In segment two of Best Practices: SAY NO, this item addresses frequent tunnel vision of wedding venues. Tunnel Vision Syndrome (TVS) is a function of filtered awareness: Seeing only what venue staff are directly responsible for, and nothing else.

The overarching premise is this: A wedding reception ballroom should be functional and easy on the eye. Unfortunately, some vendors have a tendency to litter the room with their gear, road cases for their gear, or other assorted stuff (that’s a technical term).

This issue is not just about aesthetics, it’s also a potential safety a liability problem. For example, when photographer or videographer gear or cases are just strewn against a wall, it creates a tripping opportunity for event guests.

Here are some of the common offenders and violations:

Bands and musicians: Members often arrive individually, depending on the degree of difficulty for set up for their instrument (i.e. drummer vs. trumpet). Depending on security at the property (think LARGE hotel), it’s a long schlep to and from their vehicle. In these cases, it’s helpful for the venue to provide a small room, closet or other area, away from the reception room to store road cases. Cables should be secured, neatly, with Stage Tape (not Duct Tape). No glassware should be on the stage. Preferably only bottled water, and not on the stage, itself. Mobile DJs: DJs tend to come more self-contained than bands; however, the same guidelines apply about storing cases, hand-trucks, etc.,. (also see DJs make an impression by cleaning up their act) Bands and DJs: Speaker Tripods should be recessed, slightly away from the dance floor. Venues should allow for this, so that there is NOT encroachment, creating a tripping hazard on the dance floor.

Hide necessary gear, nearby

Videographers and Photographers: Many of these fine folks are famous for walking up to the DJ or Band Leader and asking: “Hey, is alright if drop my gear, here (on the stage or adjacent to the entertainer)?” This is code for: I need some place to put my stuff, and if I drop it by you, I know it will be safe. The entertainer, will usually grumble, perhaps give a dirty look, and usually relent. Here’s the thing. A videographer or photographer need access to their gear throughout the event. Changing a battery, swapping out a non-functioning item with a backup, or any other quick need is key. Therefore, storing gear in a separate room isn’t going to get it done. A simple solution can be to set up a nice 3-panel screen in a corner, defining and shielding a specific space. The thought that a photographer or videographer have their own screen is not a bad idea, either.

Banquet staff: There are occasions where the entertainers and photo/video crews have handled their business, set up neatly, and put away their extraneous gear. Then, a random banquet staff member opens up a bussing tray right next to the stage or DJ console. Really, this item isn’t invisible, either. It should be positioned in a less prominent area. Another bad habit for waiters is to interrupt a ceremonial moment by walking in front of the photographer or videographer. This is simple room awareness. One can avoid this by taking a longer route to one’s destination or simply pausing for a few moments (depending on the situation).

Vendors and Venues are inextricably linked at events. It doesn’t matter whether a vendor was referred by the venue, guests typically look at vendor performance as an extension of the venue. They will rarely remember the vendor’s name (unless they have particular need for that service, in the near future). But you will hear someone say, “I attended a wedding at the XYZ Hotel last weekend and the stage looked like a mess. That will look bad in the photos. Can’t believe the hotel allowed that to happen.”

The hotel gets bad-rapped because they have the biggest name recognition. It’s a shame.

This discussion points out the importance of team effort and discussion. Life is smoother when vendors and venues act in concert, on everything. It starts with simple things. Like putting away your toys.

Presentation of everyone and everything is part of marketing. And if everyone isn’t on board, all wedding professionals at that event get tainted. It’s pretty simple stuff. Don’t get lazy. And don’t let your counterparts get lazy, either.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, band leaders, business identity, clutter, duct tape, gear, live bands, mobile DJs, photographers, Public Relations, road cases, Say NO, stage tape, videographers, wedding marketing, Wedding Marketing Authority, wedding venues

To be memorable, be clear and concise

If you have been in any organization or networking group, you’ve been asked to voice your 30-second commercial or elevator speech. Those critical few seconds determine what other people remember about you.

Recently, while working with a small group of business leaders, we worked on the 30-second commercial. I was genuinely surprised at the look of panic on some people’s faces when asked to do a brief self-introduction. It’s well documented that more people fear public speaking than death. Looking around the room, that was clear.

After everyone did a self-introduction, we examined the disconnect between what one says and what people hear, and then further worked on the necessary precision for self-introductions.

