Photographers Referral System at DVinfo.net

Johannes Soetandi · June 24th, 2010, 03:47 AM

Hi all,

I've been wanting to get more involved in the wedding market. I have known quite well a few photographers in my area that have a very good reputation in the wedding industry. And some of them have actually started to refer me to their clients purely because we are friends..

However, I want to take it further by giving like 10% comission for referring me so that I have much closer relationship with the photographers.. and I want to do it with more than 1 photographers

Now.. my only concern is, if I do it with several photographers, what if one client ask me for a photographer referral.. what should I do? I can't be referring to just one of them because that may not be a fair return to the other photographers..

Just wanna know if anyone is using this system and how to make it fair for all parties.. any suggestions are welcomed :)

Cheers!

John

Kyle Root · June 24th, 2010, 10:15 AM

As far as commissions for referrals, we tried that once 10 years ago. It was way to complicated to keep up with.

It's easier just to say thank you and be courteous.

Over time, you'll likely find 1 or 2 photographers who are consistently sending you clients. When that happens maybe do something nice for them at like Christmas time or some other time... Offer to pay for dinner or something like that. Plus it's easier just to recommend a couple folks that you can really get behind, instead of like "here's 5 or 6 that I know".

Typically, there are way more photographers than videographers. I know in my town, there are 5 photography studios downtown within 1 block of each other (3 are on one street, and 2 are on another).

Also, what you'll probably want to do is associate yourself with photographers who get high $ weddings and events.

John Knight · June 24th, 2010, 06:30 PM

I market myself purely on the fact that "I don't pay people to recommend me, they recommend me because I'm easy to work with and deliver good results".

I steer well clear of any wedding planner, photographer, caterer that asks for kickbacks.

Kickbacks lead to greed. Greed leads to evil. Evil leads to the dark side...

Chris Harding · June 24th, 2010, 07:09 PM

Amen to that John!!

The moment money is envolved there is a problem..plus you have to up your prices to cover the kickback too. All in all a bad situation!!

I work with and refer jobs to just one photographer and he does the same for me cos we are mates and enjoy working with each other. There is no exchange of money whatsoever!!

Just the fact that if you pay for leads from photogs then that means that you are not marketing your service correctly!! I'd much rather pass the savings onto the bride!!

There is PLENTY of work in Perth anyway!! We had an estimated 11,000 weddings here in 2008/09 according to stats so there really is no need to pay other vendors for leads..an informative website and a few listings in the wedding directories is all you need. I give Bridal Expos a miss too!! They end up costing you over $5K once you configure your time and costs so you end up doing the next set of weddings for free which you would have booked anyway!!

Chris

Johannes Soetandi · June 24th, 2010, 07:30 PM

Thanks guys for all inputs. I guess I'll steer clear from referral bonus money. I'm a good friend to most of them anyway and they are very pleased with our video.. so I think I'm in the right path!

Chris, I haven't really put myself in wedding directories.. I don't know why.. at the moment its more of a 'helping a friend' out kind of video service so I'd rather work within my circle of friends as much as possible (for now). Maybe next year once I've collected enough portfolio, confidence and skill.. I can commit myself further. We'll see.. :)

Thanks anyway guys.. it answered my question perfectly!

Warren Kawamoto · June 24th, 2010, 10:27 PM

I don't pay for referrals, but what you can do is this:
On your website or blog, create a "Preferred vendor's list" of all the vendors you enjoyed working with. They will do the same for you. Word of mouth referrals are the best advertising, and it's free.

Sean Seah · June 25th, 2010, 09:47 AM

Thats true.. i used to do it but its a lot easier to work without. U will make true friends in the industry. I normally pass the discount to the couple if they work with a photographer of my choice =) The photographers do the same.

Michael Simons · June 25th, 2010, 10:03 AM

According to the pecking order, you probably won't be referring photographers that often. Pass your referrals onto the florist, the limo or the makeup artist.

Taky Cheung · June 27th, 2010, 12:00 PM

If you are new to the market and if someone can refer you business for a small fee, I would say go for it. Once you established your market, you can start referring customers to other vendors.. Then I would stop paying for referrals as it's a two way street.

I started a similar thread here that a wedding planner we work together for many years start asking for referrals. I said no to her since I also have been referring business to her.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...ll-you-do.html

Mike Brice · June 27th, 2010, 12:09 PM

I am primarily a photographer - Mike Brice: Editorial and Wedding Photographer - but I am interested in video for corporate communications so I read this board to learn.

I would agree with others who have said do NOT pay for referrals. What makes the referral system work is mutual respect. Learn to work together. I refer to videographers who are professional, deliver a great product and have an unobtrusive style like mine on the wedding day.

If you really want to secure a relationship with a photographer, offer to collaborate on a promo video for their website or blog - either free or at a reduced price. These promo videos are becoming very popular - and the more that photographer books, the more that photographer will refer to you.

