The wedding planning industry is a hot one right now. With the advent of reality TV, wedding-themed shows are everywhere. Shows like Say Yes to the Dress, Bridezillas, and Platinum Weddings make being a wedding planner look glamorous and exciting, though some shows also showcase the downside. But overall, these shows have driven an increase in interest in the wedding planning field.
New wedding planners enter the industry all the time and often with very little if any, training. Because the wedding planning industry is not regulated, there are no barriers to entry, meaning that anyone who wants to call themselves a wedding planner can do so. This creates a lot of competition and often erodes the industry; too many bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
So how do you become a wedding planner who stands out in the pack? How do you ensure that your prospective customers know you’re a wedding planner that people can trust? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the business for years, we have some pointers on how to set yourself above the crowd.
Earning Event Planning Client's Trust
Start Networking: Networking often gets a bad rap, but building relationships are one of the best ways to build trust. People will do business with people they know, like and trust, but first, there has to be a connection. Join a local networking group or chamber of commerce and start meeting people. Be helpful. Don’t try to sell anything because this will have the opposite effect. Just make the connection. You never know who the person you’re talking to might know.
Develop a Reputation: Use social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to start developing a positive reputation for yourself. Talk about what you do. Post articles that are helpful to anyone who’s planning a wedding. Ask questions of others that are related to wedding planning. Be visible and establish yourself as a local expert in the field. People will think of you when the time is right.
Invest in Yourself: Having the right credentials can go a long way in any field. Graduating from a program that teaches you how to become a wedding planner helps build trust and shows clients that you’re serious about your business - serious enough to invest time and effort into getting a wedding planner certification.
Check out wedding planning certification programs like the one offered by IWED Global. Their Accredited Event Designer Program will ensure that you not only learn the ins and outs of wedding and event planning but also have hands-on experience to reinforce the lessons. This will give you added confidence in your abilities, and the diploma on your office wall will let clients know that you take yourself seriously as a business person.
Planning an Event to "Wow" Your Clients
When it comes to building trust, there’s nothing better than good old-fashioned sincerity, honesty and integrity. Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. If you make a mistake, make it right with the customer. Go the extra mile. People know when you’re being real. Make sure they see a legitimate certified wedding planner they’d like to work with. They’ll not only work with you themselves; they’ll refer their friends and family to you for years to come!
