Business is Slow
I talk to a lot of wedding pros every day. And, you know what I keep hearing?
“It’s slow. My business is slow.”
If this isn’t you, well… rock on! But for most people I talk to these days, this is what I hear. Day in. Day out.
I want to share this with you because… well… maybe you didn’t know.
We tend to be optimistic in this industry. We “make dreams come true”. We are the Walt Disney of Weddings… making engaged couples happier than they could ever imagine. And, this happiness is supposed to spill over into our business. So we walk around telling people that business is great. And, pretty soon… everyone in your local wedding industry is saying the same thing. And, we believe it…. which bums us out… because we wonder, “Gosh. Am I the only one who isn’t booked for the month of August? Am I the only one who’s business is slow?”
NO. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
When I get into the heart to heart with colleagues I hear the same thing, “My business is slow.” As Saundra Hadley recently posted, “everything is NOT puppies and rainbows“. Everything is NOT gangbusters. Business is not booming. Business is slow.
Whatever economic indicators looked promising at the beginning of 2010 aren’t really coming to fruition. YET. They will. But it will take some time.
It’s cliche… but…
Things WILL get better.
They will. Until they do, keep doing what you’re doing. Keep marketing, networking, learning, strengthening, creating. This is an opportunity to become strong in everything you do. That strength will bring you success. Because when business moves fast, you’ll need your strength.
What a great, inspirational post!
You are right! – we are optimistic types! I see it as kind of a blessing and a curse, much as you described. Rest assured the work we do today will surely pay off in the future. (Winners never quit!) 🙂
I needed to read this. Because I am affected by this also. Small disclaimer: My wedding photography is part-time only. However, I apply ALL my heart and my soul to it, working hard on it so I can be “FT”.
Two years ago, I shot over 20 weddings. Last year, barely 10. This year, less than a handful. I am afraid what 2011 will be for me. Brides are so budget conscious, which is very understandable, and quite often books so late. I photographed a wedding this year and she inquired with me one week before her wedding date.
Times are tough indeed, and I also hear the same thing with my peers. But I am going to keep my head up and just keep on “truckin!”.
Thank you for this post.
Michelle, I can’t thank you enough for being so candid with your audience! I’m sure there are many small business owners who continually stress over the fact that they aren’t as busy as they’d like. Those who pretend that everything is coming up roses are just hurting themselves, rather than using their energy to improve their businesses and do some of the things you mention above.
I truly believe that if colleagues collaborate to leverage each others products/services and market themselves in a distinctive way, it will help them make it through these tough times.
Thanks again!
Raquel
Excellent Post. I visited Sandra Headley for a reading of the article. I think that this is the opportunity for business to reevaluate their position in the market and work on creating niche opportunities.I think the industry has not quite figured out how to adjust to the budget minded bride.
Great post. It’s also a great time to reread SWP’s archives that most of us dog-ear for ‘future,’ or ‘save as new’ and put aside and still completely totally forget to revisit. Your words, no matter the subject, soothe the business soul and bring reassurance in all our worlds and it makes for a great time to thoughtfully digest the information you provide so kindly.
Good to know it’s not just me. 🙂 Using the downtime to cook up some new marketing and website ideas, and get in some more self-training.
Thanks for posting…in our efforts to maintain positivity I agree we are prone to taking it too far and missing out on the opportunity to support each other through the rough patches.
Great post Michelle! We hear this all the time also. Everybody is SO popular, and SO busy when talking in a group. But, talk with them privately and they admit they are slow, worried, and afraid to look it.
It’s a good time for those of us with actual overhead and payroll to buckle down, keep expenses low, and try not to throw away profit margin out of fear.
The other victim in a slow market, is integrity and respect for your peers. This Industry is aflame with Comps. Each service and each item of product that is supplied for free in exchange for “Publicity” undermines us all. Those that can afford the most expect to pay the least, and hungry wedding vendors are all to happy to give their product or service away for a mention.
We have all met the enemy, it they look just like us.
Great post Michelle! Its so true and its something we must talk about even if we’re scared to say it or admit it. Its been more than slow for over, I’d say, almost a year and a half, but like the saying goes, what goes goes up, must come down, and visa versa when it comes to the market and the economy. And if history is any indication, the future is going to be very bright, so lets use this time to learn, grow, and make sure we all have the best possible product and/or service possible ready for when the turn around comes.
Thank you for always having the right words for exactly when we need them 🙂 Sage Wedding Pros rock!
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Thanks! That is the encouragement I needed right now to keep going and working on what I need to work on.