Thanks
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johannes Soetandi

Hi all,

I've been wanting to get more involved in the wedding market. I have known quite well a few photographers in my area that have a very good reputation in the wedding industry. And some of them have actually started to refer me to their clients purely because we are friends..

However, I want to take it further by giving like 10% comission for referring me so that I have much closer relationship with the photographers.. and I want to do it with more than 1 photographers

Now.. my only concern is, if I do it with several photographers, what if one client ask me for a photographer referral.. what should I do? I can't be referring to just one of them because that may not be a fair return to the other photographers..

Just wanna know if anyone is using this system and how to make it fair for all parties.. any suggestions are welcomed :)

Cheers!

John

June 24th, 2010, 03:47 AM	#1
Johannes Soetandi Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 387	Photographers Referral System Hi all, I've been wanting to get more involved in the wedding market. I have known quite well a few photographers in my area that have a very good reputation in the wedding industry. And some of them have actually started to refer me to their clients purely because we are friends.. However, I want to take it further by giving like 10% comission for referring me so that I have much closer relationship with the photographers.. and I want to do it with more than 1 photographers Now.. my only concern is, if I do it with several photographers, what if one client ask me for a photographer referral.. what should I do? I can't be referring to just one of them because that may not be a fair return to the other photographers.. Just wanna know if anyone is using this system and how to make it fair for all parties.. any suggestions are welcomed :) Cheers! John

June 24th, 2010, 10:15 AM	#2
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 883	As far as commissions for referrals, we tried that once 10 years ago. It was way to complicated to keep up with. It's easier just to say thank you and be courteous. Over time, you'll likely find 1 or 2 photographers who are consistently sending you clients. When that happens maybe do something nice for them at like Christmas time or some other time... Offer to pay for dinner or something like that. Plus it's easier just to recommend a couple folks that you can really get behind, instead of like "here's 5 or 6 that I know". Typically, there are way more photographers than videographers. I know in my town, there are 5 photography studios downtown within 1 block of each other (3 are on one street, and 2 are on another). Also, what you'll probably want to do is associate yourself with photographers who get high $ weddings and events. __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com

June 25th, 2010, 09:47 AM	#7
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Thats true.. i used to do it but its a lot easier to work without. U will make true friends in the industry. I normally pass the discount to the couple if they work with a photographer of my choice =) The photographers do the same. __________________ Firewerkz Films SGP

June 27th, 2010, 12:00 PM	#9
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	If you are new to the market and if someone can refer you business for a small fee, I would say go for it. Once you established your market, you can start referring customers to other vendors.. Then I would stop paying for referrals as it's a two way street. I started a similar thread here that a wedding planner we work together for many years start asking for referrals. I said no to her since I also have been referring business to her. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...ll-you-do.html __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

June 24th, 2010, 06:30 PM	#3
John Knight Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 588	I market myself purely on the fact that "I don't pay people to recommend me, they recommend me because I'm easy to work with and deliver good results". I steer well clear of any wedding planner, photographer, caterer that asks for kickbacks. Kickbacks lead to greed. Greed leads to evil. Evil leads to the dark side...

June 24th, 2010, 07:09 PM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Amen to that John!! The moment money is envolved there is a problem..plus you have to up your prices to cover the kickback too. All in all a bad situation!! I work with and refer jobs to just one photographer and he does the same for me cos we are mates and enjoy working with each other. There is no exchange of money whatsoever!! Just the fact that if you pay for leads from photogs then that means that you are not marketing your service correctly!! I'd much rather pass the savings onto the bride!! There is PLENTY of work in Perth anyway!! We had an estimated 11,000 weddings here in 2008/09 according to stats so there really is no need to pay other vendors for leads..an informative website and a few listings in the wedding directories is all you need. I give Bridal Expos a miss too!! They end up costing you over $5K once you configure your time and costs so you end up doing the next set of weddings for free which you would have booked anyway!! Chris

June 24th, 2010, 07:30 PM	#5
Johannes Soetandi Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 387	Thanks guys for all inputs. I guess I'll steer clear from referral bonus money. I'm a good friend to most of them anyway and they are very pleased with our video.. so I think I'm in the right path! Chris, I haven't really put myself in wedding directories.. I don't know why.. at the moment its more of a 'helping a friend' out kind of video service so I'd rather work within my circle of friends as much as possible (for now). Maybe next year once I've collected enough portfolio, confidence and skill.. I can commit myself further. We'll see.. :) Thanks anyway guys.. it answered my question perfectly!

June 24th, 2010, 10:27 PM	#6
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	I don't pay for referrals, but what you can do is this: On your website or blog, create a "Preferred vendor's list" of all the vendors you enjoyed working with. They will do the same for you. Word of mouth referrals are the best advertising, and it's free.

June 25th, 2010, 10:03 AM	#8
Michael Simons Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Bank, NJ Posts: 553	According to the pecking order, you probably won't be referring photographers that often. Pass your referrals onto the florist, the limo or the makeup artist.