Think about it… the more you interact with your clients, the more your clients see you as a part of their business.

No, I am not talking about stalking, or going overboard with emails, mailers, phone calls, texts, tweets and facebook status thingies… I am talking interaction.

Too many photographers live in a bubble… work, deliver, wait for more work. It is very passive, and these days passive may not be the best way to get more work.

Increasing your client interactions could help get you remembered and top of mind when assignments come in. Staying in the game so to speak, being ‘engaged’ in the work you and they do is more exciting anyway.

Add to that the fact that people love to work with busy people, keeping your clients abreast of your new work, published images and personal projects is another way of letting them know that you are constantly creating new work.

You want to make sure that you aren’t overdoing it, and random calls of “hey… what’s up” are going to lead to “I’m sorry, he’s not in at the moment” calls… got it!

So we have to figure out when it is appropriate and proper to make contact with the client without making them hostile

Consider these points of contact. All of this comes after the initial assignment, what goes before is the topic of myriad posts.

1. A note just before the shoot keeping the client confident that all production is on schedule, locations locked down, MUA’s and craft services set, and more.

2. Deliver the images with a personal note about the shoot… what went well, how excited you are to be working on this project. This note can accompany the electronic delivery as well as any other kind, so don’t forget it.

3. BTS shots /videos are fun for your blog visitors, as well as for your clients. Taking a few great snaps showing everyone hard at work, having fun, CREATING the work is a great ‘share’ opportunity for your client. And of course, for you.

4. A personal note after the shoot was accepted… NOT an email, a personal note – on paper – in ink. Seriously. This is another way to put a new image in front of the client you just worked for.

5. Finished off a new portfolio, or story on your site? Great, let your clients know by sending a link. “Here is a new set of images I just finished for…” They have hired you in the past for your creativity, so why not show it off when you get a chance. (Thinking that clients are checking your website every week to see what is new is fallacy. They aren’t.)

6. Did you see something in a magazine or online that you KNOW the AD/Editor would love to see… great. Send them a note or a DM and let them know about it. This one is a bit tricky, as you MUST know that they would be interested. (You know how you find that stuff out? You listen… listening to what they are interested in is part of the fun of this business. We meet talented and fascinating people at every turn.) Do this rarely, as it has more impact when it is rare.

These are all ideas that can help you stay in front of your clients, and even some who are not yet clients, but that you have some rapport with.

However, there is one big caveat… these are NOT ploys or tactics. You should have a general interest in sharing your work, working with the clients and being interested in them and their work. If you are not, these will seem stilted and boring and – in the end – do more damage to your work than help it.

Be genuine and real… and remember that it is far easier to keep a client than to develop a new one.

Have you developed any new ways to keep your work in front of clients? Share if you like…