A friend of mine just sent me this question via email, and as it's not really my area of knowledge or expertise, I told her I'd pose the question to the 365 peeps and see what you come up with. This would be in Canadian dollars, so I ask a moment of your time to give me an answer to give to her:) Thanks guys!!
"I was wondering if I could ask you a business question. If you took a REALLY cool photo of a business, (that is a one time shot) and wanted to present it to them to buy for their promotional use. What would you suggest as a good price range to ask for them to purchase this. And how should it be presented? (Like printed? Framed? etc..) Keep in mind this company has lots of moola. I don't know if you have done anything like this before but I'd really appreciate your advice."
well, if i was a business with lots of money, i probably wouldn't buy a random photo from a person that offered me one, because they hold all the playing cards in this situation, they haven't asked for it, the photographer has already done the hard work, and they can choose what they like, because as the photographer anything would be better than nothing. If I was a business with lots of money, that business would probably also have a brand image to think about and your photo might not fit that image. And last but not least, if I was a business with lots of money, i could afford a photographer to take the photos i specifically wanted, and probably more than 1.
I know that sounds quite pessimistic, say $2000 then keep dropping until they say yes? Your friend has nothing to lose.
@Scrivna see? That's why I put this question out to you guys, because these are all points that wouldn't have crossed my mind AT ALL! Excellent points, all. I'll tell her exactly this. You're right, she has nothing to lose, and it's not as though the business has approached her for said promo shot. Thanks Ross!! :)
I agree with Ross, but if she does show it to them, I don't know if I'd go through the work of printing it large and framing it. I'd show them a smaller size, and if they like it, then print it larger and frame it. Otherwise, if they say no, she's out more money than she would have been if she showed something smaller.
@triciaanddazzle Yeah, I just sent her an email telling her to send the company with a watermarked version of the shot attached. No need to go through a big presentation when they've probably already got all the promo shots they need.
Paula, I've been around high-tech marketing, sales and product development for nearly 30 years, started and sold two businesses along the way, and thus have been on the company-side of working these things. I would say it is difficult to get companies (even ones with lots of money) to pay for anything they are not planning already and not within their respective budgets for promotional items. Having said this, I've also seen firms drop big bucks for items that seemed like nonsense and in the end had questionable value. All said, she has absolutely nothing to lose but she should control her own expenses in preparing her pitch to them. Good luck!
@mikegifford yeah, that seems to be the consensus - the "nothing to lose" approach. I wish her the best of luck, but I sincerely doubt the company will be accepting any unsolicited promo shots.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
I know that sounds quite pessimistic, say $2000 then keep dropping until they say yes? Your friend has nothing to lose.