(Advice image via Laughlin)
I was at an event recently and was approached more than once by folks in the industry asking for advice on several business issues they were confronting at the moment.
I found myself really enjoying giving some guidance on how to solve some of the same problems I have had on my own business journey.
So, in this week’s Venting I’d like to make it all about you.
If you need any advice or guidance on problems you are confronting at the moment, please vent a bit and send me your question by leaving a comment below.
I promise I’ll answer all of them next Monday.
PREVIOUS
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
lindsey
October 11, 2010
Any advice on accepting the good things coming and that are on their way? Sometimes my life feels too good to be true! It’s like a fairytale.
Evegenia Poplett
October 11, 2010
Oh Preston,
This couldn’t have come at a better time.
Do we post a question or send you an email?
Internship
October 11, 2010
I have all your books & I admire all your work.
I have done my certificate in “Wedding Planning” in London directly my Masters in “Production Design for Film & TV”.
Im based in Lebanon and Im VERY KEEN on doing an internship with you.
is that possible?
It would be a dream coming true !
Keisha
October 11, 2010
Hi Preston,
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer business dilemma questions. I have been planning weddings for almost 3 years now. Business has been just a bit slow this year. I have participated in 2 bridal shows, as well as some local advertising. I have spent a lot of money on both, and after having 150 brides interested in my booth at the bridal shows, I only end up with a couple client consultations.
My question to you is, do you believe that advertising/bridal shows are a waste of time or a good marketing strategy? What other methods of business promotion do you believe would be most beneficial to increase clientele?
Thank you!
Kellie @ Hand in Hand Bridal
October 11, 2010
Thanks Preston for opening up the conversation for questions. I enjoy reading your blog everyday and have implemented many of the tactics and tools you have shared.
My question. What is the most effective ways to turn an email inquiry into a contract signed. Once the client meets with me they book me everytime. However, I find it hard to get them to committ to an in person initial consultation.
Any tips?
Geneva
October 11, 2010
How does one balance working a business trying to go from part-time into full-time work while working a full-time job?
Karen
October 11, 2010
Dear Preston, I am a wedding and event planner with my own business. in 2007 I went through avery emotionally draining divorce. I think I had bouts of depression as well. I didn’t plan any weddings, I turned down business all because I just couldn’t function at the time. Since then I have been pulled out of seclution by family and friends wanting me to plan events for them. I have never been more excited in my life. All the creative juices are flowing and I’m having a ball. One thing though that gets me. I’m doing all of this using my name not my business name. I have no desire to use my business name and am really thinking of changing the business name. Do you think that is a good idea. I’m thinking of just using my name with the word “Events” behind it.
Kisha
October 11, 2010
i am doing a complete company makeover. i created my website & packages, etc to make it look more professional. i like my website but it does not reflect my personality. i am changing the name & all to reflect more of me. do u believe this is a good idea?
Federica
October 11, 2010
Dear Preston, I’m an italian WP based in Italy.I’ve been professionally trained in USA and I want to develop my business in destination weddings in Italy. do you have any suggestion for me to get more visibility in USA?
thank you
Federica
nadiaj
October 11, 2010
Hi Preston!
My dilemma is deciding on which courses to take and which certifications are necessary to be successful in event design. I plan to enroll into your program next month; however, do you think it’s necessary to become a certified florist as well?
Almost talking to the lawyers!
October 11, 2010
Hi Preston
I recently bought a profitable wedding coordination business.
The previous owner sold the rights of the business to me as she was moving to another country. She had mentioned to me that i could take over the facebook fan page as she was not going to open the same company again, which was an added bonus. Months went by and she decided to open up the same company, with the same name in a different country. She then approached me and asked if we could share the face book fan page. By this time i had invested a lot of time and money uploading different ideas and building the page to more than half of what it was when i took it over. I reluctantly agreed. We shared the page for a short while, while i was posting most of the information most of the time as well as obtain most of our local fans from inside our country. I uploaded the New logo for my country onto the page, and as a result she got upset with me and deleted me off the page and has now claimed it as her own.
I know it is not as big a issue, but to have your ideas and hard work, sweat and tears to just be ripped fro right under you is very strenuous.
What do you do when people just claim your ideas as their own, after you have spent countless amounts of time and money to grow your brand?
paul
October 11, 2010
Hi preston,
Thanks for sharing yo knowledge with us.
