THE 7 REFERRAL SOURCES TO CULTIVATE AS YOU GROW YOUR WEDDING PLANNING BUSINESS
Whether you’re just getting started in the industry or you’ve been building your business for years, the need to generate new referrals never ends, especially if your niche is designing or planning once in a lifetime celebrations like a wedding. While it can be tempting to put all your focus on advertising and PR efforts, there are so many other ways to generate a referral base. Below are the seven resources we recommend tapping if you hope to create more inquiries for your business:
VENDORS OR CREATIVE PARTNERS
As planners, we’re often the ones to send referrals to vendors and not the other way around, but don’t underestimate the power of a strong relationship with a photographer, amazing florist, etc. Many clients have long term relationships with a local rental company or used a specific caterer for their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and so on. Because of this, these are often the first people potential clients reach out to when searching for a wedding planner or designer.
VENUES
Even if they have no intention of booking a venue without a planner on board, many couples start looking for a venue as their first act as an engaged couple. Because of this, developing strong partnerships with venues will only make your referral base that much stronger.
PAST CLIENTS
It goes without saying that if you do a good job for your past clients, they are more likely to refer you or even hire you for additional events. Beyond making clients happy, always keep in mind that their celebration has the opportunity to provide you a referral network that will extend for years to come.
WEDDING GUESTS
Whether it’s a bridesmaid or a guest who connects with the design of the event, always keep in mind that in a wedding of 300 guests is the opportunity to build buzz for you and your services amongst that group and their extended network.
EDITORS/CONTENT MANAGERS/INFLUENCERS
Becoming a resource for influencers, content managers and editors gives you the potential to reach a broader market of couples who you may not be able to reach organically. Developing these relationships are crucial to growing your business and reaching your ideal client.
ORGANIZATIONS IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE WEDDING INDUSTRY
Nonprofit organizations, private clubs and other associations are amazing places to meet potential clients while professional wedding industry organizations such as NACE, ABC and others are great places to develop relationships with vendors. Becoming a leader in any of these platforms is a beneficial way to connect with likeminded clients and vendors.
YOUR OWN PLATFORMS
Do not underestimate the power of your own blog, social media platforms, newsletters and more to generate a referral base. Allowing couples to get to know you outside of a formal setting can often create a stronger connection long before their very first phone call to you.
If you want to dive deeper into the process we use at BHE to cultivate relationships from all of the above referral bases and more, I highly recommend our upcoming session called “Generating New Leads” where I share the specific steps and strategies we use to sustain and grow our referral network. And as always, we invite you to join our mailing list so we can keep you updated on new sessions and opportunities at The Helm by Beth Helmstetter Events.