Download Small Businesses and Weddings – Perfect Together

Business & Finance
Small Businesses and Weddings – Perfect Together
by Rita Guthrie
Owner, Open Door Public Relations
The Announcement
Each week newspapers present photos of many happy
couples announcing their engagement. This gets the
wheels turning in the head of the small business owner.
The question is: How can your product or service bring
value to the couple planning a wedding?
Photo by Frank Mitman
Meet the
Idea Lady
Rita Guthrie is the founder and owner of Open Door PR, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to small business issues. Specializing in strategic
marketing and public relations, she is
highly skilled in evaluating elements
of branding and brand consistency.
Nicknamed The Idea Lady early on,
Rita has been involved in public relations and creative business events
since the early 1990s. The business
officially launched in 2005 and has
since expanded client services and
added networking events.
Offering invaluable advice on cultivating media relationships, the Idea
Lady has the ability to assess marketing materials and develop comarketing relationships that increase
visibility, profit, and fun. Rita has the
knack for working with the entrepreneur, sales rep, and business owner
leveraging expertise and finding
multiple applications for the product
or service. Tapping into your potential, Rita has a proven track record of
innovative results.




 
 
 
 
 
As with all businesses, you have to stand out in the
crowd. What makes your product unique? What
makes your service go above and beyond the norm?
Why are you better than other photographers, florists, or
caterers? Do you bring something NEW to the wedding
preparation?
Do you offer the largest reception facility? The most
extravagant food? Are the custom wedding gowns
you create unlike any others? Do you offer products or
services that are considered “green”?
The next step is to get the word out. How do you reach
prospective clients? What is your marketing plan?
The Marriage of Referrals and Co-marketing.
Marketing partners and network referrals are excellent
resources for building business. Costs can be minimal,
but creativity is essential. Choose complimentary businesses targeting the same demographic and brainstorm co-marketing concepts.
clothing. Invite a travel agent to discuss three
honeymoon options and an organizational
expert to teach about packing neatly and
sensibly for your trip.
Don’t forget the more obscure wedding
needs and observances…
-Billy Biceps, the fitness expert, may offer a discount if
the bride AND groom sign up for personal training.
-Charlie Chocolatier can create custom confections as
beautifully packaged favors for your guests.
-Dino the Debonair Dance Instructor can offer a series
of group lessons for the happy couple, their parents,
and attendants.
Unusual ceremony venues can harness some of the
wedding business. An art museum can be a lovely setting for an intimate wedding ceremony. It could take
place when the museum is otherwise closed and can
provide added income to the institution. Municipalities can rent out a public garden as a backdrop for a
romantic ceremony. Some sentimental couples exchanged vows last summer during an IronPigs baseball
game.
Touching… Fun… Profitable…
Co-marketing opportunities can be developed for all
types of small businesses. It takes some creativity but
there is SO much to gain.
Idea Web - Schedule
It’s the Story, Stupid! [Business] Size Doesn’t Matter
Wed Apr 15 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Here are some ideas:
1. Provide a value-added item. Joe the Dry Cleaner,
with expertise in cleaning wedding gowns, can provide
protective garment bags for Betty Lou’s Bridal Salon
imprinted with the words, “Betty Lou loves Joe the Dry
Cleaner” in a big heart.
2. Display a sign. Dr. Molar, a cosmetic dental specialist, Sleek Salon, and Weddings R Us photographers can
display signs in their reception areas and on their websites recommending each other. Signs can read something like, “Now that you have brightened your smile,
we recommend Sleek Salon for a new hairstyle.” Or, “All
couples having their engagement portrait by Weddings
R Us get a $100 discount coupon toward smile brightening with Dr. Molar.”
3. Host an open house. Bridal fairs can be overwhelming to the vendors AND the brides. Why not host an
intimate bridal event and limit it to ten vendors that
share your work ethic and client pampering style. Invite
a local winery to offer tasting, and show personalized
wine labels commemorating the special day. Include a
display of unique invitations. A string quartet can play
background music and a caterer can serve unusual
appetizers. There can be a limited bridal fashion show
featuring less formal gowns and a florist providing simply
elegant arrangements and bouquets. Each vendor can
provide a door prize to add to the fun.
4. Offer an educational event. Invite guests into your
clothing boutique. Teach a lesson on choosing vacation attire that compliments different body types and
works by mixing and matching different articles of
The Secret to Increasing Referrals
Thurs Apr 30 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Exactly what is ‘Thinking Outside the Box’?
Wed May 13 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Asking for a referral - Wimpy?
Tues June 2 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Attract More Customers through Cross-Promotion
Sat July 11 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Body Language in Business
Thurs July 23 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Building Small Business Buzz on the Cheap
Wed Aug 19 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The Idea Web is an informal brainstorming group
for business owners and start-ups.
The topic is used as a springboard for discussion.
The focus is on exploring new and exciting marketing concepts.
Open to all
No membership required
Consistent attendance optional
Location:
Community Room,
Whitehall Township Library
3700 Mechanicsville Road,
Whitehall PA 18052
Cost: $15.00 per person
(cash or check)
Reservations please:
[email protected]
~ progressive ideas to increase your visibility ~
 

Rita Guthrie, Owner Open Door Public Relations




Lehigh
Valley Woman’s Journal

20
610-437-4732 [email protected]