The phrase "you have to spend money to make money" has been used so much that it has become a cliche. It's true, if people don't know about you, they will not use your services, and even in a smaller city like Barrie, you can no longer rely on word of mouth advertising.
Having said that, what's even more important to consider is that your marketing is MODERN. When I first moved to Barrie in 2007, I could not believe how many businesses did not even have a website! Because web design and marketing is my specialty, I often questioned this. Many people would say things like "we have enough business" or "we don't need that around here, everyone knows us". As much as that might be true, you cannot maintain this attitude forever. Recently I met a wedding photographer from Orillia at a bridal show. I am a bride-to-be myself by the way, so I do attend these things once in a while to see what they have to offer. I have left a few bridal shows with a thousand business cards in my pocket without remembering whom I had spoken to and who offered what. So when I got home, I started looking up vendors online, including this wedding photographer. I was shocked to find the following. Are you ready?
His website did not have any pictures! Not only that, but he stated that he likes to keep his photography private and that if you want to see them you have to book an appointment, because he likes to do business face to face! What??? So as a bride in Barrie, do I get on the phone, call this person, get in my car, and drive half an our north without even seeing a sample of what he has to offer in hopes of finding what I am looking for, or do I close this website and move on to the next photographer? The choice is obvious. What is most unbelievable is that this person rented a booth at a bridal show for several hundred dollars, spent his afternoon meeting brides, and handed out business cards that led them to this website!
As a wedding business, you are targeting an audience of young brides who don't care if you like things old school, or that you prefer to do things face to face. You are dealing with the next generation of people who are glued to their iphones, can text 100 words a minute and will plan their wedding online long before you get to say hello at a bridal show.
Unfortunately until now, other than occasional bridal shows Simcoe County has been lacking in avenues for local vendors to promote their business. We have identified this problem and are bringing you a solution! Our website www.BarrieWeddingDeals.com offers you a filtered audience of local brides and grooms who are getting married right here. More people are registering every day. They are directly interested in seeing deals from your business and they want to work with you. Furthermore, the website is entirely free for the year of 2013, and the "post a deal" feature cannot be cheaper!
We know that it's hard to keep up with technology these days, so let us help you! If you have questions, we are here to answer them! We will make sure that your customers find you at www.BarrieWeddingDeals.com!
~Nadia Mantsvetova
Founder
