Results for Advice Tag

Preston Bailey On Overcoming Fear

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

In my work, I meet and talk to lots of different people. One thing that comes up again and again is how difficult and humbling design work is. Being a designer is hard; it’s hard on the mind and the spirit. After all, every time you design something, you’re putting a piece of yourself out [...]

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Best of Preston: The Importance of Comments

This sleepy week between Christmas and New Year’s, I’ll be sharing some of my best blog posts from the last year. Today, to get things rolling, I’m sharing tips for getting folks to comment on your blog. Have commenting tips of your own? Please share ‘em in the comments’ section! No, this isn’t an Apple [...]

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Preston Bailey Business Advice

Working with Friends

(Image via simple blueprint) Last week I spoke at the Inspire Smart Success (ISS) conference for wedding vendors in Riviera Maya, Mexico. I was so impressed with Stacie Francombe, who is the brains behind ISS. Her hard work and dedication blew me away. One of the reasons I love attending these conferences is that I [...]

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Dear Preston: You Are Living In Your Own World

(Image via Stale Cigarettes) Dear Preston, I read your blog every day, because you are one of the few who aren’t afraid to share true experiences in the wedding and event industry. But, sometimes, it feels a little like you are living in your own world. I wish you would write more basic stuff. Like [...]

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Preston Bailey's Blog

What Are Your Favorite Blogs?

(Image via Sean keeley) When I first started writing here on this blog I had no idea how much I would come to love it. Nor how very rewarding it would be! Of course, there are still those pesky mornings when I find myself staring at the blank page and have no clue what to [...]

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DEAR PRESTON: A WEDDING PLANNER IS TAKING CREDIT FOR MY DESIGNS

(Image via wiseacre) Dear Preston, Yesterday you wrote about giving credit where credit is due, and it hit a nerve with me. I’m a florist in California, and I often work with this one planner. She’s given me a lot of work over the years. When we do a job together, she will sometimes suggest [...]

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PB & Angie-low

MY FLORAL DESIGN COURSE: LIVING DREAMS

(Cho Phillips)   I’m what you’d call a late bloomer. When I was 32 years old, I was completely lost (not to mention hungry!). But then a friend gave me some advice. At first, I thought his idea was total craziness. What did he tell me? My good friend Vicente Wolf told me that I [...]

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food from caterer

DEAR PRESTON: HOW DO I AVOID POTENTIAL CLIENTS GOING STRAIGHT TO VENDORS?

(Image via Wild Strawberry Events) Dear Preston, Firstly, I just want to say that I’m a huge fan. You write an amazing blog that offers very practical and real-life advice. Thank you for inspiring me to be more than I could ever have imagined. To introduce myself, I live in South Africa and am very [...]

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considering making a phone call

DEAR PRESTON: IS MY REPUTATION ON THE LINE?

(Image via Retro Graphics) Hi, Preston. I am a huge fan of your advice and blog. So, I figure you are the one to go to with this problem. I have recently had a falling out with a planner who just bugs me to no end. Never mind the fact that I promoted her business [...]

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DEAR PRESTON: A CLIENT RESPONDS TO A READER’S RUDE LETTER

(Image via kevindooley) This morning I shared my response to Poor and Confident’s letter, which I published in last week’s Dear Preston column. This afternoon, I’d like to share with you an email I got from one of my clients after she read the letter. Dear Preston, I am appalled at the accusation that Poor [...]

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DEAR PRESTON: HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH YOURSELF? ANSWERED!

(Image via sarahbeach) Dear Readers, Thank you for all of your insightful and kind responses to the letter I posted last Tuesday; I was touched by your encouragement and heartfelt reaction. Your comments made it abundantly clear that most of you appreciate the work that designers and other artists create. Because that’s what we all [...]

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Preston Bailey on Saving Money in the wedding and event planning biz

MY GUIDELINES TO HELP YOU AVOID THE CASH POOR TRAP

(Image via Tony Crider) Are you living hand to mouth? Because you’re not alone; this is not a strong economy, and many people are struggling. And though I’m very fortunate to no longer be in that situation, I lived just that way for more years than I care to remember. Here are my suggestions to [...]

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Lady Gaga Poker Face

HOW TO AVOID RUNNING A CASH POOR BUSINESS

 (Image via dreamglowpumpkincat210) As I promised on Monday, here are a few ways to avoid running a cash poor business. Although, truly, it can be boiled down quite simply: Try never to spend money on a job that is not yet yours. Even after you’ve been hired, try never to install the job until [...]

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Preston Bailey Dear Preston

DEAR PRESTON: HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH YOURSELF?

(Image via cbanck) Dear Preston, How do you live with yourself? I’ve been following you and your work for quite awhile, and what you do is over the top. It’s empty and soulless. Your clients are rich and insecure and have a desperate need to show off. How do you live with yourself knowing that [...]

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preston bailey wedding and event planning business finances

WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING: TOP 3 FINANCIAL MISTAKES

(Image via alancleaver_2000) Last week we discussed at length the importance of getting clients to pay us prior to the day of their wedding or other event. But there’s a lot more to be said about business finances, and I’d like to continue our conversation this week. Let’s start by tackling the months or even [...]

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Preston Bailey Payment Plan for Brides and Clients

MY PAYMENT PLAN FOR BRIDES AND OTHER CLIENTS

(Image via Jim Legans, Jr) This morning I promised that I would outline the payment plan I ask all of my clients to follow. So, here it is! I’ve been ask many times how I handle payment. This is tricky because, obviously, you need to get paid, but your client also needs to feel comfortable. [...]

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listening to clients in the wedding and event planning industry

LEARNING THE BUSINESS OF MONEY THE HARD WAY

(Image via ky_olsen) Yesterday, I promised to explain how I handled those three difficult payment situations. So, here’s what I did: In the first situation, everything came to a head the day before the event. My client was simply unable to come up with the money he owed me. I was angry. I was also [...]

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paying wedding and event vendors on time

WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS: GETTING PAID IN FULL BEFORE THE EVENT

(Image via gfpeck) There is absolutely no question in my mind that wedding and event planning vendors should always be paid in full at least two weeks (you need time to make sure the check clears!) before the wedding or event. And you can just forget about getting that check on the day of the [...]

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wedding vendor commissions

DEAR PRESTON: I PAY COMMISSIONS AND MY CLIENT IS FURIOUS

(Image via B Rosen) Dear Preston, I have always felt that there is nothing wrong with paying commissions, and this practice has never caused me any problems. However, a new client just found out that I do this, and now she wants to fire me. How do I save my job? Sincerely, Very Worried Dear [...]

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how to get clients and get paid in the wedding and event planning industry

HOW TO GET NEW CLIENTS AND GET PAID

(Image via pshegubj) I’ve always been more than a bit uncomfortable asking my clients for money. In the past, this has led to a great deal of financial burden. Once, I worked with a client for over three months before she paid me even a dollar. Eventually, I learned how to set up very specific [...]

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