Marketing Strategies - Marketing Ideas to Attract Brides
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Brides and their families spend millions of dollars on weddings every year and the bridal industry is full of competitors vying for their attention. By using creative marketing techniques catering to the specific needs and preferences of the bridal market, you can tap into this lucrative business to the benefit of your company's bottom line.
Become Socially Oriented
Use social media outlets as an affordable way to market to brides and their families. Create posts featuring news about a celebrity wedding or an event you just handled. Put up ads on social media sites that target your preferred demographic group and follow up with potential customers' questions to increase interaction on these sites. Advertise any specials and discounts on your social media channels. If you work with a minority segment of the population, advertise that fact. For example, offer a Latin-inspired menu for your catering business or floral arrangements that are symbolic in the Italian tradition. Post pictures of same-sex marriage ceremonies you've handled to show you cater to that segment as well.
Set Your Sites High
Having an updated, attractive website is also crucial in the bridal industry. According to food-service company US Foods, you have only three seconds to catch the bride's attention, so make your homepage count. Rather than showing a list of hard-to-read text on your main page, use pictures to convey your products and services. Be sure to update your site on a regular basis to maintain your image as a leader in the field. Customer testimonials are also a must as they can vouch for your business when placed on your website. Providing your customers with their own wedding website to share information about the nuptials with family and friends offers another incentive for them to use your business and to post photos of ideas that inspired them.
Cross Marketing
Establishing relationships with other vendors targeting the bridal market can help your business. For example, if you are a florist, talk to churches, country clubs and reception halls about the potential to cross-market your business with theirs. You might also consider contacting DJs, caterers, photographers and wedding planners to expand your horizons. Offer to take other vendors to lunch, or for a drink, to make lasting connections and follow up with them to build your business relationships.
Put On a Show
Attending bridal shows gets you right in front of your target market. However, you may have to compete with hundreds of other vendors, so differentiate your booth so it stands out from the crowd. Free-standing walls also provide you with more square footage. Create a conversation map so you can communicate key points to brides in a limited time period. Demonstrate your services to brides by having models wear your bridal gowns. Complete a bridal hairstyle or makeup session with a model or offer samples of your food to make an impression.
Email Marketing
Request email addresses from brides every chance you get. Add a contest to your social media page that requires an email address for notification. Have customers sign up at your bridal show. Send out monthly newsletters that showcase your most recent work, share tips and give advice to brides.
Tags:
Marketing, Marketing Strategies
Become Socially Oriented
Use social media outlets as an affordable way to market to brides and their families. Create posts featuring news about a celebrity wedding or an event you just handled. Put up ads on social media sites that target your preferred demographic group and follow up with potential customers' questions to increase interaction on these sites. Advertise any specials and discounts on your social media channels. If you work with a minority segment of the population, advertise that fact. For example, offer a Latin-inspired menu for your catering business or floral arrangements that are symbolic in the Italian tradition. Post pictures of same-sex marriage ceremonies you've handled to show you cater to that segment as well.
Set Your Sites High
Having an updated, attractive website is also crucial in the bridal industry. According to food-service company US Foods, you have only three seconds to catch the bride's attention, so make your homepage count. Rather than showing a list of hard-to-read text on your main page, use pictures to convey your products and services. Be sure to update your site on a regular basis to maintain your image as a leader in the field. Customer testimonials are also a must as they can vouch for your business when placed on your website. Providing your customers with their own wedding website to share information about the nuptials with family and friends offers another incentive for them to use your business and to post photos of ideas that inspired them.
Cross Marketing
Establishing relationships with other vendors targeting the bridal market can help your business. For example, if you are a florist, talk to churches, country clubs and reception halls about the potential to cross-market your business with theirs. You might also consider contacting DJs, caterers, photographers and wedding planners to expand your horizons. Offer to take other vendors to lunch, or for a drink, to make lasting connections and follow up with them to build your business relationships.
Put On a Show
Attending bridal shows gets you right in front of your target market. However, you may have to compete with hundreds of other vendors, so differentiate your booth so it stands out from the crowd. Free-standing walls also provide you with more square footage. Create a conversation map so you can communicate key points to brides in a limited time period. Demonstrate your services to brides by having models wear your bridal gowns. Complete a bridal hairstyle or makeup session with a model or offer samples of your food to make an impression.
Email Marketing
Request email addresses from brides every chance you get. Add a contest to your social media page that requires an email address for notification. Have customers sign up at your bridal show. Send out monthly newsletters that showcase your most recent work, share tips and give advice to brides.
