Fully booked mini sessions - without ads!

Marketing mini sessions successfully isn’t just about posting an announcement and hoping for bookings. It requires a solid organic marketing foundation and a strategic pre-prelaunch plan that warms up your audience before you even open your calendar. In my recent webinar with Shootproof, I broke down the exact steps I use to ensure my mini sessions sell out - without relying on paid ads or last-minute discounts. While I won’t give everything away here (because you need to watch the webinar!), I’ll walk you through the initial marketing step that sets everything in motion.

The Organic Marketing Foundation: Laying the Groundwork

Before you even think about launching your mini sessions, you need a strong organic marketing foundation - this ensures your audience is primed and ready to book when the time comes.

Your marketing efforts should be spread across multiple organic channels, working together to build trust and excitement. Here are the key platforms to focus on:

Email Marketing: Your email list is your most powerful tool. Send value-packed emails leading up to your mini session launch, including sneak peeks, past client testimonials, and early access offers.
Website & Blog: Create dedicated pages or blog posts that highlight the experience of your mini sessions. SEO-optimized content will help drive organic traffic from search engines.
Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share behind-the-scenes content, countdowns, and client features that build anticipation.
Word of Mouth & Referrals: Encourage past mini session clients to share their experiences and tag you in their posts, increasing your reach organically.

A strong presence across these channels ensures that by the time you announce your minis, your audience is already engaged and eager to book.

The Pre-Prelaunch Strategy: Creating Demand Before You Sell

One of the biggest mistakes photographers make is waiting until their minis are officially open for booking before they start talking about them. Instead, the key to a successful launch is building excitement and demand before you announce.

Here’s how to use the pre-prelaunch strategy effectively:

Start the conversation early – Drop hints on social media about your upcoming minis (ex. “Who’s excited for fall minis this year?!”)
Engage your audience – Run polls, ask questions, and get people talking about their ideal session before you even reveal details.
Build an interest list – Give your audience a way to sign up for VIP early access. AKA your email list! This creates exclusivity and gives you a list of warm leads before you even launch.

Why This Works

By the time you officially announce your minis, you’re no longer trying to convince people to book - you’re simply giving them the opportunity to grab a spot they’ve already been waiting for. This shift makes all the difference in creating fully booked mini sessions, with a lot less stress and scrambling.

Want the Full Strategy? Watch the Webinar!

In my Shootproof webinar, I shared the full breakdown of my organic marketing foundation and pre-prelaunch strategy, including real-life examples and step-by-step implementation. If you’re ready to stop stressing over bookings and start filling your minis with ease, watch the full webinar here: Watch Here!

Have questions? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to help you refine your marketing strategy for mini sessions!