While we all can ” talk the talk” I wonder, do you “walk the walk” ? Such a common expression, but I think people forget to see how much it applies to our businesses. In the wedding industry a lot of us have started our own companies and have used it as platforms to be experts and mentors. In this case, actually doing something other then saying something is most powerful. You can tweet people all day long trying to align your brand with theirs, but do you actually have a viable business that has clients, or are you just pretending?! Are you in a “fake it till you make it” business? Your work needs to reflect all that buzz you’re trying to create or are you just about creating HYPE?
Now a days anyone can throw up a website or an etsy shop and then tie in a twitter account to create a sensation that doesn’t really have experience behind it. “Talking” for some people, is the easy part, and if that’s where all your efforts are directed, your product or service won’t stand a chance. Clients will take notice that what you are offering them is all for show. A reputable brand isn’t solely created through tweeting, blogging, or blasting information out there constantly, it’s created by laying a foundation of good work, follow through, and having a clientele to reflect your efforts.
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So true! I’m a small business owner and I see WAY too many people trying to break in by just talking about how great they are and when it comes down to it they have nothing to back it up! BRAVO!
This could be good for any business, people can so easily get in way over their heads trying to back up how good they’ve been telling everyone they are! I see this everyday, sometimes people just need to take a step back, take a break and get their product established.
Love the article! It is very true this is what’s going on. Its not very fair to those going the mile in an established business and trying to garner the attention of potential clients when a “faker” is rustling their feathers.
this is so true. create a good service or product, whatever that may be and your hard work will shine.
I agree! Talk is cheap!
This is very true. I come across a lot of people who talk a good game, but can’t deliver what they promise. I had to fire my wedding planner because of this. I also think too often people see you as a business owner cultivating and building your business and they think it’s easy. All you have to do is network, but that’s just a component of all it entails to have a viable and competitive business.
So as a future bride who found herself totally swept up in the buzz of the wedding industry i found that while the internet can be a great resource, it can also be a big detour through actually planning and carrying out your wedding.
However i love the industry and as risky as it is in this economy, and my current location i’m trying to find a niche for myself somewhere in it! i’ve definitely taken advantage of the “fake it till you make it” twittering to find great resources for my own wedding but, because i follow all wedding vendors, vendors actually began following me!? lol i didn’t even know how to use twitter!
i would never recommend that people use this method for their business without experience, or the ability to follow through though with what they claim they have to offer, however those businesses are self cleansing. unfortunately some bride will be tangled up in that mess.
be who you are, and most importantly be who you say you are.
it’s not to say that great vendors don’t take advantage of this great and FREE PR too though! sometimes it’s just hard to figure out who’s who.
i’ve found out who really walks the walk, talks the talk, plays well with others and especially other vendors through this type of researching and i like to believe this will better help me to help other brides take advantage of some of the great tips and tools that i’ve found. oh and…
one solid rule of thumb i try to use is “like attracts like” if you think you found a great vendor check out their friends. if they also show quality as well professionalism then keep researching and open up a dialogue with them. if they’re the real deal so are their friends, and network, and they’ll be happy to introduce you, and consult with you.
I’ve been duped by quite a few vendors who seemed great but whose work did not match! ALWAYS do your research!
I hate to say it but “inspiration shoots,” as much as they’re fun to do, can give completely inexperienced vendors the forum to pretend like they’re actually working as planners or designers when in fact they are just doing shoots. Creating something pretty is just one of the many skills your planner or designer should have. Lots of people have good taste but not everyone can pull off creating that look under the constraints of an event and more importantly, plan a party (or wedding) with more than just a “pretty face”. Brides, some bloggers are focused on great content and not necessarily on checking to make sure that submissions are coming from reputable vendors with a track record of excellence. Do your homework.
Love it Leila!!!
Real simple….promise a little, deliver a lot.
Real simple
Promise a little, deliver a lot.
Amen Leila and Anne! As an L.A. cake maker I know that client service has to be priority #1. That means being responsive to inquiries, flexible, and most of all delivering product that exceeds expectations *every time* in both flavor and visual design. No exceptions. Even with an established rep, you’re only as good as your last cake (or event, or stationery order, or… 🙂
This is why I love your blog! Such great posts and lots of good advice!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Business is really difficult now a days. Implementing the things are really important if you want to have success in your business. I say Just Do it and prove yourself rather than saying anyone and let the people say about it.