Bridal Show Event Tips/Advice?

[Jen925Jewelry]

no message content.Edited by: Jen925Jewelry

[fraubek]

What we have found is that the brides are typically in a 'hurry' to get all their booths stamped before they can be entered into a drawing (for stopping by all the booths).

Find some way to slow them down.

Think of some buzz words to capture their attention - as wedding is on the brain.....jewelry for the bride, bridesmaids, mothers, etc...

You will get the list of all the names. However, you may want to find a way to do something that you can capture names that seem more 'interested' then just getting a list.
First, that takes a lot of time calling everyone. Secondly, not everyone on the show list will be interested in all products at the show.

I typically have my own sign-up and use that. I don't do drawings either as I generate a lot of names looking for freebies instead.

It sounds like you are focused. If you haven't thought about it, yo may wnat to write 2-3 goals and then ways to help you achieve those goals. If it is like most bridal shows, they are fast and furious. So, stay focused on those 2-3 goals...is it is to share with them how to make money for their wedding, gifts, host, etc? You get the idea.

Good Luck!!
I am also looking to branch more in Ohio as my brother and wife live outside of Dayton, Ohio area and looking for events.

[Jen925Jewelry]

Thanks for the suggestions, Rebecca! I do have goals set for the event and will definitely think of ways to "slow down" the brides. It's been YEARS since I attended a bridal show for myself, so I forgot how hurried the brides are at these events.
If you're at all interested in bridal events near Dayton, the same company that produces the Columbus show also holds them in Dayton. I've only heard positive things about them and they have been very professional and helpful to work with. It's Claiborne Productions: http://www.claiborneproductions.com/They actually have several large bridal events in Dayton each year!

[shoppingmamma]

I am doing a HUGE one here too ... last year this one had over 1300 people attend - 350 were registered brides. SOOOO....my plan is to decorate 1/2 the table bridal but the other half fun and funky with all our other products to get attention from the other 1000 people that are NOT brides!! I've done them in the past too with my other company - we had offered an actual bridal shower/show... here's what I have found:
The brides for the most part can be rushing to get stamps if there is a prize, visit everyone and then they sometimes can be scattered and just a frenzy! LOL I try to slow them down with great displays and talking - ASK about their wedding - they usually LOVE talking about that! Once you get them to slow down and just stay you can talk about your product and what you have to offer. I have found you might NOT want to offer a "party" or "show" -- in THEIR minds that will be too much! They can't possibly do that with a wedding to plan!! LOL Soooo.... offer a "personal shopping night"... you will come over and meet with them and their bridal party - they can bring their dresses and any other clothes they have and can try on jewelry for the wedding of course AND the rehearsal dinner, the bridal shower, the honeymoon, etc. And tell her because she is the BRIDE she'll get free and 1/2 off jewelry as your special gift to her! (It also depends how she is working bridal jewelry - I was in one wedding where the bride bought it all for us as our gift, another wedding where we all bought our own and could pick out a couple different things - themed but not exact match and then she got us something else for a gift). You could even offer to do a one on one with her to pick out bridal jewelry etc. and come to her house - (she'll be more relaxed and focused then!)



For recruiting - unless the wedding is a WAYS off and she is worried how to pay for it she may not be interested NOW - I have seen many brides that are just so focused on the wedding that they can't even think of anything else. Make notes of the wedding date - maybe send a wedding card? Then a couple weeks AFTER - when things settle down follow up again with a letter and talk about do they have outstanding wedding bills (most go over budget!!), do they want to buy a house? furnish a house? have a baby? and then do your plug about your company and how you can help them achieve all that and MORE!

For the rest of the people I do a drawing for some door prize/gift certificate - ask basic questions are they the bride? do they want to earn a free shopping spree? are they interested in extra money? etc. maybe run some type of booking special. I REALLY focus on the OTHERS there... like I said the brides can be scattered, overwhelmed, etc. and in general the bridal market is really competitive - still "work" them of course but the people WITH them are GREAT leads! Her sister may have no desire to be there or bored - she sees you and is like oh this is cool! LOVE this! And instead of fussing over the bride like EVERYONE does you give her some attention, talk to her, etc. she may very well book right then since she doesn't have a wedding to plan and just knows her friends, co-workers and neighbors would LOVE this! And it would be such FUN! Focus on the fun girls nights out!! For recruiting THEM - they may be looking for extra $$ because now not only do they more than likey have holiday bills but they are in this relative/friends wedding and I know being IN a wedding can be $$$ - you have the dress, shoes, an outfit for rehearsal dinner, gifts, showers, bachelorette parties..that all adds up when you are in a wedding!! Jan is a GREAT recruiting month because alot of people make resolutions to get out of debt, save for ___, get finances in order AND many, many overspend during the holidays!!

