4 Quick and Inexpensive Tips to Growing your Wedding Business in 2012

All wedding vendors intend to grow their business in 2012...otherwise you wouldn't be reading this post, right? The problem may be that you have a limited marketing budget.  No worries, my fellow wedding vendors, you can still accomplish your marketing goals and book more weddings this year.

There are plenty of cost-effective marketing tools to help you promote your products and services. While all of them may not be right for your business, pick a few that align with your corporate goals and culture, and keep track of your results.

1. Blogging

   • According to The New York Times, blogging is a cost-effective, high-return marketing tool you can use to raise your company profile and build your brand. Set up a blog for free using a blogging tool like Wordpress, Blogspot or Blogger or hire a web designer to help you design a custom blog for your wedding company. Ask brides to sign up for your blog on your website, and create a blog post at least once every week. The key is to provide relevant, intriguing content that keeps your readers coming back. Use free tools such as Google Analytics or Site Meter to understand how brides find your blog.

   Email Marketing

   • Email marketing involves sending regular emails to your customer base to update them about your brand, provide interesting content about the wedding industry and offer special deals and discounts. Email marketing is a flexible, cost-effective, easy-to-measure marketing tool. Some marketing services, like Constant Contact, have tools, resources and templates that allow you to create email marketing message yourself. Collect brides email addresses at bridal shows and on your website, then send a weekly email to your database.
     

     
     

   Networking

   • Networking is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools. Create a list of all your contacts, including business associates, clients, friends and family. Place a check mark next to each person on the list who you think would refer business to you right now. Contact each of these people and ask them to help spread the word about your business. Make it easy for them -- draft an email, letter or telephone script and ask your contacts to distribute it for you.

   Partnerships

   • Use partnerships as a thrifty marketing tool for your business. Research the local market and look for other wedding businesses in your area. For example, if you own a flower shop, complementary businesses are wedding attire and wedding photography shops. Contact these companies and propose a mutually beneficial partnership, such as an incentive for referring a paying customer to you. And refer customers to them as well.
     
     

For more information on how to effectively market your wedding business, visit www.bridalmarketinggroup.com.