Critique and Advice Please - Sales Letter
This is my first post - pretty sure I've read all the do's and do nots, so here goes:
I'm a wedding photographer and have missed an opportunity to attend a bridal expo but I do have access to the email list for all prospective brides that attended.
Below is the letter I intend to email (unformatted at this stage) with a couple of images.
First go at this style of mail out so any advice - no matter how tough really is appreciated.
I Didn't Think It Was Possible - I'll Never Regret The Day Linda Asked
Ever dreamt of something, thought it was out of reach then obtained it?
I love Terrigal. I have always loved Terrigal. So has my family. It was just too expensive for us. Or so I thought. I was living happily in Wyong with my small family. We had a great house, a new photography business and we drove to Terrigal EVERY Sunday for some family time. I so wanted to live there. We all did. How could we do it?
What Does This Have To Do With Your Wedding Photography?
Each Sunday, Linda, the kids and I would enjoy our day at Terrigal. We'd finish with an ice-cream and a look in the real estate windows. Every house was either too expensive or didn't have an actual price - you know, offers above and all that (I hate it when they do that). We still loved looking and kept dreaming of one day living there.
Life was busy. We had our two boys, our then, small photography business with what we now consider a very embarrassing name - Weddings, Portraits... Anything, that we were so proud of at the time. I also had a second job as an electrician.
While in Sydney, at my electrical job, I had a call from Linda that she had found our dream house... in Terrigal! It was difficult to concentrate for the rest of that day, I was excited but sceptical. How could we afford it. Can we afford it. I really wanted it!
After months of window shopping and dreaming, Linda did one simple thing that changed our lives. She made a real enquiry. She went in and actually asked about a house (that was pictured without a price) which we may have been able to afford.
Our dream house was going to be a reality because Linda did one simple thing. She asked.
What about your wedding...
Impact Images could be your Terrigal
If I'm totally honest, any good wedding photographer will get good wedding photos at your wedding. You will probably think they were great photos. After all, they're of your wedding. What if you could have your dream photographer and your dream photos though?
Wouldn't you be so much more excited about your day knowing that no matter the weather, the light, the bridal party - you really were going to get AMAZING PHOTOS. First, you'd have to find your 'Terrigal' of wedding photographers.
If you have done any research, you'll know that you must have an AIPP accredited photographer. This is your ONLY guarantee of having a photographer with experience. Your guarantee of someone answerable to a code of ethics. The AIPP insists their photographers participate in a continuous improvement program or lose their membership! The good news for you, is there are eight AIPP accredited photographers on the Central Coast and we all compete with each other.
Each year, the AIPP holds wedding print and album competitions. Awards and titles are issued to the top echelon only. These awards are highly sought after and prestigious amongst our peers and some of the better informed couples and brides to be. If you have visited my website, you'll know that Impact Images has more wedding awards (prints, albums and AV's) than any other photographer on the Central Coast, Newcastle or the Hunter Valley - 116 to date.
You may also know that I am the only AIPP accredited Master Photographer on the Central Coast. What you may not know is that I may be the perfect photographer for you, all you have to do is...
My Clients Tell Me
Each year, 80% of my booking are made by word of mouth referrals. I no longer advertise in wedding magazines, I rarely attend bridal expo's, I don't advertise in the Yellow Pages. My couples, their photos, their albums, their bridal parties and more than anything, their wedding day experience with me is my greatest endorsement. My clients do almost all of my advertising for me.
How could I possibly come up with this:
Andrew - Let's cut to the chase - you're a legendary photographer.
On the day, you made the location photography a fun part of our wedding day rather than the tiresome intrusion it could so easily have been, and your willingness to "run with it" when we were asking you to climb through fences etc, was appreciated.
Later, when we saw the proofs, we were struck by what good photographs they were - all of them!! We are in awe...
What really blew us away was the number of times we would look at a photograph of the ceremony, or people on the beach, or the reception and think "Man, when did he take that? I didn't even know he was there!"
Don't take this the wrong way - you're a good guy, and it's not like we didn't want you there - but such invisibility must be like the Holy Grail of anyone taking photographs at a function like a wedding, and apparently you had it nailed.
It was clear in many of the images that you captured that people (us included) were not conscious of the fact that they were being photographed and the result was exactly the kind of natural and relaxed record of the day that we had hoped for.
We loved our wedding, you have provided us with a record of that day that expresses all the features of the day that we enjoyed so much, to the extent that we really can invoke the emotion and experience in our minds just by looking through your photographs.