Hope that helps!(sorry so long!) Good Luck!!!

[fraubek]

Jill.,

You are very right on recruiting -as the last bridal expo - they were not interested in starting a business right before their busines...but 'maybe' afterwards..

However, they come with family and friends...

Of course, we stil continued to offer the opportunity to everyone but we did not personally sign anyone up after the last bridal show.

We also could do cash & carry but the sales were low as most of htem were coming for 'freebie's......

It's all about the follow-up.
If you like to make customer care calls and follow-up - you will be golden.

[foreverdavis]

I did my first two bridal events last year and I learned alot of things--what to do and what not to do!! Here are a few things off the top of my head:
1. Have a beautiful table/booth. Everyone else will have gorgeous displays, so don't stand out as a boring table.
2. I chose to have a game at my table instead of just a door prize sign up to keep them longer.
3. I had a horrible time contacting brides afterwards--if you can nail them down for either a party or something right then and there, do it! My idea was to have a special "bride party" inviting all brides and a friend/s and having a mystery hostess. I set up a room at the Holiday Inn and had time slots throughout the day for them to sign up (for me it was to make a custom fragrance, for you a special shopping time).
4. Definately dress professional, stand in front of your booth, have a 30 second commercial ready, and keep your breath fresh!
5. Make whatever you hand out STAND OUT! If you don't have much to invest, be creative. (Ex: I sprayed a fragrance on my biz card)
6. I know that retail stores have models walk around with their dresses on--if you have volunteers, have some models wearing your jewelry?
7. Think about your display--if you want to give them the idea of wedding jewelry, display that. If you want to give them an idea of bridal party gifts, display that. If you want to show honeymoon jewelry possibilities, display that.
That's all I have for now!

Angie

[Jen925Jewelry]

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom! I've got quite a few new ideas now for my display and how to best reach people at the Expo.


Jill, I especially love your idea of the "personal shopping night" for brides-to-be and their bridal party! I will definitely be using that one. You are brilliant! Your bridal show should be a great success! When is it? Let me know how it goes...


Angie, thanks for the tip on the handouts. I'm "noodling" around some "stand out" handouts now. I do have a few friends who have volunteered to help and they already own MD pieces, so I'll be sure to have them bring them so they can model. :-)


Thanks again! This board is the best! Edited by: Jen925Jewelry

[shoppingmamma]

Originally Posted by Jen925Jewelry

Jill, I especially love your idea of the "personal shopping night" for brides-to-be and their bridal party! I will definitely be using that one. You are brilliant! Your bridal show should be a great success! When is it? Let me know how it goes...

Mine is in a couple weeks! I hope the "personal shopping night" works for you! I have found it's all about perception...if you tell a bride she can get free and 1/2 off by hosting PARTY alot of times they will look at you like your crazy! How can they do a party with all this wedding stuff to do! They don't have TIME...but tell them you'll come over for a "personal shopping night" and they feel like they are getting a special service and treatment and get all excited! When really it's a party! LOL

[Creative Mom]

I just finished a huge bridal show here in Atlanta yesterday. Although I didn't get any specific parties booked, I got a lot of leads!!! I definitely agree with not asking directly "do you want to book a party" as the brides are often overwhelmed. Instead, I mentioned that they can get their girlfriends together and I would come over and teach them how to make a peice of jewelry. The response was amazing! Although some people have different opinions on whether or not to do a drawing, I decided to have one- well, actually two. One was for the bride for a $50 gift certificate and a $30 one for family and friends of the bride. I told them that they were important too. Not only did they like that, but the bride would also agree which would make the family and friends feel good as well.
Be prepared to have time to follow up afterwards. I know I will be busy for quite a while.
Good luck to all of you with upcoming bridal shows!
Robyn