Hurry! There's still time to celebrate our birthday! Our savings deal has been so successful that we're extending it until August 31st. Enjoy a 20% savings on any advertising package you sign up for (new customers only).

  

For more information on how you can join us in our celebration, contact Gail or call 336.676.9631.   

Brandi Zrallack

Director of Corporate Market Operations

 

 

There's a great saying, "You were given two ears and one mouth for a reason.  You should listen twice as much as you talk!"  Many of us love to hear ourselves talk.  We're obsessed with what's going on in our world and we often don't stop to think that other people have something to contribute as well.  However, once you begin to stop and listen with an open mind, it's amazing what you can pick up through a conversation with another person.

We're all excited to talk about our brides, our weddings, our products and our success stories.  We believe that by going on and on and on about these things will impress people or will create a perception about our company.  The problem is, when the information is coming from you with no end, you're rarely creating the perception you'll want for yourself.  Seen as the person no one wants to get stuck talking to, you may find it difficult to grow your business.

When interacting with other wedding professionals, remember, they have as much to offer as you do and sometimes more.  Listen, truly listen, to their opinions, stories, event recaps, and more.  Learn from their mistakes and take things that were useful or successful for them and see how you can use that information.  Be interested in their stories, their new products, and their conversation.  By listening more and talking less, you may come away with great information and ideas to help grow your business.



When selling to the bride, the same strategy should be used.  It's true that you're the one doing the selling, but no two brides are alike.  If you're trying to sell them by talking them to death, you'll never get as many contracts as you would if you listened to what she wants and what she's looking for, and then customize your sales pitch and packaging to her needs, wants and desires.  However, if you don't listen to her, again, truly listen to her, you'll be in a losing battle to connect the dots for her.  You'll miss the opportunity to show her that you have what she's most interested in.  If you don't listen to her, you'll be left to assume what she wants and more times than not, you'll be wrong!

You may wonder why I keep mentioning that you should "truly" listen.  It's because, as with most of our faults, we believe we are listening.  We believe we are hearing what's she's saying, but it's only those that truly listen with their ears, their eyes, and all their senses that are truly tuned in to what she's saying.

I can't tell you how many times I've watched sales presentations or even a casual conversation between two people when the person talking makes a comment about his/her opinion, only for the other person in the conversation to come back and say something unrelated to what was just said. For example, Vendor A is talking to a bride and trying to sell her on his services.  She makes a face when he mentions not getting a DVD of images.  He misses the face because he's so excited and confident in his pitch and she responds, "I am looking for a DVD of images and want to spend about $2500."  Because, again, he's more interested in what he has to say, he only hears part of her response and says, "That's great because my average package is $2500." And, then he continues to ramble on.  The bride inevitably will leave feeling unheard and irrelevant to the photographer.

Listening to others, learning from them, hearing their feelings and thoughts and truly understanding them can mean the difference between an educated wedding professional and an egocentric wedding professional.  It can mean the difference between selling a bride a package she's happy with and that meets her expectations and losing that client due to a lack of understanding of her needs.  Train yourself to listen more and pay attention to what others have to say; it's your business at risk.  Do you hear me?

   

 

When it comes to landing new prospects and reaching the new age bride, we hear that 'going social' is an important way of prospecting.   But if the bride doesn't know you exist, it may make it more difficult to find you on social media engines.  This is why Perfect Wedding Guide is giving you one more way to reach the bride - through your Facebook and Twitter accounts!

 

Interactive marketing expert Heidi Cohen cites 12 specific benefits to being socially proactive:

• Gives businesses a human face
• Listens to what customers are saying
• Proactively engages
• Provides product-related content
• Answers product-related questions  
• Supplies alternative contact channel
• Gives customers a channel to talk
• Shares customer feedback
• Celebrates your customers
• Shows customers behind the scenes
• Makes special offers
• Creates new purchase options 

To get connected, stay current and share your social networking site with brides, contact: Gail at 336-676-9631

 

*silver or higher listings 

   

 Qualified Brides. Elegant Venues. Great Results. 

The Triad & Triangle's Most Intimate & Elegant Bridal Shows 

Thank you!!!! :) The show was awesome, and I'm excited. I've already made 6 consultation appointments from it, which is great. ~ L.S., Simply Southern Photography 

The bridal show was so fun to meet vendors. I liked it and booked some vendors. Love it!.
~ H. Vigoya, Bride  

 

 

Be a part of the PWG Triad & Triangle Bridal Shows!

 

Sunday, September 25 

Embassy Suites RDU | Brier Creek  

1:00pm-4:00pm 

Raleigh, NC 

 

Sunday, November 6

The Empire & Regency Ballrooms

1:00pm-4:30pm 

Greensboro, NC

Learn more and get a contract for the Fall Shows 

   

images by Simply Southern Photography 

Job Opening:
The Cardinal Club, located on the 28th floor of the Wachovia Center Building in downtown Raleigh, is seeking a results-orientated, highly motivated individual for Catering sales. We are seeking a 3+ year sales professional with a proven track record in the hospitality industry. Candidates should be articulate, possess excellent communication skills, be highly organized and have participated in a professional sales training program. Excellent Salary/Commission potential, Bonus and Benefits await you. If interested, please submit resume and salary history via mail or email to:

Karl Swink
General Manager
Cardinal Club / Capital City Club
150 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919 834-8829 x226


The King's Daughters Inn is hosting a Vendor Open House on Tuesday, August 9th from 4pm - 7pm. Enjoy cool cocktails and hors d'eouvres sponsored by Crave, Piazza Italia Gelato Bar, and Tre Bella Flowers. There will also be giveaways throughout the evening. Please reply by August 8th to Samantha at 919.354.7000x 203 or Events@TheKingsDaughtersInn.com.

 

If you have something exciting going on and you want the wedding industry to know about it here and on http://www.pwgnc.com/accolades.html, email jaime@pwg.com.   

Thanks for a most enjoyable and worthwhile luncheon meeting. We plan to continue attending these events.
Dale Games
Burleigh Plantation

I just want to let you know, I have truly missed  the luncheons.  They are so much fun and it is nice meeting and seeing everyone. I hope to see you soon!
Elaine Robbins
Edible Artistry

I have really enjoyed the two PWG luncheons I've been to, especially at WinMock since I won the door prize! :) I am so happy to be involved in the group and have met some great people so far.
Thanks again,
Jamie Rogers Southern
Southern Celebrations Weddings & Events