Slow bookings? Here’s the solution

If your bookings are slow, then you’re not alone.

With the cost of living crisis continuing here in Australia, everyone I know is reporting a decrease in enquiries and bookings.

No one really knows what they’re doing.  The successful ones are just trying loudly, failing quickly, and trying again.

So there are three easy steps you can take to give your bookings a great big boost.  

1. Talk about it

We all know instagram is a highlights reel, but it’s easy to see others “booking out” and feel like we are failing.  Who knows whether they’re telling the truth, or what ‘booked out’ actually means for them…but that doesn’t seem to matter to our fragile creative egos.  We feel insecure, and vulnerable, and we go quiet.

And honestly, this is the worst thing you can do.

If you want to book more clients, then you need to tell your clients about your availability.  Shout it from the rooftops.  Put it on your stories, your feed, and your emails (and if you’re not sending regular emails to your client list then that’s a post for another day). 

And don’t just say it once.  Only 10% of your audience will see your stories.  Even if they see it, they might not read it properly.  Let’s be honest, someone is probably interrupting their peaceful insta scroll with loud snack demands.  

So you need to say it again, and again, and again, until you’ve filled your diary.  No, it’s not an admission of failure. No, your clients won’t think you’re boring them.  And no, no one is judging you – they’re all worrying about their own empty diaries. 

2. Sell it

We photographers know that winter is a stunning time for your family shoot – but our clients don’t.  So you have to sell it to them!

The harsh truth is, if you’re running a business then you have to get comfortable with selling.  But selling doesn’t have to be icky and gross.  If you believe in what you’re trying to sell, then this is just a case of communicating the benefits.

Show them examples of winter sessions.  Ideally, you should be doing this at least 4 weeks before winter starts and daylight savings ends (for those of us who are affected by that).  People won’t book what they don’t see – so start following your feed and stories with snuggly winter styling and examples from last year.

Then, tell them why winter is so great.  Early sunset times are perfect for toddlers.  Parking is easier, locations are quieter.  You have more availability so they have more choice of dates in your calendar.  Winter styling is glorious.

3. Make an offer they can’t refuse

 Finally, if you really, really want to sell these sessions then create an irresistible offer.

Personally, I don’t like to discount my bottom line (though you totally could).  I love to give a free upgrade (from my bottom to my middle package), which still leaves me scope for an upgrade to the full gallery.

Here are some other things you could do:

• Waive your session fee
• Include grandparents at no extra cost
• Allow extra time or a few free images
• Waive your travel fee
• Offer more client wardrobe options, or outfit changes than normal; or
• Waive your weekend surcharge.

As with any offer, you want to make sure you’re setting clear boundaries.  These offers might only apply to certain locations, apply only to bookings before 31 July, exclude mini sessions, or only be available for the first 5 bookings.

These tips aren’t only for winter – this is the exact thing I do whenever my bookings slump. The most important thing of all is to keep going.  Remember that there’s plenty of work around, but some times of year require you to chase it more than others.  Don’t be discouraged by what others are doing (or not doing).  Focus on your magical brilliance, shout loudly about it, and keep going until you’re booked out!

Need help with the basics?  You need the Business Accelerator – small group mentoring focussing on the four fundamental lessons you need to nail in your business. More info: https://toghub.com.au/business-accelerator-vip-access