Heidi Thompson
October 11, 2010
My main business issue is being visible to couples looking for a wedding planner.
Tracey
October 11, 2010
I would like some advise about taking on events outside of my normal service area. I don’t want to get into all the details here- Please send a note to my email-
Thank you for offering your advise so freely today- I bet you have a mailbox full already!
Teige La Borde
October 11, 2010
Preston, i am stuck!! on how to construct a tent ceiling liner. I have been looking for photos of your to be inspired but haven’t found any yet…help??btw. you INSPIRE ME !!!
Beatriz Alcazar Lizarraga
October 11, 2010
Hi Preston,
What do you do when a client force you to introduce a colour that you think does not match with your design ?
courtney
October 11, 2010
Mr. Bailey,
I am having a hard time getting a steady flow of customers most brides now days are DYS and feel they dont need the services or cant afford the services of planners. I am very aware of why a planner should be apart of a couples budget but how do I get the message out to them.
Julie
October 11, 2010
As I understand things, there are essentially 3 types of event planners. The first is more administrative – and the client makes all the final decisions and the planner implements. The second is a designer at heart – and after getting a good sense of what the client wants, goes and designs what they believe will achieve that – this involves trusts and risks of being “wrong”. The third type of event planner is a combination of the two. I lean towards knowing the third type is probably best for business, but fear I may tend toward the second. I have not begun my business yet, but want to be realistic and communicate clearly what I can and will offer. It is exhausting to me to think about having to go back and forth with clients about numerous elements, as in down to the name tags. I don’t fault a client for wanting this, I just know that it tires me out to do it this way and I am not at my best. I feel micromanaged. I want the client to be happy AND I want to be happy. I’m trying to figure out a way to communicate upfront and draw a boundary or two and make it a win-win for everyone – or see if that’s even possible!?!
I appreciated the blog and videos where you showed your clients 3 table settings verses just verbally explaining to avoid misinterpretation. How do you communicate overall room ideas – in the same way? Do you let them decide how involved they want to be in the process? Do you simply accomodate them as they request changes?
You strike me as very client driven and accommodating – which is awesome for the clients of course! I want to be this within reason, but communicate that if they are hiring me they are also trusting me with some things. I am at my best this way and don’t believe that it should preclude me from the business. However, I do of course realize that this may limit my clientele… (; I hope this makes sense… Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Von
October 11, 2010
Wow, thank you so much for being so kind hearted and generous with the rest of us hoping to get into the wedding / floral design business as always. My questions are (if I may ask more tha one):
1) How do you deal with exceptionally unreasonable yet demanding clients (assuming they didn’t show their true side until after the contract has been signed) or when someone is unhappy with your work after the event/wedding?
2) What are the worst aspects in running your own business (I am planning to launch my own in a few years’ time and not getting a paycheck each month is quite daunting.. I just prefer to know the worst-case-scenario and I keep thinking I will end up sleeping on the streets if the business don’t work out…)
3) Any mistakes commonly made by someone who will be doing wedding flowers for a client for the very first time?
Thank you so much for everything, saying you are inspiration is an understatement.
Evon
Hong Kong
Chezbloom
October 11, 2010
What are your thoughts on “color enhancing” flowers?
Sarah Nicole
October 12, 2010
I’m VERY interested in starting an event planning business. Right now my main experience is in weddings. I have only done a few weddings from beginning to end–I’ve mostly done a lot of rehearsal and day of coordinating. Anyway, I’m not 100% sure how I go about marketing myself let alone starting the business. I’m not sure if I should start a website just yet. I’m not event 100% on how to charge my customers. Granted what I’ve charged people have paid but I don’t know if what I’m charging is good enough and how I’m doing it works. Right now wedding planning is more like a side job because I have a full time job with consistent pay and benefits (I’m not ready to give up just yet). Help!! LOL
angie granata
October 12, 2010
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY
I am not a wedding or event planner, but I really love you Preston, and all your wonderful work.
I am helping my godchild with her wedding in April and I just want to thank you for sharing all the great advise and pictures with everyone. I really enjoy seeing the pictures.
Thanks again, you are a truly wonderful human being. You restore my faith in humanity. God Bless you.
