MINI SESSIONS CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO REACH NEW PROSPECTS, GAIN NEW CLIENTS, AND MAKE A QUICK BUCK DURING SLOW TIMES OF THE YEAR.
But, what is it about mini sessions that will make them successful?
First of all, you need to know the true definition of a mini session.
Unlike a full session that you typically offer, mini sessions are booked and sold on the principle of them being smaller. They are more compact sessions that still align with your current business model and pricing.
THEY ARE NOT DISCOUNTED SESSIONS, RATHER, THEY ARE A LIMITED EDITION SESSION THAT ONLY ROLL AROUND ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.
Mini sessions offer a chance to outsiders to “try you out” as a photographer or grab a handful of photos if they don’t have the budget for a full session.
When planned and executed effectively, mini sessions can be a huge success to your wallet. They can also be a great way to ease into filling your calendar when a few guidelines are implemented.
LET’S UNCOVER A FEW SIMPLE, YET POWERFUL, WAYS TO sell out your next round of mini sessions!
CREATE A LANDING PAGE FOR YOUR MINIS
This part I have found to be absolutely essential in the marketing and booking process of mini sessions.
After years of toying and tweaking with packages, pricing, and marketing strategies, I have found that the best method for creating hype and urgency (while providing all the information needed) is through a landing page.
This could be a temporary page you have on your website or a simple blog post, but make sure you include this as a part of your mini session success strategy.
Make sure you include things like:
- Mini session date(s) and location
- Packages and fees
- Available session times
- Terms & conditions
- How to book & contact information
I have found it extremely helpful to include all of the session time slots that are available. So, when a new client reaches out, they know exactly what time they can book.
This not only makes the booking process super easy, but when the landing page gets updated with a line through that spot, it creates urgency to others.
Being able to visualize how fast the sessions are being booked helps get your spots booked faster with a higher chance of success! (this is this no-fail system that works every time!)
Don’t have a landing page? Get one!
COMMUNICATE TERMS & CONDITIONS
While it’s a good idea to have this information on your landing page, it’s even more essential to communicate this throughout the booking process.
Make sure you let your clients know what you expect from the start.
If your minis are non-refundable (which I highly suggest to secure bookings, your time, and income), then make sure they know this right from the start.
Don’t just stop there though, make sure your client has the opportunity to know & view this information at least 3 times.
(Example: on your landing page, in your correspondence emails, and in your contract).
This can help iron out any sticky situations down the line if you come across a bad egg who could threaten legal action.
For me, I have this info on my landing page, in my emails sent to my clients, in my mini session contract, and again in my mini session information flyer I sent them before the session.
This way, they know my standards from the get-go and know what to expect from me.
And, this also makes you look even more professional!
I have found that being extra prepared with my terms & conditions have left no room for me to be haggled or challenged by a client. On the contrary, I am seen as a confident professional who knows their way around business.
If you don’t have a mini session contract, then this is an absolute must!
OFFER A QUICK TURN-AROUND TIME
If you’re only offering a small package to your mini session clients, then your turnaround time should be equally short.
If you typically take 2 weeks to turn photos around, aim for 1 week or earlier with your minis.
This will not only make you look even more professional and favorable to your clients, but it will help the flow of your sessions remain steady and in order (especially if you end up having a few clients who are slower decision makers when it comes to deciding which photos they want to keep in their gallery).
Sure, you might be pulling more late nights getting these photos edited & ready for viewing, but you’ll have happier clients in the end – so that’s all that matters!
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF SPENDING MORE THAN 30 MINUTES EDITING A MINI SESSION, THEN SOMETHING IN YOUR WORKFLOW MIGHT NEED A LITTLE TWEAKING TO HELP ACCOMMODATE THE EXTRA SURGE OF PHOTO SESSIONS.
This is EXACTLY why I created the Editing with Ease: to help photographers use Lightroom in a way that creates beautiful results while simultaneously editing in less time.
Don’t forget to use time-saving Lightroom presets to help assist you in your editing workflow. These workflow presets will help you create a streamlined and fast workflow while creating beautiful photos.
GIVE YOUR CLIENTS A REASON TO BOOK YOU AGAIN
A mini session should just be a small taste of what you normally offer to your clients, just enough to work up an appetite for more!
You can do this a number of ways to fit your brand and your very own personality, but here’s a few ideas to help you get started:
- Send each client a hand-written thank you note after the session. This should surprise them & show that you truly appreciate their business.
- Include an extra bonus item they weren’t expecting like a custom photo app or small promotional item as a gift.
- Under promise, over deliver. Tell them to expect their photos in 10 days, but deliver them in 5. They will be excited to have them sooner and will appreciate the extra steps you took to serve them better.
- Give them a chance to review their experience with you. This will be helpful to gain new feedback, but it will also remind them of the wonderful experience they had with you and will help them to remember their time with you even more.
Whatever you decide to do, any of the above (or all of the above), this is your last chance to really knock the socks off of your new clients!
If they’ve had a rocky experience with past photographers, this will be a golden opportunity to show that not all photographers serve the same way and that you can be fully trusted as an artist & professional.
Don’t allow this crucial opportunity go to waste!
When it’s all said and done, the most important aspect of ensuring successful mini sessions boils down to one thing: being prepared and being organized.
When you are fully prepared for every scenario you can think of, it will help you to be more organized and foresee any potential problem . Which, in the end, making it a smooth sailing & fun process for both you and your mini session clients.
NEED A PROVEN SYSTEM TO BOOK MORE MINI SESSIONS?
Now you can plan the PERFECT mini sessions event that fills your calendar and your wallet with Maxed out Minis.
Inside Fully booked, I teach photographers like you how to organize, plan, and sell out your mini sessions so that they will be a success!
If you’ve been scratching your head wondering how to sell out your minis and make then profitable, then this is the answer you’ve been waiting for.
This playbook contains everything you need to know about Mini Sessions in one easy resource.
This easy-to-read & get started playbook is packed full of helpful information, step-by-step plans, and swipe files that you can use to plan your perfect minis.
Want to sell out your mini sessions?
Make more money?
Gain a fresh, new client pool?
The Fully Booked Mini playbook will be your guide to get there!
What you get:
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- 35 pages of no-fluff education & step-by-step plans to plan your perfect minis
- The pricing system that will help you book more AND be super profitable
- Tips to make your minis stand out from the others
- Ideas to get these sessions booked with EASE
- To the point marketing strategies that work
- Worksheets and planner pages to GET IT DONE
- Clear cut instruction on how to make these your best sessions ever!
Don’t plan another mini session event without this playbook.
Grab this playbook today and start earning more with minis than ever before!
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