Time To Stop Treating Your Wedding Business Like A Hobby
I know some of you need to hear this one!
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There are plenty of stressful moments and mistakes to be made as a wedding planner or business owner in the wedding industry. After 10 years, I know how quickly and easily we can get down in the dumps, after a scroll through Instagram, or hearing the news that another pro just got featured or booked a client you were hoping to work with.
You've probably got some bad habits to break in order to grow your business and be taken seriously. Or take yourself seriously. Particularly as it relates to mindset, and getting caught up in what you see everyone else around you doing, posting, and booking.
You’re ready to quit acting small and grow, right?
Keep scrolling for the habits to break and the motivation to do it!
Here's what we're done with in 2022:
Stop treating your wedding business like a hobby
Even if you have another fulltime job and your wedding business is your side hustle, it’s important that you set regular hours to work on your business. If you only get to it in your spare time, like a hobby, that’s all it will ever be. And that’s the impression it will give off to your colleagues in the industry and (potential) clients, and even your family and friends. Even if it’s only 10 scheduled hours a week, or Tuesday and Thursday evenings, make a plan and do your best to stick to it.
Likewise, if you’re not taking expenses for your business seriously, how will everyone else perceive it? Stop doing and spending the bare minimum to serve your clients and market your wedding business. This goes out to all of you trying to squeeze in 40 minute meetings on a free Zoom account, registered to your free Gmail address.
There's no surprise and delight in "good enough".
That “business@gmail.com” email address is a huge red flag that’s keeping potential clients from booking you.
Start making small investments in your business
Start investing some of your revenue back in your business. Even small amounts. For everything from software and app upgrades that will make your life easier, to branded business cards to make a great first impression.
Looking professional, even when you might not feel it, will boost your confidence and your ability to charge more over time.
I do believe in the old adage “you’ve got to spend money to make money.” But I’m not suggesting that you go out and blow thousands of dollars you don’t have to invest in high end branding that’s not a fit with your experience level, or leasing a workspace when you have only two clients. Start small and simple and follow the logical moves and investments as your business grows.
When you spend the money to portray professionalism, even in small amounts, you will gain confidence AND clients with more confidence in you. You'll get used to the cashflow and cost of doing business, and bigger investments down the road won't seem so intimidating or difficult to afford. Nor will your value be so hard to convey.
Stop getting stuck in the comparison trap
Stop getting caught up in what everyone else is doing—or seems to be doing. You don't REALLY know their journey or their bank balance or what’s going on behind closed doors. There are a million things we don’t know about our colleagues and competitors, only what their carefully edited highlight reel suggests. They could have another fulltime job that they’re not telling anyone about. They could be overworked and stressed, with their personal life seriously suffering as a result. They could be in major debt, or discounting services significantly to book clients.
Stuck in that comparison trap is no way to live your life. And what’s right for them and their wedding business, is not a one-size-fits-all approach for yours. Please, please, please, find your own path.
If you’re doubting yourself today
Then this reel’s perfect for you.
Start doing your own thing
Forget the frustrating comparison trap. It’s time to stay in your own lane and focus on what you can control: YOUR efforts, your stats, your next tiny steps to growth. Every bit adds up.
And maybe it's time to exercise that "mute" function so you don’t even have a chance to see their posts and get caught up in what others are doing. Particularly if it makes you feel crummy or doubt yourself. While you’re at it, get off their website. Close Instagram.
Water your own grass.
Spend time on your goals, and start recording your own stats to monitor growth and which strategies seem to be working for you. Make you plans and strategy to better your biz bit by bit.
Stop giving emotional discounts
Very simple concept here: Stop discounting your services to get the sale.
You know the scenario. You’ve met with a potential client, or maybe just gotten the enquiry. You’re excited, but don’t want to scare them off. You want the booking. So you offer them an incentive or discount to sweeten things up.
While those emotional discounts might fill your calendar up slowly but surely, what are they costing you when it comes to stress and your bottom line? How much sooner could you get to fulltime, or invest in new equipment or branding, if you would only stick to the prices you set for yourself? Or charge accordingly for an increase in scope of work?.
How many times have you found yourself regretting every dollar that you let a client save?
Future you—sweating buckets on wedding day, solving all the problems and working on an empty stomach—is begging you to charge your worth.
Start charging what you’re worth
Have you done the math to see how your hourly rate works out? If the number on the calendar makes you cringe, time to do something about it.
If you believe in your rates, but you’re letting everyone pay much less, why?! It’s time to start trusting your pricing, the services you provide, and the value you bring to the table. Let your branding, your portfolio, your reviews and customer service do the talking. You don't need to book every single person that comes through your door or lands in your inbox. Focus on the best fits.