How are you keeping track of your leads?

[831Photography]

I was just curious as to how everyone was keeping track of potential clients. We were having some problems with messages and notes around the studio (we have 3 full time people and 3 part timers) and finally did something about it.

How about everyone else? What programs / methods are you guys using to track your leads?

[Charity]

Steph, Hi!

I'm sure that you guys have a few more leads than I do(!) but, I use several methods. 99.9% of my leads come via email. I simple have folders divided into different categories "Officiating" "Coordinating" and "Invitations" are a few of them, and every single piece of correspondence I have with someone goes into a folder....no matter how inconsequential that email may seem at the time. So whenever I need to reference someone (whether from my day job :lol: ) or at the office, all my files are right there, accessible from my email.

When someone actually books, I have a file folder for contracts, and I start a computer file folder with all that couple's contact and other pertinent info (what files I sent them and when, info about the wedding, special notes on heritage, religion, etc). From that point on, I just add info to the file.

Again, this is a simple system that works for me, and my volume...but I have never (knock on wood) missplaced anything, missed an appointment, or anything like that!

Im like Charity when it comes to leads. I used my email system and Microsoft address book. You can build folders with the address book, make notes, etc.

Believe it or not I use to program for 'contact management' companies, ACT! being one of them. With many people and more then one computer I would recommend using something like ACT! that has network capabilities, and can share the database with all the computers. :)

[robindepaula]

I have a program set up on my computer that I can input all the information in & f/u as needed. If someone checks availability & requests information online, it fills in that information to the program automatically. Email me @ robin@depaulaphotography.com & I'll give you the exacts if you're interested.

Robin

[As You Wish]

Leads? How do you get those? I am so green at this.

Leads? How do you get those? I am so green at this.

There are lots of ways to get leads. hunt-down wedding directories and get yourself listed in all of them, that will produce traffic to your website and will create business/leads.

If you are trying to get leads from sites like onewed you will want to watch the listings, and the competition around you on them listings to see what works and what does not. Then take a look at your impressions, website referrals, and leads and try to get the website referrals and leads percentages has high as you can by working your advertising in a way that will get brides interested in clicking on your listing, then to your website and requesting your services.

It will take time, trial and error. I have seen people that do well over 200 leads a month and 3000 clicks to their website when they have their advertising just right.

Sometimes all it takes is to get your listings to the top of the vendor search for your state and category. Just work with your advertising and you will find what works best for you.

Hope that helps!

[831Photography]

I have a program set up on my computer that I can input all the information in & f/u as needed. If someone checks availability & requests information online, it fills in that information to the program automatically. Email me @ robin@depaulaphotography.com & I'll give you the exacts if you're interested.

Robin

Robin,

You're using gigbuilder (from wedj.com), right?

We used it for a while, but the only thing that I had a problem with was tracking leads, not brides. I didn't see a way to import leads (from bridal shows, for example) and then it seemed to get too cluttered with both leads and customers in the same place.

We import 1200+ brides after each bridal show (2 a year), plus leads from todaysbride.com (a local wedding magazine), onewed.com, our giveaway on our website, etc.

Scott does a great job over there at wedj.com, but it seemed very difficult for each of our photographers to be able to access the information at the same time, especially when calling leads (we didn't want them to be calling the same bride at the same time!)

Shan