Results for How to Make Money Tag

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 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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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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10 ways to avoid pissing off angry brides

TEN EASY WAYS TO AVOID PISSING OFF BRIDES AND OTHER CLIENTS

(Image via Lucia..) I never ever forget that without my brides and other clients, I simply would not have a business. Even if you have the very best talent and service, it’s meaningless without clients. So happy clients are my very top priority. But, in order to have happy clients, I have to know not [...]

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wedding stuff

DEAR PRESTON: WHAT’S THE POINT OF SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON A WEDDING?

(Image via TheDarkThing) Dear Preston, I’m a wedding planner in California, and I love your blog. This is such a great idea! A few months ago, a prospective client, a father whose daughter is getting married, said something to me. But, I didn’t have a proper response. He said, “For the price of this wedding, [...]

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recommendations for the wedding and event planning industry

MORE ON RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING INDUSTRY

(Image via sarae) This morning I introduced the topic of recommendations and how, unfortunately, some recommendation tactics in the wedding and event planning industry aren’t always fair or reliable. We’ve already discussed those dreaded preferred vendor lists from venues. Now, I’d like to tackle commissions and nasty gossip. If you recommend me for a job, [...]

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creating happy brides and happy weddings

PREVENT UNHAPPY BRIDES AND CLIENTS

(Image via Brent Gambrell) What’s the easiest way to keep brides and other clients happy? Give them great service, talent, and care. Sounds pretty simple, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. The biggest issue is how you relate to each other. Let’s face it. Most brides and clients choose their wedding and event vendors because they like [...]

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Wedding Industry Etiquette Making Money

THE ONE MISTAKE YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE

(Image via John C Abell) Most of the wedding designers, wedding planners, wedding photographers, and other wedding vendors I meet and work with are very talented. And talent, well, that’s the hard part. So it has always struck me that vendors who have the hard part down (the skills!) are sometimes so bad at the [...]

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vendors stealing ideas copy cats

COPY CATS: WHAT TO DO WHEN OTHER VENDORS STEAL YOUR IDEAS

No doubt almost all of you have your own websites to help promote your businesses. When clients are looking to hire a caterer, photographer, planner, designer, florist etc… for a big party or wedding where do they start their search? The internet, of course.  In today’s market, if you don’t have your own site, it’s [...]

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talking on the phone to clients

HOW TO SIGN CLIENTS OVER THE PHONE

(Image via Sean Davis) In my blog post yesterday, I wrote that it’s absolutely possible to secure a new client after just one phone call. But you must make a great impression and you must know what questions to ask. It took me many long years to learn the art of talking on the phone [...]

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brand, event design, designer, wedding industry

FAQs: How do clients perceive your brand?

I’d like to elaborate further on one of yesterday’s questions: Do clients think they can get a bargain from you or do they think you’re too expensive? First, let me set the record straight about my brand. Yes, clients hesitate to call me because they think I am too expensive. But, no when I first [...]

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Adding Value, Products, Services, Event and Wedding Industry

Venting: Adding Value to What You’re Selling

Why do most folks want to buy this mouse instead of a cheaper one? Because they think it has more value. (Image via Virytum) Here goes my petty venting of the day: I am sick and tired of hearing, “Preston, if we had the budgets you have, we’d all be successful.” News flash folks. You [...]

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pigeons, clear sky, electric cords

Venting: Too Many Vendors

(Image via David Spinks) Everyone wants to be in the event industry. As the industry grows, it’s becoming more difficult to get clients. Not to mention that a lot of folks are practically giving away their services, making it difficult for those in the business to make a living. I am a firm believer that [...]

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Tips, money, cash roll, elastic band, hundred dollar bills

Common Mistakes: Business Finances

(Image via Andrew Magill) In wrapping up my 10 tips series, today’s 10 tips are all about how to make money. Please note that these tips are just based on my humble opinion and past experience: 1. Number one on the list: In order to run a successful business, you need to make at least [...]

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job, money, millions, step down, step up, olive green, white, types, fonts

FAQs: When did you get your first million dollar job?

(Step Up, Step Down image via Cygnus921) Last week I wrote about being in debt for over a million dollars 15 years ago. Getting a few of these high-end jobs was the only possible way I could have been able to pay back that money and stay in business. It’s very uncomfortable for me to [...]

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money, coins, artist, charge, enough, pennies,quarters

Common Mistakes: Being an Artist and Not Charging Enough

Don’t charge pennies. (Change image via R-Z) Today’s post should really be called: Making Money as an Art Form. On Monday, I wrote about overcoming the biggest blunder of my business to date: owing a million and a half dollars in debt, that with great difficulty I paid back in 5 years. Today I’d like [...]

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