3 Practical Tips for Selling Albums

The sales process is a struggle for many photographers. You want to take beautiful photos for your clients and create timeless art but as a business, you need to make sure you’re also profitable. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to market and sell albums without being too “salesy”. Here are three practical tips to increase your album sales.

1. Share Testimonials

Albums are timeless keepsakes that will be enjoyed for generations; helping your client understand their value is key. A great way to do that is by sharing a testimonial from a previous client that communicates all the ways an album brings value to their lives. Not only does this tell an impactful story, but it helps your client visualize what that may look like for them.

Take the extra step and create a video testimonial coupled with great music and storytelling. Videos are highly engaging and with a willing couple you’ll end up with a powerful selling tool. If you’re unable to create a video of your own, feel free to share and download ours to use. We made it extra simple so you can incorporate this strategy into your photography business right away!

Download Video Here

2. Get Resources

There are dozens of online resources to help photographers succeed with product sales. Design Aglow is one that offers an incredible catalog of design templates, selling guides, studio marketing material, and much more. Here are a few to check out:

Selling Without a Studio: Essential Guide
A guide from the experts on how to do sales consultations to maximize your profits, even without a studio.

Essential Studio Price List
A simple, attractive, and non-intimidating price list that you can easily customize and share with your clients.

Studio Lookbook & Pricing Catalog
You have to show it if you want to sell it! Professionally written and graphically designed, this fully customizable template is divided into categories to help sell all your fabulous products, including photo albums and books.

Online resources to improve your print and albums sales as a photographer

3. Show a Sample Book

The fastest way to sell albums is by letting clients look through your sample products. You don't have to say a word; a beautiful album speaks for itself. Your clients will eagerly place an order so they can have one of their own.

Some photographers may have sample albums that are a collection of their best work from the previous year, or showcase images from several weddings. However, we recommend one wedding per book, designed as if it were a client’s album. This helps your client visualize what their album will look like and show off the quality of your work.

Sample photo album to increase album and print sales as a photography business

The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank to get started. Most print labs provide special deals and discounts on sample books so be sure to check with your print lab. Below are some amazing deals available exclusively to SmartAlbums customers:

3F Albums
Save 25% on your sample book

AdoramaPix
Save 50% on a Photo Book with a custom cover, or 40% on a Hudson Album by adding “Studio Sample” to your cover design

Antal Photo Books
Save 30% on your order by selecting “order as sample photo book” at checkout

Bay Photo
Save 50% off any one sample order with code SMART50 (Offer includes Pacific Albums, Sunrise Albums, and Press Printed BayBooks).

DreambooksPro
Use code SAMPLE17SA to get 50% off on your first order (Ex 12/2018)

Folio Albums
Use code TEAMFOLIO35 to save 35% on all Studio Sample Albums (Ex 06/01/2019)

Finao
Use code SMARTALBUMS300 to save $300 on any order of $300 or more

Kalá albums
Use code SA5 to save an additional 5% (a total of 30% discount) on your studio sample order (Ex 12/31/2018) 

Leuxo
Use code FIFTY at checkout to save 50% on the Panoramic Album

Lifethreads albums
Save 50% on your studio album by selecting the “Studio Sample” button when uploading your project files

Nations Photo Lab
Use code SMARTNPL30 for 30% off one Album99 purchase (Ex 12/31/2018)

nPhoto
Use code 60SMART for 60% of any sample order (Ex 07/2019)

RedTree Albums
25% off studio samples year-round. Use code smartalbums10 to save an additional 10% on your order (Ex 12/31/18)

Vision Art
50% off studio samples year-round

Bonus Tip: Predesign

Take 10 minutes to design a 15-20 spread album for a previous client using SmartAlbums even if they didn't order one. Send the design to your client via Cloud Proofing, offer a time-sensitive, generous discount (15% - 50%), and you're done! Here's how one photographer was able to profit $10,000 with this simple technique:

"I predesigned 15 albums for prior brides (who previously opted out of an album). With half a day's work, I sent the albums to my couples as a "special offer". By week's end, 8 brides made a purchase and left me with $10,000 in profits."
- Edward, Vancouver, Canada

Want more tips on albums? Check out 3 Ways to Gift Wrap an Album.