Photo Packages

Seneca

Any word on Smugmug and Packages? This year I have been asked again to do a major shoot for a local school here in Texas, my problem is going through this place where my photos are held.

I like the way Smugmug handles credit card sales. Is there anything in the near future where Smugmug will be doing packages?

Kavika

why do packages ?
I do schools and I don't do packages, and customers love that! Let them order exactly what they want, direct from Smugmug. Maybe your sales will increase if you let them build their own packages!

Seneca wrote:

Any word on Smugmug and Packages? This year I have been asked again to do a major shoot for a local school here in Texas, my problem is going through this place where my photos are held.

I like the way Smugmug handles credit card sales. Is there anything in the near future where Smugmug will be doing packages?

Andy

Thanks for posting. We know you guys want these. We do, too.

wetbarn

Why not do packages?

Kavika wrote:

I do schools and I don't do packages, and customers love that! Let them order exactly what they want, direct from Smugmug. Maybe your sales will increase if you let them build their own packages!

Some may love it and others may not. Suppose a customer wants a package. Your discount package pricing offers them a great deal and they order prints they would not otherwise have purchased. (Everybody loves a discount!) If they don't want a package they can still order individual prints. Sales will increase if you do offer wisely discounted packages in addition to individual prints.

MichaelKirk

agree
I would prefer to sell al la carte - as a parent I would also prefer to purchase that way as I hate buying packages that contain sizes or items I do not want (waste of money).

That being said I would also love the option of offering packages as I know lots of parents that would prefer to order this way - having the option to sell both is the best of both worlds and hope we soon have that option.

Michael

wetbarn wrote:

Some may love it and others may not. Suppose a customer wants a package. Your discount package pricing offers them a great deal and they order prints they would not otherwise have purchased. (Everybody loves a discount!) If they don't want a package they can still order individual prints. Sales will increase if you do offer wisely discounted packages in addition to individual prints.

GJMPhoto

Sales with Packages

MichaelKirk wrote:

I would prefer to sell al la carte - as a parent I would also prefer to purchase that way as I hate buying packages that contain sizes or items I do not want (waste of money).

That being said I would also love the option of offering packages as I know lots of parents that would prefer to order this way - having the option to sell both is the best of both worlds and hope we soon have that option.

Michael

Packages offer an opportunity to influence the buying process. If you don't offer packages, you are losing a basic sales tool.

By the way, currently Smugmug does not support EITHER of my pricing methodologies...I wait patiently and do my business outside for now.

I offer both A 'build your own' package system - usually based on a first of negative price and a subsequent (equal or smaller) price for the same negative...which works well when the customer has some time to sit and think. I also offer packages to 'simplify' the process. The packages always result in a discount over the a la carte package pricing for the same enlargements, but the starting package is a substantial number of photos - set to where I'd like my 'bottom' sales to be.

Two absolute facts in my business:
1) The customers prefer the packages. Less to think about, less to calculate. Since the prices are better than a la carte, they know they're getting more for their dollar. Even though the packages start at a substantial number of photos, they prefer the simplicity of a package.
2) My average sales always sit between the 2nd and 3rd package, even though the a la carte purchases are available.... They are not choosing the lowest cost package all the time, although some folks do ask, "what is the least expensive package?" and then buy it immediately...they don't want to be bothered with the details.

They say you should display your prints in the smallest size you want to sell ...as people tend to minimally buy what they see...the same holds true for packages. People will usually, at a minimum, buy your lowest package or greater, even if given the option of buying a smaller number of prints a la carte.

If you don't supply packages, you are losing an opportunity to influence the buying decision. Packaging is a win-win for photographer and client - simplicity and discount traded against volume and directed sales patterns. Good for everyone.

Offer them. And Smugmug...HURRY UP!!!

- Gary.

Dbl

GJMPhoto wrote:

Packages offer an opportunity to influence the buying process. If you don't offer packages, you are losing a basic sales tool.

By the way, currently Smugmug does not support EITHER of my pricing methodologies...I wait patiently and do my business outside for now.

I offer both A 'build your own' package system - usually based on a first of negative price and a subsequent (equal or smaller) price for the same negative...which works well when the customer has some time to sit and think. I also offer packages to 'simplify' the process. The packages always result in a discount over the a la carte package pricing for the same enlargements, but the starting package is a substantial number of photos - set to where I'd like my 'bottom' sales to be.

