This blog is first in our new series: What your business can learn from 2018 wedding trends. If you want some tips for your wedding photography business, this can be helpful for you!

Local Partnerships: Borrowing sugar from the next-door neighbors

50% of brides and grooms purchase their rings at a Brick-And-Morter store. Small businesses are a great opportunity for amazing partners for wedding photographers, because they are usually more accepting of helping other local businesses. 

Ask your local stores if they would be willing to put up a small display of business cards or even a sample of 8×8 professional wedding album of your work. In return, you could ask for business cards to give out to your maternity sessions for “push presents”, or anniversary bands for family sessions. For more ideas, click here to refer to our blog on how to separate and stand out from the surrounding pack of photographer.

27% of couples hire a wedding planner. Have you reached out to local planners to help advertise your services? Check out the local businesses that are looking. This can also attract a similar client and take the first steps towards a partnership. A sure-fire way to make sure you are partnering with the right vendor is to ask your favorite wedding clients who they used. Call upon these businesses and mention your mutual connection. Most likely their business is already attracting a similar clientele as your favorite couple. So, it’s a win-win relationship for both of you to partner. 

This is the “sugar” that can lead to long-term success for both businesses.  

Make “birds of a feather flock together” work for your business!

Beyond their vendors, ask some of your favorite couples where they go to hang out as well. Most likely they have similar friends and colleagues that also go here. Follow the businesses on social media (make sure to “like” and comment on their posts). Then make it a goal to also have them follow your company. Be on the lookout for events in these areas also. It might even be worthy of offering to do photography for an event to get your name out more to that particular area.     

If you are new to the game or haven’t photographed your ideal client, then simply go on Instagram. You can search hashtags in your area (such as #chicagoweddingvenue). Find companies that draw you to their images and website too. And advertise towards your ideal clients.

Ronan Ryle (of 3XM Solution) spoke of the benefits of creating a “buyer persona”, at the latest Imaging USA earlier this year. The idea is that “a persona allows you to tailor your marketing efforts to a particular set of people”. As business owners, we can use this information to set our advertising up for more focused success. Click here for a blog by 3XM that demonstrates how to create a persona and how to successfully market with this idea.

Read the “Part 2: Best Time & Place to Market Online” where we analyze the wedding wire report for how current trends can help with your marketing.