Angie
Stephanie Corlew
October 12, 2010
HI PRESTON,
THANKS FOR HAVING THIS BLOG POST! I WAS WONDERING HOW CAN I BUILD A RELIABLE DEPENDABLE TEAM OF VENDORS AND WORKERS AND YOUR THOUGHTS ON HAVING A NON DIS-CLOUSURE AGREEMENT BECAUSE I FIND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT I SHARE MY VISION FOR MY BUSINESS OR DESIGN CONCEPTS AND OTHERS TAKE AND RUN WITH IT FOR THEMSELVES. IM IN NO WAY A SELFISH PERSON BUT I HAVE GOT VERY FUSTRATED BY OTHERS AND I DONT KNOW HOW ELSE TO ADRESS IT!
STEPHANIE
Elena
October 12, 2010
Thank you SOOO MUCH FOR doing this Q&A session!!!!!
What software do you use to create renderings of the future event space? How do you usually present your idea/proposal to the client and what tools do you find the most efficient for that (presentations, renderings, design boards, etc.)? Thanks again!!!!
meliana ~ blubells flower
October 12, 2010
Which the best marketing strategy to propose our business to a company or wedding/event organizer?.. Could you share how to make a best proposal one?..
How we can send proposal about our profile to be used by a editor, for example as one of they contributor?.. Is it really important to make friends in the ‘right’ place so we can get ‘right’ clients from there?.. Many thanks for answering these questions..:)
Stephanie M
October 12, 2010
Hi preston!
Thank you so much for doing this Q&A session, you always have such great advice to share. my question is what software do you use when designing/presenting an event? and what type of software do you use for daily office activities(i.e. accouting,scheduling,contacts etc)
Trista
October 12, 2010
Dear Preston,
Thank you so much for taking your time for answering our questions. What a valuable chance we have. I am actually new to this industry, and getting my certification through Wedding Planning Institute. I was lucky enough to be selected to help out at one of the weddings my teacher was planning.
My questions is:
- I understand as a wedding planner, we have to make sure that we do all we can to satisfy our clients needs and request. But where do we draw the balance between making clients happy and maintaining our business rules?
Thank you!
Marlene
October 12, 2010
Hi Preston !
I am a long time admirer of your work. You are a role model to the hispanic community here in the states. My question is not wedding or event related but rather a design issue. My husband is opening a pizza/restaurant and I would like to know what you would like to see in a business like this that you have not SEEN BEFORE. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Abrazos Marlene
Doyin
October 12, 2010
I have been planning events for family, friends and friend’s friends for about 6 years now. I just recently incorporated my company and started planning for strangers. My question is how to secure a job. Potential clients call me all the time but end up not calling back. I often don’t get a response either when i respond to emails inquiring about my services. Is there something to say to them that make them want to use you? Thanks.
Doyin
October 12, 2010
I have some of your books and was wondering which ones you recommend for design. Thanks.
Polly
October 12, 2010
What do you do when you open your flower business in your own neighborhood, but your neighbors do not support you, but support other businesses (coffee house, etc). They will buy their flowers from “bucket” street vendors who sell dying flowers for cheap. These are not just lower income neighbors, but neighbors who are middle to upper income. I was buying hundreds of dollars of flowers each week, only to give them away or compost them! They come to my shop events for freebies (food and drink), but rarely come in for much else. I have been also going after accounts, which I have a handful, but I need more, and I have little money to spend. Any comments would be much, much appreciated!
Gloria Brown
October 13, 2010
Hi Preston!
All of my questions have been asked so I won’t repeat them. I look forward to your answers for each of the many questions. I will repeat something that everyone else did say, “THANK YOU”. You are so amazing to take time and help all of us. We all know how busy your schedule is and each of us truly appreciate everything you do!!
I also enjoy reading everything that my fellow bloggers are writing in each of your posts!
Owoade Samson
October 13, 2010
Actualy learnt this years ago but could not realy o it due to capital issue and alot of great people doing it and in Nigeria before can be know you need to spend alot of money,but right now am in UK formy MSc programme in Project Management and i want write a kind of project on how to plan an event as a project manager in future which could still make me to go back to my old business.what i want write now from you is a kind of journal,write up,procedure(step by step) measure to be taking as a event manager or planner a knid of outline and i will work on it and use my own scenario seen back home to justify it,thank and God bless……………………..
iris
October 13, 2010
Dear Preston,
I am in the wedding business for almost a year now but I have to say taht business has been very slow. I have only done 2 weddings last year and this year since putting my website up I have not booked anything. I only receive quote requests and when I do that I don’t receive any reactions anymore.What am I doing wrong? I have spent a lot of money in marketing and my site and I do no see any results.
khs_designer
October 13, 2010
I’m a graphic designer with over 14 years exp. I recently started an invite business. My designs can be over-the-top and dramatic. Non-traditional materials and methods are used to handcraft each invite. I’d like to specialize in high-end weddings but I don’t want to turn off any potential customers in the process.
