AN EXPLOSION OF MICRO WEDDINGS IS AROUND THE CORNER | HOW TO STRATEGIZE FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

When considering our current situation with COVID-19 and the “rules” we now have to play by with gatherings, weddings, events, etc … it’s important to be able to adapt so an income can be made and so that you stay important as a business during such a crazy time.

Disappearing and taking a break and then ‘reopening’ later when this issue goes away, is not recommended. The hungrier companies will take over your spot and it will be hard to wiggle back into it. Now, more than ever it is VITAL to stay with it, figure out a new role you can play, adapt, and conquer. What I see popping up more and more in the wedding and event industry are:

MICRO WEDDINGS AND INTIMATE PARTIES

Offering intimate wedding planning services isn’t anything new … but the explosion of marketing it and showcasing a new idea like ‘porch parties’ and decorating the front of a house so the ‘drive by’ cars have something fun to look at and the celebrators have fun ‘photo opportunities’ is definitely upon us in a way it never was before. A lot of small business owners are asking the following question:

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STRATEGIZE THIS AS A BUSINESS?

I have some ideas, because in my opinion you don’t want to make this a business BRAND … that will take down some of the momentum you have created for your business as it was BEFORE this sh*tshow of a world … below is how I would strategize this if it were me figuring out a plan, and for the most part I am speaking to WEDDING PLANNERS, DESIGNERS, and COORDINATORS:

BUY A NEW DOMAIN

Domains aren’t that expensive … if I were ‘downsizing’ to adapt to the CURRENT state of affairs, I would keep it separate from my other online brand and business. For instance, if your current business domain is:

LUXURYBADASSBUSINESS.COM

you could see if the following domain is available:

MICROBADASSBUSINESS.COM

That way, you have a VERY SPECIFIC focus on a separate platform … which brings me to my NEXT piece of advice:

ATTACH THAT DOMAIN TO A SEPARATE WEBSITE ALL TOGETHER

This website could be ONE PAGE … you could literally get a Squarespace website template you love and throw a photo on it that you think works … some wording … and a contact form: BAM … or, you could support another small business owner who designs websites, like me, and hire someone to create this website for you. Either way, my best advice is not to mess with your other website that focuses on all the things you are well known for ‘in the before’ … and here’s why:

THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE HIRING FOR FULL BLOWN WEDDINGS IN THE FUTURE!

The last thing you want to do is sway those people from hiring you for your large and amazing service packages when they see you also offer an ‘on the cheap’ planning package … the goal is here NOT to bring down the wedding industry even more than it has been during COVID-19 … the goal is to be able to offer a solution and make an income while the people who do want to get married during a time where large events aren’t allowed are looking for YOU.

MARKET THIS SERVICE WITH A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME

Meaning … there are only certain months people can hire you for this service … perhaps the next 4 months ONLY and possibly only on CERTAIN DAYS of the week (if you wanted) … and then if the lockdown for events gets extended, extend by ONE MONTH … but this should not be a LONGTERM solution … and I will repeat why:

THE GOAL IS TO ADAPT AND SHOW WE ARE STRONG AND CAN WORK DURING A TIME THAT IS VERY CHALLENGING AS A WEDDING AND EVENT PROFESSIONAL

Unfortunately, I see a lot of business owners thinking that they need to plan for YEARS of small events and gatherings … and IMO even if that is what happens (omfg and I hope not) the event industry needs to stand together and keep these ‘plans’ for small events as a short-term plan out loud!! This is how you make a living … it’s what you are GREAT AT … it’s what you are passionate about. There is nothing wrong with adapting to the NOW to get by … but I don’t recommend we give in to this being semi permanent because the more we do that, the more couples will start adjusting their views on what a wedding is. We aren’t just small business owners, we are:

EDUCATORS OF THE WEDDING AND EVENT INDUSTRY

Which brings me to my next important step of this strategy:

COORDINATE AND CONQUER

There has never been a better time to ‘team up’ and fight this thing together with other professionals … yes, even the professionals who offer the same services as you. Make the calls, send the emails … reach out … figure out which other professionals are going to be offering micro wedding services … and don’t assume everyone will either!!

Before you can conquer your goal to adapt and offer something during this time, you need to know who you can refer, which vendors will work with you on smaller, more intimate weddings … so get a list of those who are open to it and then market it together and educate yourselves on which venues are open for these types of events, which florists will offer design for small events …. etc, etc, etc …

WHY CAN’T I JUST CREATE A NEW PAGE ON MY EXISTING WEBSITE?

You absolutely could … but in my opinion, bringing up COVID-19 to someone who is excited to plan their future wedding is kinda a big time downer … my reasons for keeping it separate are because it is a ‘to get by’ option for YOU as a small business owner … something you are offering because of the times, not because you want to do this going forward always.

In addition to the new website, that in my mind you are ONLY sending out to people who inquire and ask if you DO OFFER that type of service … I would also set up an Instagram feed that uses all the hashtags on posts that would lead this type of client to you … and keep the posts separate also. Have a link to the new website on that Instagram page and post valid content that will help that target market find your information.

Now, if you do want to start offering it always as a highlighted service: you can ignore ALL OF THIS! Haha!! But, if you are wanting to be able to work during this craziness, as we all need to, and stay valid, this would be my strategy on how to do that :)

XO~ Heather