Getting More Videography and Wedding Photography Referrals from Your Clients

How do you get most of your clients? Referrals or marketing?

Videography and wedding photography referrals from former clients provide one of the easiest, most efficient and consistent marketing opportunities.

People tend to trust recommendations from people they know.

That’s why a referral will almost always result in the acquisition of a new client, especially if you’ve mastered the art of communicating well.

So, is there something you can do as a videography or photography professional in order to increase the number of referrals you’re getting?

Since we’re creating this comprehensive guide for you, the answer is a most definite YES!

 

The Obvious One: Do a Stellar Job

 

People are going to recommend you if they’re happy with the work you’ve done.

It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

In order to get more videography and wedding photography referrals, you have to become the best professional you’re capable of.

How do you do that? Deliver on your promises and communicate well. Meet deadlines.

Invest in high quality equipment and complete a course or a workshop every once in a while.

Weddings are highly emotional affairs and people will put every aspect of this special day under scrutiny.

Managing to do an exceptional job will leave a print on the happy couple forever.

A bride who is moved and thrilled by her wedding photos is almost certainly going to recommend that professional to her friends.

 

You will always come across clients who are difficult to please or the ones that make impossible demands.

These people will rarely become a part of your marketing efforts in the future.

The good news is that they’re an exception rather than the kind of person you’ll interact with often.

Even these individuals deserve a special treatment and some empathy.

In fact, a disgruntled customer that you’ve managed to win over can easily become one of your biggest allies.

 

Make It Easy for People to Refer You

 

People will easily recommend you but in order to turn a prospect into a new client, you’ll have to put some work in your public presence.

This means being easy to search and having a digital footprint.

You need to have a professional website and an online portfolio at the very least.

No bride is going to book you if she can’t find any of your work or learn a bit more about your qualifications before getting in touch.

Having a solid social media presence on platforms like Facebook and Instagram (and even TikTok for that matter) can also be incredibly beneficial.

Don’t just count on former clients to do the work for you. It’s your responsibility to present your best work and provide easy contact options.

The two “channels” will work alongside each other to build an impressive reputation before people have even decided to get in touch with you.

 

To Get Videography and Wedding Photography Referrals, You Need to Stay in Touch

 

Reaching out to former clients is a good idea, especially if you’re looking for ways to build your referrals.

You can wait a few weeks after you’ve delivered a video or a photo album before getting in touch.

Reach out to inquire how the couple’s been doing and to also get some feedback on the work that you’ve done.

Even if you’re not focused on referrals, such communication can provide some valuable feedback.

You’ll learn about the things you did well and the ways in which you’ve missed the mark.

That in itself is an abundance of actionable data that can make your business stronger in the future.

When reaching out, you can also recommend ways to work with these people in the future (especially if you offer services other than wedding photography and videography).

You can also suggest letting their friends know about the interaction, especially if they’ve been happy with the work you’ve done.

It never hurts to ask for the things that you need.

Being polite and casual about it is going to get people in a positive mindset.

Chances are that when someone they know requires assistance, they’ll think of you and even make a recommendation.

 

Come Up with a Loyalty Program

 

Sometimes, people will need a little incentive or a perk in order to make a referral.

This is a great tool you can count on, especially if you’re still working on creating consistent work flow.

A loyalty program can be very simple to put together.

Offering clients future discounts for a referral they’ve made is always a good idea (especially if you offer baby shoots, anniversary shoots and services related to other special events).

Free gifts like prints or social media clips can also be very handy.

People love freebies and they’ll think of you when someone requests information on wedding services.

What matters is creating added value and making sure that what clients are receiving is actually attractive.

While the perk shouldn’t be the main reason why people are recommending you, it’s always a nice little bonus that can help you make a lasting impression.

 

Make Their Feedback Public and Capitalize on Good Reviews

 

Sometimes, wedding photography referrals from former clients can be indirect.

If you have some clients who are especially thrilled about the interaction with you, ask them for some public (and honest!) feedback.

Getting online reviews and testimonials is incredibly important if you’re trying to establish a good online reputation.

Studies also show that people tend to trust online reviews as much as they count on personal recommendations.

So, a public testimonial from a happy client can score you numerous referrals if you’re smart enough to feature it in your digital channels.

Everybody needs social proof to stand out from the crowd.

Most clients who are inspired by your work will be more than willing to share information about their experience.

What matters is not pushing people too hard and sharing honest feedback.

While such an approach leaves you open to criticism, it will usually result in an amazing marketing opportunity (especially if you’re focused on delivering a stellar outcome every single time).

 

Don’t Just Count on Clients for Videography and Wedding Photography Referrals

 

Clients aren’t the only people who will be observing the work that you do.

A typical wedding involves numerous vendors and service providers – wedding planners, DJs, caterers, decorators, venue owners, florists, etc.

Each one of these professionals can (and should!) become a part of your professional network.

Being cordial and open to communication with other vendors increases the likelihood of getting referrals.

It’s especially important to establish a good business relationship with several wedding planners.

These are the professionals that couples tend to trust the most, especially when it comes to vendor recommendations.

In order to return the favor, you should also be open to recommending service providers to your customers.

For such a relationship to work, however, you should only be referring the service providers that are known for the quality of the work that they do.

 

Keep Everyone Informed about New Products and Services

 

Wedding photography and videography are competitive, rapidly evolving fields.

In order to outperform the competition, you will always need to refine your skills and expand the service portfolio that clients have access to.

Every once in a while, you will add a new opportunity to the list of services that you offer.

Letting former clients know about these changes is very important.

You can make announcements in a number of ways.

Social media communication and sending out emails to people in your newsletter list are two good opportunities.

Many people will immediately think of someone who will benefit from a brand new solution you’ve added to your portfolio.

Such updates also make it possible for former clients to reach out once again and book you for a new gig.

 

Final Verdict: Treat All Clients As Potential Business Partners

 

There are many ways to do promotion, some more effective than others.

Client referrals top the list when it comes to reliability. This is the one channel you should be investing continuously in.

Getting referrals is about three things – doing a good job, communicating well and staying approachable.

If you master these three things, chances are that of your satisfied clients will tell their friends and acquaintances about you.

As a business owner, you will eventually learn to treat everyone as a potential business partner.

In time, you’ll be surprised by all of the amazing ways you’ll acquire new leads and clients.

Don’t discount any opportunity, even if it appears to be insignificant at the time.

One final thing we need to mention – stay positive and don’t get discouraged, even if things don’t work out the way you want them to at first.

Building your reputation and expertise takes time. Let people learn more about you and your qualities.

Give them a chance to remember you and don’t be too pushy.

If you excel in the realm of communication, you will sooner or later get those much-needed calls and messages.