Pricing

[Joel]

I want to start selling photos to the drivers at local motorsport events but don't know what prices to set. I don't want to put them off with the prices being to high and i don't want to rip myself off being to low.

Also what sizes should i do?

Thanks

[PetersenPhotography]

Is there anyone else who does similar work to you that you know in the area? Perhaps not in motor sports, but with other subjects? Get their opinion on what your particular market will bear.

Either that, or you could take ask some (one or two) of the drivers what they'd be willing to pay (and then go over that just a little because you know they might tell you less than what they'd really pay).

Just a few ideas I had.

As for sizes....no idea. You could always let them have a choice? Or sell packages?

[Joel]

Nah as far as i know there isn't anyone else around. I have only seen one photographer in this area selling photos and that was about 3 years ago.

Thanks for the reply. I might send one of the drivers and email tonight.

[Mark McCall]

Joel,
Back in '85 I fielded a car in the Mini-Modified Division at our local bullring. My family owned an import auto repair shop, so it was a given that we'd eventually venture into racing.

The photographer, who's still around today, had a booth behind the stands. Everything was shot on speculation, with images available for purchase the following week.

He'd put 4x6's in a big albums. Buyers would flip through the albums each week, looking at photos from previous weeks.
I remember the 4x6 prints being $3.00 each with larger sizes available for order.

He never made much money. His old beat up van was always parked right outside the gate with his logo on the side. (We wasn't much of a marketeer either).

[Joel]

haha.
I have looked at a printing places prices to work out mine on top.

[00silvergt]

I've seen this guy at an event use one of those 4X6 portable printer with a battery, shoot people, couples etc. Printed their pics and charged them $20 each. But I do live in California where things are just more expensive. To give you an idea. Basic law of pricing is to charge as much as you can for what the market will bear. Price it at $20, cool profit, and if no one buys, then drop it a couple of bucks. $18...and so on. Key is one print of an epson 4X6 printer is about .33 cents and so technically you have a lot of room to play with.

During events were the "consumer" is captive, they expect to pay a lot, i.e. Disneyland, ballparks, the movies...Kripes, who in their right minds would pay $8 for a tub of popcorn unless you are in the movies...by the way if you answered yes to the question about popcorn...PM...for $8+ paypal and shipping. I'll get you some.

[Joel]

So his making about $20 for himself?

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Joel

So his making about $20 for himself?

Well I guess he figures in his time with that...but yes. He goes to these events where they have ball room dancing...these folks are so full of themselves they are willing to pay $20 for a 4X6 print of them dancing...you can get creative...baseball cards-like for drivers...etc. Remember when you stroke the human ego, they will spend the money to compensate.

[Joel]

Thanks. I was thinking of something around the $15-$20 mark.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Joel

Thanks. I was thinking of something around the $15-$20 mark.

Sure, glad to be of some assistance. You are talking about AUS $ too, so I think you may be right on the money to start.

[Joel]

I got these ready.
They are the sizes I'm thinking of. These are what they cost to print.

6x4 Matte-Printing 85c

8x6 Gloss- Printing $3.30

8x12 Gloss- Printing $4.30

11x16 Gloss- Printing $7.10

12x18 Gloss- Printing $9.25

20x30 Gloss- Printing $18.50

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Joel

I got these ready.
They are the sizes I'm thinking of. These are what they cost to print.

6x4 Matte-Printing 85c

8x6 Gloss- Printing $3.30

8x12 Gloss- Printing $4.30

11x16 Gloss- Printing $7.10

12x18 Gloss- Printing $9.25

20x30 Gloss- Printing $18.50

Hmmm...we live in an instant everything world. I'm not sure sending them out for printing will work? Curious to see how this business model turns out. Let me know, seriously.

[Joel]

Why wont it work?

[00silvergt]

Well the model I'm use to the pictures are handed over to the buyers immediately. Again, at events you are captive and when merchandise is handed to you, you will be compelled to buy even at a high rate. However, if it is something you will need to get back to them on, it changes the dynamics a little. First there's the out of sight, out of mind issue. Then there's the elimination of the captive buyer, since they would have left the event and no longer feel the immediate need so the price may set them off.

Hey, every business takes risks, I'm not saying it will not work, I'm simply saying because the immediate delivery is not there, it can change the dynamics. So I'm curious to see how it would change.

Wait, this just came to me...why don't you get one of those portable printers...and get some business cards with your pricing printed on the back. So you snap their picture, give them a 4X6 print of what you snapped, which you charge them $20 and then ask if they want larger or different prints call you to order, your pricing is on the back. That way if they do flake, you would still get them for $20. That may work...

[Joel]

Thats a good idea actually.

What i was thinking of doing is asking them if they would be interested in buying them and then asking for their email address to send previews. As in giving out cards with the price list and getting a lap top and showing them previews there.

I have the email address's of the events i have taken so far so i was going to start their. The next event i could sell photos at is in a couple of weeks.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Joel

Thats a good idea actually.

What i was thinking of doing is asking them if they would be interested in buying them and then asking for their email address to send previews. As in giving out cards with the price list and getting a lap top and showing them previews there.

I have the email address's of the events i have taken so far so i was going to start their. The next event i could sell photos at is in a couple of weeks.

See the problem is that you will walk out of the event without any money and without any real guarantee that you will make any money. So you work the event for 6-8 hours and without nailing someone for at least $20 you may come out empty handed. Remember most people want to buy, but there attention spans are very short. Even if they do get very excited about your pictures at the event, there's guarantee they will be calling (emailing) you back to give you some business. When I was much younger and had to hustle for business as a outside salesperson, we had certain rules, do not relay on a prospect/customers word that they will call back. If you can make a sale right there and then, do it. Out of 100 people maybe, maybe 3 people will call you back. So you need to make your time there worthwhile by getting something immediate. I mean the printer will cost you under $200. If you sell 10 pictures that night it would have already paid for itself the first time you use it.

BTW, if you want to learn some interesting sales technique, look up an author named Zig Ziglar. He's an amazing closer.

[Joel]

The reason i didn't want to buy a printer was the running costs of paper and ink. I understand the point your making and probably will have to do something like that.