Bridal Networking groups

[t_c16]

Has anyone have any opinions regarding joining certain bridal-special events

networking groups? It may seem helpful but there seems to be a lot of

photographers that are already members. They're considering letting new ones in

but still undecided.

 

I've already joined a chamber of commerce and plan on going to a few more

business networking things so that may be enough for now. But how effective are

these special niche groups? There seems to be a set relationship between

photographers & certain vendors in the group that may be hard to penetrate & get

referrals from.

 

Any thoughts? Good or Bad experiences? Thinking of joining this group to add to

my marketing strategy but not sure yet.

[tony_hoffer]

I got an email from one a week or so ago asking me to join. I don't think it's something I'm

interested in doing. I think word of mouth and google are still the two best (and also the

cheapest) ways for me.

 

Making happy clients and asking them to tell people about you is probably the most effective

way to reach new people. I'm sure the brides in those groups would rather hear from another

bride than vendors trying to sell themselves.

[t_c16]

Thanks! Working hard at learning more about networking :)

[ajinsonphoto]

i enter in all the free ones. cant hurt! & ive gotten many leads from them.

[curt_kalkstein1]

You might want to try networking groups that aren't speficially oriented to the wedding business. I belong to BNI (Business Network International - look on-line for bni.com). Group sizes range from 10 to 40 people, with no more than one representative of any one career field allowed to be represented. You might get fewer referrals specifically relating to weddings, but you might pick up other photography business.