Last year was a great year for my business but along with success, it brought a number of challenges and changes that I very much need to make. Like I said, my blog today will focus on my lessons of 2014 despite the fact that there is much I have learned in all these years.
1: Its important to have a contract with clients right from the start especially when they are your friends. When respect is maintained in doing business with friends, then it saves a lot of headaches later when misunderstanding arises and in most often than not ,they DO arise.
2: Many brides have in mind to start planning their wedding early but this is usually done verbally. To everyone else concerned, their plans are great and the wedding is well in progress but the sad bit is they identify their vendors early, negotiate everything and fear taking the step to pay a deposit or sometimes hesitate due to financial constraints. I've learned to be weary of them and I've learned that 2 free appointments with such is enough before I opt out or patiently wait as I commit to others as they make up their minds whether to work with me or not.
3: I love to think out of the box when it comes to planning so do afew clients that I met last year but not everyone is willing to pay the price to be different. When one talks of being on a tight budget but has grandiose ideas and want out of the box ideas, I'm weary of such brides.
4: Brides are different one after the other and not well communicated ideas can prove to be a costly idea. I've learned to communicate even the smallest changes. It caused me a financial setback to assume on myself changes that I considered really minor. Fortunately, social media has made it really easy to request adjustments. I'm so grateful for Whattsapp. I can have my text request send to the bride and have instant response.
5: Even an easy going bride can have a personality change when pressure sets in. This is why I handle the pressure and constant change when necessary. Something can always go wrong so its important to be ready for any eventuality.
6: While its important to have a client timeline, mine too is important with all my staff. Knowing what's expected at every stage is important. As they say, time is money.
7: I've always allowed my clients to make changes at the last minute or even drag on a decision until the last minute. Experience with that hasn't been the best teacher. Unnecessary changes have led to compromises on my work. I will tread carefully on this in 2015.
8: Not all brides who I talk to will work with me or even afford my services. I'm at peace with that finally. Good work lead to referrals or even brides who are just price shopping. Well you win some and loose some
Very well said from a planner's perspective. 2 and 7 I can totally relate to. I have had verbal clients who have committed to using our services pull out at the last minute even after budget allocations have commenced.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely not easy to find a bride who won't have a million different ideas two to three weeks to the wedding as most have several people advising. At Zuri we are learning to roll with the punches so to speak and have everything signed off on and communicated early in advance to avoid disappointments and surprises.
It is true that in this industry, you definitely win some and lose some. www.zuribridal.blogspot.com is where we blog from.
Zuri Bridal, thanks for taking time read and respond. Something is wrong with my blog as all my efforts to respond seems futile. Hence the delays. Sorry about that. I completely agree with your comment and from one planner to another, we deal with difficult clients from time to time and because we are strict with maintaining our standards I'm sure this industry will get better for you and me and like minded planners.
ReplyDelete