free ways to advertise photography business?

[Jessica]

what are some free ways to advertise for my portrait photography? im only 17 and still in school. i have done some stuff for friends and family but want to take it further. but being im 17 and don't have a steady job i don't have money to buy a billboard or even a domain for a website.

[fhotoace]

I cannot imagine any "free" advertising.

At a minimum, you will need some business cards.

You can post your work on websites like smugmug to show off your work, but some kind of website is the best way to drive people to samples of your work. You can try using Facebook to link to your smugmug type site, but remember. ANY business takes time to develop, even if you have ALL the skills and experience you need to supply expert services

[Curtis]

Maybe find a restaurant, or other retail establishment that will let you show framed prints, with your business cards available. This may enhance their establishment and free adverts for you with possibility of sales.

[Roald]

The most reputable free web host is http://webs.com/ but if you're serious about your small business, why don't you invest in a paid web host? Free web hosts offer limited disk space and bandwidth, support only static websites, place unwanted advertisements on your website, and give little or no technical support. Also, having your own domain is a lot more professional. Think about it -- are you more likely to buy computer keyboards from simplekeyboards.com, or from simplekeyboards.freewebhost.com? Having a website on free web hosting may turn off prospective customers.

Sign up with a reliable web host, such as the ones recommended on http://buywebspacetoday.com/lowest-hosting-prices/ -- they offer quality hosting at affordable prices. Their packages also come with application installers, so you can create photo galleries, blogs, etc. on your website with just a few clicks. Best of luck with your photography website!

[byargle]

Honestly, I'd go with facebook. You can make a business or a group page (as I'm not entirely sure if it costs money to make a business page, but I've seen people get around it this way) on there, where you can display your photos for people to see examples of your work. You also have the added benefit of being able to communicate with people directly through this page, and you can spread the word through inviting people on your friends list. Inevitably facebook creeping will lead to your exposure, especially if the photos you display for examples are eye-catching. I've also seen photography businesses offer photoshoots to people for free or for a reduced rate in exchange for their publicity; find some gregarious classmates you know will spread the word, and offer to do this for them. make some simple business cards to have them give out. If their experience with you is good, they'll be likely to do this. Word of mouth can do wonders: though it may just start out with your friends, pretty soon your friends tell their friends who tell their moms who tell the people at their work, and so on and so forth. A friend of mine has a mom who built up a successful senior and family portrait business doing this. Best of luck to you!