It's a good thing that you do, and you do it well.
Thank you. Leanne & Lachlan
Price Is Everything
I still have some dates available that aren't taken by referrals, for a few lucky couples. If, I am available for your wedding, you will be assured of stunning photos and just as importantly an amazing day - filled with laughter and fun no matter the weather conditions or locations. You'll get the high fashion images, the candid and natural look. I'll guide and direct you to great images when you need it and stand back to capture the beautiful moments as they unfold.
The question is, am I expensive?
Yes I am, but I'm worth every cent - and, I'm no where near as expensive as you may think.
You already know that it would be crazy not to consider one of the eight AIPP Wedding Photographers on the Central Coast. Did you know that we are all within a $185 of each others prices? Armed with that information, wouldn't you have to be nuts to not have the best wedding photographer for your day? This is one day when you really deserve the best, especially if you can afford it.
How Do You Get The Best?
If you would like me to photograph your wedding, all you have to do is call and ask.
That's exactly how I came to live in Terrigal. Linda went into the real estate and asked the question. Now, almost ten years later, not one day has passed when I'm not happy to be living here. All because Linda did more than me. I just looked at the pretty pictures in the window. She asked.
If, when you think of wedding photography, Impact Images is a name that comes to mind it's for one reason. We have a reputation of producing the most amazing wedding photos and albums.
You can have me photograph your wedding. All you have to do is call the studio right now. No matter the time - day or night. If I'm not there, leave a message. Jemima, Linda or myself will call back. We would love to talk to you about your wedding. Call me on 4367 0111.
Awards:
• Winner NSW Wedding Album of the Year - two years running
• Winner Australian Wedding AV of the Year
• 116 individual wedding print awards in both state and national competitions
• WPPI Accolade of Excellence in the USA for Wedding Album
• Runner Up NSW wedding photographer of the year
• Runner Up NSW Wedding Album of the Year - two years running
If you need any more details, you can see more of my photography at (insert website here) but to make a booking you need to call on 4367 0111.
Speak Soon
Andrew
P.S Most wedding dates are booked ten months in advance. If you don't want to miss your chance, call now on 4367 0111 or you'll be left thinking... I should have asked.
I'm a wedding photographer and have missed an opportunity to attend a bridal expo but I do have access to the email list for all prospective brides that attended.
Below is the letter I intend to email (unformatted at this stage) with a couple of images.
First go at this style of mail out so any advice - no matter how tough really is appreciated.
I Didn't Think It Was Possible - I'll Never Regret The Day Linda Asked
Ever dreamt of something, thought it was out of reach then obtained it?
I love Terrigal. I have always loved Terrigal. So has my family. It was just too expensive for us. Or so I thought. I was living happily in Wyong with my small family. We had a great house, a new photography business and we drove to Terrigal EVERY Sunday for some family time. I so wanted to live there. We all did. How could we do it?
What Does This Have To Do With Your Wedding Photography?
Each Sunday, Linda, the kids and I would enjoy our day at Terrigal. We'd finish with an ice-cream and a look in the real estate windows. Every house was either too expensive or didn't have an actual price - you know, offers above and all that (I hate it when they do that). We still loved looking and kept dreaming of one day living there.
Life was busy. We had our two boys, our then, small photography business with what we now consider a very embarrassing name - Weddings, Portraits... Anything, that we were so proud of at the time. I also had a second job as an electrician.
While in Sydney, at my electrical job, I had a call from Linda that she had found our dream house... in Terrigal! It was difficult to concentrate for the rest of that day, I was excited but sceptical. How could we afford it. Can we afford it. I really wanted it!
After months of window shopping and dreaming, Linda did one simple thing that changed our lives. She made a real enquiry. She went in and actually asked about a house (that was pictured without a price) which we may have been able to afford.
Our dream house was going to be a reality because Linda did one simple thing. She asked.
What about your wedding...
Impact Images could be your Terrigal
If I'm totally honest, any good wedding photographer will get good wedding photos at your wedding. You will probably think they were great photos. After all, they're of your wedding. What if you could have your dream photographer and your dream photos though?
Wouldn't you be so much more excited about your day knowing that no matter the weather, the light, the bridal party - you really were going to get AMAZING PHOTOS. First, you'd have to find your 'Terrigal' of wedding photographers.
