When you’re a new wedding planner, you want to try a lot of different ways to get the word out about your new business. But always be aware of the impression you are giving to potential clients about who you are and the quality of the services you provide.
Question
I’m a new wedding and event planner. I live in a subdivision, and it’s pretty big. I ordered about 500 business cards and they aren’t quite what I want, so I’m looking to order more, but I am thinking of going around my subdivision and putting one business card in each mailbox. Do you think this is tacky? I’m just trying to find new ways to get noticed.
Answer
First of all, if you’re in the United States, I believe it’s actually illegal to drop anything into a mailbox that hasn’t been sent through the mail with postage on it. This really isn’t something you should be doing.
I understand that you’re new and are trying to reach as many people as you can, but saturating your subdivision with your business cards is not a good strategy for finding clients.
Here are 4 things that could happen when you market your services by just putting your business cards out everywhere:
1) Most of your cards will just be thrown away
Your business cards will look like unsolicited junk advertising to many people and no one likes junk advertising.
2) People who do notice your cards will think of you as a “party planner,” not a professional wedding and event planner
This means they won’t value your knowledge, experience and skills and they won’t pay you what you are worth.
3) You could become the neighborhood “go to” person for all questions about parties
This may sound good, but realize that people won’t pay you for your information, they’ll just expect you to give it to them for free.
4) You will look desperate
High-quality, well-paying clients don’t hire planners who are desperate for work, they hire people who appear successful.
Randomly giving out cards, flyers or brochures to people who have not asked for it, and who are not in your target market, is a waste of time, money and energy. Don’t struggle and work hard trying to convince people who don’t need you to hire you. Focus on reaching people who want your services and will pay you what you are worth.
By the way, you mentioned the business cards weren’t quite what you wanted. If there is something wrong with them, it’s best not to give them out. Everything you hand out is an example of the quality of your work. If there is anything wrong with your cards, people will wonder how detail-oriented and organized you really are. Strive to make a good impression in everything you do.
And you can learn more about starting and running your wedding planning business in my Free Special Report “7 Steps to Becoming a Top Wedding Planner.” You can get it here.
