Photo (above): Photographer: Magic Flash Photography
Dare to say 'no'
If, according to your feelings or business planning, your calendar is really 100% full for a certain period of time, you will have to let new applicants know that, unfortunately, you will not be able to positively answer their request within this period - that you will not be able to serve them. That way, you protect the quality of the parties and events you did accept, and the couple's temporary disappointment will translate over time into respect for you and your company.
What you can consider to win over certain applicants anyway: suggest scheduling their party at a later date - when you are available again. Who knows, they might really want you there!
Refer to a colleague
Disappointed that the new applicants might be after your 'no': if they want to stick to their date, they will be all the happier if you still show that you at least want to help them out. By referring them to a fellow wedding supplier you trust, you are doing the couple a huge favour. They will be grateful, and may contact you again in the future or write a positive review about you; your colleague will also be grateful, and may one day return the favour of referring you to your company when he or she is fully booked.
Build your business
Consider expanding your team
Are you in a fast-scaling business, and could a new team member potentially pay for themselves quickly AND more? If you are open to moving from a smaller structure to a slightly larger one and recruiting new people, now might be the time. Above all, take enough time to calculate, together with your accountant for example, what this extra hire would mean for your turnover and profit. Also don't underestimate the time between deciding to hire and finding the right candidate. Our advice? Consider working with capable students and/or talented freelancers first, before you effectively put someone extra on your payroll.
Save time: delegate
Before finally deciding on the recruitment of a new team member, it is best to carry out the following exercise: what are you good at, and what makes you indispensable as a manager in your company? This will often be the 'creative' part, possibly also the sales and of course the execution at the party itself. Can you outsource certain other things to a virtual or personal assistant? For instance, for your bookkeeping, or the creation and posting of those dozens of Instagram posts and stories, you could possibly give a student a chance. You pay them relatively little per hour, and some deliver top-notch work!
Work smarter, not harder
And for those who know the saying 'Work smarter, not harder': there are so many smart systems on the market today that could take work off your hands, or help automate processes.... Think, for example:
- Teamleader: does a new request arrive? Great! Insert a customised 'template' for each type of party into Teamleader - after which, if necessary, you coordinate some details with your prospect over the phone. Your quotations will fly out the door. Send your prospect a personalised quote, with your General Terms and Conditions on the back; as soon as they sign, you have a conclusive contract. You invoice the amount in the deal in one or more instalments, and in the meantime focus yourself on delivering all those fantastic parties.
- Yuki: the tool that makes bookkeeping fun and efficient: your suppliers mail their invoice directly to your Yuki e-mail address, after which the smart system figures out which cost item the purchase belongs to. Also synchronise your own sales invoicing system with Yuki, and watch the magic happen...
And so there are a bunch more smart tools that can make your life easier!
Consider implementing that price increase
Have you been thinking about raising your prices for a while, but it never seems like a good time? Nothing better than the occasion of a full schedule to reassess your pricing : are you turning enough profit per party you take on, are you taking on the right parties, ... ? How much margin could you add to still sell well while not pricing yourself out of the market? Your work is top-notch, and you would like to be rewarded fairly for it.
Keep investing in marketing
In the short term, you may be fully booked, but in the longer term there will be 'gaps' in your schedule again. Make sure the demand for your products, services or venue remains high, so you can keep booking parties at the same rate later on. Ensure consistency: your prospects should have the same familiar, professional feeling with you across all your communication channels. In any case, House of Weddings is happy to make it easy for you: we will continue to take care of your marketing, while you ensure a top wedding season for your business!
Kunnen wij iets voor jou betekenen – heb je nieuwe ideeën voor expert-artikels, nieuwe fotoreeksen of Real Wedding inzendingen, ... ? Laat het weten via mail aan Scarlett (scarlett@houseofweddings.com) – we kijken er naar uit jouw bedrijf verder uit te bouwen, samen met jou!
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