While digital marketing is important for reaching clients anywhere, nothing beats good old face-to-face networking for growing those personal connections. Speaking to a room full of strangers may seem hard compared to say, writing a quick Instagram post, but trust me – it’s worth it!
In the wedding industry, join groups like @theweddingcoactive where you can mingle with other suppliers and exchange referrals.
Also, consider contacting hotels in your area to become a recommended supplier. Do some research online and then reach out to the wedding organiser to find out what the criteria are. Even if they have an existing supplier, there might be an option for work when they aren’t available.
When you’re looking to meet with new clients, wedding fayres are an obvious choice. Look for ones that are suitable and try a few to see which are the best fit for you.
Don’t overlook general business networking groups either; Eventbrite will have a huge list of suitable ones nearby you. Although their members may not be your direct customers, they can refer others who need your service.
One thing many small business owners overlook is the importance of having a system for following up with enquiries and expanding their network.
A great one to follow is from ‘Book Yourself Solid‘. In summary, it involves using a CRM like HubSpot (they have a great free version). You use it to note down details of everyone you meet and check in with them once a month. At the same time, make a list of people you’d love to get to know; contact one person per day. If a conversation begins, add them to your CRM and add a new person to the list.
By following this strategy, you can grow your network fast. It works so well that I’ll do a more detailed follow-up blog on it soon.