Being a wedding vendor comes with a lot of competition. There are countless other vendors within a single area, all of whom are vying to book the next bride and groom in line. However, one of the best tools in your belt are actually those very same vendors. After all, the saying goes, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”. Granted, competing vendors aren’t exactly enemies, they will give you a run for your money – literally! Here are just a few ways that you can network with other wedding vendors, that can actually help you book more business.
Local Bridal & Wedding Expos
There are a limited number of bridal and wedding expos within your area each year, and you should do your best to attend all of them. A common misconception, these events are not just for soon-to-be brides and grooms. They are networking events for vendors as well! You too can go meet and socialize with local vendors, to learn about their products and services. Be kind, welcoming, and be sure to snag their business card. Let them know that you look forward to the possibility of working with them!
Link Up on Social Media
Social media is an amazing tool. It can be used to connect with brides, as well as other wedding vendors. Wherever you post images from a wedding, you must tag any other known vendors. This will show that you respect their business and work, and hopefully encourage them to do the same for you. It is also a good practice to support other local businesses. Follow, like, and even engage, with other vendors in your area. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to build your wedding network!
Give (& Get) Referrals
This method is the tried and true method of you get what you give. If you have a real connection and have worked with a particular vendor, it can go a long way to give them referrals. This can be easy to achieve by creating your very own list of wedding vendors, no matter how large or small, and giving it to brides and grooms – for free! And whether or not they actually book you. An ideal time to do so might be during an initial consultation. If a couple does in fact go on to book those vendors, they are likely to mention you. In turn, those vendors pay you back with referrals of their own.
Partner Up
If you have been in the wedding business for a hot minute and are looking for ways to boost your sales, one great method is to partner up with another vendor. How? By creating a discounted package. For example, if you are a photographer who does not over videography services, consider another business that might be willing to fill in the gap. If the couple books directly through you, you can offer a slight discount. And if the videographer puts this package on their list of services as well, that’s double the exposure. There are numerous ways that you could partner up with another wedding vendor, to form better relationships and book more business.
At the Wedding Style Society, we want to help you do even more business! For additional tips and education, be sure to visit the blog. If there are any additional ways that you network, be sure to share them in the common section below!
