How might a vendor really help a bride?
An excellent question about the focus of the Vendors Helping Brides Board has been brought up in a previous thread, particularly about vendors initiating/responding to a bride to bride thread on the vendor side. As a couple of threads initiated by me certainly fit this bride's critique, I'd like to offer an opinion for those interested in the topic.
There are on occasion various topics discussed on the Bride Side that I will always read. In most cases, they are totally related to music or the services that I provide. It affords me the opportunity to learn about a bride's perspective, ultimately improving my ability to provide a high quality service to my clients. In the long run, bride's benefit by this practice if a vendor learns/improves as a result. It would be foolish for me to ignore such an excellent resource. If I see a thread about a topic on which I may have information not previously discussed that may be helpful to a bride, I will be happy to offer my information, whether or not that bride has already selected entertainment, in hope that my comments may in some way be helpful. Isn't that what the Vendor side should be... Vendors helping brides?
On three occasions, relative to the topics of Photo Montage, Star Wars Theme and Disney theme, I started a thread on the Vendor side (in response to a bride to bride thread) to provide information for brides which they might not necessarily have had prior to my thread. In one case, this bride was assisted by and ultimately did find a match in my services based on my initiation of a thread on the Vendor side. I do know for sure that one of the 'theme' questions came from a bride who already had a DJ company hired. My response to her thread on the bride side was not initiated to gain her business, but to possibly assist with an idea. If there is the potential for any bride to be assisted, whether they become a client of mine or not, then what is the harm? If there are any brides who view this as exploitive or aggressive sales tactics, simply choose not to read any thread started by a vendor on the vendor side.
I can understand how many bride's become frustrated with overly zealous vendors with aggressive sales tactics. I can assure you that I, as well as many of the vendors who advertise here (many of whom I've had the pleasure of working with for several years), are genuinely interested in assisting brides (and grooms) with the planning for this immensely important event. This assistance may take the form of actually providing services or simply offering information as a point of consideration.
I express my views not as a major player in this industry. I am a sole proprietorship with very limited availability as compared with many of my colleagues. As I write this, I also know in advance that some may view this post as 'an opportunistic thread to attract business.' I am hopeful though, that most of you will see it for what it is… an attempt to convey a message that the majority of vendors, although pursuing a livelihood, are ready and willing to assist brides with the benefit of our experience.
Regards,
Michael
There are on occasion various topics discussed on the Bride Side that I will always read. In most cases, they are totally related to music or the services that I provide. It affords me the opportunity to learn about a bride's perspective, ultimately improving my ability to provide a high quality service to my clients. In the long run, bride's benefit by this practice if a vendor learns/improves as a result. It would be foolish for me to ignore such an excellent resource. If I see a thread about a topic on which I may have information not previously discussed that may be helpful to a bride, I will be happy to offer my information, whether or not that bride has already selected entertainment, in hope that my comments may in some way be helpful. Isn't that what the Vendor side should be... Vendors helping brides?
On three occasions, relative to the topics of Photo Montage, Star Wars Theme and Disney theme, I started a thread on the Vendor side (in response to a bride to bride thread) to provide information for brides which they might not necessarily have had prior to my thread. In one case, this bride was assisted by and ultimately did find a match in my services based on my initiation of a thread on the Vendor side. I do know for sure that one of the 'theme' questions came from a bride who already had a DJ company hired. My response to her thread on the bride side was not initiated to gain her business, but to possibly assist with an idea. If there is the potential for any bride to be assisted, whether they become a client of mine or not, then what is the harm? If there are any brides who view this as exploitive or aggressive sales tactics, simply choose not to read any thread started by a vendor on the vendor side.
I can understand how many bride's become frustrated with overly zealous vendors with aggressive sales tactics. I can assure you that I, as well as many of the vendors who advertise here (many of whom I've had the pleasure of working with for several years), are genuinely interested in assisting brides (and grooms) with the planning for this immensely important event. This assistance may take the form of actually providing services or simply offering information as a point of consideration.
I express my views not as a major player in this industry. I am a sole proprietorship with very limited availability as compared with many of my colleagues. As I write this, I also know in advance that some may view this post as 'an opportunistic thread to attract business.' I am hopeful though, that most of you will see it for what it is… an attempt to convey a message that the majority of vendors, although pursuing a livelihood, are ready and willing to assist brides with the benefit of our experience.
Regards,
Michael
