84. Staying Focused During Wedding Season: Tips and Tricks for Wedding Professionals

We're diving into a topic that's all too familiar for wedding professionals: staying focused during wedding season. Let's be real, it's tough for everyone. I don't think there's a single wedding pro out there who feels like they've got it all together, especially during the peak of the season.

During the off-season, many of us dive into various projects, whether it's launching a podcast, planning new marketing strategies, or updating our portfolios. This period is crucial for setting the groundwork for the busy months ahead. However, once wedding season hits, it often feels like everything comes at you all at once.

From pre-wedding preparations to post-wedding tasks like editing, building timelines, and coordinating with vendors, the workload can be overwhelming. It's essential to plan your weeks meticulously. We're fortunate to have each other to bounce ideas off of and to balance our personal and professional lives, but even then, it takes a lot of planning.

One of the most effective strategies we've found is planning months in advance. We look at our calendar and block off time for editing and other post-wedding tasks well ahead of the season. Our schedules fill up so fast that we often have to decline social invitations, even months in advance. It's not uncommon for us to be booked out until October, and it's only June.

One of the biggest challenges during wedding season is maintaining your online presence. Social media, newsletters, blogs, and website updates often take a backseat when you're busy shooting and editing weddings. However, staying active is crucial. We've learned the hard way that neglecting our online presence during the busy season can lead to slower months later on.

We aim to post on social media at least three times a week during the season. Stories are great for quick updates, but they don't attract new clients. Posts, on the other hand, are more likely to be seen by potential new followers. Batching content creation and using scheduling tools like Later can save a lot of time and ensure consistent posting.

Networking is another essential aspect of maintaining business momentum. Make it a goal to meet with at least one new person each month. Whether it's a vendor, a potential client, or another industry professional, these connections can lead to future opportunities.

After each wedding, we make a point to share sneak peeks on our stories and tag the vendors involved. This not only showcases our work but also fosters relationships with other professionals who can refer us to new clients. In fact, we've already received referrals from venues simply because we shared sneak peeks and interacted well with their staff.

To stay organized, we use a workflow system called N-Book, which helps us keep track of client communications and tasks. It's vital not to let emails and client requests pile up. Responding promptly not only improves client satisfaction but also reduces the stress of having unresolved tasks hanging over your head.

Another critical tool is our calendar. We schedule everything, including downtime, to ensure we have a balance between work and personal life. Even planned fun activities with the kids are carefully scheduled to prevent burnout.

Having a mentor or a business coach can provide much-needed clarity and guidance. Discussing your goals and challenges with someone who's been there can help you see solutions you might have missed. It also holds you accountable, making it more likely that you'll follow through on your plans.

Staying focused during wedding season is a challenge, but with careful planning, delegation, and the right tools, it's possible to maintain a healthy balance and keep your business thriving. Remember to take care of yourself, schedule downtime, and invest in relationships that can support and guide you. Here's to a successful and focused wedding season!