![\"Photography](\"https:\/\/morephotos.com\/photoblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/eyes.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWe\u2019re back with more business advice for photographers.\u00a0 Last week, we talked about some very basic rules, like the 80\/20 rule (80% of people go with the first photographer they find), and some other simple business basics like eagerness, tone of voice and professionalism.<\/p>\n As we move along in the series, we\u2019ll be getting more specific and covering some tricks to help you gain new business in out-of-the box ways.\u00a0 How many of you are wedding photographers?\u00a0 While this next tip will work with virtually all types of photography, it may be especially beneficial for wedding photographers.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how you can gain new eyes viewing your work, and thus more potential clients – through hair salon marketing. \u00a0\u00a0Huh?\u00a0 Trust me.\u00a0 \u00a0I\u2019ve been telling our long time photographers this one for years with positive results.<\/p>\n The average couple books a photographer 2 \u2013 2 \u00bd months after they get engaged.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t leave you with a whole lot of time to nab newly engaged couples and book up your season.\u00a0 Now if you think about it, who knows what\u2019s going on in the life of a bride-to-be (especially big events like a wedding), better than her hair dresser?\u00a0 They likely see her every 4-5 weeks and will be one of the first to get a time slot booked for their big day.\u00a0 Hair is important on a wedding day.<\/p>\n If we go back to the 80\/20 rule, we know that if you\u2019ve got a high end hair salon referring you, you\u2019re likely to get some good business from it.\u00a0 So how do you get them to refer YOU.\u00a0 Well, doing great work is one way, and if you\u2019re a pro photographer then we hope that\u2019s the case no matter what.\u00a0 Another way is to get crafty, in a good way of course.\u00a0 See if you can get in touch with the owner of the Salon, introduce yourself and share your experience in the photography industry.\u00a0 Let them know that you\u2019d like to work out some referral services that might be mutually beneficial to your business and the salon.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a good line that usually works:<\/p>\n \u201cSince we\u2019ve never worked together, I thought one morning I could come by the salon and take a group photo of your employees.\u00a0 If you\u2019re interested, it may be fun to even get a group shot of the employees\u2019 kids together to show the family side of your business.\u00a0 I\u2019ll print the photos and frame them for you, and you can hang them up in the salon for the world to see your team!\u00a0 If you like my work, you can recommend me to the brides, families and sports players that come into your salon.\u00a0 On the same token, I\u2019ll refer folks from event venues and bookings to you for a great salon experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Sounds like a win-win right?\u00a0 Another bonus is that once you establish a good working relationship, there could be all kinds of benefits.\u00a0 Offer to come in and re-do the shot every year to keep it fresh in exchange for setting up\u00a0 a mobile portrait studio on a busy Saturday, offering before-and-after shots for immediate purchase.\u00a0 Keep this line of thinking and apply it to other related industries.\u00a0 If you can hone these simple partnership marketing skills, you\u2019ll never have a shortage of business.\u00a0 Partnerships are like a garden.\u00a0 Sow seeds and water them and you\u2019ll produce fruit.<\/p>\n Thanks!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nimage courtesy of graur codrin<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n