Decoding Client Inquiries Ahead of Engagement Season
Quickly-approaching holidays can only mean one thing for us design & wedding professionals – engagement season is officially upon us! As we prepare for these new inquiries to fill our inboxes, it’s important to learn how to distinguish the ideal clients from the ones that may not be a good fit.
Beyond that, I always strive to ensure that a potential client’s expectations can be met and that we’re ultimately on the same page before pursuing a working relationship. This process can be tricky if you aren’t sure of what to look out for, so let’s discuss what it truly means to decode a client inquiry.
Always start with your contact form
You always want to start off on the right foot, and your contact form is going to be the guiding light for prospective clients. Whether they found you via Instagram or saw your work on Pinterest, your website will be the place where they reach out to you directly.
Because of this, it’s incredibly important that you make sure your inquiry form is accessible, detailed, and easy to navigate. While you don’t necessarily have to glean all the details of their big day, you’ll want to gather the basics to determine if you can deliver (and vice versa). For example, I ask them for their contact information, the preferred date of the event, the location, budget, headcount, and a brief summary of what their inspiration and/or style is. This gives me plenty of information up front.
Determine what their needs (and wants) are
Once you have this information in your inbox, set aside some time to filter through your requests. You know best when it comes to identifying your ideal client, so consider each response with that in mind. For instance, if you aren’t interested in pursuing larger weddings, a couple with 150-300 guests would exceed your bandwidth.
Similarly, it’s wise to check your event calendar to see if you can fit them in for their desired date. A quick turnaround paired with a destination locale may not be possible if you’re already experiencing an influx of bookings.
Will your expectations be a good match?
The fine print is going to be key when it comes to establishing expectations. Let’s say that an inquiry pops up that meets all of your criteria, and you decide to move forward with a consultation. I’ll typically reach out to the potential couple to get on a quick call or set up an in-person meeting. This is your opportunity to really flesh out the smaller details.
If they’re looking for someone extremely hands-on that will be available at all hours, that likely won’t work with your schedule. Likewise, if they have unrealistic expectations regarding the constraints of their budget, it may be best to recommend another vendor that can work with them.
However, when you encounter a couple that feels passionately about your work and gives you the creative freedom to bring their vision to life, that’s what it’s all about! Your job is to set the tone and pursue the inquiries that will get you there.
Photos by Rene Zadori Photography
Curious about how Eddie creates such amazing events?
Sign up below to download your free guide and see all of Eddie’s go-to design tools!