If you do decide to offer a discount policy or a referral program, make it great! Create an exclusive club for them to join or make a "platinum status" available only to planners. I would encourage you to have a clearly defined policy. It should also be something that you are transparent about (maybe even have on your website). In order for it to not feel icky or under-handed (especially to your end client), you don’t want it to be a secret. You also want to leverage it to get more business from planners and venues. Don't hide it, make it attractive and something people want to get in on. Read more
Published in Grow Grow Grow, The Money.
"I’m too busy! I need to hire people (or more people) to help me but I don’t know how. Where do I start?" Read more
Published in Biz Operations.
While some may think of a lemonade stand as a childhood right-of-passage or something to keep their kids busy for an afternoon, I experienced it as a window into entrepreneurship and small business ownership. I suppose I can’t help but think about what makes successful businesses tick but this sweet afternoon with my kids was kind of eye-opening actually. Here are some of the truths I was reminded about. Read more
Published in Biz Operations, Grow Grow Grow, The Money.
It can be impossible to get out of your own head sometimes. You know you have challenges in your boutique event rental business and just “trying harder” isn’t solving the problem. Instead of continuing to spin your wheels, get the outside ideas, solutions, best practices, and advice that can make all the difference. Even making small tweaks to your operations, sales process, hiring practices, or workflow can reap huge dividends. Read more
Published in Grow Grow Grow.
Does adding prices to your event rental website commoditize your collection? Will your potential customers find it helpful? Does having pricing online increase your visitor-to-lead ratio? How about your closing rate? Read more
Published in Grow Grow Grow.
Within your event rental business, dealing with damages is a given. Accidents happen. Things get broken. Repairs and replacements will be required. As a rental business owner, how do you decide what kind of damage policy to adopt? And once you choose, do you give your customer any options? Or is there a one-size-fits-all solution? Read more
Published in Biz Operations.
Every event rental business is going to have a Sales Process that looks a little (or A LOT) different from anyone else. Your Sales Process is going to include your script, your policies, your questions, and your solutions to the pain points your client experiences. While I can give you a blueprint or a checklist, you’re going to have to customize every aspect of it to suit you and your rental business. Read more
Published in Biz Operations, Grow Grow Grow.
Who foots the bill for the rentals at a photo shoot? Is the photographer responsible? Is the person being photographed your customer?
My answer this week is a little unconventional. Read more
Published in Grow Grow Grow.
How do you manage “too many cooks in the kitchen” when you get all the decision-makers in the room for your sales meeting? Read more
Published in More.
How do you mention a minimum order requirement (if applicable) without sounding negative? Read more
Published in Biz Operations, The Money.
