Thanks so much for the overwhelming amount of comment love and Twitter shout outs! I SO appreciate you taking the time to check out my new blog and for supporting me! Here we go for day 2 of my first week of blogging!
Several months ago I wrote a Twitter series on Wedding PR 101. My thinking was that if you all saw the nuggets of valuable information in the 140 character limit on Twitter, chances are you’d appreciate an elaboration of these tips! So without further hesitation… here is my first set of insights into making a name for yourself in our business.
First, let’s assess three key components of the wedding industry- clients, vendors, and media. Now, take a moment to evaluate the way you are currently being perceived by each. How are you presenting yourself and services to them? If you aren’t polished and refined then this is the way you are being viewed. If you aren’t showcasing your expertise in an appealing manner, then chances are, you’re not going to be known as a pioneer in the industry. You will attract the type of client you have marketed for yourself. Think about what you have been charging or want to charge for your photography, planning, or product based services and does your brand support this? If you’ve identified that you are schlepping around telling the industry you don’t have it together, how do you fix it?
You need to focus on branding yourself! Don’t be silly and think this means a hot metal stamp on your hyde and don’t be overwhelmed and think this isn’t something you can’t do, because you can! What you need to do is simple: Define yourself by distinctive characteristics. Decide what your niche/specialty is and project it! Do you have a vintage flair or modern taste? Does your story continue beyond the logo and website to how you dress and how you interact with peers and vendors? What type of reputation do you hold in our business? Are you cute on the outside (marketing, logo, great pictures) but caddy, competitive, or hard to trust beyond all of that? I say: Standout! (but do so with integrity) Some of you may think- “I’ve got the branding thing down.” Really? Are you that sure that you don’t believe there is room for improvement? Let’s not partner Ego with your brand!
Fashion Icon (and fabulously branded) Coco Chanel said, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” This statement couldn’t better reflect what needs to be taken into consideration when defining your wedding business brand. Your services may be fantastic, but odds are, so are those of your competitors. You must establish what sets you apart, identify and promote what else you are bringing to the table; follow Coco and highlight what makes you unique. The way you go about this is the key to your success! See Coco here…
So if you haven’t done so already, tear yourself away from whatever you are doing and realign your attention and focus on your brand. Competition is fierce, and you should always ask yourself; “How will I remain relevant?”
Bravo to the following vendors and bloggers who have the brand thing together! ( This is just a small sampling! There are many more I love… just wanted to highlight these today!)
Well Branded Wedding Industry Bloggers:
Well Branded Wedding Industry Vendors:
Well said. I think it all comes back to the old saying, “actions speak louder than words”. I find this to be true in all areas of life, including professional.
I absolutely agree. It kind of boils down to the statement, “what you see is what you get”. Why not give them the best of you!
Oh my! Thank you so much Leila for adding me to your list! I have to thank my hubby, Tim, (www.24medium.com) and my best friend, Karrie, (www.karriepykedesigns.com) for the site…they are amazing!
Wow! Thanks Leila! I am so glad you decided to start your own blog! I’ll be stalking it like crazy! I have been working on my brand since Eventology and it’s finally coming together. I can’t wait to get it out to all of my potential clients and see how I actually did in creating me in a logo and website. It’s just so hard to get the clients you want without being right in front of them – so I guess the only way you do that is to create you through a brand right? Oh how I wish I would have learned that a few years ago before I created my now logo! 🙂 Where were you ladies?? Lol! Can’t wait to read what you have to say!
Wow, your blog is gorgeous Leila! I’m so happy you started this and I can’t wait to keep up with you here. I’m even more thankful that you included me in your branding post above…thank you! xoxo
Great post, Leila! I am loving your Blog.
Branding is key to in the Wedding industry to define us and our company’s core values.
Leila! I am so impressed with you already! You have hit up ALL o my favorite vendors- or at least you’re making your way down the list- even some of the obscure ones- Sweet & Saucy, Kate Headley- (SCREECH!). I can’t wait for Sweet & Saucy to open their shop. I’ve followed her even since she started her blog and just adore all of her work. Bakerella is lovely too.
wow, Leila, thanks so much for the compliment! And thanks for all the insight and advice. I will definitely have to stay tuned for more!
Original post by Dmitri Gromov
Hi Leila, what a beautiful site, love the music too. I have just started and have a website for wedding favors, I am very new to twitter, blogging and such. Thank you for the insights. Is there a way to make your site a favorite?
Hi Leila,
Thanks so much for the insite and advise. I am loving your blog.
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Link exchange is nothing else however it is just placing the other person’s blog link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar in support of you.