The advice, “it’s about who you know,” may not always be true, but for growing your wedding videography business, this age-old wisdom is spot-on.
When you know more people in the wedding industry, more wedding industry professionals will recommend you to clients. It’s simple math. But, at the same time, it’s also networking, which many professionals view as the absolute, end-all, be-all worst.
Painful or not, networking is integral to growing your wedding video business. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be so awful. If you network on your terms — and, don’t think about it as networking at all — you’ll be able to grow your business and your “wedding friend group” in the process.
Here are four ways I used the fun kind of networking to grow as a wedding filmmaker.
1. Attend a local niche meetup
One of the easiest ways to meet people in your field is to attend an event specifically for your industry. Now, I realize that’s not rocket science — and it’s starting to sound a whole lot like networking — but hear me out. If you join a group of wedding photographers and planners, you already have the awkward small talk centered on finding a commonality out of the way. You’re already connected to these attendees by simply being in the wedding industry. You can share funny client stories, gripes with current venue regulations, or gush about dream clients — and they’ll get it. And, with this common interest, you’ll easily click with at least a few of the people present. That means you’ll leave with more wedding-industry friends than you came with!
My favorite wedding meetup group is Rising Tide. While not entirely focused on the wedding industry (they target creatives in general), three out of the four event attendees seem to be wedding affiliated, so it’s a great place to build relationships with local professionals in your field.
2. Reach out on Instagram
It’s hard to write a wedding business guide without Instagram, and this topic is no different. Instagram is one of the best ways I’ve found to build my wedding industry network. Even better? You can target the professionals you want.
When I first moved to New York City, I started following local wedding photographers and other videographers to understand the landscape. But it wasn’t all about competition; in fact, it was hardly about that at all.
I followed local peers to see the professionals I thought I’d connect with best. Once I found them, I slid into their DMs and asked if they’d like to grab coffee or a drink. Within a few weeks, I had multiple coffee meetups and my wedding industry network grew. Months later, so did my business.
3. Join the Facebook groups
Facebook is another social media platform that has a big (yet overlooked) networking opportunity: Facebook groups. Niche groups for industries and interests exist across Facebook, and wedding-specific groups are actually pretty lucrative. Wedding video groups like Wedding Film School offer peer-to-peer inspiration, critiques, and second shooting (and sometimes lead) opportunities. Other, more general local wedding groups, are a great way to connect with photographers and planners in your area.
A word of warning: Treat these groups just like you would a networking event. Sure, it’s easier to promote yourself when you’re comfortable behind the screen, but it’s more effective to authentically participate and provide your own critiques and inspiration before jumping in with a call for work.
4. Show up for each wedding
Of course you’ll physically show up, but make sure your heart’s in it, too. Weddings are one of the best ways to attract potential clients. As bridesmaids see you cheerily interacting with the bride, they’ll keep your name in mind for friends or their own future weddings. As an aunt of the bride sees you picking up, say, a fork grandma dropped, she’ll be impressed by your dedication to the job, and she’ll be likely to recommend you to her own children and their friends.
Are you networked out but ready to grow your brand further? Follow this step-by-step guide to help you use Pinterest to grow your creative brand. Bonus? No human interaction required!
Feature image via Shutterstock
