Preston Bailey's Blog, Event and Wedding Designer, Event Industry, Wedding Ideas, Unique Floral Design, Centerpieces, Floral Art, Breathtaking Weddings

Random Acts of Professional Kindness

January 26, 2012

This month has flown by, and it’s hard to believe it’s almost February — I’m still writing “2011″ instead of “2012″ on my checks!

I don’t tend to make lots of big New Year’s resolutions, but these last few weeks I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what I want 2012 to look and feel like for me and my business. I’ve found myself turning again and again to this blog and to you, my readers; some of my best thinking comes after reading your comments here.

Our recent discussion about trusting in your creative ability and learning how to know your work is good has given me an idea, and I’m really excited about it:

This year, I want ALL of us — no matter where we are in our careers — to reach out to someone else in the business. Every one of us has some kernel of wisdom to share. And the more you share, the more wisdom you’ll reap in return.

Even if you’ve only been in business a year, find someone in your community who’s only been in business a month or someone who hasn’t even opened their business yet but is thinking about it and feeling a little overwhelmed. Offer one piece of advice or an encouraging word. Think about what you wish someone had told you at an earlier point in your career — then go find someone who needs that information right now.

I know all of us are incredibly busy, but we all have time to offer at least one tip every month to a peer. That’s it. Once a month, be a mentor. You can do it in person. On the phone. Over email. Twitter. Facebook. Text message. Anywhere and anyhow! We all need mentors, whether we’ve been in the business decades or days, and I believe in the power of sharing what we know. It will come back to you.

Dear Readers, have you gone out of your way for anyone in the wedding and event industry recently? If so, please share your random act of (professional) kindness! If not, tell me what you’d like to do for someone else, and then go do it!

Follow Me On Twitter!

Check Out My Facebook Fan Page

13 Comments

How to Know When You Do Good Work

January 25, 2012

(Image via Andrew Martin)

In Monday’s blog post, entitled “The Art of Being a Business Person and an Artist,” I advised folks in our industry to “TRUST in your ability to create. Some artists buy into the lie that being an artist is only reserved for a select few. But if creating your art makes you feel alive, then you are an artist.”

That post generated many wonderful responses, but one comment in particular stood out. Renee Shea of Luminoso Blu Events wrote:

“As usual Preston your latest post came at a timely moment for me. I have been thinking all morning about benchmarking and quality work. I want to ask a question to your readers in relation to the ‘trust in your ability to create’ point. How do you get that trust? How do you benchmark your quality designs against others? How do you know that what you do is good, quality work?

I ask this from a position of a start-up business – I don’t have a back-log of clients who can attest for my work. I understand that it takes time to establish a business, but every business person knows that if you aren’t selling a decent product (quality or price wise) then being in business isn’t going to work. How do you know whether you’re selling a quality product/service?”

I think Renee’s question is incredibly important, and I know she really wants to know your answers. So do I! What would you say to Renee? Here are my thoughts:

Dear Renee, I completely understand where you are coming from. In fact, I joke that my next book should be a compilation of all the designs I’ve done that I thought were quality, but my clients definitely did not. There have been quite a few of those over the years!

I think your comment brings up two different issues: Artistry and Value. When I set out to create all those designs I thought were so brilliant, I had no idea my clients wouldn’t agree. In my mind, those designs were art. However, to my clients, they had no value.

As much as we are artists, we’re also in the service industry. We must remember that our jobs are to provide a service. That means, in part, that we have to give our clients the best quality product we can. In order to do that, we have to listen to them and hear what they need and want — not just what we want to produce.

The bottom line is that if my clients are happy, then I know I have a great product. Over the years, I’ve honed my instincts, and today I have a much better understanding of what my clients will and will not value. With time, you, too, will strengthen your instincts and develop your own signature look, style and interpretation.

Dear Readers, regardless of the product or service you provide (flowers, event design, stationery, food, lighting etc…) do your clients usually like the first ideas you come up with? What do you do when they don’t? Please share!

Follow Me On Twitter!

Check Out My Facebook Fan Page

3 Comments

Dear Preston: How Do I Get My Money?

January 24, 2012

(Image via Legilimens)

Dear Preston,

On your blog you’ve written a lot about the importance of planners not accepting commissions. However, I’m a planner, and my payment model is mostly commission-based. I charge my clients a minimal fee with the understanding that I’ll be collecting a 20% fee from the vendors. To make things easy, I also ask my clients to pay the vendors directly. My problem is that I have a difficult time getting the vendors to pay me my commissions. What should I do?