• How to break into the high-end market?
• What are your thoughts on tiered pricing?
• Should I undersell until I make a name for myself?
Please help! Not quite sure how to position myself. I don’t want to set myself up for failure. Any guidance you can give will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!!
Sharan Sumal
October 14, 2010
Hi Preston,
How are you?
I, like a lot of other people am crying out for advice! Believe it or not I have only just been introduced to you, and was thinking “where the hell has this guy been my whole life!” I have had an event management business specialising in Decor for two years, it was tough but going well, we were just starting to get our name out there, when my business partner and I had a few differences and decided to liquidise the business. Leaving me at a cross roads, not knowing which path to take. Should I carry on, on my own or give it in all together! Why does doing something you love so much for a living have to be so hard?!
Rita
October 14, 2010
Hi Preston,
I’ve planned parties for friends and relatives for years, now I would like to get into the Event Planning Business Professionally. I have now been certified as a Wedding Coordinator but I have yet to plan a wedding. I know everyone has to start somewhere, but I’m stuck, how do I put myself out there with having no professional experience ? I know some seasoned Wedding/Event Planners who have a hard time contracting new clients, so how do I even get started ?
Thanks, I look foward to hearing from you
A Completely Lost New-be!!
October 14, 2010
Dear Mr. Preston Bailey,
As a college student who is about to graduate and go into the real world, I think (I know) I need the most guidance out of them all! I hope to one day be a successful event planner, like yourself (what can I say…I shoot for the stars).
I know my entry may not apply to all your readers but if you could still find the time to share some of your valuable knowledge with me that would be amazing! It would be even more amazing if you needed/wanted an intern? Can’t hurt to ask right?
I read industry magazines and try to keep up with what is going on but I just don’t know where to start my journey. How did you start yours? Any suggestions on what my first steps should be?
I was lucky enough to have had an internship last semester at an entertainment lighting company called Bay Stage Lighting. Established in Tampa, FL; they are involved in some of Florida’s largest corporate events and weddings. I did all of their PR and marketing so I wasn’t on site at these events to experience the planning process first hand.
But I did see what the event planning industry entails and I know I have what it takes. I just need help with how to get started and what are some of the most beneficial things I can be doing.
Please, please help me out! I have big dreams to accomplish!
Thank You & Hugs,
Amber Powers
Laura
October 14, 2010
First, THANK YOU! You are an inspiration and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this blog! Here is my question:
How do you feel about setting a “minimum” for weddings? I am a floral designer and I love to help out all the brides I meet, giving them the most for their money and sticking within their budgets…because of this there are times when I am spending one weekend doing a very small wedding and the next doing a very large over the top wedding (which is more time consuming but waaaay more profitable) I would also like to take my brand a bit more towards the high end because I believe in my designs and service level. Any advise for me?
Sonia RS
October 14, 2010
Dear Preston:
First of all thank you for sharing with us so much, you´re so inspiring!
I´m a mexican designer and in the past years, most of my designs have been for corporate events. I am taking your course online which is great and I´m learning so much!.
I want to expand my business towards designing social events such as weddings as well. I got my first wedding event for this December, and to let people know who I am, for further projects, I want to somehow leave presentation cards, or put my name somewhere, so I make myself some publicity.
Which way would you recommend me to do this in a correct and elegant way, and not look cheap and annoying.
Gracias por regalarnos un poquito de ti cada día!
Best Regards,
Sonia
syed mahathir
November 16, 2010
hi preston,
in this new era of cyber world, is it ok if we promoting our product via web i.e facebook ? my business is home based n im totally relying on internet to find a client, i kept posting all of my work thru fb n it seems to work…im planning to rent a store for my business n ur opinion is highly appreciated on this…
tqvm
Danielle
June 1, 2011
Where do we find the answers to all these questions?
Thanks