In this e-class we are going to suggest some really low cost but effective marketing strategies to help you attract leads and business!

Free Marketing Ideas

1. Write a guest post for a blog or an article for a magazine.
2. Run a competition.
3. Offer incentives such as a free X or extra Y  if people book you within a certain time frame.
4. Write a helpful wedding planning guide for brides and grooms and publish it on your own site.
5. Send thank you cards or little gifts to past clients.
6. Offer discounts or special offers for repeat customers.
7. Carry business cards that showcase your work.
8. Visit venues and ask about getting on their preferred vendor list.
9. Send handwritten thank you notes when people enquire or book you.
10. Network with other wedding industry professionals.
11. Offer something extra that your competitors are not.
12. Always strive to give the best customer experience possible.
13. Reply to enquiries within 24 hours.
14. List your Business on Directories that offer a Free Business Listing.
15. Offer discounts for big orders.
16. Rework your packages.
17. Go to wedding events and industry shows.
18. Enter for an award.

Online Marketing Ideas

1. Post some of your all time favourite work to Instagram.
2. Use Facebook ads to target your ideal client.
3. Book a sponsored post on a wedding blog.
4. Promote posts on Facebook
5. Have a banner ad on a wedding blog.
6. Encourage your past clients to share their wedding images on Facebook.
7. Run a series on your blog showcasing your favourite past work.
8. Work on your website’s searchability (SEO).
9. Work on your website’s usability and speed.
10. Share things that make you weird and different. Like-minded couples will connect with it.
11. Work on organically increasing your Facebook engagement.
12. Place an add on Google Adwords
13. Update your website with your best work.
14. Update the copy on your sales page.
15. Re-write your About page and include a photo of your team.
16. Be helpful on Twitter – reply to people’s questions (even if they’re not directed at you).
17. Collaborate with a blogger.
18. Write a DIY series that promotes your product.
19. Encourage your past clients to tag themselves in their images on your Facebook page.

Promotional Marketing Ideas

1. Get a past wedding featured on a wedding blog.
2. Get featured in a magazine.
3. Join up with some industry colleagues and start a referral system for when you’re already booked.
4. Collaborate with some other wedding industry professionals for a photo shoot or event and then submit the results to a blog or magazine.
5. Run a contest where people need to engage via social media to enter.
6. Offer something in return for people who recommend you to their friends.

Free Wedding Directory Listings

Here are some great wedding directories that you can list on for free!  They may not provide the best source of enquiries, but what it will do is look great in google’s  eyes,  and help your website rank higher!  Also even of you get 5 enquiries each year from these sources- wouldn’t it be worth it?

Click the links below to set up your free directory listing!

http://www.weddinglistings.com.au/suggest-listing.php?cid=0

http://www.bestweddings.com.au/advertise.php

http://www.gumtree.com.au

http://directory.weddingcentral.com.au/  (buy and sell ads Free..)

http://www.weddinghouse.com.au/  (3 months free trial)

http://www.brideinthecity.com.au/advertise.php

http://www.hitched.com.au/suppliers/i-want-to-be-listed.aspx  (one month free trial)

Remember

Stay positive. Remember that everything you put out there reflects you and your business.

Don’t give up. If something doesn’t work, pick yourself up and try again.

Homework

Choose 2 activities every week to try out in your wedding business. Remember keep consistent, and over 10 weeks you will build momentum!  So stick to it!