If you have done any research, you'll know that you must have an AIPP accredited photographer. This is your ONLY guarantee of having a photographer with experience. Your guarantee of someone answerable to a code of ethics. The AIPP insists their photographers participate in a continuous improvement program or lose their membership! The good news for you, is there are eight AIPP accredited photographers on the Central Coast and we all compete with each other.
Each year, the AIPP holds wedding print and album competitions. Awards and titles are issued to the top echelon only. These awards are highly sought after and prestigious amongst our peers and some of the better informed couples and brides to be. If you have visited my website, you'll know that Impact Images has more wedding awards (prints, albums and AV's) than any other photographer on the Central Coast, Newcastle or the Hunter Valley - 116 to date.
You may also know that I am the only AIPP accredited Master Photographer on the Central Coast. What you may not know is that I may be the perfect photographer for you, all you have to do is...
My Clients Tell Me
Each year, 80% of my booking are made by word of mouth referrals. I no longer advertise in wedding magazines, I rarely attend bridal expo's, I don't advertise in the Yellow Pages. My couples, their photos, their albums, their bridal parties and more than anything, their wedding day experience with me is my greatest endorsement. My clients do almost all of my advertising for me.
How could I possibly come up with this:
Andrew - Let's cut to the chase - you're a legendary photographer.
On the day, you made the location photography a fun part of our wedding day rather than the tiresome intrusion it could so easily have been, and your willingness to "run with it" when we were asking you to climb through fences etc, was appreciated.
Later, when we saw the proofs, we were struck by what good photographs they were - all of them!! We are in awe...
What really blew us away was the number of times we would look at a photograph of the ceremony, or people on the beach, or the reception and think "Man, when did he take that? I didn't even know he was there!"
Don't take this the wrong way - you're a good guy, and it's not like we didn't want you there - but such invisibility must be like the Holy Grail of anyone taking photographs at a function like a wedding, and apparently you had it nailed.
It was clear in many of the images that you captured that people (us included) were not conscious of the fact that they were being photographed and the result was exactly the kind of natural and relaxed record of the day that we had hoped for.
We loved our wedding, you have provided us with a record of that day that expresses all the features of the day that we enjoyed so much, to the extent that we really can invoke the emotion and experience in our minds just by looking through your photographs.
It's a good thing that you do, and you do it well.
Thank you. Leanne & Lachlan
Price Is Everything
I still have some dates available that aren't taken by referrals, for a few lucky couples. If, I am available for your wedding, you will be assured of stunning photos and just as importantly an amazing day - filled with laughter and fun no matter the weather conditions or locations. You'll get the high fashion images, the candid and natural look. I'll guide and direct you to great images when you need it and stand back to capture the beautiful moments as they unfold.
The question is, am I expensive?
Yes I am, but I'm worth every cent - and, I'm no where near as expensive as you may think.
You already know that it would be crazy not to consider one of the eight AIPP Wedding Photographers on the Central Coast. Did you know that we are all within a $185 of each others prices? Armed with that information, wouldn't you have to be nuts to not have the best wedding photographer for your day? This is one day when you really deserve the best, especially if you can afford it.
How Do You Get The Best?
If you would like me to photograph your wedding, all you have to do is call and ask.
That's exactly how I came to live in Terrigal. Linda went into the real estate and asked the question. Now, almost ten years later, not one day has passed when I'm not happy to be living here. All because Linda did more than me. I just looked at the pretty pictures in the window. She asked.
If, when you think of wedding photography, Impact Images is a name that comes to mind it's for one reason. We have a reputation of producing the most amazing wedding photos and albums.
You can have me photograph your wedding. All you have to do is call the studio right now. No matter the time - day or night. If I'm not there, leave a message. Jemima, Linda or myself will call back. We would love to talk to you about your wedding. Call me on 4367 0111.
Awards:
• Winner NSW Wedding Album of the Year - two years running
• Winner Australian Wedding AV of the Year
• 116 individual wedding print awards in both state and national competitions
• WPPI Accolade of Excellence in the USA for Wedding Album
• Runner Up NSW wedding photographer of the year
• Runner Up NSW Wedding Album of the Year - two years running
If you need any more details, you can see more of my photography at (insert website here) but to make a booking you need to call on 4367 0111.
Speak Soon
Andrew
P.S Most wedding dates are booked ten months in advance. If you don't want to miss your chance, call now on 4367 0111 or you'll be left thinking... I should have asked.
- Jack Trout
Give me 15 minutes and I'll show you where your sales are dropping off – and how to lift them