Frequently Asked Questions
How fast should I respond to a new photography inquiry?
Within five minutes, with no exceptions. Interest is highest the moment someone hits submit, and many leads inquire with several photographers at once, so the first expert to reach her usually gets the consult. Humberto Garcia says the biggest reason photographers hear no is the gap between the inquiry and the first call or email. If you change only one thing, call back within five minutes.
How many times should I call a photography lead who doesn't answer?
Use the 5x7 rule: call within 5 minutes, then call 5 times in the first 7 days. After that, call once every 7 days for the rest of the first month, then once a month. Each time, leave a voicemail and send a short text saying who you are and that you just called. Keep going until you get a clear yes or no, not a maybe.
Why do photography leads ghost after they inquire?
Usually because the photographer ghosted first. Leads are busy people who inquire from bed, from work or in traffic, often with several studios, and they don't prioritize you. Many photographers send one templated email, maybe call once, then label the lead poor quality. Humberto's view is that slow, thin follow-up, not bad leads, is what costs most bookings, and that steady calls and texts get far more people to reply.
What should I say when I call back a photography lead?
Talk to her like a friend and refer to what she just did. For example, say you're calling because she just inquired on your website, mention a detail she shared, like twins due in August, and ask if now is a good time to talk. Repeating her own details tells her right away who you are and that she can trust you. If she can't talk, set the next call on the spot.
What should I put on my photography thank-you page?
A short video of you explaining what happens next. Most photographers leave the thank-you page blank. Kristin, the newborn and maternity photographer in this post, added a 20-second video saying who she is, that she will be calling, and that the lead can schedule a time right there. After adding it and a couple of other tweaks, almost every new lead replied or booked a consult.
What email should I send right after someone inquires about a photo session?
Send an automated email about seven minutes after the inquiry that references her specific situation: what she wrote in the form, her due date, her event. It lands while she is still thinking about booking, which is why Humberto says it is one of the most replied-to emails studios send. You don't need special software, since Gmail plus Zapier can send it, though texts get most of the replies.
What questions should I ask on a newborn photography consultation call?
Kristin starts by asking permission, then asks why the client wants a newborn session, what matters most to her about the outcome, and how she pictures using the images, such as an album or wall portraits. She also asks what stood out about her work, which tells her how warm the lead is. She spends the first five to eight minutes asking and listening before explaining how to reserve.
What results did Kristin Milito get after switching to Photography to Profits?
Kristin went to 3 to 5 qualified inquiries a day after P2P rebuilt her landing pages, added a quiz funnel, redesigned her website and launched new Google and Facebook ads. Her year-over-year numbers showed a 34% increase in total bookings and a 22% jump in her average in-person sale. On the call, Humberto noted her cost per lead had dropped from over $100 to about $20. These results are Kristin's own.