How do you build your client base?

Grita lo que haces. Hablar de tu trabajo y lo que te apasiona a otras personas hace que te tengan en mente cuando alguien les pregunta. La mejor manera de empezar una base de clientes es con tu círculo cercano y de ahí expandir; aquí hablo de boca a boca y también en redes sociales, esto hablando a pequeña escala, aunque a grande escala y aunque ya trabajes con un portafolio de clientes, este principio siempre ayuda.

Building a client base as a photographer involves a delicate balance of showcasing technical skill and artistic flair. To effectively define your niche, it’s essential to pinpoint what you’re passionate about, whether it’s wedding, landscape, portrait, or street photography. Once identified, immerse yourself in that realm, refining your style and understanding its nuances. A specialized focus will make you more memorable in a saturated market. Additionally, curate a distinct portfolio that resonates with your target audience. In photography, your unique perspective is your strongest asset. By consistently showcasing it and connecting with like-minded individuals or clients, you’ll gradually build a solid and loyal client base.

you can be an amazing Photographer but if you don't put the work, you will just be an amazing photographer. Marketing and socializing with people within the industry and always delivering to your clients

Your portfolio not only attracts customers, but also repels those who do not like your vision. Try to create your portfolio, starting from the opposite: who I don’t want to see as my client? What images does such an «unwanted» customer like? Remove those photos from the portfolio that can attract «not your» client.

In this aspect you can also try to always make a reference of your client while posting there pictures on your portfolio, it helps to gain the trust of new clients when ever they see such.

Know your target audience. there's no one-size-fits-all portfolio that cater to different platform/crowd. Tailoring your portfolio to your target audience is essential for a strong impact. Different platforms and audiences have unique preferences.

Many professionals miss opportunities thinking clients will magically find your portfolio/website and reach out to you. The importance of identifying your niche and building a portfolio showcasing your unique perspective on that type of work is to develop a style that works as your visual 'signature.' You're capable of shooting all sorts of subjects and styles, but if you don't have the one thing that you're known for and helps people find you, you will not be found - at least not as much. 'If you're not known for something, you're known for nothing.' You might dedicate your marketing to attract wedding clients who want a dreamy aesthetic, but once your content has reached a potential client, you can sell them on other services as well.

My clients always highlight my qualities such as: - punctuality; - a personalised approach; - goodwill; - speed of work (including processing). Now the process of processing a 1-1.5 hour portrait takes a maximum of 36 hours. I usually give away the material faster.

Leverage social proof. The best way to get others talking about you is to provide such exceptional service and quality that others recommend you willingly. Ensure that you underpromise and overdeliver! Surprise and delight customers regularly. It shows that you go above and beyond and that you actually care. People want to feel taken care of, and they want all of the details to be cared for. Removing concerns, barriers, and additional aggravation is a fantastic way of providing great service. Professionalism, reliability, and courtesy are necessary and should be assumed. Solve your clients' problem(s) effectively, efficiently, and with exceptional quality. Solve problems that the client is unaware they have.

Find 100 people, that love your product. In a discussion with Brian Chesky, co-founder of AirBnB, he said: "The idea is that to start a successful business, even a hundred million, all you need to do is build a product that a hundred people absolutely love. And as long as those hundred people are not like the only a hundred roles they exist, they're representative of a large population. If a hundred people love something, they're each going to tell 10 people. And everything in the world that is large has started small at some point" Solid advice

"Did this experience meet your expectations?" is a great question to ask clients after their session with you. Ask for candid feedback. What should you STOP? What should you START? What should you CONTINUE? Integrating client feedback allows you to iterate and enhance the experience you deliver.

One thing I found helpful is to just do it. Do it scared ,do it with insecurity, do it with all of the what if’s? There is no better moment than now! So, go out there and give it a try. Take all the nervousness and doubt put it into your creativity. It is always better to give it a try versus living life in the regret of what if.