Key elements of our discussion included these tips on what works and what doesn’t.

Start and end with your name, title, and company. Use your title, only if it clearly expresses what you do. Avoid first person, singular or plural, whenever possible (I or we). Ideally you should be talking about your company, as a separate entity from yourself. If you’re a micro-business of one, you can use first person. Don’t give a laundry list of everything you do. If you are in a wedding networking situation, stay focused on weddings. If you are in a convention situation, focus on corporate and convention services. Pare it down even further by not listing all your possible upgrades. Concentrate on the services that you are asked for most often (80/20 rule applies). Define your market area, clearly. Each market has its own unique boundaries, bridges and natural divisions. If you have elected to work within a specific portion of a Greater Tibuktu, state it. Smile! A purposeful smile puts warmth and authenticity into your voice. When one gives a deadpan delivery, the message comes across board and disinterested, as though your self-introduction is something you just-want-to-get-through. Look people in the eye. Even in a short segment, one can engage two or three people directly, for connection. If it looks like your speaking to the light features, the connection will not be there. Why do people hire or refer you? If there is one standout comment you hear, frequently from client feedback, feature it (if you can fit it in). “Most often, customers ask for the Chocolate Heart Attack, made with 11 varieties of chocolate.” or “Venue managers say that our disc jockeys are well prepared and always work as team players on events.” Rehearsed, but not memorized. Just like putting a fresh announcement on  your voice mail, your self-introduction should flow, with ease. As you wordsmith your 30-second commercial, put it in writing. When you see the words, it’s typically easier to cut away the fat. After you’ve trimmed it, rehearse until you are able to do it off-the-cuff. If you’ve mastered the introduction, it will never be phrased exactly the same, two times in a row. It will always sound fresh. If it sounds memorized, your words will lack sincerity.

Let me give you an example:

“I’m Andy Ebon, The Wedding Marketing Authority; writer and publisher of The Wedding Marketing Blog-dot-com. I assist wedding industry businesses connect with the bride, more effectively through seminars and presentations and my blog, as well as business and marketing coaching. Andy Ebon, The Wedding Marketing Authority.”

Alternate Version

“I’m Andy Ebon, The Wedding Marketing Authority. I’m a public speaker, trainer, and educator of wedding industry businesses. I help wedding industry business connect with today’s bride through business and marketing coaching, as well as my blog, cleverly titled: The Wedding Marketing Blog -dot-com. Andy Ebon, The Wedding Marketing Authority.”

I could go on… but I won’t… for now. At some point I’ll publish a Part 2. For the moment, see what you can do to improve your 30-second commercial. If you find any tips, particularly helpful, please comment.

And remember, if you can’t clearly express what is you do, and who it is you serve, how can you expect other people to make really good referrals.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: 30-second commercial, Andy Ebon, concise, elevator speech, impactful, networking, organization, public speaking, Wedding Marketing Authority

About a week ago, I posted the item: How to benefit from fewer: Email subscriptions, connections, friends, and followers. It dealt with idea of diminishing the clutter of unnecessary information and dormant relationships.

If you’ve begun the effort to prune the excess, you should consider the greatest by-product of that task: Rediscovery

Face it, we’re in a warp-speed world. People move through jobs, and make career changes at an incredibly rapid pace. We’re a mobile society. Business contacts not only change jobs, they transfer to new locations. Friends have kids. All of it seems to happen in the blink of an eye.

Reflexively, it appears that one gets most excited about making new connections. Emotionally, it’s view much the same as making a sale to a new client. Too often, the excitement subsides quickly, and these connections fall into dormancy.

As you moving through your pruning process, you might experience a  few thoughts, such as these.

There will be many variations on the same theme. Now act on those thoughts.

Email is fine as a starter, but if you really want to revive a relationship, get on the phone. If the person (friend or business) is local, go get breakfast, meet for coffee or have lunch.

Don’t think forward about ‘business possibilities.’ Just reconnect. Friends often becomes business contacts and vice-versa. One thing is certainly true: Past clients can often become clients, again. And quickly.

Then, institute a maintenance program for all your relationships. Develop a plan for ’staying in touch.’

Time flies… Staying in touch is good for all kinds of relationships.

It’s good for the soul.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, business contacts, connections, personal PR, Relationship Marketing, Wedding Marketing Authority