Just like every wedding client is different, so is every wedding pro. There are many different preferences in this industry when it comes to – well, everything. From destination weddings to elopements, DIY or hands-off approach, minimal vs. extravagant, the list goes on and on. As a vendor, what’s your preference? If you aren’t sure or are thinking about pivoting your business, I’m here to help! Today, we are going over how to find your niche as a wedding pro. Let’s dive in.
Put your values first.
To start, you need to always prioritize your values as a business. This will help you narrow down who you want to work with when it comes to both clients and other vendors. You will also understand what aspects you are looking for in the weddings you book.
Pro tip from a wedding planner: make your values clear on social media and your website. Don’t make anybody search for it! Write a bio describing yourself and your values. Also, make sure your posts reflect and support your values.
Gain experience and invest in education.
For new wedding pros, experience is everything. How are you supposed to know what you want to do in the industry without working with different wedding styles hands-on? Plan styled shoots, try out both large and intimate weddings, and work with different wedding designs to begin. This doesn’t mean you accept every opportunity that comes your way. Accept the opportunities that interest you and that you feel you need more experience in. Don’t worry about a specific image quite yet.
This is something that many wedding pros do not prioritize – invest in your education. Do you have a niche you are really interested in but just need some professional guidance? Book a 1:1 coaching session with a wedding pro you look up to in that niche. You could also invest in a helpful online webinar or course.
One of the top niches wedding pros are eager to dive into is adventure weddings! If this is something you are interested in, I created a virtual webinar breaking down everything you need to know. We’ll go over how to start working in the adventurous wedding market AND make it pay the bills. Click here to grab this 60-minute recorded webinar and become one step closer to finding your preferred niche.
What do you enjoy?
Now that you gained some more experience and invested in your wedding education, what did you enjoy most? Write down your top 3-5 weddings, educational products, and styled shoots. Think about what similar qualities they have. You might be surprised what you actually enjoy as opposed to what you thought you would in the beginning!
What are you good at?
This requires some objectivity. You know what you enjoy, but what are you really good at? Understanding your strong suits will help you find a niche that you will be able to support long term. Are you great at designing lavish weddings but prefer elopements? Consider planning luxury intimate weddings! The wedding market has room for your unique skill set and passion.
Define Your Ideal Client
You know your values, what you enjoy, and what you are good at. It’s time to define your ideal client. This will help you specify your brand. Write down their details from age and type of wedding, to support needs. Then, rework your socials and website accordingly. Ask yourself if they fit the niche you are narrowing down to.
Think about your business capacity.
Lastly, what is your business capacity? Consider what your team can truly support. This could require hiring new team members or spending time training for your preferred niche. You need to be able to strongly execute your targeted wedding at the end of the day.
I hope this blog helped you find your nice as a wedding pro! After reading this post, check out why your business needs branding photos next so you can begin to attract your ideal client!