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Manage expectations 2

March 31st, 2008 in Soap Box by


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Another recurring lament at the trade shows was what I call “Album Revision #11″ (you’ll know it better than me):

Revision 1: You design the album (probably the best one).
Revision 2: Bride wants changes.
Revision 3: You redesign the album.

And so on until…

Revision 11: You’re glad to see the back of them after they twist your arm to cram 160 images into a book that should’ve had 80.

Here’s the thing. Some photographers have this problem, others don’t. Why? Are their customers different? I don’t think so.

The secret, again, is managing expectations. Speak confidently, project your expertise. If they signed up to your design, assume it’s the “finished product”. If they’re spoiling the album, work out how to say so.

If they’re entitled to a few edits, great (a good idea, and PJ makes it easy). If you charge for edits, no problem: put your charges up front in your price list – and in your conversation.

This takes practice and confidence, but next time see if you can reduce your revisions, and sell the best album you can.

Cheers, Danny

 

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  • Kate

    Yes!! Thanks for posting this. I am just starting out with offering albums, and I’ve been wondering how to go about trying to keep the album pretty yet still allow for input. A lot of photographers I know ask the couple to choose all the photos for their album … which I think is a horrible idea! They end up picking all the photos of family & friends, but none of the storytelling shots.

    I’m excited to try a different tactic, and present it as a piece of artwork, by an artist. Yes, I’ll allow revisions, of course, but hopefully if you can stun them with a beautiful album in the first place, they won’t feel the need to change much.

    Great post :-)

  • Kate

    Yes!! Thanks for posting this. I am just starting out with offering albums, and I’ve been wondering how to go about trying to keep the album pretty yet still allow for input. A lot of photographers I know ask the couple to choose all the photos for their album … which I think is a horrible idea! They end up picking all the photos of family & friends, but none of the storytelling shots.I’m excited to try a different tactic, and present it as a piece of artwork, by an artist. Yes, I’ll allow revisions, of course, but hopefully if you can stun them with a beautiful album in the first place, they won’t feel the need to change much.Great post :-)

  • Danny

    Sometimes we like to stir it up ;-)

    Keep us posted on your results!

  • Danny

    Sometimes we like to stir it up ;-) Keep us posted on your results!


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