If you want to succeed in the wedding and event industry, you must be able to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done! Even after all these years, I’m still learning how to pull this off. Here are my biggest challenges:
1. Most clients prefer designs that feel safe. No one wants to go too far outside the “norm.” They like to stay in their comfort zone, and I understand that. However, it can be hard as a designer to feel as though your wings are being clipped.
You have to try and find a balance between what the client knows she likes and something a little edgier — push the envelope a bit but not too much! And, of course, always remember that this event is about your client and NOT you the designer. Usually, I give my clients a range of choices and then let them make the final decision.
2. In order to have an extraordinary business, your clients must be comfortable with their budgets, and you must be comfortable with your profit. I wish I could say this gets easier, but it doesn’t. I’m still learning how to design within my clients’ budgets — what can I say? I dream big! In most cases, though, I find a way to create affordable dreams. That being said, I’m never going to learn how to dream within a budget!
3. My greatest challenge, however, is understanding my clients’ needs. No two clients are the same, and that has been a very humbling lesson. Remember, there are no difficult clients, only misunderstood clients.
Dear Readers, what difficulties have you found on your journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary? Please share your experiences in the comments below.
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Categories: business advice, client budgets, comfort zone, designing, difficult clients, making a profit, misunderstood clients, Preston Bailey, understanding your clients, working with clients