Revealing 4 Must-Have Elements of Your Business Structure
Running a successful business can often feel like you’re spending the bulk of your time working on client work, but smart wedding pros know that they must also commit to optimizing your business structure to keep clients happy. After all, a disorganized and chaotic backend is enough to alert clients to deeper problems and turn prospects away to your competitors.
Besides enhancing the client experience, a streamlined business structure also simplifies your life and protects your brand’s reputation. While every company is unique, there are a few elements that every business needs to find success. Here are four key components you must have if you want your company to thrive and grow.
A fleshed-out brand
Your brand serves as your company’s identity and drives every facet of your work, from the photos you post on social media to the client experience throughout production. Every business must have a name, logo, and color palette for recognition purposes, but branding goes far beyond aesthetics. It also includes your business values, the tone of voice you use in your messaging, how you communicate with clients, and virtually every other aspect of operations. Define your company with three to five brand adjectives and use those terms to drive every decision you make in your business.
An airtight contract
A solid contract is arguably one of the most important business elements, as it protects you and your clients from legal liability. When first drawing up your contract, make sure to hire an attorney to review it and guarantee its soundness. Once that’s confirmed, you can use your contract as a template to save time and energy. Better yet, opt for a CRM software that will generate contracts and automatically send them out for e-signatures; this takes the legwork out and makes for an efficient process for clients.
A system that supports streamlined communication
Planning an event can feel like juggling numerous responsibilities, especially if you don’t have a system in place to facilitate effective communication. Look into various platforms that support real-time collaboration so you can send and accept digital payments, stay in contact with clients, vendor partners, and internal team members. This will ensure that everyone remains on the same page, despite the many moving pieces to produce an event successfully.
An effective networking approach
In an industry that relies on teamwork and togetherness, it should come as no surprise that your network’s size has a direct impact on how far you can grow your business. The more industry connections you have, the more opportunities will open up! In-person networking is understandably challenging right now, but there are plenty of virtual hangouts to participate in within the industry. Start by joining your local associations (if you haven’t already) and keeping tabs on their activities and other industry events they’re promoting. Plus, once we can resume in-person gatherings, you’ll be primed and ready to start off on the right foot.
There are plenty of other aspects you need to run a thriving business, like compelling offerings, strategic pricing, and smart marketing strategies; however, none of these will take you far unless you have the aforementioned four key elements ironed out. Focus on your foundation, then build from there, and you will find success.
Elizabeth Sheils is the co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, the first software platform to bring together wedding planners, couples, and vendors into one system for managing and paying contracts and invoices. Elizabeth is also a lead wedding planner with award-winning firm Bridal Bliss, where she manages the Seattle team. She was recently recognized by Special Events in its Top 25 Event Pros to Watch series.