Capture More Clients: Best CRMs for Photographers to Grow Their Business
Even top photographers must manage their client base if they want to run a profitable venture. Customer relationship management (CRM) reduces your workload while ensuring customers still feel valued. CRMs for photographers are almost limitless, but the best ones include ways to streamline photography follow-up work, keep the lines of communication open with clients and market effectively without spending a fortune.
With so much competition in the photography industry, anything you can do to improve your presentation and customer experience (CX) helps you gain more gigs. Here are some of the best CRMs for photographers and the benefits of each selection.
1. ShootQ
ShootQ is a customer relationship management and studio software solution created specifically for photographers. Some of the benefits of ShootQ include customized forms and a place for clients to see their invoices and proofs.
You might use this software for a contract with a local little league that wants you to shoot sports photographs. In such a case, a contract is a good idea to avoid any misunderstandings about costs, who pays for your time and how to handle individual prints.
When trying to book a shoot, you can also use this system’s online booking feature to avoid endless back and forth. The customer books the session based on your open time slots and you can collect a deposit at the same time.
2. Nutshell
If you’re looking for a way to close more deals, Nutshell has an automated process that onboards new customers and makes the entire booking and ordering prints process straightforward.
Many CRMs for photographers include the same types of features, such as booking, ordering and viewing images. However, Nutshell also provides email marketing support with drip marketing to encourage new sessions and repeat orders.
Another advantage is the collaboration feature. Perhaps two people shoot wedding photos and a third edits them. Everyone logs into the dashboard, uploads their part of the project and creates a highly efficient process to get the finished images to the bride and groom quickly.
3. 17hats
All the software any business needs to function can seem overwhelming at times. 17hats offers a CRM platform that does it all. One of the biggest advantages to this one is that you can complete your bookkeeping on the system as well. Instead of going to a third-party site and separately inputting income and expenses, this program tracks it all in one place.
The program is also working to implement ChatGPT into customer communications, making it look like you have a full team when you may be a one-person show. Imagine automatically replying to a customer while you sleep or your robot worker shooting out a quote based on the client’s needs and your going rates.
4. Studio Ninja
CRMs for photographers must meet certain requirements, such as offering booking and understanding the creative process of the business. Studio Ninja is a CRM platform created for people who do one-off and repeat business, such as writers, photographers and artists.
You can download their mobile app and streamline your communications even when on the run. Send out a mass email about a special booking offer to drum up business and free yourself from the computer to get out and take photos in nature.
Send out drip emails to encourage leads to turn into clients. Follow up with long-time customers and see what their current needs are. CRMs help grow your business over time as you keep current patrons and attract new ones.
5. Pixpa
If you sell stock images as part of your photography business, look to a solution such as Pixpa. You’ll compete against hundreds of thousands of stock images on sites such as Dreamstime with 25 million users, iStock and Deposit Photo. Some CRMs for photographers also offer an option for an online portfolio. You could showcase your top photos to show what you can do, sell prints or even start your own digital stock photo site for commercial clients.
The client galleries feature lets you share photos with subjects and take orders online, too. One drawback to Pixpa is that it doesn’t have the level of booking and marketing features as some of the other programs mentioned in this article. However, it is a good place to start if you want to get your work online and start selling directly to the public while you build a reputation in your specialization.
6. Honeybook
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your booking needs, Honeybook might be the best solution. You can create contracts with digital signature capabilities for weddings or big events, automate workflows, book and schedule online. You can also manage projects, send invoices and accept online payments.
One of the best features of this CRM is that it creates an interactive experience for users. The software prompts clients throughout the process to ensure they fill out forms, sign them and remember upcoming events or payments due.
The Best CRMs for Photographers Vary
CRM for photographers can help you secure new clients and keep current ones loyal. However, the CRM software for photographers that works for one small business owner may not work for another. Each brand is unique with various needs. Fortunately, many CRM platforms offer free or limited trials so you can find the right fit. The best way to find the right method is to explore your options and keep an open mind to benefit your business.
