Just starting to think about having a wedding planning business? The July 2011 issue of Success magazine offers information for having a successful new business while maintaining a happy life.
Here are 5 tips from the article that I believe are important for you, who want to have a wedding planning business, to follow:
1) Assess your current situation
Before you start your business, decide if you are really ready for the responsibility. Being a professional wedding planner, even part-time, demands that you make the business a top priority in your life. You will need to devote time and energy not only to planning weddings but also to running and marketing your business in a professional manner. It is very rewarding work if you are passionate about weddings and are willing to devote yourself to it.
2) Get support
You’ll need to get the support of your spouse or partner and children otherwise you may have some difficult times ahead. They need to be understanding of the time you are away working on weddings, they need to be willing to leave you alone if you have a home office and they may need to lend an extra hand with chores to free up your time.
Some wedding planners are fortunate enough to have their spouses and partners join them in their wedding business thereby adding a trustworthy member to their team.
3) Have realistic expectations
Create a plan for your business that is realistic for the situation you are in. For example, if you currently work at a full-time job, it would be difficult to plan to market yourself at six bridal shows, attend weekly networking events, get a wedding planner certification and plan 24 full service weddings all in 12 months.
But you may be able to spend time doing some online marketing by writing 2 to 3 blog posts a week and spending 30 minutes a day connecting with others on social networking sites, like Facebook. You may be able to attend a few events each month to meet new vendors and potential clients. You could plan some “day of” and full time weddings and do hour-long consultations with brides who need you to help them find a venue, set a budget or create a timeline, but 24 weddings in a year, when you are new and working a job, would be unrealistic.
4) Set priorities
You will need to be organized and know what is important for you to accomplish each day in your personal life and your new business life. If you don’t decide, in advance, what your priorities are for each day, you won’t be focused and your time and energy will be drained before you accomplish anything.
5) Be disciplined
Having the successful wedding planning business of your dreams while having a happy personal life takes discipline and determination, but you can do it. You, and all of the brides you help, will be happy you did!