Sincerely,
Distressed Planner

Dear Distressed Planner,

You’re right; I have written a lot about this topic, and it’s something I feel strongly about. Yet, I want to be very clear: As long as your clients know what you are doing, I don’t think there is anything wrong with accepting commissions. It sounds like you’re very upfront with your clients. Good for you. However, I was surprised by the percentage you quoted. 20%? Forgive me if I’m out of touch, but I thought most commissions were either 10% or 15%. No wonder vendors are resisting payment! Even assuming they agreed to 20% , that’s still a big dent in their profits!

With regards to your question, though, my answer is very simple: Collect ALL payments directly from your clients. Keep your 20% and then pay your vendors. Just be sure to pay your vendors the moment you get paid.

Now, for all you vendors out there, I know you need jobs, but if you’re giving away 20% of your profit, you’re headed toward some serious financial problems. Trust me; I know. I’ve been there.

Dear Readers, am I totally clueless? Is 20% commission standard these days? That seems awfully high. Please enlighten me! What’s the going rate?

Follow Me On Twitter!

Check Out My Facebook Fan Page

14 Comments

The Art of Being a Business Person and an Artist

January 23, 2012

(Image via Niami Anuxine)

My passion is my art; I love being a designer and a florist. But the business side of my work is much trickier for me. I get so involved in the creative process that I forget to consider cost. Many years ago, when my business was deep in debt, I realized that if I didn’t get smart about business, I wouldn’t be able to keep creating my art. If I didn’t design, I didn’t know what I would do: I design, because I have no other skills. Even if I never got another client again and had to do something else for work, I know I’d keep daydreaming of heavenly event spaces; I can’t help it. Maybe some of you can relate.

Juggling your art with business savvy is hard, but here are three tips I’ve learned along the way. I hope they help you as they’ve helped me:

1. TRUST in your ability to create. Some artists buy into the lie that being an artist is only reserved for a select few. But if creating your art makes you feel alive, then you are an artist.

2. Be WORTHY. When we create from our hearts, our creations have worth. Do not let anyone tell you differently. And always, always charge what you’re worth. Don’t short change yourself or your art.

3. Making MONEY is also an art form. Embrace this truth.

The bottom line is that if you are an artist who believes in your worth and your creations, you will become a great business person. It really is as simple as that.

Dear Readers, are you charging what you’re worth? Do you see yourself first as an artist and second as a business person? Or, do you recognize that you must give to both equally?

Follow Me On Twitter!

Check Out My Facebook Fan Page

14 Comments

Should You Live Together Before Getting Engaged?

January 20, 2012

(Image via Robert Ryan)

Last week I launched a new weekly feature: from now on, every Friday I’ll feature a reader comment from earlier in the week. Sometimes, I’ll publish a beautiful comment that really resonated with me. Other times, I’ll publish a comment from a reader who disagrees with me but whose insight has made me consider something in a new way. And some weeks, I’ll just publish a fun — maybe even a little silly — comment that gave me a good laugh.

Today’s comment comes from Jessica, who responded to Tuesday’s Dear Preston column about a planner whose boyfriend was resisting marriage. Here’s what Jessica had to say:

“I believe it’s a huge mistake when women live with their boyfriends before they are married. They believe the lie that “they’ll get to know each other better,” and figure out if the marriage will work. This trial period of playing house gives people the mindset that if it doesn’t work, they can just walk away. It is extremely difficult to alter that mindset. And, there is no longer any incentive for the man. He is comfortable the way things are, and she is left to dream. Hold your ground, ladies. Don’t move in, and he will get the ring.”

Thanks for your input, Jessica!

Personally, though, I think this is an old-fashioned way of thinking. Because of the current economy, moving in together before marriage can make a lot of sense. I also think that the high divorce rate has made many couples more gun shy about marriage. They don’t want to rush into anything and want to make sure they really know what they are getting into. After all, it’s not about the ring; it’s about compatibility and building a partnership together.

Couples shouldn’t marry until both people feel 100% comfortable. Some men and women are also afraid of getting married — maybe their parents had a rough marriage or divorce, and they don’t want to repeat those mistakes. Living together before getting engaged helps some folks feel more comfortable with the idea of marriage, and I understand that. Everyone has to do what’s best for them.

Dear Readers, what do you think? Did you live with your partner before marriage? Did your children move in with their partners before getting engaged? What about your friends? I’d love to know your experience and point of view. Please share.

Happy Friday, folks! Have a wonderful weekend.

Follow Me On Twitter!

Check Out My Facebook Fan Page

15 Comments