Last weekend I saw the movie “He’s Not That Into You”.  One female character would give a man her number then wait by the phone for him to call while obsessing over every detail of their meeting.  Wedding planners often do something similar.  They meet a bride, have a conversation about planning her wedding, maybe even create a proposal, then sit by the phone or check email constantly, not wanting to miss talking to the bride and picking her up as a client.  When they don’t hear, they start calling and emailing, leaving messages to let the bride know she is available and but she never hears back.

I have nothing against being persistent.  However I am against being desperate.  Follow up, place a call or send an email but don’t appear like you don’t have anything better to do.  A bride might not call because she is not ready to make a decision, she has decided a planner is not in her budget, she has chosen a different wedding planner or she just doesn’t how to tell someone she isn’t interested.  Don’t take it personally, not every client is right for you.  Just count the time as a learning experience move on.

I recently heard an experienced wedding planner say that the wedding is the only time a wedding planner works with a the bride, unless of course, she gets married again.  I don’t think that is necessarily true.  You don’t have to be best friends, unless you want to be, but you should plan to have long term relationships with your brides.  This is not only to get referrals to other brides but also to get other types of events.  While few social events may be as big as a wedding, you may also be called upon to plan baby showers, anniversary parties, birthday parties and holiday events.  You might find yourself getting opportunities to transition into corporate events, meetings and fundraisers, if you want your business to expand into the business and non-profit world in the future.

So don’t think weddings are the only events you will ever plan for your brides.  You may get much more if you do a great job and stay in touch with them after their big day.

This is an evergreen business. This means this is a business that lasts from year to year.  Being a wedding planner isn’t and trend and it won’t disappear because there will always be weddings.

The business will look different in different circumstances.Weddings aren’t economy proof, brides are making changes in their plans to accomodate smaller budgets, such as using less expensive brands of products or cutting back the number on the guest list.

Wedding professionals are getting more specialized.  Offer specialized products and services to a targeted niche.

In short, the business of wedding planning will always be around but keep in touch with your target market to know how you can best meet their needs.

See a copy of his interview, visit http://www.courant.com/entertainment/celebrity/hc-artsjava0215.artfeb15,0,2635549.column

• Not being clear about responsibilities. You must know what tasks you are each supposed to do whether it is administrative duties, marketing and sales or customer service.

• Not agreeing on the amount of money you will each get for your work. Before you get any clients, you must know how much will be put back into the business, how that money will be spent and how much you will each be paid.  Also, if you decide to go your separate ways, you need to your how to divide your property.

• Not having all agreements in a written contract. You might think you are friends and don’t need to formalize your agreements.  Or, maybe you are just trusting.  Having a contract doesn’t mean you don’t trust each other, it means you want to operate as professionals and want clear understanding of your partnership.

I know of many entrpruneurs who didn’t take the time to formalize their agreement with their partner when they started.  They were very sorry because they ended up losing their investment of time and money.  Don’t be like them.  Be very clear on the division of time, labor, and money, from the very beginning.

Don’t make these mistakes when you are a part-time wedding planner:

1. Tell clients all about your regular job whenever you meet with them. Concentrate on them when you meet.  Don’t go into long discussions about your job, even if they know what it is.  They need to feel like they are your only priority.

2. Use your full-time job as an excuse for being late or missing deadlines. Being chronically late and missing deadlines is never acceptable.  If you use your job as an excuse, you are telling your client they are not important and they will assume you are not doing a good job for them.

3. Offer more services than you can possibly do well. Take on only the clients and responsibilities that you know you can do in the time that you have.  This may mean you only offer a few consulting services such as helping create a budget or time line or finding suitable vendors or venues.  Until you know you can give a bride and her wedding your full attention, you might want to steer clear of offering full service packages.

As you get used to working part-time, you will be able to take on more responsibility and you will see your business grow.  Then you will be ready to drop your full-time job to become a top wedding planner.

Find out more about it at http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/wedding_expo/expoframe.html.

For more information on the conference, visit the website at http://weddingplannersconf.com.

To learn more about The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, go to http://www.wpic.ca/main.htm.

Here are some networking mistakes I’ve seen people make:

• Like Betty, some people set a goal of getting or give a certain number of business cards by the end of an event.  They don’t bother finding out if the person is a good contact for them.  I’ve been to events where people just go from one person to another and hand them their card without even speaking to them.   Don’t feel you need to meet everyone at a networking event.  Stop and talk to a few people and arrange a coffee meeting if you think the two of you would benefit from a business relationship.

• They decide that certain professionals will be of no value to them and don’t bother to meet them.  When I told one man I was a wedding planner, he said that I wouldn’t be able to help him.  When I found out what he did, it turned out I could.  He was in a technology field and I had done events for a similar business before I became a wedding planner.  Many people know engaged couples or people who might need help planning an event.  Don’t walk away just because someone doesn’t work in a similar field.

• On more than one occasion a wedding vendor has discovered that I’m a wedding planner and has said to me, “you can give us referrals” and handed me a business card.  They did not talk about their products or services or have an interest in setting up a meeting.  I don’t refer people unless I know they are good, I’m sure you wouldn’t either. I never referred any of them.

So, go out and network but be sure you do it in a professional way so it actually brings you good business relationships and not just a pocket full of business cards.

Whatever you decide to wear, follow these basic rules:

• Wear comfortable shoes that look professional and are clean and polished.

• Make sure your outfit is professional-looking and is something that allows you to bend, stretch, kneel and climb a step-stool or ladder.

• Your hair, nails and makeup should be neat and clean.  If you look disheveled, people will assume you are disorganized.

Your future clients may be guests at a wedding you plan so make sure you, and your staff, always act and look professional.

In the movie The Women, Mary, Meg Ryan’s character, a woman who is completely organized and knows how to do everything (sound like you?), laments the fact that her world is falling apart even though she has spent her entire life trying to be everything to everyone. Bette Midler’s character tells her everything will change for the better once she answers the question, “What do you want?” Mary puts together vision board, takes action and becomes a confident, successful woman doing what she has the talent and desire to do.

The movie showed a happy Hollywood ending, but it’s true, when you take action on your personal goals and dreams, you bring a lot of positive energy and confidence to everything you do. That leads to success in your personal life as well as your business world.

Here are a couple of books that might help you discover what you want and lead you to action:

Your Heart’s Desire: Instructions for Creating the Life You Really Want by Sonia Choquette, Ph.D.

The Vision Board: The Secret to an Extraordinary Life by Joyce Schwarz

Wishing you your best year ever in 2009.

Happy New Year!

Sharon