Top Ways to Ensure 2019 is the Best Year Yet
Four Tips to Ensure 2019 is the Best Year Yet
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
Another year has passed and it’s time for us event professionals to do some proactive work to prepare for 2019. Whether this year was one of feast or famine, the new year is always a great time to reassess your current workflow and determine how to take it to the next level.
Here are some planning tips from the pros to keep you in good shape.
Don’t wait for your resolutions
Who says you need a midnight countdown to start new habits? The end of the year is pretty slow for most and it’s up to you to take advantage of the quieter season. “Instead of waiting for the new year to work on resolutions, spend the last quarter focused on building good systems and achieving small goals along the way, “ encourages Shannon Tarrant of Wedding Venue Map. “This will help you start the new year feeling successful instead of falling behind.” A refreshed start to 2019 is a great way to start off on the right foot.
Set realistic goals
Keyword: realistic. Goals are no help if they are unreachable; if anything, they can set you up for disappointment. “Setting realistic goals for the upcoming year is incredibly important, but it starts with honest reflection of your success thus far,” explains Kevin Dennis of WeddingIQ. “Analyze your business from top to bottom and decide if you like what you see or if it’s time for a change. Don’t be afraid to start with small goals.” Set a meeting with your team and reach out to past clients for feedback—the outside perspective will help you determine what truly is and is not working.
Evaluate your booking process
It’s easy to get caught up in the actual work that you do, be it floral design, event planning, or the like. Take some time to look at the way that you get work. Do prospective clients book with you because they know you are the best option? How can you tweak your current procedures to better take advantage of newly engaged couples? “I’ve found that when I can create a sense of urgency by educating prospective clients on how many other couples are on the hunt during the first quarter, they are quicker to choose and book dates earlier,” shares Tommy Waters of The Renaissance.
Implement surprise and delight details
Surprise and delight is a marketing tactic that does just what it says—it surprises and delights clients with the unexpected perks of working with you. It may be a simple holiday mailer, a complimentary upgrade, or a special surprise detail on the big day. Get to know your clients’ preferences and catch them off guard by offering them their favorite drinks or including something that will mean the world to them. Of course, the client experience begins from the very start. “I’m no stranger to going the extra mile with a glass of champagne and some tasty treats, ready to wine and dine a client at a moment’s notice,” says Waters.
As we call it a wrap on 2018, think about what you would like to achieve in 2019. Remember: small steps towards an attainable goal is better than winging it with an undefined plan. Be confident, take action, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.