Two absolute facts in my business:
1) The customers prefer the packages. Less to think about, less to calculate. Since the prices are better than a la carte, they know they're getting more for their dollar. Even though the packages start at a substantial number of photos, they prefer the simplicity of a package.
2) My average sales always sit between the 2nd and 3rd package, even though the a la carte purchases are available.... They are not choosing the lowest cost package all the time, although some folks do ask, "what is the least expensive package?" and then buy it immediately...they don't want to be bothered with the details.

They say you should display your prints in the smallest size you want to sell ...as people tend to minimally buy what they see...the same holds true for packages. People will usually, at a minimum, buy your lowest package or greater, even if given the option of buying a smaller number of prints a la carte.

If you don't supply packages, you are losing an opportunity to influence the buying decision. Packaging is a win-win for photographer and client - simplicity and discount traded against volume and directed sales patterns. Good for everyone.

Offer them. And Smugmug...HURRY UP!!!

- Gary.

Wow, that was nicely said Gary And in fact I do my sales the same way as Gary's.

Seneca

GJMPhoto wrote:

Packages offer an opportunity to influence the buying process. If you don't offer packages, you are losing a basic sales tool.

By the way, currently Smugmug does not support EITHER of my pricing methodologies...I wait patiently and do my business outside for now.

Offer them. And Smugmug...HURRY UP!!!

- Gary.

Very well said Gary! I do use an outside source other than Smugmug, but I hate that I have two accounts. I agree with everyone that A la carte is a money maker, but there are people who don't want to deal with picking and choosing sizes...there are people like me that would like to just order the basic package and move on.

I truly hope that Smugmug decides on this "package thing", I think there are more of me wanting this.

Thanks for all who responded. I almost forgot I had this thread out because, (case in point) I was using my other account.

Many thanks all...
Seneca

glowell

I agree
I also wish Smugmug would do packages. It's such a common thing for Pro's to offer. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Smugmug offers it.

Techman1

Packages & Discounts
I agree! I'm hoping SM does this soon or at my next renewal, I'm strongly considering changing over to EM. They (EM) are "listening" and "responding" quickly to their pros requests.

Hope SM comes through in a timely manner for the Pros on this one!!!!

Fred

Razrx

Packages
I would like to see the option of building packages, as well as a discount code.

Discount code would work like this, I am at an event and the 1st 10 people get the code from me, after that everyone else pays full price. On the back side the code only works 10 times or how ever many times I wish for it to work. Just a thought.

Maybe there is a better way...but thats it in a quick down and dirty...

jchin

Have been and still am ... patiently waiting on Smugmug to get "packages" and "discount codes" working ... hopefully in 2008?

Aequitas

I would love packages
I am currently on a 14 day trial and would love the ability to offer packages and that would defiantly seal the Smugmug deal. Until I can, I may just print packages at a local Costco and send people here for proofing and ordering a la cart images.

I know from marketing classes that packages sell. People love to pay money to save a little money. More savvy people will realize that the a la cart way may actually be cheaper as they don't want most of the stuff that comes in a package. But most people are not that savvy, and will gladly spend another $199 to save $15.

Is there any ETA for this feature on Smugmug? Is it even in the works?

bkatz

Would love packages
I am a new pro to smugmug and have been doing decently with my sports photos but I know I have lost sales because I do not make it easy with a package. I have seen my shots at one event where there was a second outfit that had some less quality but packages go unsold due to the fact that they offered packages. I await and I am sure it will help my business out.

beetle8

Coupons
I guess this would follow along with the discount code, but a way for me to sell a frequent flyer card like everyone is doing these days where they pay ten bucks and get 10% off purchases for a year or earn bonus bucks toward their next purchase. Or the availability of selling gift cards or certificates or any number of related cheesy sales tactics along with the packages which is allways asked about.

evoryware

Which thread to bump about packages?

How about smugmug partnering with ExpressDigital Darkroom or some other software company that offers a similar item; where photographers that use this software can create packages based off smugmug cost, and then upload orders through the software to smugmug for printing.
This could make it easier for photogs to create their own packages, collages, etc...