Bridal Show Demeanor

 

So now that you have done your research and decided to be a vendor at a bridal show, what are the next steps for you to take?

After you sign the contract, now is the time to think about how you want to "display" your business during the bridal show. 

• I'm a firm believer in keeping your decorations to a minimum.  Less is truly more in most cases.
• If the show sponsor provides you with a list of pre-registered couples, send them a message notifying them of your booth and that you'd love to meet them.
• One show day, make sure to have a sign prominently displaying your business, marketing materials, business cards, photographs of your work, a registration sheet and a giveaway item.
• Bring your own linens and florals for your booth.  Create a design that not only will showcase your talent, but also the type of couples your seek.
• Dress business professional...the way you'd be dressed for any meeting you'd have with vendors and/or clients.  But make sure to wear comfortable shoes.  You'll be standing much of the day
• Engage the couples that come to your booth.  Don't just stand behind the table to speak. Come near them. Shake their hand.
• Also take time to visit the other vendors booths. No you won't have time for a long conversation, but introduce yourself, grab a business card and follow-up with them after the show.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.trufflescatering.com )

From Engagements to Bridal Shows

Well today's the big day.  The BIGGEST and most popular day for couples to become engaged.  Valentine's Day!  And it also represents the "technical" end to engagement season.  With that being said, how do you plan to market to these newly engaged couples...the men and women that have accepted the proposal of marriage between Christmas and Valentine's Day?

Well if you are new to the wedding industry, the easiest way to get bridal leads and showcase your business is to be an exhibitor at a bridal show.  This is the ideal time because those getting married this year are still looking for vendors and those getting married next year are starting to look for all types of vendors to service their wedding day.  Should you decide to be a vendor at a bridal show, you must first do the research.

• Find out how many attendees do they expect.  
• How and where do they advertise the show
• How many vendors do they take per show and how many do they take per category
• The cost of the show tickets
• Set-up and breakdown times
• Booth specs and what is included (table, electricity, etc.)
• Do they offer bridal leads that include e-mail addresses 
• Cost of being and exhibitor

Armed with the information above will help you make an informed decision about participating or not participating in that bridal show.  But should you be on the fence, contact the show producer and ask can you visit one of their bridal shows to help you in making your final decision.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Featured in Inspire Smart Success Magazine!

I'm so excited to have an one-page article featured in Inspire Smart Success Magazine, Fall 2012 | V4!  Stacie Francombe, founder and creator of Inspire Smart Success, reached out to me in November and asked me to explain to her readers how I diversified my marketing plan over the last year.  I was more than willing to share my story and my plan of action to continue moving my business forward.  Check out the article below and my 5-step process on "Marketing to Make it Happen".

And I'm also proud that I was selected to be the event planner of both of the Inspire Smart Success Experience's in Chicago - October 24-25, 2011 and January 16, 2012.

Until next time...WEDologize!

How Much Does This Business Cost?

I remember when I started out in this business almost 13 years ago, I had no clue about what I needed nor was their anyone around to ask questions about business start-up expenses.  Opening the doors of your wedding and event planning business isn't going to cost you an enormous amount of money, but you do want to invest wisely in your image.  Because what the client sees is what helps then decide to make that call or send that e-mail.

Below are some estimated start-up costs for a wedding & event planning business*:

• Logo Design - $100-200. Hire a graphic artist to create your business color palette and a logo. This is the foundation of your business branding process and will follow you for many years
• Website - $800-$1,000.  If you can finance it, I suggest you hire a web designer to create your site. Although there are some really good website companies that have over 200+ templates allowing you to create/design your own site for a nominal monthly fee, there is a BIG chance that someone in this industry will have your website design.
• Business Stationery (business cards, letterhead, envelopes, media kit, brochures) - $500. You want all of your stationery to be off good quality and to match your website design. This will show cohesion within your business.
• Office Equipment (desk, chair, computer, printer, software, cell phone) - $2,000. You MUST have a designated space and items to create a workspace. This is your business and where the motivation and creation begins)
• Legal Fees - $300. Have a lawyer review any information, especially contracts, that you will be asking your clients to sign. You want to be in compliance with the law and to make sure you are covered.
• Business Licensing - $50 per month. You want to make sure your business is covered. If you are going to have a home-based business, contract your homeowners insurance company to discuss your options.

*these prices are only estimates and not concrete figures. Do the research within your area before making purchases.

Until next time...WEDologize!