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Learn How To Influence Brides

Wedding Professionals:

Question: What do Oprah Winfrey, Abby Larson (of StyleMePretty.com), and your favorite blogger have in common?

Answer: They have established a huge following and have become great influencers.

By mastering two basic fundamentals, any of us can be as influential as Oprah in our own little neck of the woods (aka the wedding world). These two simple rules will enable you to influence your customers (brides), business partners, suppliers, employees and even your family. Give it a try and see what happens.

So, how did Oprah do it? Well, here are the two fundamental things that I believe great influencers do really well:

1. Great influencers constantly look out for their audience’s best interest. No one wants to follow or dedicate their time to someone who is out for themselves. At the same time, influencers establish deep trust amongst their audience. They don’t over or under promise. Oprah would never promise something in a commercial that she couldn’t deliver in one of her episodes. Abby Larson would never create a false blog headline, which she couldn’t deliver on with her blog content. If an influencer doesn’t have their audience’s best interest in mind, then an outbreak of disappointment will occur and their ‘following’ will begin to diminish.

2. Great influencers go above and beyond in terms of constantly delivering information, opportunities or inspiration that meets the needs of their audience. This can be done in the form of a blog, phone calls, emails, Twitter updates – you name it. Any form of communication works as long as you continue to wow your audience with insights that make their lives easier. This is the secret sauce to get your audience to keep coming back for more.

These two fundamental things act like a magnet for great influencers. People are naturally drawn to those who exhibit these behaviors. Not only are people willing to listen to great influencers but they are willing to devote their time and money to them. Even better – people will tell their friends about these great influencers.

To influence brides (or anyone for that matter), demonstrate that you are constantly looking out for the bride’s best interest AND constantly delivering helpful information, opportunities or inspiration to make their wedding planning easier.

Then, is this all about giving? Pretty much.

Will you be completely amazed by what you receive in return? ABSOLUTELY.

Please comment below if you have any other tips to share about influencing.

About This Blog: Christine Dyer is the Creator and Founder of BridalTweet. Christine has an MBA in marketing and shares over ten years of marketing expertise with the wedding community. In this weekly blog, you'll find advice on an array of wedding business topics such as how to market to brides, social networking, wedding PR, wedding sales, vendor networking, branding, pricing and much more. Please pass this news along to your own professional wedding network. To receive this advice in your email inbox each week, Sign Up for a Free BridalTweet Membership.

Comment by Enchanted Affairs on December 7, 2009 at 12:16am: Very inspiring !!!

Comment by FavorIdeas on December 7, 2009 at 10:26am: Good work, thanks for the nice insights.

Comment by The Wedding Salon on December 7, 2009 at 10:36am: Inspiring, true, and helpful. Thanks!

Comment by WeddingMediator on December 7, 2009 at 12:03pm: Right on point as usual, Christine. I hope the next post is about how being a thought leader can build a community. Thanks!

Comment by Ellen Chatillon on December 7, 2009 at 3:13pm: I couldn't agree more Christine!

I'd like to add one point. It's also about listening and trying to understand and identify with what your Bride is saying and/or thinking.

I find that too many planners are so eager to tell the Bride what they can do and how good they are that they forget to really listen to her concerns.

As a destination wedding planner, I rarely have the chance to meet the couple until days before the event, after all the arrangements have been made.

During the first phone call I almost invariably mention that I can only imagine how difficult it must be to choose a planner based solely on a website and a phone call. This let's her know that I'm putting myself in her place right from the get go.

Once again, great post!

Comment by Konstantina Saraidari on December 8, 2009 at 11:47am: It is true that trying to show what we can do and how professionals we are, we focus in ourselves believing that at the same time we cover the needs of the brides. You are quite right that we need to think as brides and I am glad that you remind us. I would like to add that when a product/service is already successful becoming something of a trend, people still follow even if they do not know much about it. Earning our trust simply because it is most people's choice.

Comment by Aria Images Photography on December 8, 2009 at 4:48pm: Absolutely excellent advice. I would like to add sincerity. Its in sort supply in the world and when we come across it, its refreshing. Be sincere and caring with your customers and they will become your friends and open up doors to meeting other wonderful people.

Comment by Diana Trotter on September 4, 2010 at 12:00pm: Great advice. I really love giving brides new ideas I find and see and I try to reach out to all kinds of brides and thats what I think lacks in some bridal communities where they only cater to one type of bride...but there has been more and more open minds about what people think a "bride" should be or look like. There is no bride or wedding "look"...it's what you make of it and how you put your spin and taste into your big day that matters.

Comment by Marisa Taylor Photography on September 7, 2010 at 8:27pm: great advice!

Comment by Wine Coutures on September 8, 2010 at 11:42am: Very good advice that is easier to apply then most people realize, with more in return then can be imagined. Give a little, get a lot. Thanks!