that offer a quick turnaround on image processing and delivery. Be sure to include your LicenseStream store URL on any sales or ordering materials, as well as links to specific galleries where individual customers may find their own or their family’s portraits for quick review and ordering.
• Contact local businesses, including restaurants, salon or spa owners, insurance and property agents, and car dealerships or stop by to get to know the proprietors. Drop off a quality one-page sales sheet that showcases your photos and, if available, include a quote or two from previous customers that testify to the quality of your services. Again, be sure to include URLs for your LicenseStream store or specific gallery. Most merchants need professional photography services for a range of business needs – from executive portraits to property photos, marketing and advertising.

As you plan for the New Year, consider reaching out to other independent service providers or entrepreneurs who may be open to bartering – exchanging goods or services.  In these challenging economic times, such trades may be the best way to get the services you and your trading partners need at minimal cost.

Finally, foster good community relations. Get involved in a local food bank, education program or fundraiser. Being involved in your community can gain your business valuable exposure, not to mention good karma.