Refer with a Happy Heart
referrals
You’re probably thinking…why on earth is Hannah writing a blog on referrals? Sounds a little counter-intuitive. Well, I’ve learned a lot over the years and one of those things is that referrals make the world go ‘round…especially in the photography community. Before I begin, I know that what I say below may not exactly align within the area you live. I will be the first to say that my little town has an incredible community of photographers, but I’m a big believer it is because we embrace the act of referring one another and don’t look back after doing so.
INCOMING
Isn’t it the best when you receive an email with “I got your name from {insert other photographer’s name here}…” ahhh yes. We instantly feel loved and appreciated by someone else in our industry! In a sense, it plants a little seed in your heart to want to pay it forward and refer someone back to them.
Outgoing
Let’s be real. We cannot do it all. We all know that feeling of being overworked and exhausted….especially during the holiday season. I still get messages requesting family photos although I stopped offering those over a year ago. I had two options. Simply tell potential family clients I no longer offer that service OR tell them I no longer offer family sessions but would HIGHLY recommend photographer “ABC” instead. When you decide it’s time to refer another photographer to a potential client — make sure to reach out to the photographer yourself and let them know you are sending a referral their way with the client’s first name. This helps the other photographer know where the lead is coming from.
Here are a few reasons to refer a potential client to another photographer:
1. Lack of availability
2. You do not provide the service requested
3. You know another photographer would be a better fit for the client
4. Building quality relationships with other photographers
Shana is one of the photographers I send family referrals to who are looking for someone with sharp, classic images with even tones. She’s based out of Bolivar, MO but willing to travel to surrounding areas. We have become great friends and I tend to take her content photos once a year.
MY GAIN, YOUR GAIN
Sending a referral “thank you” is so incredibly important to building relationships with other photographers. Whether this be referral money, thank you card, gift, referral back, etc….this can be a game changer.
But here’s where things can get a little tricky. I believe that we should not expect another photographer to give us anything. Even if we always send money, gift, card, etc…that should be out of our own desire to give and say “thank you.” For example, if I know I am referred to a wedding client who books me from another photographer — I most definitely send over referral money. I want to thank and credit the other photographer taking time out of their day to send over my information to a client that they had to pass on. I may have never booked those clients without the kindness of the other photographer. And here’s the thing…you get to choose how much you give. Say if you book a wedding that is $2,500. Even giving back 1% or $25.00 to the other photographer can set you apart and brighten someone else’s day.
I’d like to add — get to know your photographer friends and their love languages. Some may simply want a thank you card or shout out on Instagram. Others would rather a surprise Venmo notification or being taken out to lunch.
quality referrals
Here’s a little “what not to do” when it comes to referrals. Make sure you are intentional about where you are pointing your clients. Just because some of your photography friends are closer to you than others…in the end…this is about doing what is best for the potential client. Based on the information the potential client has given you, send them 2-3 people who would be the best fit for them. It can get annoying when a photographer gets an inquiry for a service they also don’t provide and was sent to by another photographer. Because in the end, it ends up being time wasted on all fronts….your time, the other photographer’s time and the client’s time.
So do your best at keeping a running list of photographers with price points, styles and contact information, etc so you can easily send over the right referrals and keep this world going ‘round and ‘round.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Portrait Novella specializes in capturing photos that tell a story through sensual detail. They draw you into the moment making it feel as though you can smell the air and feel the ground at the exact moment the shutter clicked. Hannah brings her years of experience into her art through a highly experiential approach towards narrative driven photography. She is breaking away from the expected in favor of capturing the often forgotten or looked over beauty in simplicity and authenticity.