Are Bridal Shows a Good Investment of Your Advertising Dollar?

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Permalink Reply by Bloomfield Event Planning on February 19, 2010 at 8:35am

I attended an ISES event yesterday. Megan Kline was the speaker. She presented a survey of what vendors believed worked best and what worked the least. According to her survey Bridal Shows are least effective for vendors as a marketing strategy.

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Falls-Williams on February 28, 2010 at 3:44pm

Wow! That is good information. So what was the most effective?

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Permalink Reply by B Wilson on February 28, 2010 at 3:32pm

Although I am not a weddign planner I do network with several and I strongly believe that it depends on the bridal show. You have to do your homework on these shows and be realistic about the type of bride you wouldlike to service. Do you offer services to fit everyone's budget or do speacialize in Platinum weddings? Most reputable bridal shows have this information on the brides that attend there events, like myself I tend to work with brides that spend at least 50K or more on there weddings so I only do certian weddings geared towards those brides. Not to mention that a lot of bridal shows will send you leads on a monthly basis for one year after the show. I would suggest that you do a little more research on bridal shows and fidn one that fits you.

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Permalink Reply by Anita Brown on April 24, 2010 at 1:11am

In my experience and talking with my colleagues after each bridal show I have been to, the success of a vendor at a bridal show depended on the following factors: location within the show, giveaways/freebies, quality of show/bride and pure luck of the draw. I work within a small community of vendors and we see each other often and work the same shows. Although a really nice booth helps draw them to you (which is expensive) its luck really. Sometimes every bride is there for a cake and the very next show the photographers are 5 brides deep. In my 7 years I have never seen a show where everyone is successful. They ARE really good for networking with your fellow vendors though. I always ended up with referrals from them later because we made a solid connection more than bookings from the actual show. Lastly, the lists you get from the sponsors are a tricky thing too. Remember EVERY vendor there gets that same list and is sending them THEIR marketing materials. I know brides who simply throw it all away because they decided if they liked you or not at the show.

Sorry my response is so long- not a sermon...just a thought :)

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Permalink Reply by FlowerFriendsZ(frenzy) Events on April 24, 2010 at 4:28pm

Not for us, for the producers of the shows they are good, (lol) wedding advertising and marketing is the hardest i think- HUGE network of people who are or want to get into the business. (if only they knew) lol. Think a majority of weddings come from referrals of past brides, families and other vendors which you have the opportunity to work with. .

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Permalink Reply by Alluring Bridal on April 29, 2010 at 12:48am

I have to agree with the "not for us"...I have found, if I offer a discount at the time of the show, and bring an appointment book and schedule an appoinment, on the spot, to be able to get the discount this helps in bringing customers to your shop. Otherwise, most customers going to a show are there for the "freebies" and just to look at what is available. It is also a great day out for Mom's, sisters and friends. Personally I have found the best advertising to to check the rates in the big bridal magazines. Brides, Modern Bride, etc. Every newly engaged bride runs out and buys a bridal magazine!! You are getting in touch with the immediately engaged bride, before everyone tells her where to shop.
But of course, the best customers do come from referrals!

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