Has anyone tried Groupons to advertise business?

photodad1 · November 15, 2012

I am looking for in-expensive ways to advertise my photography business. Has anyone tried Groupons as a way to promote their Photography Business?

kevingeary · November 15, 2012

I wouldn't do it. It doesn't make much sense economically.

Angelo · November 15, 2012

Chris

please enter groupon in the search window - you'll find several threads on the subject

GerryDavid · November 16, 2012

Chris, if you do one, be sure to do a smart add that wont bankrupt you.

use one location for all portraits, that way you'll save on travel expenses and time. don't offer prints, that way you can upsell and wont have a physical expense, if you do offer prints, don't offer many or large ones. and don't offer a ton of digital images or there wont be anything left to upsell.

If done right, you can make a ton of money off of this with upselling *you don't need to pressure for them, if your work is great then they will want more*. you probably wont make much off the opening deal after you offer 50% discount to the customer and 50% of the sale to groupon, then cover your business expenses. But if you can get say 10 portraits in one day and each buys an 8x10 for $50 that's $500 before expenses, not bad for a single day and minimal processing.

If done wrong, like the examples posted on these forums over the years, you could end up only being able to do a minimal number of portraits in one day, drive hours in each direction and spend hours with them to only meet the coupon requirements with no possible additional sales after, and loosing money with each portrait you do.

Also, if you want a name for yourself, doing a groupon could tarnish your "image", which is why most here are against groupon.

photodad1 · November 16, 2012

Thanks everyone for the feedback. After further research I think I am going to pass on Groupon.

Has anyone tried Groupons to advertise business?

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