Networking Outside of the Wedding Industry – Part 1
We’ve done a lot of teaching here about networking INSIDE the wedding industry. Networking OUTSIDE of our industry is equally, if not more, important. Here’s why:
There is very little competition when you network in other industries…
By growing strong relationships OUTSIDE of the wedding industry you become the go-to gal or guy for them. Any time they hear of someone getting married, they will refer you because they don’t often have anyone else to refer. OR – better yet – they have a special bond with you and like what you do. They don’t have to choose from 10 other planners, florists, or photographers they like. They are all about you and only you.
Everyone loves referring wedding pros…
We are fortunate to be in the wedding industry. Weddings are happy events. When someone finds out a friend or family member is getting married, it is a joyful celebration. People come together to help in the planning by making suggestions. (This is sometimes for better or worse for the engaged couple. But, nonetheless, it’s what happens.) People love having someone to refer when the big announcement comes through.
Exposure to a whole new pool of potential clients…
Things can get a little incestuous in the wedding industry at times. In some smaller communities, you’ll often know all the same brides as do your colleagues. By networking outside of the industry, you are being exposed to potential clients that you might not otherwise meet. This is akin to dating outside of your social circle. You’re likely to meet a new “love interest” if you aren’t hanging out with the same group of people all the time.
There is much to learn from other business owners…
This last one has less to do with getting referrals and more to do with growing as a business owner. I love talking with business owners in other industries. I learn so much about how they do business that is different than what we do in the wedding industry. It forces me to think outside the box to see if some of their ideas will work for my business. It stretches me as a business owner.
How has networking outside of the wedding industry helped your business?
Come back tomorrow… I’ll be sharing how to go about networking outside of the wedding industry.
I absolutely agree with you Michelle! I spend my time pretty much 50/50 networking in and out of the industry.
This is SUCH a good reminder. While we do receive referrals from other photographers and from planners, our biggest referral base is our personal network. We spend lots of time cultivating personal relationships with our church, wine club winery, old friends, new friends (often past clients), hair stylist, vendors who serve us, etc. and it ALWAYS pays off. While there’s no doubt that they’re valuable, I can’t say the same for wedding networking events.
GREAT points! They all make so much sense. I have grown to actually hate how vendors will only work with certain other vendors, even if their brides want to look at someone else! I understand being loyal, but there are always enough brides to go around. 🙂 I’m going to make it a point this year to attend other networking events besides just wedding industry ones.
Growing and networking in all industries that we enjoy {entertaining, nesting, cooking} is not only beneficial, but it’s quite fun. It’s also amazing to see how so many seemingly different industries overlap as consumers and couples grow and enter new stages in their lives. This can be seen as a building block for future business as our clients and networks grow and look to trusted sources for new events in their lives. As always, what a great post and reminder!
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Many Thanks