Bridal Show followups?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adrienne Sasson on January 28, 2010 at 2:48pm

Hi Julie,

I too have found many brides not responding to follow ups. My order is: 1) thank you note, 2) Phone call, 3) Email, if the phone call was unanswered.

My thank you note and email remind the bride of course the fact we met at a particular function. I also remind them in both the email and note they are privy to a special amenity for their honeymoon or destination wedding when they book through us.

If I find the wedding date is more than 1 year into the future, I keep the bride's name in a reminder file and follow up one more time.

However, I do not beg for business and you cannot beat a dead horse.

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Permalink Reply by Pizzuti Studios Photography on January 28, 2010 at 3:31pm

Hi Julie, I've been thinking a lot about this lately, as we just had a show this past weekend. Thanks for starting this discussion.

We usually send out an email to those that signed up for our list within 2 days. This is gives them a chance to immediately opt out of the emails. From there we'll send periodic emails every 1-2 weeks for about a month.

A follow up phone call after the first email can get a real good response, especially if you had a good conversation with a bride/groom at a show.

Then we'll send a mailer the day after we receive the list from the show. This is usually a flyer and a handwritten note thanking them for their visit to our booth.

You never know who's going to respond to which medium. A lot of bridal show attendants are people just starting to look around, so follow ups are key to getting a response one way or the other.

Thanks again for the post!
-Rich Pizzuti

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Permalink Reply by Felicia on February 2, 2010 at 3:45am

Thanks for starting the discussion. I too have had the exact same questions. It seems that most brides do not remember even talking to you. I would be curious also as to how people book free consultation appointments as the show and is this a more effective approach for actually closing business.

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Permalink Reply by Judy Chadwick on February 3, 2010 at 9:16am

I tried booking consultation appointments at a couple of wedding fairs; I offered a coupon for a discount if they scheduled their consultation at the fair. But only one person who scheduled a consultation actually showed up for it (and they booked a cake, but broke up a few months later and cancelled), so I stopped using that technique.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Smith on February 3, 2010 at 6:04am

This is a problem. Most of the brides saw so many people that day, they don't remember anything. The problem with emails is that most of your emails are going right to spam, so the bride never sees them. The only way, and I've been in sales many many years in different disciplines, is to call them.

After a phone call, the bride now has the opportunity to look for your email in spam, and hopefully remember talking to you.

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Permalink Reply by Carmen Quirindongo on February 7, 2010 at 4:27am

Good morning Julie,

I am quite new to this, and so if you don't mind can you tell me how you got started in doing a bridal show. Were you alone at your table with your product? and did you have to have on hand for the brides. I would appreciate any information you might have for me................

Sincerely,
Carmen

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Aaron on February 27, 2010 at 4:51pm

I simply e-mailed the bridal shows I was interested in and asked for an information kit. When I decided which ones to attend I teamed up with someone who does decor. She designed my space and supplied decor items for it. In exchange for her help I told everyone who would listen that the space was designed by event designer Carole Rame. I also had her cards available for anyone who wanted one.

For staffing I found some girls who had just become certified wedding planners through the association. They volunteered to gain experience for when they are ready to do their first wedding shows. One of my volunteers is doing her first show in March and is going to be absolutely awesome. I volunteered for someone else before I did my first booth. You could also use family, friends or hire someone off something like Craigslist. The only reason I wouldn't suggest doing it alone is that the days are long and you need to eat to keep your energy up. It's also nice to walk around and say hello to the other vendors when things are busy.

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Permalink Reply by sarah Bunnett _ Gibson on March 2, 2010 at 1:05pm

HI JUlIE , Yes I have done lots of shows. I have really the same experience as you .
Three tries then I stop .I do the combo of 2-3 emails and 1 call .then I stop . I think EVERYONE ! is reallly Busy and after a show they are in overwhelm for sure ! , So really My experience is the same as yours ! Does that Help you ?
Sarah Bunnnett - Gibson , OFFICIANT

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Permalink Reply by Bliss Honeymoons on March 16, 2010 at 5:48am

I think if you're dropping them from your list after two or three contacts, that you may be missing out on some additional opportunities.
Please remember that a bride needs to see your name several times before she's ready to buy from you. And when their planning their wedding, they may be following a timeline or checklist. Since the honeymoon is one of the last things on the list, there is often several months that pass between the bridal show and when she finally contacts us to schedule her consultation. If we quit contacting her after the first two or three follow-ups, we would be out of business.
It's not uncommon at all for a bride to be in our database and receive our newsletter for over a year before she finally becomes a client. So if you don't hear from them right after the show, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are not ever interested in working with you. They may just be busy taking care of the other items on their planning checklist that have a higher priority.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Posey on March 16, 2010 at 6:11am

Really happy to see this thread! I have tried phone calls as well. This time around I have done Thank You Notes, emails, and will probably attempt phone calls later this week for those that did not open the email. I'm using an email service so I can track who opened as well as who clicked on the links. I, too, had trouble talking people into signing up for appointments at the bridal fair. I got one person who signed up, and then I also gave away a prize through the bridal fair so I will be meeting with that couple.

A very strange thing from the last bridal fair. I called a bride who I thought I had really connected with and she acted like she didn't know who I was. A couple hours later she called me, and when I answered the phone with my company name, she said, "Oh, I have the wrong number." Two minutes later, she called back, I saw the number and just said "hello." She said "Is this ... Photography?" and I said yes. She proceeded to make an appointment and then book her wedding with me. So I think it's just hugely confusing to have all these cards and brochures, and have all these people contacting you at one time. I've put the brides who have not unsubscribed on my monthly newsletter list, so they will be reminded at least every few weeks.

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Permalink Reply by Krista Mason on March 16, 2010 at 6:46am

I find all the same issues that everyone has posted about and agree keep contacting until they tell you they are not interested or already booked. I have clients come in 6 months to a year after the show and book. Just be careful how often you contact them, you don't want to scare them away. Also, find a way to connect with the bride so she will remember who you are in the sea of wedding vendors. Most of the time this is the first bridal show for these brides and they get overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

Michelle, which e-mail service do you use that lets you track if the e-mail was opened and who clicks on the links. I love that idea.

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Permalink Reply by Antonio Crutchley on October 6, 2017 at 6:25pm

This is an old topic but still relevant - How do you follow up with leads that signed up for the show but didn't attend the show?

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