We host Professional Wedding Guild luncheons at various venues across the Triad and Triangle each month.  Here is the typical agenda:

11:00-11:40 am Open Networking
Don't miss this time to meet your industry peers and share about your business.  See the tips below.  One business will be "In the Limelight" each month and will have a featured display.

11:45 am Lunch, Program & Speaker
Our speaker is usually chosen from the previous luncheon and will share marketing and networking tips to help grow our businesses. We sometimes bring in guest speakers.

 
The meeting is over by 1:15 pm. People usually stay around to visit and tour the facility.

Why should you be networking?

Effective networking is about building relationships with others who can refer you once they've come to trust you, have confidence in you and feel loyal to you. This truly is the key to networking success. And this process takes time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme.

If there were a single networking concept I had to identify that most entrepreneurs just don't get, it would be building relationships over time. They listen, acknowledge its importance, then ask about the best way to close a deal when meeting someone for the first time. The short answer is, you don't. OK, everyone has that one fluke story about meeting someone for the first time and ending up doing business, but that's not the norm. The norm in successful networking is building a relationship to generate long-term referrals.

What are the rules?

• Don't ask flat out for referrals.
• Have good manners and good interpersonal skills.
• If you're contacting someone who doesn't know you, introduce yourself succinctly. Tell the person how, where or from whom you got her name and why you are contacting her. Think about your reaction to getting a call from a stranger and what you would want to know.
• Be positive. Even if business is getting you down, don't let it show. No one wants to recommend someone who has a gloomy attitude. On the other hand, enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious.
• Be articulate. Tell what you know and ask intelligent questions to learn what you don't know.
• Be yourself - your best, aspiring-to-be-a-professional self.
• Good manners and appropriate conduct will help you build allies.
• Thank everyone. Write thank-you letters to people who take time to talk with you. Leave a good impression - someone might remember you in a few weeks.
• Networking is a vital key to the growth of your company.  While referrals tend to come and go because there is ALWAYS a new kid on the block, you have to stay out in front of wedding professionals on a regular basis to continue forming relationships that will continue to build your business.

When used in combination, print, internet, leads, bridal shows, and networking can provide you with increased revenue for your company.

Networking Tips

Help to Increase the Wedding Guild Membership
~Email or call us with the name, business and email address of another wedding professional who you think will benefit from joining our gatherings.

Meet as Many People as You Can
~Use this opportunity to meet people; follow-up with them later to exchange more detailed information (write notes, make lunch appointments, invite them in to see your business, etc).

Sit With People you Don't Know
~Break out of your click and force yourself to meet new people. That's the purpose of this event.

Bring a Wedding Professional Guest
~Networking is about meeting new people and introducing your contacts to others.

Be Prepared for a 2 Minute Presentation
~Use the information to introduce yourself.

Bring Brochures and/or Samples
~There will be a table where you can place brochures and flyers for others to pick up.