Happy Tuesday, Lovelies!
I’m back from a craaazy weekend, and I wanted to share some of
the “stuff” I learned after my first attempt at being a vendor at a bridal
expo.
On a personal note, I learned that U-Haul sucks a big one. Saturday was only the second time I’ve pulled
a trailer with my U-Haul-installed hitch, and, within 5 hours on both such
marvelous occasions, my alternator was fried.
It stunk getting everything I needed for my booth into my
fiancé’s SUV while my car was towed to a shop… plus fit two and six year olds,
and a fiancé. Mi Amor has the patience
of Mother Teresa and the packing skills of a professional organizer. He truly saved the weekend when I was sure
all was lost!
Okay, so on top of learning that the professional installation
of a U-Haul hitch might cost you an alternator or two, and Mi Amor is a
god-send, I learned
- I really have the coolest clients and potential clients in the whole world! I met so many people with whom I instantly connected, and some people even traveled over an HOUR to come see “me” at the Fredericksburg Expo. *Squeal* When these brides told me that they came from NoVA “to see me,” I must have given them a look like—umm, yo no hablo Ingles, dudette. I was in shock! Look chicas, you totally made my weekend, but honestly, let’s just grab coffee on the metro line. I’ll make time for ya!
- At an expo, location is key. You want a spot near the front doors. Brides start to glaze over and become overwhelmed on their 3+ row of vendors. If you can get brides while they are still fresh, you’ll have a better chance of a good conversation.
- Swag should be cool, unique, highlight your brand, and express your personality. At the trade show, I gave out mini hot sauce bottles to highlight the give away on my blog… The Haute Sauce. Brides and families got a huge kick out of it!
- I was so nervous just before the doors opened! Another photographer stopped by to introduce herself and offer words of encouragement and advice. I was literally shaking and stuttering. That’s not me. It took me about 15 minutes, and the excitement took over my fear. Public speaking has never been an issue for me, but fear of not being good enough… well, I think we all experience that. Once I dropped the self-consciousness, I had a ton of fun!
- I need jalapeño-shaped pens.
- Tiffany Medellin totally missed her calling as a professional model. My largest photo was of Mrs. Medellin. Everyone thinks you are drop. dead. gorgeous, Tiff!
- I’m just a part-time photographer, shooting on weekends when our girls are away. It’s an outlet for my entrepreneurship and creative pursuits, and is helping us get back on solid financial footing. BUT, I need to stop using that as an excuse. I need to invest in the promotion of my business through adverts, additional sample albums, etc. I’m a huge cheapo, but I need to let loose of the purse strings a bit to promote my businesses. The expo was great but out of my normal spending.
Finally, I learned how to make a slamming booth, at least one
that represents me, one a super tight budget.
“Cheap,” if you will. Oooowww,
folks, I’m going to do a whole blog post on that because although I searched
for HOURS, I found nada.
3 Haute Comments Posted:
I am so excited about your drawing =o) Like your budget for your booth, I am on a HUGE budget for our wedding. I don't want to settle or compromise on our photographer though. Your booth turned out great, it had a simple elegance to it! Would not have known you were on a budget. Also, my fiance appreciated the hot sauce because we never seem to have any =o)Your photos are beautiful, and I am surprised to learn this is only a part-time thing for you. Your work is definitely great enough to make a living of it.
It was wonderful meeting you this weekend. I will be in touch in the next couple days about booking our Wedding!
You ladies totally made my evening! Korrie, I'm going to have a TON of budget ideas on the blog! Also, I've scoured the corners of VA for totally cool vendors, who are just neat, but home-grown businesses like me. Believe me, I'm frugal. Don't call me cheap! That'll cost you a dollar:)
Trisha, I can't wait to hear from you!
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