Become a Top Wedding Planner - 4 Ways to Handle Competition

As a new wedding planner, you may be worried about having to fight competition for clients. But the presence of competition is actually a good sign, it means there are potential clients in the area.

Here are 4 ways to handle your competition fears:

1) Learn all about your competition

• Who else is offering wedding planning services in your area?


• What niche do they market to?


• Who are their ideal clients?


• How do they market to them (mailers, online, referrals, exhibit at wedding fairs, etc.)?


• What are their marketing messages (for example, low cost, eco-friendly, etc.)?


• What services and products are they offering?

Remember that your competition may not be just wedding and event planners but also caterers, florists, and party rental stores who offer planning. Places of worship may offer the services of a wedding coordinator who also does wedding planning. Knowing what they are all offering will help you determine how to differentiate yourself from them.

2) Evaluate your own company

• What is your niche and who are your ideal clients?


• How do you market to your niche?


• What marketing messages are you sending out to your niche?


• Do your marketing messages clearly explain your uniqueness?


• Have you developed services and products that are specifically for your niche?


• Or, are you offering the same services that all other wedding planners offer?

If you are unclear about your niche, your marketing messages are probably also unclear and brides are having trouble seeing how you are different from your competition. Take the time to learn the services the couples in your niche need and would be willing to buy. Then make sure your marketing messages convey your understanding of their needs so it is clear that you are the right wedding planner for them.

3) Consider partnering with people who are not in direct competition

You may want to network with wedding and event planners who handle clients that you do not, and vice versa. Ask if they would be willing to exchange referrals with you. You may approach caterers and florists to see if they would like to to partner and offer joint packages to make it easy for couples to work with all of you. Places of worship might be willing to refer you or have you work as their wedding coordinator.

4) Establish your uniqueness and concentrate your time and energy on your own business

Now that you know what your competition is doing and you've evaluated your own business, take what you have learned and, if necessary, make changes in your marketing plans and set new goals. Remember to emphasize your uniqueness in all of your marketing efforts. Next, concentrate not on beating out competition but on being the best at what you do and offering your clients the best services and products that you can give them.