selos69

Hi Guys and Gals,

I thought it would be interesting to share specifics on your marketing techniques.

Basic things like:
1. Percentage of profit spent on marketing
2. Advertising mediums (i.e magazine, internet, newspaper etc)
3. Success of various methods of advertising
4. Where you work comes from (i.e architects, home builders, industrial design etc.)

All of my work has come from word of mouth and I'm really looking to expand so I thought this to be an interesting thread for the small timers to look to the future.

WAcky

Hi Chris,

I was lucky enough to get into the business with the help of an architect and now he is my biggest client.

I had some flyers printed and went through the phone book and cold called a bunch of architects and building designers. Once I got names I posted out the flyers and although I posted out about 100 I have only got one call from someone who was recommended to me. They are now another on-going client.

Even though I only have 2 steady clients, I've been working 18 hour days 6 days a week for the last three weeks.

An interesting note is that I couldnt find any Arch Viz people in the yellow pages... Could be a golden opportunity...

I really dont think you need to spend much money and I believe a call backed up by a meeting with a client along with a small presentation is a pretty safe bet.

Word of mouth is a great tool too You've just got to not piss anyone off :P

__________________
James Burrell
Pixel Constructions

SandmanNinja

I listed (for free) at guru.com
Ugh - LOTS of people offering to do renders for $10, $50, etc...

I DID get a client, local to Australia, and I'm starting one project with them (4 apartments, internals & externals) and they like the work so far. They've asked if I'd be interested in their next project firing up next month! And the architect they use likes my work and we're talking as well.

Since I'm just a one-man operation, this may be enough to get me on my feet.

I'll always be on the look-out and will have to consider other ways to get more clients when these clients run out of projects.

The good thing about Architects is they often have continuing work - wether the plans ever get builts or not.

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-SandmanNinja
website

pickle

Hi,

Ive found that calling and sending stuff out will only work in the short term if you have a good portfolio [which you may not when you are starting out]. If you can get a few good clients and the rest will follow from word of mouth if you can keep producing good work. After a while [maybe a year or so] your initial cold calling inquiries will start to come to fruition.

I think the best way to market yourself is to empathize with your potential client. Is there a magazine or website which they will always read. Ask your current clients if what they read or where they would go on-line. This way you can put something under their nose.

Also make sure that you can be found easily on-line.

Rich

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Architectural Visualisation & Animation

brianzajac

There are many aspects to arch. vis. and how you can market - teaching/training, consulting, and production are just a few ways you can direct your company. So, I will try to answer these in a production point-of-view.

1. Percentage of profit spent on marketing
This all depends on the market conditions and the years your company has been in business. Typically the less supply and less years you are in business, the more you should market. But, if there aren't many to market to (like we are facing in the U.S. housing situation), then monies should be allocated with new ventures for the company. If the business is established and the market conditions are good, then you should not need to market too much unless you want to grow the company fast & have the internal support (good workers who can find other good workers).

2. Advertising mediums (i.e magazine, internet, newspaper etc)
I am biased on this one. For us, internet marketing has worked out much better than any other medium. This is because the production done is not just limited to images. Plus developers and architects are savvy enough these days to understand how internet searching works. Some of our most successful internet campaigns were in search engine marketing, email marketing, video sharing sites (i.e. sites like YouTube), social portals, blogs, and an updated web site.

3. Success of various methods of advertising
Out of the ones I've mentioned, search engine marketing has the best ROI...especially organic marketing. For follow-up services, we recommend a strong email marketing system and calling them afterward.

4. Where you work comes from (i.e architects, home builders, industrial design etc.)
All of the above - both directly & indirectly. The big question is who is your center of influence (COI)? It's the person/team that can continually recommend your services to their other businesses. If you don't have COI's, you better get them quickly. And, if you do, treat them well. They are your bread & butter.

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3DAS
3D Architectural Solutions
Brian Zajac
http://www.3DAS.com
(941) 953-3DAS (3327)

Tommy L

Biggest lesson Ive learnt through experience is that print (magazine) advertising is very expensive in comparison to the return.
I just use three methods: email campaign, phone calls, networking events. Very cheap and a good return. I have also got jobs through the ASAI listing.

In the past Ive got jobs through sending out postcards as well. It basically comes down top luck I think. Its just if your marketing material happens to appear when they are looking for a renderer.

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http://thomaslivings.blogspot.com/

nicnic

word of mouth followed up with high quality work and a willingness to say yes seems to be the best way!

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Tommy L

3 things Ive heard that seem to be very true:

1: Never promise what you cant deliver. You will never work with that client again.
2: its better to do one image for $20,000 that 20 images for $1000 each.
3: its better to earn $1000 for a $2000 dollar job than $0 for 0 job.

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http://thomaslivings.blogspot.com/

nycL45

I would like to finish Tommy L's sentiment: And, always deliver more than you promise.

Sorry, I could not help myself. It *is* important.

Leonard

Tommy L

Leonard, I would actually disagree with you. Whatever you deliver extra, they will come to expect and consider it part of your obligation. Maybe the quality should exceed expectation, but not throw in freebies.

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http://thomaslivings.blogspot.com/