{"id":6233,"date":"2014-10-07T19:19:08","date_gmt":"2014-10-07T23:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weddingsforaliving.com\/?p=6233"},"modified":"2016-09-12T10:45:51","modified_gmt":"2016-09-12T14:45:51","slug":"375-marketing-budget-wedding-planning-academy-mentors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weddingsforaliving.com\/375-marketing-budget-wedding-planning-academy-mentors","title":{"rendered":"LIVE! Marketing Budget, Wedding Planning Academy, Mentors – WFAL375"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here’s the replay of our monthly, interactive Confetti LIVE! episode.\u00a0 Thank you to everyone who sent in a question and to those of you who participated during the live event.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

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LISTEN TO THE EPISODE<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Play\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Podcast: Play in new window<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

The Wedding Planning Academy in the UK.<\/h3>\n

Louise asked this question on the Listener Talkback Line [00:02:57]<\/em><\/p>\n

Louise is in Europe and considering signing up for the UK-based Wedding Planning Academy.<\/p>\n

I don’t have firsthand knowledge about this organization, but perhaps you do.\u00a0 If you are an current student or instructor for the Wedding Planner Academy, please post your comments, below.<\/p>\n

Just remember, that wedding planner certification isn’t a must. You can get started as a professional wedding planner without being certified.<\/p>\n

**Check out Confetti Episode #374<\/a> for my rant<\/del> thoughts in addition to reader\/listener feedback on the topic of wedding planner certification.<\/p>\n

How much to devote to branding and marketing your wedding business<\/h3>\n

This question was submitted by Rachel – [00:19:12]<\/em><\/p>\n

Thankfully, marketing your wedding business takes a lot less money than it did years ago.<\/p>\n

If you’re willing to devote time and you’re in this for the long haul, it’s possible to market your business organically — blogging about weddings, using social media, becoming the local wedding expert, etc.<\/p>\n

I don’t have a magic number or percentage that one should devote to marketing, however, I do know that once your business is set-up, marketing almost becomes more important than mastering the skill of actually planning weddings.<\/p>\n

How to stand out as a Wedding Planner<\/h3>\n

This question was sent in by Kinsholer – [00:27:18]<\/em><\/p>\n

I believe, hands down that specializing is the key to standing out as a business owner. As the planner for your clients, simply showing up on time, having a system in place and looking like a professional also makes you stand out.<\/p>\n

What to do when Wedding Vendors Don’t Follow-Up with You<\/h3>\n

This question was asked my Michelle [00:33:19]<\/em><\/p>\n

Meeting with vendors and offering to help them out at an upcoming wedding is a great way to gain valuable wedding experience (a win for you) while providing the vendor with an extra pair of hands at an upcoming event (a win for them).<\/p>\n

But what should you do if vendors aren’t taking you up on your generous offer?<\/p>\n

Using car magnets to advertise your wedding planning business<\/h3>\n

Ketlene asked this question on the Listener Talkback Line [00:42:34]<\/em><\/p>\n

I actually like the idea of this offline method to promote what you do.<\/p>\n

Be sure to have either an easy-to-remember URL or telephone number so that passers-by can easily remember who you are and what you do.<\/p>\n

If you have something free to offer — idea kit, a local wedding planning guide, an ebook — consider promoting this (assuming there’s space on the magnet), too.<\/p>\n

How to find a mentor<\/h3>\n

In addition to our discussion on this episode, you can find more detailed info about finding a mentor on this earlier episode of Confetti<\/a>. Just be sure that you’re clear about what your expectations are for a mentor.<\/p>\n

Mentioned in this Episode:<\/h2>\n