Starting a wedding planning business means not only planning weddings but also going out into your community and marketing your services to brides, wedding vendors, and many other people who don’t know who you are or what you can do.
In order to impress people, you have to appear confident, successful, and professional, even if it is the first time you have ever gone out to get business for yourself.
Here are 5 ways you can impress people as a successful wedding planner:
1) Always arrive early or on time
Whether you have a social engagement or a business appointment or meeting, make it a point to be early or, at the very least, on time. It shows that you understand the value of time and that you respect the other person’s time.
2) Dress well
Well doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money on expensive, high fashion clothes and accessories, unless you have the money and your niche dresses in a similar fashion. Think about the people and the event and dress a little bit better than might be expected.
As for the details of your appearance, skip heavy perfume, people have allergies, make sure your nails are well-manicured, your breath is fresh, your hair is brushed and styled, and your shoes are in good repair and well-polished.
3) Be organized
No bride wants to hire a wedding planner who reaches into his/her bag or briefcase for a pen and pulls out wrinkled receipts and tissues. Keep your bags and cases clean and well-organized. If you carry an iPad, or other tablet, be sure you know where you have stored the information you want to show others so you don’t make them wait as you swipe continuously through photos or other information to find what you want.
4) Be able to speak about a variety of topics
You may be very passionate about weddings but you must be able to speak on other topics also, and not just the latest Real Housewives drama or celebrity hook-up. Studying art, art history, architecture, costume design, and food will help you bring more creativity to your weddings. Knowing something about current events, sports, finance, and subjects that are important to your brides and grooms will help you hold conversations with a wide variety of people.
5) Practice good business etiquette
Never use swear words in person or online on your social media sites. Don’t talk on your cell phone or text while in a meeting, during a meal, or during a conversation. Always greet people with a firm handshake and make good eye contact. And, to stand apart from others, send hand-written thank you notes after meeting with people. Few people do this and it will help others remember you favorably.
