A few questions about bridal shows

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We will be doing a local bridal show on the 24th and I just had a few questions for those of you who have done them in the past:

1. We have the option of bringing a small system out and playing at a low volume. What is your take on this? I am on the fence about it, I would like to spend my time selling to the potential brides and not djing the whole time, but I can also see a few benefits of having the system there too.

2. We are going to have fliers, brochures and biz cards, any other marketing materials we should consider?

3. I was thinking of having a second laptop there to use so people can book right then. I would also have a printer there to print out the contract. What are your thoughts on this?

4. Should we offer any type of special or giveaway?
 
1 - Don't bother. Bridal shows are noisy places.

2 - Some type of freebie, such as keychains or magnets if you can get them in time, or even just a bowl of Hershey's kisses if you're on a budget.

3 - You don't want to spend that much time with a single bride. Just briefly tell them what makes you unique, answer questions and get their contact info. Heck, the bride doesn't want to spend that much time with you either. If a bride is REALLY interested, she will come up to you after the show and you can talk and possibly book then. The point of the show is to book meetings, not gigs.

4 - Check with the show organizer. Some want / expect it, others don't care. A few prefer that you not do that.
 
Instead of printing a contract onsite, make a form with the necessary data, and if they're interested, get the info quick and send them a contract after the weekend. Then they and you aren't tied up too long at the show (neither of you want/need that). I have booked a dozen weddings at a bridal show that way, and it was rare to have one back out.

Keep the booth pretty; buy some nice linens & some accents. Candy is always good. A drawing is always good, but give away something they want. Don't be cheap on this.
 
djsarge said:
The show in Leesburg by any chance?
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Martinsburg

The person in charge saw Eric's car, which has our signage on it, and called me. The only reason we are doing it is because there is only 1 other DJ in it.
 
great publicity stunt Pat just make sure they know that they need to book the date ASAP and make sure its known availability might cause issue? I did this in the past and delivered I gained alot of phone numbers and contacts from this draw. Booked a fair amount of them as well.
 
Pat, Teddy Bear is right on the mark. I agree with what he posted. By all means, provide a lappytop with PowerPoint slideshow to show some of your past wedding photos.

About the only thing I can add... Shirl made up a honeymoon gift basket as a door prize for the last bridal expo we did. A bottle of non-alcohol bubbly with glasses, bath salts, things like those.

Several of these brides are gonna have little pups with them. Have some little stuffed animals to get their atttention while you chat with Mom. :)
 
Potential flier for the show, your thoughts?
 

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Steve LeBlanc said:
Honestly -Yuck! it's dark, depressing; the last thing you want to give a bride.....Use a "cursive": font, rather than a medieval looking font. Try some pinks/pastel colors that appeal to brides. As Val said, make it look pretty.

Do a post card affair...
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Thanks Steve.

These are going to be printed out on pastel colored paper, so we want to keep the actual picture and color in greyscale, but I will change the font, I see what you mean once you said that.
 
I agree. That flyer sucks.

Use a photo where the couple is facing the camera, then use PhotoShop to get rid of the background. Get rid of the boxes. Change the font. Use upper & lower case, particularly in your email and website.

Get a real email address.
 
eliminate the boxes.....change your fonts. Make your heading bold, yes, but a nice script-y font. Make the body text a clean, easy to read cursive font. Think lace. The background printed on a pink paper is ok...it will still be quite gothic/drab looking I fear, so consider a background with less gray (just the couple, for instance, with little or no surrounding)
 
patrickrlewis said:
Martinsburg

The person in charge saw Eric's car, which has our signage on it, and called me. The only reason we are doing it is because there is only 1 other DJ in it.
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Just wondering. I have one coming up in Leesburg that day. I'm suppose to get a free booth for doing the MC work.
 
As for as content, consider that you have a line list of features of your company that includes no descriptive, emotional words. Why are these items a BENEFIT to the client?

Also, you have no call to action. If you don't ask them to book, they will never book.
 
patrickrlewis said:
What we are thinking of doing is giving away a free wedding (4 hours of service plus the video service)
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Do what you want but in Sales I have learnt to never give away the product you are trying to sell. It gives it little or no value and you also end up with sore losers from those who do not win. Get another product to give away!
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
Honestly -Yuck! it's dark, depressing; the last thing you want to give a bride.....Use a "cursive": font, rather than a medieval looking font. Try some pinks/pastel colors that appeal to brides. As Val said, make it look pretty.

Do a post card affair...
Click to expand...

Asking a dude (with a face like Pat's) to think pretty is like asking me to look thin. :tribiggrin::triwink:

j/k pat......go for it and please, post the results of the show. I'm interested in doing these next year.
 
I agree don't give away what you are trying to sell.

Cold hard cash is great. Have them sign up to win $100. They usually carry their name/address/phone stickers with them. Make sure you get an email.

My most profitable booth was one where I had a small yamaha system under the table (out of sight) and hired a couple of 1940's swing dancers. Every time they did a dance it drew a crowd. I booked 17 weddings from my follow up.

Good luck man.

Paul
 
We will be doing a local bridal show on the 24th and I just had a few questions for those of you who have done them in the past:

1. We have the option of bringing a small system out and playing at a low volume. What is your take on this? I am on the fence about it, I would like to spend my time selling to the potential brides and not djing the whole time, but I can also see a few benefits of having the system there too.

Having a small system or even your main system there might work to your advantage in that the clients can see exactly what they would get at their receptions.

In my case this was a very good selling point... there was only one other DJ there and the equipment he brought was very lacking in appearance and quality by comparison to what I brought.

Bottom line is if you think the equipment will help you sell bring it.... you can always put music on AutoPlay...

2. We are going to have fliers, brochures and biz cards, any other marketing materials we should consider?

That's about all I brought... you might consider punching a hole in your business cards and attaching some sort of candy to give out. I saw several venders doing this and it was effective in getting the cards picked up rather than pushing them in a persons hand.

3. I was thinking of having a second laptop there to use so people can book right then. I would also have a printer there to print out the contract. What are your thoughts on this?

Why not... make it a self-serv item... show them you have the date available and then allow them to get the quote and then if they like they can confirm right there....

4. Should we offer any type of special or giveaway?

The one I went to had a required giveaway from each vendor that they took and then drew names for... other venders had the fish bowl thing for various giveaways too... but, if your goal is just to obtain contact information from your giveaway I wouldn't bother as with most of these they will send you a list of the attendies that signed in anyway.
 
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