Transcript from June 19 chat with wedding consultant and author Mayai Chatman

melagirl65:Hello everyone
melagirl65:Let's welcome Mayai Chatman Whitfield, wedding planner and author
melagirl65:of "I Do"...Weddings
melagirl65: Mayai (aka wednday) will discuss how to network, select quality vendors, and more information from Chapter 9 of her book
melagirl65:Wednday, the floor is yours
wednday:Good evening everyone
sunworshipper:do you rate registry services?
wednday:repeat that please - I'm not clear on the ?.
sunworshipper:don't you think one company's registry is better than another
wednday:Okay, I now I understand.  For the most part they are pretty good .  My favorite is PNC Bank Matri-Money and FHA Bridal Registry - they are both a registry that let you apply money to a down payment for a house
sunworshipper:I remember when those came out.  I thought it was a great idea.
wednday:As far as retail, Macy and Target are my favorite
wednday:Networking - golden rules - 1. listen twice as much than you speak
wednday:Networking should be thought of as building a relationship not a sales pitch
wednday:Try to find a common interest while networking, don't try to create them if they aren't there.
melagirl65:let me get this straight, by networking, you mean with other consultants, or other wedding industry professionals?
wednday:It is can of easy to find a common goal because we all attended a wedding which can be used as a common interest
wednday:When I refer to networking I'm talking about the industry, common people - because they know people who are getting married to.
melagirl65:does this mean attending several bridal shows?
wednday:Please do not strive to be impressive, instead try to leave a positive impression
melagirl65:where else can I network?
wednday:You can network anywhere - especially church
melagirl65:what other places specifically are best for networking, other than church, bridal shows, others' weddings?
wednday:recommended venues for networking - wedding related trade shows, business seminars, retail stores related to the wedding industry
sunworshipper:how do you turn networking into making money?
wednday:The photographers, caterers, bridal gown designers all have professional organizations that they belong which are great venues to network
wednday:Good ? sunworshipper.  The answer is by creating a mutual relationship that allows you to benefit from an opportunity
sunworshipper:for example?
wednday:Ex - I once attended a trade show dinner and met a publisher, we started talking and then he ask me would I distribute his magazine for him at a trade show.  Well of course I said yes, which in return I received clients, free advertisement and pr and free magazines
melagirl65:and networking isn't just for novice consultants, right? seasoned consultants need to continue to network as well?
wednday:Every business owner should network regardless if they are a new or seasoned.  You just never know who knows who
wednday:You should also try to make a graceful intro, meaning just don't give your 3 min presentation, shove a business card in someone’s hand and move on to the next person with the same approach
wednday:You should try to have a plan with an agenda of who you want to meet.  You can do this by asking the host for a listing of the guests in advance and then do your research
melagirl65:but networking is sometimes like a you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours scenario
sunworshipper:I want to hear how to go from networking to cash
melagirl65:isn't it?
klobe:hi everyone!
klobe:What is the topic of discussion?
wednday:You are basically correct melagirl and you just have to be at the right place, the right time and build a relationship with the right person - sunworshipper
klobe:Any tips on selecting vendors? Do you work with certain ones or do you customize each wedding with different vendors?
wednday:Follow-up is very important with networking as well.  A little note stating that it was a pleasure to meet you will always leave a nice impression and help the person remember who you are if you constantly follow-up
wednday:Ask a bride which vendors she liked and why is one of the best ways to select a vendor
wednday:My golden rule - on-time and quality service when selecting a vendor
klobe:Do you interview your vendors?
wednday:Brides love to talk about their wedding so you will not have a problem finding out who was good or not so good
wednday:Attending trade shows as also another way to find vendors however, you should follow-up and speak with past clients and ask to see their pictures and videos  of
melagirl65:how else can you find quality vendors, other than asking a bride?
wednday:by attending trade shows
sunworshipper:isn't quality subjective?  Shouldn't the consultant perform some assessment and recommend to the bride or groom?
wednday:You could look in the yellow pages and make an appointment to see them
sunworshipper:do vendors only work with certain consultants?
sunworshipper:or should i say selected consultants
wednday:Yes, one of the consultant's role is to refer vendors to clients therefore she/he should do the research before hand
wednday:Yes, some vendors do work with certain consultants
wednday:Also, some consultant work with certain vendors as well
sunworshipper:based upon?
wednday:Their taste, style, image and services/products
melagirl65:well, we’ll wrap up now. Thank you very much wednday!
sunworshipper:good night
wednday:Good night and thank you for the opportunity