[michael papworth]

How many people have photo galleries on their web sites?

Here's mine: www.wally-the-window-washer.co.uk/gallery.htm

It's not finished yet. I mean to get a lot more photos of the interesting properties I work on.

My wife is forever on at me to get *before* and *after* shots for the web site. This is the best I've done so far!.

[windowwashers]

How many people have photo galleries on their web sites?

Here's mine: www.wally-the-window-washer.co.uk/gallery.htm

It's not finished yet. I mean to get a lot more photos of the interesting properties I work on.

My wife is forever on at me to get *before* and *after* shots for the web site. This is the best I've done so far!.

info over load if this is just the start

[michael papworth]

Yes, You might be right. I maybe got a little carried away thinking that other people are as interested in my work as I am. Silly mistake!!!!

Maybe limiting it to 15 to 20 pics and a bit less info on each one.

What I want is for potential customers to be saying, "Oh, that's just what I want for MY house," and come running to book me as their regular window cleaner.

[windowwashers]

Yes, You might be right. I maybe got a little carried away thinking that other people are as interested in my work as I am. Silly mistake!!!!

Maybe limiting it to 15 to 20 pics and a bit less info on each one.

What I want is for potential customers to be saying, "Oh, that's just what I want for MY house," and come running to book me as their regular window cleaner.

I know what you mean, and I know full well you are a clever guy, I met you at windex by mistake  I am glad I did to be honest some of thing things on your flyer was very good.

All I am saying is to much info can get boring quick, one liners per pic, sentences are just text and looks to much I am only giving my honest opinion I am not saying I am right just what I think  and hopefully it helps a little


Ian

[michael papworth]

Yes, that's great. I really appreciate an honest opinion given in good faith.


... and I think you're right!!!

[Jimmy1]

I like the idea of a photo galllery and like yours mine is still a work in progress: www.mistercleanit.co.uk/id12.html 

[steve.ternent]

Yes, that's great. I really appreciate an honest opinion given in good faith.


... and I think you're right!!!

I think it's hard to get good photo's unless your professional, lighting can be tricky.
(I think some could be a little dark... the door for one!)

I didn't read any of the writing sorry, I just wonder if anyone like me just let the pictures do the talking! 

Please don't take offense!

[Clive McDonald]

Didn't look just, but I did take note before. I thought the cons with the different prices was a bit much.
I haven't got you figured out yet. I thought wally was just a forum name (some people don't use their real names), then I thought must be a berk to trade under that name.But I had to re assess when you mentioned astro physics.

So now I'm thinking, well it's friendly, and certainly unpretentious, and a customer might feel lets give this wally a go.

I've a good name but not a great name. By choice I'd have had myarea window cleaning- but somebody with a clapped out tranny and a fAg in his gob already uses it.

So my names a bit corporate and people always think i'm a franchise, which is good in the sense that i convey professionalism, but bad when someone local and simple is all thats required.

[WCE]

I've a good name but not a great name. By choice I'd have had myarea window cleaning- but somebody with a clapped out tranny and a f*g in his gob already uses it.

LOL you cant say fAg either!!!

[Clive McDonald]

We've had these little chats about names before and probably your own is as good as anything. The best i've seen (wc) was jelly fish window cleaning.

He had a big (think huge) jelly fish on his van and the kids would pester their mums to have him.

I tried to talk a poster on here into having a very large yellow rubber duck on the top of his van and playing a loud ice cream style Quack Quack jingle when he pulled up at a job, but he lacked vision.

[michael papworth]

I'm not the type to take offence at anything. I have a simple, 2-point  philosophy:

* if it's an honestly-made comment, there's probably some truth in it and it deserves looking at.

* if it's a comment made out of spite or malice, then it's not me who's got the problem and it's not worth stressing over.

Yes, let the pictures do the talking. It's a good idea - but not everyone is the same. Some people like pictures better than anything else. Some people like words to paint pictures for them. Others prefer to go with their feelings and emotions.

And, yes, the name is great. No one forgets it and I frequently get people saying "Hi Wally" in the street and even in Tesco!

[Clive McDonald]

Thats the second time you've been defensive and the comments made were very mild.

It was mentioned you've got good flyer, i presume in this you put the best and most important points, and not every point.

If you'd rather not talk marketing that's fine.

[David Slater]

I agree with Ideal Windows,

Getting good quality photos is difficult. But if you're going to 'showcase' your work for the world to see, then really they should be the very best photos you can muster (just look at ionics!! they must have spent ££££'s on their shots).

OK, I doubt theres many w/c's in the inonics league but there are alternatives -

Contact a local college - see if any students want to build their portfolio with a bit of 'commercial work'...you'd be surprised how cheap they are and how grateful they'd be to get a bit of hands on photography work under their belt. It looks good on their CV

Contact a local photography club - these guys are seriously impressive!! and they're only doing it for a hobby.

[kris martin]

i think your company name is cool, why not

[ronnie paton]

i think the pic have to show a difference lots of your s done if its a before and after pic you need to show a good one, not a dig but if i was a potential customer i would jus think they look the same.

[Jimmy1]

I agree with Ideal Windows,

Getting good quality photos is difficult. But if you're going to 'showcase' your work for the world to see, then really they should be the very best photos you can muster (just look at ionics!! they must have spent ££££'s on their shots).

OK, I doubt theres many w/c's in the inonics league but there are alternatives -

Contact a local college - see if any students want to build their portfolio with a bit of 'commercial work'...you'd be surprised how cheap they are and how grateful they'd be to get a bit of hands on photography work under their belt. It looks good on their CV

Contact a local photography club - these guys are seriously impressive!! and they're only doing it for a hobby.

Just curious - have you tried this if so what was the outcome?

[David Slater]

A local hotel near me did it with a college.

I spoke to the owner and he told me he phoned the local college and asked would it be possible and they said no problem and put forward a few students as if it was a real job interview.

He went to the college and interviewed them and viewed their portfolios and after picking the student they then sat down as discussed the assignment.

From what he told me, lots of students sat in and the lecturer used it as a 'real world' example of how to win an assignment and how to discuss the needs of the client....it was just like a work placement. and of course, you get the lecturer giving the student advice all the way.

Thinking about it, it made perfect sense. The students get to see 'real' customers and what they expect and want and time constraints and working to deadlines and budgets etc. etc. etc...

I got chatting to a bloke who is in a photo club and he said something along the same lines...they do it for a hobby so the cost isnt as important as having good photos for their club. Google your local photo club by typing in - 'Your town' photography club.

I cant post a link for some reason, but my local club has some amazing photos and they're always running competitions for their members. 

[Jimmy1]

Thanks - great idea!

[michael papworth]

Yes, I like that idea as well.

I'm just wondering about the logistics of it.

It might be a good idea to prepare, say, three or four houses that you could do in an afternoon, get the householders' permission and take someone out with you to shoot as you're working.

I take the photos for my web site as and when I'm going along. I don't think I could drag someone with me to take pics as I'm working.

What I certainly WILL do is take my real camera with me and get some better quality shots. It might not be David Bailey, but I don't think he specialises in windows anyway. (I think that was Lichfield, wasn't it?)

[David Slater]

You could be right about the logistics Wally,

Theres a big difference between a static hotel and a mobile window cleaner.

Heres a thought..

Maybe offer to do it at the college? They get shiny windows and its all kept on site.

They can get inside shots from their classrooms and outside shots in the car park.

They must have some manky windows you could work on