It's been a little quiet on the blog for the last couple of weeks. That's because we've been busy getting ready to teach our first group of face to face students! The wedding planning course has been taught under another company for 4 years now, but as the popularity of wedding planning increases, the demand for a face to face class has also increased. And, we've added the corporate event planner course to our repertoire. Classes start this Thursday for a group of 10 wonderfully enthusiastic ladies and we can't wait!
Making the most of your bridal expo investment
With the Australian Bridal Service show coming up in Melbourne this weekend, we thought we'd give you some tips on how to make the most of your expo investment. If you're exhibiting in Melbourne this weekend, have a great time! If not, then think about how you'll put these tips to use next time you do and expo.
· Brand yourself as well as your stand. It goes without saying that you should be upbeat and excited when you are at the show. Don't slump and slouch on your stand like the last thing in the world you want to do is talk to another overwhelmed bride. Check your personal grooming and presentation, and ensure that it fits with your overall branding and message. If you're about creativity then don't wear a black pant suit, wear something funky and fun. If you're style is kitch and retro, go for a polka dot apron to compliment the look. Make yourself part of your stand. It will help brides remember you personally and connect you with your brand ... which is why your attitude has to fit with your brand as well.
· Be the sympathetic expert. Bride's often become overwhelmed with the sheer number of choices and amount of information at a wedding show. When you see a dazed looking gal wandering by, take her under your wing. Take a "It's not really that bad; with a little help it can be your perfect wedding" attitude. Show her that you are an expert who will take the time to listen to her desires and concerns and provide helpful, personalised solutions. Offer to set up an appointment to discuss it in more detail and personally write your email address on your card with a "Contact me anytime" message. Do also add them to your contact list and let the see you making a personal note about your discussion.
· Follow up is where the money is. You rarely actually make firm sales at an expo. You talk a lot, make lots of connections, hand out lots of information and collect lots of contact details. It's what you do after the show that will generate business for the next 6 months 1 year, event two years. So, write your follow up emails or postcards now and have them ready to go the minute that you get back to the office with your list of contact details, and remember to find some way to tie in what you did in your booth to cut through the information overload and jog the brides' memory.
· Make friends with the other exhibitors. We all know that weddings are an incredibly referral based business. At an expo you are in a venue with sometimes hundreds of other suppliers. Use the opportunity to catch up with existing contacts and make new ones. You don't want to prevent another exhibitor from talking to potential clients, just as you wouldn't want this done to you. But you can still take the opportunity to whiz around the show and have a quick chat with a few other people that you've identified as fitting into your style of weddings and working for your clients. And it's really easy to make friends with the stands beside and opposite you. Perhaps even break out some sweet treats or a little champagne to celebrate the end of a successful show. And if the show offers exhibitor networking opportunities such as a lunch room or pre/post expo drinks, then work this as well. You just never know who you'll meet and when you might be able to work together or provide/receive referrals.
Got any great tips of your own? Let us know as we'd love to hear from you.
