So you started the business, you created the social media page, and you launched the website. You filed all the paperwork, and you even got some fancy new tools (like Havyon.com *wink*) to make client-flow and job execution easy. Now all you need is clients - but where do you find them? And how do you convince them to book your services? We've got you covered. 

The wedding industry is incredibly lucrative and opens vendors up to a slew of opportunities. And let's face it, people will always get married, so the industry comes with that layer of job security that can be so enticing. But finding clients, booking events, and making money are paramount for staying in business and seeing the growth you need. So where should you start?

Here are our top 5 tips to help you find and book your ideal clients:

1. Narrow Down Your Ideal Client Persona

Before you start booking anyone, it's important to narrow down what clients you really want (and what client you really don't). Think of the best possible client for you. What age group are they likely in? Where do they live? What's their budget like? Who are they? Chances are, if you have been in the industry for any decent amount of time, you have already booked that client. That person who made you enjoy doing your job, and who you can't wait to work with again in the future. And you have also probably booked their opposite before too. Remember that person you couldn't wait to never see again? You don't need a repeat of that experience to know it wasn't worth the payout. Narrowing down exactly who your ideal client is, and then directing all of your marketing, sales, and advertising to their demographic, will make a huge difference in spurring your brand and your business forward. And don't worry, if you aim your marketing efforts to one primary demographic, your metaphorical net will still catch others who are ideal-client-adjacent. You can still cast that wide net, you are just centering it over a preferred point in the pond. 

2. Join Their Communities

Once you narrow down exactly who your ideal client is, your next step is to determine where they spend their time. Would that person most likely be members of specific Facebook groups? Would they be reading the Sunday paper? Watching YouTube videos, TikTok, or Instagram Reels? Maybe they are attending bridal expos or venue walk-throughs. Do they prefer magazines or podcasts? Once you determine where they are, you can strategically show up there by joining those Facebook groups, attending those expos, and being a guest on their favorite podcast. You can also begin placing your advertising budget in those strategic arenas. If they are primarily on YouTube, set up a YouTube AD to play before the industry themed videos. If they love a good podcast, partner with a podcast host to highlight your services. The more you show up in their arenas, the more they are likely to trust you.

3. Add Value and Become the Expert

When it comes to booking vendors, clients are most likely to hire vendors who have provided solutions to their needs and added value in the past. There are lots of ways to do this, but some of the most common and most effective are social media and blogs. For example, if your client "needs" to understand how to tip their vendors for their upcoming wedding, and they do a browser search for "Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide" on Google, they will be met with a host of blogs and articles providing solutions to that need. When they find an article on a wedding coordinator's website that is effective and adds value, they begin to perceive the writer of the article as the expert on the topic. Next time they have a need in the same realm of expertise, they now have a higher probability of revisiting the coordinator who solved their problem efficiently last time. The same goes for social media. Offering free advice and tips on a platform full of potential clients is a great way to continue establishing yourself as the expert, and building trust with your future clients. 

4. Make it Easy

When a potential customer is in the middle of the event planning process, they are already under pressure and overwhelm in several other areas. Remember, you are not usually going to be the only vendor type they need, and there are so many other aspects of event preparation that still fall on the client's shoulders outside of the services you offer. If they have the option between two vendors in the same price range, with the same amount of good reviews, and the same service level, they will almost always choose the one that was the easiest to do business with. If your user experience is complicated, your booking flow is messy, or you take too long to return messages, you are neglecting the client in an area they may already feel scattered. The easier you make it on your client, the easier their decision will be to book with you over a competitor. 

5. Snag those Reviews

Lastly, when it comes to finding and booking vendors, there is nothing more enticing than reviews. The more positive reviews you have, the more dependable you seem to potential clients. The most common mistake vendors make is asking for a review after the event is over. By then, you client is exhausted and recovering from the chaos of planning and executing their event. The best time to ask for a review is actually right in the middle of providing your services. Once a client books, schedule an email or text (or both!) to go out letting them know how grateful you were to have the opportunity to work with them, and include a line letting them know how much your business depends on positive reviews and feedback from clients like them to thrive. Ask them to please consider leaving you a review if they are happy with the services you provide for their event, and include a link in the email that takes them right to the review page (making it easy for them to do so). Most clients are more likely to consider reviewing your business while they are currently working with you, and will save that email or text to reference once the event is over. 

Implementing these 5 strategies will increase trust, establish you as an expert in your field, grab the attention of potential clients, and make your existing clients love working with you! For more tips and tricks on thriving in the event vendor industry, follow us on social media and stay connected with our blog! 

Cheers!